By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
The drive train looks interesting and the diesel looks promising. The interior doesn't look bad, it just looks OLD.
If you compare the interior to most current autos, it looks dated; MB - C & E, Q45, any Lexus, any Volvo, Jag...even Saab and Acura look more modern.
The BMW interiors look like they are really fancy Buick interiors.
I used to own a 99.5 A6 and I can't see any improvement over that interior. I thought it would look at least as good as the T-reg...but it doesn't.
I thought it may have something...modern...maybe even on the lines of the new VW Bus. They could have even played the safe route and leveled a few trees like the LS430
I can almost guarantee it will have another mid-year upgrade (as in 99.5) I can't see this interior staying fresh (relatively speaking) for another 5 years until MY 2010.
Taste is subjective. I know not everyone will like or dislike the new Audi look. For me, it just doesn't look good to me. I see that to some there might be minor changes to the exterior, but I can see a lot of changes. From the front, I see a BIG new grill, the bumper to the fog lights (which I like) looks like the A8, and the hood looks a little more aerodynamic. From the side, the window up to the roof doesn't look different, but the doors down to the side "skirt" looks different and aerodynamic. From the back, this looks totally different, except for the twin tailpipes. Maybe I'm the only one that sees that.
The interior doesn't wow me as the A8 interior. It does look old, unsophisticated, and plain. I'm sure the materials used are top notch, but it does not look modern or rich.
Does anyone know when the A8 will change to the new grill?
I thought everybody would agree with my assessment. Maybe Audi did do something right and i'm just a little odd (wouldn't be the first time)
Minimal grille openings have been used by Audi since the original 100LS.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
It's unlikely there'll be a stick A6 for NA. Try an A4/S4 if you like to shift yourself.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Certain elements around the nav display also seem out of place...or out of alignment. It's almost as if the interior were a bunch of “add-ons” instead of a fresh new design. If you look at an S60 interior or MB E Class, or Q45 there is more symmetry and balance of the controls.
It's not as if I'm forced to buy one and I'm upset about it...I just was anticipating something more.
The German (European) text of the release basically says that even the 4.2 will be available as a 6spd manual. One would think there will be three transmissions available (in the US): CVT for the FWD version, 6 spd Tiptronic for the 4.2 version and both 6spd manual and 6spd Tip for the 3.2 6 cylinder.
My Audi salesperson says the Audi insider just "did not know" -- but was quite willing to point to the European press release.
My gut -- based on all the stuff written about Audi's intention to "battle" BMW for Sport Sedan Supremecy here on this side of the Atlantic -- tells me they would be nuts not to offer the 6spd manual (check out the new 5 series Bimmer).
My gut, however, is at best a logical hunch.
The Car & Driver URL does give me hope!
Post Script:
OK so I revisit the C&D web blurb -- isn't that just the European spec, gleaned from the German press release? Or is the lack of the other engines a clue that it really is a North American announcement?
I shall keep my fingers crossed.
"Introductory prices for the 2.4 V6 model start at €33,000 ($55,500 CAD, $42,000 USD). The midrange 3.2 FSI V6 Quattro model has a pricetag of €45,400 ($76,250 CAD, $57,950 USD) while the fully-loaded 4.2 V8 Quattro's asking price is €60,000 ($101,000 CAD, 76,600 USD). "
If this is true, I think Audi is asking too much and will lose out to BMW and other top makers, who can be bought for this or even less.
I wouldn't count on the U.S. getting another underpowered A6 model (2.7L normally aspirated V6) either. We will get the 3.2, 4.2 and then sometime in 2005 a 5.0L V10 model.
My question is whether or not the new 4.2 model gets the unique fenders that the outgoing model has?
