Looking at the '05 A6, it seems Audi continues to come to the rescue of design sanity. Seems to me there is suicidal tendency in the Industry; ie, Mercedes E class, BMW 7 and 5 series, or even the Honda Accord, just to name a few. These cars are ugly, even if some of them sell, resting in their laurels. I was hoping for the A8S to come to America, but I will be looking closely at the A6 and saving a few $ (....now that the Democrats are threatening).
I find the new A6 one of the best looking sedans from the exterior, and one of the most disappointing from the interior.
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.
I know that the A8 will eventually come with the "bass mouth" grill. I just hope it won't come until the 2006 model.
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?
on another board, the rest of the car just doesn't go with the formal upright look of the grille. It's like putting a Silver Cloud grille on a Citroen ID/DS.
Minimal grille openings have been used by Audi since the original 100LS.
Does anyone know if the Audi USA website has specs on the previous years of the A6? If not, is there some other source for this data? The MB USA website has complete specs, options and prices on all previous models going back about 15 years. I'd like to find out what the specs and features were for the 2000 and 2001 A6 models.
The bass mouth grille at first turned me off, but somehow, it seems to be getting a bit commonplace. I'll wait until I get to see it first hand, and will decide then if I would get one. If the new model doesn't offer a manual trannie, I'll be looking somewhere else. The monochrome display on the dash doesn't look too hot. We'll see.
so far they've only released rather dark photos of a grey interior (my least favorite interior color, tho I like grey exteriors). Anybody got good interior shots of the new A6.
It's unlikely there'll be a stick A6 for NA. Try an A4/S4 if you like to shift yourself.
I have to say that the new A6 is a sharp looking car. Not sure it needs to be another two inches wider for increased passenger comfort. I've been very happy with the 2001. I was glad to see in the Car and Driver article that a six-speed will be available in the US. http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=29&article- _id=7837 Of course no more 2.7T. Any chance the 6-speed will be available with the V8?? One can only hope.
I was going to post the opinnion of AutoSpies.com about the interior, but it is too lengthy. Take a look at it if you want to see a 180 from your opinnion......Actually, they have a rather thorough article on the A6 overall.
Their article is quite thorough. The dash part is where the interior loses me. That thick rim around it, plus old parts from the previous generation just doesn't create an aesthetically pleasing interior. I created a number of side by side interior shots from other makes, and almost all just look better. 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.
I called my dealer who called his Audi insider -- a person who helps the Audi salesperson configure cars and answer questions while in pre-sales mode.
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?
"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.
Those prices are way too high, thus incorrect. 76K for a A6 4.2 would make it higher than the base price on the A8L in this country, and actually costing as much as the average optioned out A8L. No way.
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?
what's everyone complaining about--the interior of the new A6 looks great to me, and my last car was an aston martin vanquish. oh! excuse me for a moment, it's time for me to go milk the cows, and the elevator's broken, and it's gonna take me at least ten minutes to climb all those stairs, but don't you go away, cuz i'll be right back to tell you more about why the A6 looks so great inside.
<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>
Amazing that you see all of this in the new car. I think the rest of us are shocked at how cluttered and generally busy the interior looks, especially compared to the previous car. There seems to be an awful lot of buttons + the MMI system (which should free up space on the dash) in the new A6. The new A6's interior is in direct contrast to the current A4 and new A8, they both have clean tasteful designs with minimal clutter. The new A6 looks like it came from a different company or at least a different stylist within Audi. Does Bangle have a brother?
yes, in fact Chris Bangle does have a brother, and he's married to my sister-in-law, which makes me quite intimate with Chris Bangle, because I AM Chris Bangle!
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.
Well the official word is that the price of the new A6's (due in US showrooms October 29th) has yet to be set.
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.
