Results of my S4 vs A6 4.2 Sport experiment...long and rambly
07-24-2000, 07:39 PM
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Results of my S4 vs A6 4.2 Sport experiment...long and rambly
Ok, here's my story. I hope you enjoy it.
Some of you may remember my S4 experience. For those that don't, I bought a used 00' S4 with 2700 miles in December, trading in my 98.5' Avant QMS. At that point I was told no S4 Avants for the US, so I went for the sedan. A month later, rumors surfaced that the S4 Avants were coming and I had better decide quickly what I wanted to do.
Not a day later did the check engine light come on, starting nine weeks of hassles. Long story short, Audi could not fix the problem, a severe misfire, and bought my S4 back. They were willing to replace it with a brand new one, but since they still had my Avant on the lot, I decided to get that back until the S4 Avants arrived. I thought it was working out pretty well...I am #2 on my dealer's list for a S4 Avant ( Nogaro Blue/Onyx ).
That is until the little Audi wheels in my head started grinding away. I was flipping through the online inventory of my dealership when I came across a 01' A6 4.2 with the Sport Package, in Tornado Red no less. Now, until a year ago I thought I would never own a red car. Then I bought a 87' 944S that was Guards Red, and I was hooked. Now, I like the Laser Red of the A4/S4s, but it doesn't hold a candle to the Tornado Red. The A6 had the Onyx interior, and the sport seats were just awesome.
So, those little wheels started thinking...what if I traded in my Avant now and got the 4.2? Then I don't have to wait anymore for the S4 Avant and I can have almost as much room. So, I set up an appointment for tonight to test the A6 and a S4 back to back.
After work tonight I headed over. When I got there they had three sets of keys and a plate just waiting for me. They said the Red A6 hadn't been PDI'd yet so I would have to drive another one, but that I could have the keys to the red one to "walk" through it. They also gave me the keys to a Laser Red/Silver S4-6sp. Keys in hand I started the experiment.
Up first, the A6 4.2 Sport! First, let me say that the sport suspension on this car is a peice of work. It's as good or better then the sport suspension that's on my Avant. The ride is impecible and the car drives the same. The power is very smooth and there is lots of it...most of the time. If you leave the car in "D", then you really have to step on it for the car to downshift, but when it does you had better hold on. In Manual mode, 4th and 5th lack the pull that I expected, but 3rd is HUGE. I drove most of the time in 3rd...the range of this gear is amazing...30-90 MPH. The sport seats are great, as are the rear seats. The trunk is BIG and with the back seats down you could fit a small house inside.
There are some negative though. The tires, big as they are, are not big enough for hard driving. I got them to squeal easily and give a couple of times. The brakes are not as good as I expected. They stop the car, but not with the authority of my Avant or the S4. A couple of times I came into a corner a little hot and really had to pull it together to make the corner. All in all a fabulous driving car.
Now for the S4. Since this is the S4 Forum, you probably know what I will say. Very well balanced, plenty of power, great road feel, superb brakes, blah, blah, blah. Things I liked better about the S4: the sport stearing wheel, the taughter suspension, the white needles of the instruments. Things I don't like about the S4: Very cramped back seat, small trunk opening, but the S4 Avant takes care of one of these with the rear door.
After driving both I realized that Audi ROCKS. Both of these cars are Driver's cars. each has a different purpose and goes about it a different way, but each is truely a driver's car. Add to the roster the TTs and A8s and Audi has a Full house in my opinion. The decision is not an easy one.
After careful thought, I think I will stick with the S4 Avant. It really suits my style. I'm a wagon guy mainly, and the size is a little more appropriate for my lifestyle. That's not to take anything away from the A6 4.2. It's a GREAT car and if I drove just a click or two slower/less aggresively then I do, I would take it in a heartbeat, but the S4 Avant is what I want/need.