M
<huff huff huff>
now, where was i? oh yeah. the thick rim around the dash doesn't bother me at all. i see audi as going against the current trend of cool minimalist chic and its requisite satin metal finish and stark unadorned surfaces. audi is going in the opposite direction towards indulgent, decadent luxury. ooh yeah!
real wood veneers have odd asymetrical flaws like the knot in a piece of wood. the odd flourishes and detailings in the A6 cabin is like a wealthy man's study. things in the room don't all have to match ikea-style because every element in the room is an exquisite piece in its own peculiar way.
bravo audi, for distinguishing yourself once again by going against the increasingly common tide, where even the aveo will probably soon have de rigeur faux brushed metal accents and clean minimalist layouts. will that style be so special then? will you desire it when daewoo offers it?
the clean smooth unadorned cool minimalist look is already becoming commonplace in automotive interior design, and audi does not want to be associated with common styling elements. audi wants to stand out from the crowd, and that is exactly what they are doing with this ultimate anti-fashion statement. behold the bewildering richly decadent cabin of the new A6! audi, as always, on the cutting edge! <applause>
M
okay, i'm lying, but dat interior don't rub me da way it do you, otay? otay! :P
Audi cars are very fine cars indeed, as is Edmunds, the authoritative source for true car enthusiasts around the world.
Max out an A6 2.7T S-line on the AoA corporate web site: $51,620. Market will "bear" perhaps 4%.
$53,685 would be the assumed price of a new A6 3.2.
Now, areas where there may be "hidden" increases, could be: content. Some could perhaps be higher content (but overpriced) or reduced content (for the same price -- think 16 oz of peanut butter and then "new and improved" comes along and the package size is 14.75oz for a couple pennies less -- an effective price increase).
Of course the issue of the Euro vs the Dollar faces German mfgs too.
It would seem to me, however, that the 3.2 engine (for example) may cost less to manufacture and/or less to "cover" in warranty. Other cost cutting measures could have been employed also.
Some electronics probably cost less NOW than they did 12 months ago.
In any case, if the Audi A6 is to be compared with the BMW 5 series and perhaps some other European cars, the Audi will fight an uphill battle if it is the most expensive (quattro or no).
Price out a new 5 series Bimmer. Audi would be nuts to price its cars -- in the US -- that high, methinks.
Shhh -- my thoughts are that I would probably go ahead and buy the Audi anyway, due to quattro. Of course if the rumors of a widespread offering by BMW of "x" cars (330xi, e.g.) reaching the 5 series in the US, could certainly change the landscape. A 530xi or 545xi could make things interesting.
All of this speculation means that Audi "can't" raise US prices more than 4% -- unless they can convince the buying public that the content has substantially increased. The A6 from the standpoint of the competition is -- or will be -- an equivalent car, not a giant leap for "mankind."
I still like the new A6 and am saying a little prayer to the manual transmission god every night, that the new A6 -- at least in 3.2 form -- will be available with a stick shift.
Best Regards,
Shipo
heh...sorry...fancy ford (never seen one in person)
yes, slight similarities
I'm not sure about the interior yet. I'll wait till the NY Auto Show to decide.
By the way, has anyone heard any rumors about when they might release the 3.0T? I'm interested in the purchasing the turbo but I'd rather wait for the 2005 model if it's going to be this year.
I know about the Euro Dollar issues, but even they could not be used to raise the price of the car by 8% -- again without some clear way to "justify" this increase to the market.
The new A6 is great, from what I can tell -- and I will probably go ahead with either a new A6 3.2 (6spd manual?) or a 2005.5 or 2006 S4 (assuming there is one); but, the A6 is an equivalent car. It is equivalent to the new BMW, etc, is what I am referring to.
So, in the US, at this point, such a price increase would be difficult (but NOT impossible) to fathom as anything but a detractor from sales.
Our A8L costs are typically mid $70's -- at this rate the A6 4.2 just gets too close. Then what happens with the new short wheelbase A8 that is coming.
A fully maxed out SLine A6 2.7T is south of $52K -- a jump to $56K just seems outta line.
I could be wrong.
Best Regards,
Shipo
There will be both FWD and AWD versions of the A6 and at least 2 transmissions CVT (effective 7speed stepless) and 6spd tip -- fuzzy (as usual) on the availability of a 6spd manual even in the 3.2 6.
My choice would be a 3.2 with the manual if I had my druthers. I say this becuase there is a snowball's chance in hell for a manual 4.2 equipped V8 in North America.
Any other views on this "assumption?"