Tee Hee, and old GF of mine, ohhh, about 27 years ago had a step-father that had started a used car rental place up in Riverside, CA (not Rent-A-Wreck), and for some bizarre and unknown reason, he had several Edsels buried in front of their house up in the hills east of El Cajon, CA. Go figure. :-/
I don't think you can do a straight conversion from € to $. At €45,400 the base price on the A6 3.2TDI is roughly an 8% increase over the A6 3.0 € base price. I don't have the exact numbers as audi.de have already updated their Konfigurator to the 2005 model but I think the 8% is fairly accurate. The A6 2.4 is also roughly 8% over the 2004 model. Also the prices quoted include 16% tax which would not be included in the US base prices. Still, 8% is quite a hike.
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.
Wow 8% -- not doable in the US, without major increase in content. Now, they may decrease the content overall, add some here and there and raise the price 4% (which might yield an effective 6% increase) -- but in our market, the Audi is still not at the level of market position (where BMW is for example) that the cars can be priced like this and hiked like this.
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.
for the link to the Car and Driver article. There is hope for another A6 for me. To Mark, it probably is for the local market. Note that the specs in the article were all SAE (inches and pounds-feet) rather than metric. Also, there is no mention of diesel engines, which are very popular in Europe. The fact that it is wider and longer is also good for me. Perhaps the Geneva Auto show would give us more details. Keep up the good work, guys. Mario
i heard that only the 4.2L V8 version is being shipped this fall, and the other one is being shipped in the spring of 2005. is this true? what else have you heard>?
i heard that only the 4.2L V8 version is being shipped this fall, and the other one is being shipped in the spring of 2005. is this true? what else have you heard>?
Says: 2 engine choices will be "at the Dealership" by October 29th 2004 and then in February a 2005.5 A4 (redesign to look like a new A6? and the A8?); followed by a "new" 2006 A4, which will probably just advance the 2005.5 look but have some new underpinnings, engines (3.2?). I specifically asked about the S4 -- no info. Same memo did mention new SWB A8, but no S8, no S6, no RS 6 but I think there was a mention of an A3 and an RS 4 -- but don't quote me on this.
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.
A6 aesthetically looks nice. The interior looks pretty high tech in the console and at the shift area. I hope that those buttons near the stick shift don't cause the driver to loose his concentration.
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.
Just came back from LA Audi test drive, drove the A6 on Canyon road and really like it, steering is on the light side, ride is compliant yet firm, the most exciting part is the 4.2 V8, it's tuned more like a S4, the sound in seond and third gear is very pleasing to ear and just for that reason along, I want to drive it everyday, no air suspension and OK interior, compare with the A8 I have drived for 10 month now, I want to rive the A6 more.
The generalizations about the German V Japanese manufacturing "talent" fail to move me -- and probably would fail to move me even if I thought they were 100% accurate.
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.
The Audi allroad will be produced through the 21st week of May 2005. Apparently, then, the plant will be retooled for production of the new A6 avant.
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.
. . .on a scale of one to ten reliability is a "feature" that I would probably rank in the top five of my "needs."
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.
Just took part in a Market Research study that was sponsored by Audi. The new A6 was being compared to the new BMW 5 series, Mercedes E Class, Acura TL, Lexus GS300 and the Volvo S80. For the money, no car even compared to the new A6. It looks NOTHING like the Passat as others have stated here. The new design was beautiful and sleek. The interior was fantastic and very comfortable. It was roomy but felt very sporty. The V6 had 250 horses. It blew the others away. Prices looked like they would start in the low-mid 40's up to 50's. I was really impressed.
I have a 2001 Audi A6 2.7T which runs great when it is in good spirit. I have had a few medium size problems that seem to have been fixed so far. It has 38000 miles. Is this a keeper or a goner?
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
by a good independent, not the dealer. He might know what the deal is with the leaks.
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.
The new A6 looks like the old A6 with some detail tweeking is all I see. Nothing revolutionary here which is good when you see what BMW is doing. The hugeass grill is way overdone as others have said. I don't seeing it blowing away the others especially the new TL which will easily run with the A6 on performance and surely on value/features and staying out of the repair shop.
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.
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.