So, with that settled, I felt pretty good and I was on my way out when I noticed an Imola S4 stuck up in the back corner. Now, I really like the Imola S4s, but I've always thought that an Imola Avant might be a little much. I'm not a big fan of the Laser Red. My current Avant is Santorin and the S4 I had was Cactus Green. I wouldn't want the Silver, Black, or Pearl. So, I had pretty much decided on Nogaro. However, after seeing the Imola S4 I might be changing my mind.
Imola or Nogaro S4 Avant....decisions, decisions. I thought choosing between cars was hard, but colors is a whole nother story. I guess I'll have to decide sooner or later, but I bet it comes right down to the wire.
Thanks for listening and sorry for rambling. Maybe this can help someone going through the same thing.
Rick
98.5 Avant QMS
01' S4 Avant coming, but Imola or Nogaro...Imola or Nogaro....
Some of you may remember my S4 experience. For those that don't, I bought a used 00' S4 with 2700 miles in December, trading in my 98.5' Avant QMS. At that point I was told no S4 Avants for the US, so I went for the sedan. A month later, rumors surfaced that the S4 Avants were coming and I had better decide quickly what I wanted to do.
Not a day later did the check engine light come on, starting nine weeks of hassles. Long story short, Audi could not fix the problem, a severe misfire, and bought my S4 back. They were willing to replace it with a brand new one, but since they still had my Avant on the lot, I decided to get that back until the S4 Avants arrived. I thought it was working out pretty well...I am #2 on my dealer's list for a S4 Avant ( Nogaro Blue/Onyx ).
That is until the little Audi wheels in my head started grinding away. I was flipping through the online inventory of my dealership when I came across a 01' A6 4.2 with the Sport Package, in Tornado Red no less. Now, until a year ago I thought I would never own a red car. Then I bought a 87' 944S that was Guards Red, and I was hooked. Now, I like the Laser Red of the A4/S4s, but it doesn't hold a candle to the Tornado Red. The A6 had the Onyx interior, and the sport seats were just awesome.
So, those little wheels started thinking...what if I traded in my Avant now and got the 4.2? Then I don't have to wait anymore for the S4 Avant and I can have almost as much room. So, I set up an appointment for tonight to test the A6 and a S4 back to back.
After work tonight I headed over. When I got there they had three sets of keys and a plate just waiting for me. They said the Red A6 hadn't been PDI'd yet so I would have to drive another one, but that I could have the keys to the red one to "walk" through it. They also gave me the keys to a Laser Red/Silver S4-6sp. Keys in hand I started the experiment.
Up first, the A6 4.2 Sport! First, let me say that the sport suspension on this car is a peice of work. It's as good or better then the sport suspension that's on my Avant. The ride is impecible and the car drives the same. The power is very smooth and there is lots of it...most of the time. If you leave the car in "D", then you really have to step on it for the car to downshift, but when it does you had better hold on. In Manual mode, 4th and 5th lack the pull that I expected, but 3rd is HUGE. I drove most of the time in 3rd...the range of this gear is amazing...30-90 MPH. The sport seats are great, as are the rear seats. The trunk is BIG and with the back seats down you could fit a small house inside.
There are some negative though. The tires, big as they are, are not big enough for hard driving. I got them to squeal easily and give a couple of times. The brakes are not as good as I expected. They stop the car, but not with the authority of my Avant or the S4. A couple of times I came into a corner a little hot and really had to pull it together to make the corner. All in all a fabulous driving car.
Now for the S4. Since this is the S4 Forum, you probably know what I will say. Very well balanced, plenty of power, great road feel, superb brakes, blah, blah, blah. Things I liked better about the S4: the sport stearing wheel, the taughter suspension, the white needles of the instruments. Things I don't like about the S4: Very cramped back seat, small trunk opening, but the S4 Avant takes care of one of these with the rear door.
After driving both I realized that Audi ROCKS. Both of these cars are Driver's cars. each has a different purpose and goes about it a different way, but each is truely a driver's car. Add to the roster the TTs and A8s and Audi has a Full house in my opinion. The decision is not an easy one.