The Germans do well in engineering thus the high tech gadgetry in the A6. But those good german engineering skills don't exactly bode well in manufacturing thus the quality suffers. See consumer reports for the A6. First year quality I would worry. Unlike the japanese, they have strong manufacturing skills and their quality is superior. I don't have to worry about quality issues with first year vehicle introductions.
I owned an A6 and unfortunetly it was a lemon. I certainly hope with the new A6 that these quality issues have been improved. But from the looks of VW Toureg and Porches' recalls things have not improved as of late. The A6 is nice looking but would worry on reliability.
About the only "reliable" car I personally know -- and that is the issue, since it is personal -- is Dodge or Buick or perhaps the Olds Bravada. I would not want any of these vehicles. So having a reliable car that I would not want to drive just doesn't sway me.
My current 2003 Audi allroad 2.7T 6spd, now has 26K miles on it. I am on my second set of tires, but the car is the most reliable car ever. My wife's 2003 TT eats key fob batteries and is also on its second set of tires @ 20K miles. Other than that this TT, our third, is also reliable.
Based on my limited data -- the most unreliable cars that I PERSONALLY am aware of are probably Japanese cars, Acuras mainly. The only personal Lexus I know of is new and it too is trouble free.
And Consumer Reports, IMHO, is a mostly unreliable source for automobile data and stereo/home theater equipment.
A long term test report from Car and Driver, will probably get my attention and I will believe in it more than CU.
Having said that, I'll probably risk a new A6 unless the new A4 (S4) blows me away.
-- Mark
The allroad -- by all commerical measures -- has been a failure. It has been the best car I have ever had (or tied for first place with my 1995 Audi S6).
My allroad is quick, fast, quiet, comfortable, decent in the sportyness metric and an absolute stealthmobile and a blast to drive.
It's "all - road" capabilities probably are a better match for most people's off road adventures (rare and getting rarer) than many of the full-blown off road, rugged road, no road, etc. SUV's. My car is a all road utility vehicle that rides and runs and handles much more like an A6 sedan than a pickemuptruck.
I'll take on -- practically speaking -- Jeep Grand's -- anytime. However, I do not think that the allroad is suited to "no road" conditions that some of the other SUV's can handle with aplomb.
This is the best Audi that no one knows about -- ever. Shame.
The Pike's peak, a cross between a Touareg and a Cayanne apparently -- will be, no doubt, great and will be greatly priced too.
Get an allroad in May 2005 and enjoy it for years to come. Oh yea, don't get the one with the automatic transmission -- unless you get the V8.
Yet, for almost 30 Audis now, one BMW and two VW's, I probably would say that my actions are that I rank reliability in my bottom five of my top ten.
I do rely on the long term test reports that magazines like Car and Driver print.
I just can't value Consumer's Reports opinions, and this does not mean that I think if you can you are wrong. We're just different. I wouldn't use CR to pick clothing or shoes either.
Yet, I would use them for a new washer and dryer.
Maybe the "style and performance" issues -- for me -- so far outrank the reliability factor, that I end up buying cars emotionally rather than logically.
Generally speaking I am left-brained, but apparently when it comes to cars, I just can't hear CR.
To each his/her own.
So far, Audi is my brand, VW could probably win some of my buying dollars, from time to time Cadillac gets my attention as does BMW's 3xi series (and probably ditto 5xi series "if" they come out) -- I can't imagine anything CR could say that would influence my buying decision even one scintilla.
1. 2 upper oil pan leaks that left the car in shop for 4 days each. Following this, I still feel that there is a leak as I see oil on the floor but Audi dealer claims to see no leaks. I also think it burns oil.
2. Brakes have all been changed including rotors at least once. The rear maybe
3. Minor radio problem fixed with replacement of radio.
I am contemplating selling this for a more reliable car. I really like the ride but I am worried about the reliability. Any recommendations are welcome
Of course if you're sure you're burning
oil you should invoke the warranty, get it fixed and dump it. A good indie tech should be able to tell if you are burning or merely leaking oil.
Apparently short brake/rotor life is a regular problem w these cars.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
No surprises there, as the TL is the top pick for CR and the hottest selling car in its class getting rave reviews from many mags. The day I'll give the Germans respect is when they match Japan Inc. on quality and reliability and it ain't gonna be anytime soon as I read CR.