A4RS

Anyone here have an Allroad 4.2? Whats the performance like?

SLLAW

In contrast to my allroad 4.2, my 2001 A6 4.2 seems agile and quicker.

markcincinnati

. . .but that the 6spd 2.7T is "quicker" and more nimble -- it is .1 second mfg data quicker, the nimbleness (if that is a word) is probably improved in the 4.2 by keeping the transmission in sport mode or tip mode and keep the revs up and keeping the car in a gear longer.

My 2001 A6 4.2 sport sounded better than any car I have ever owned, and in tip mode (2nd and 3rd gear especially) I could keep the revs high enough to overcome the "tip lag or throttle lag or whatever it was caused by lag."

The 2.7T 6spd always seems to be at the ready with respect to the accelerator -- unless I do something stupid like driving in 4th gear at 20mph. This 2.7T allroad (2003 model) is the best Audi I have ever owned -- and I have had 25 of them!

The 4.2 engine makes the best sounds I have ever heard.

Dream on: an allroad with 6spd manual or DSG and a 4.2 engine, tuned to 340 HP, like in the new S4.

Quattro_Marin

can turn from cruiser to bruiser with a punch of the pedal. Can you tell I love this engine?

mowog

amenities such as heated and powered steering position are nice. A great grand touring car with comfort,power and space. good/bad news is that its a real sleeper so only those that know it appreciate it.

mowog

My TT seems more agile than a A4 1.8T, A6 and AR are related but still apples and oranges

NH_AR

Are the brakes improved over the 2.7T?

mowog

drove the 4.2 on a lark. We were not really planning on buying a car but keeping abreast of what we might buy later. One drive and I was hooked. And as we really didn't need a car the dealer came back with a price $450 over invoice. The AR felt nicer than an A6 I had tested about a year earlier. When I put 17" twin spokes with P6ARs on for winter I discovered why I liked it better-it was the 18"wheel/tire set. The steering feel tightens up with the 18" and doesn't seem so boosted. I was thinking of removing the servtronic relay and see what that does but I'm getting used to it. We've had Volvos and now have a TT and a MB E300 and the AR4.2 brakes are every bit as good as any car I've owned. Spec wise everything seems the same as the 2.7 but I thnk the engine must be lighter. The AR replaced a Suburban whose 60-0 brake times could only be described as "yes".

Symphony

Used to have a 2001 2.7, and my new 4.2 is a different animal. The V8 engine gives it an entirely other character: I don't fight the throttle anymore when I accelerate, instead I modulate the take off with easy precision and exult in the throaty timbre of the engine which is about as perfect a sound as I can imagine (including that of my long lamented Fiat 131 which was the hardest car I ever had to abandon). The 2.7 turbo was a blast--literally--and I might sometimes miss the impulsive and seemingly elastic launches. But I must admit that I kept having that nagging feeling that "I coulda had a V8", and I am glad I finally succumbed.
BTW, I agree with Markcincinnati that a 6speed would be absolutely awesome, and I think I would have gotten it in a heartbeat had they offered it. Meanwhile, I am quite smitten by this one here with the tip.