After careful thought, I think I will stick with the S4 Avant. It really suits my style. I'm a wagon guy mainly, and the size is a little more appropriate for my lifestyle. That's not to take anything away from the A6 4.2. It's a GREAT car and if I drove just a click or two slower/less aggresively then I do, I would take it in a heartbeat, but the S4 Avant is what I want/need.
So, with that settled, I felt pretty good and I was on my way out when I noticed an Imola S4 stuck up in the back corner. Now, I really like the Imola S4s, but I've always thought that an Imola Avant might be a little much. I'm not a big fan of the Laser Red. My current Avant is Santorin and the S4 I had was Cactus Green. I wouldn't want the Silver, Black, or Pearl. So, I had pretty much decided on Nogaro. However, after seeing the Imola S4 I might be changing my mind.
Imola or Nogaro S4 Avant....decisions, decisions. I thought choosing between cars was hard, but colors is a whole nother story. I guess I'll have to decide sooner or later, but I bet it comes right down to the wire.
Thanks for listening and sorry for rambling. Maybe this can help someone going through the same thing.
Rick
98.5 Avant QMS
01' S4 Avant coming, but Imola or Nogaro...Imola or Nogaro....
07-24-2000, 08:22 PM
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Go with Nogaro...beautiful color! 8^)
<p><a href="http://www.users.uswest.net/~craiger/a4main.htm">
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07-24-2000, 08:23 PM
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I feel your pain...
I really want to get the S4 Avant in black, no in Imola, no wait Silver... Hmm that S4 Saloon looks really good though...
Aaaaarrrrghhhh
I'm thinking a black Avant with nice tint, aluminum mirrors and roof rails would look very sharp.
I'm thinking about waiting until March to see the new A4 body style so that I can make my decision on picking up a 2001 S4 or wait for the 2003's ???
Aaaaarrrrghhhh
I'm thinking a black Avant with nice tint, aluminum mirrors and roof rails would look very sharp.
I'm thinking about waiting until March to see the new A4 body style so that I can make my decision on picking up a 2001 S4 or wait for the 2003's ???
07-24-2000, 08:59 PM
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Here's your answer...
<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/MyS403.jpg"></center><p>Okay, it's just my vote, but it counts for two! ;-)<p><a href=http://registry.audiworld.com/audi/registry/details.asp?car=3977>click for registry</a>
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/leslie-signature-2.jpg">
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07-24-2000, 09:05 PM
#6
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if silver's not an option, get imola...
...'cuz smurfs and wagons don't mix.
Nice post btw -- I love indecision! =D<p><a href="https://www.audiworld.com/forum/m/a4/msgs/278631.phtml">WIN A BOTTLE OF LANGKA</a>
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Nice post btw -- I love indecision! =D<p><a href="https://www.audiworld.com/forum/m/a4/msgs/278631.phtml">WIN A BOTTLE OF LANGKA</a>
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07-24-2000, 09:19 PM
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Question...
What dealership would that be, because that's what I'm looking for a Imola or Laser S4 to replace my current Laser S4. Are they both 6-speeds, interior color of the imola, and what packages are on them if you would be so kind to check it out for me, Thank you very much.
~ Jason
~ Jason
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07-25-2000, 12:19 AM
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I went for the Imola
Just to add a little peer pressure.
I feel just like you do about the Avant. I think they look better and are more practical. I've been anxiously waiting for them to hit the states.
I too am #2 on the list for the S4 Avants coming to Oregon.
Personally, I had to go with Imola. It looks nice on the sedans, but as leslie's pictures show, it's gorgeous on the Avant.
I feel just like you do about the Avant. I think they look better and are more practical. I've been anxiously waiting for them to hit the states.
I too am #2 on the list for the S4 Avants coming to Oregon.
Personally, I had to go with Imola. It looks nice on the sedans, but as leslie's pictures show, it's gorgeous on the Avant.