carbuff

I have owned a 2012 A4 Avant 2.0T, 2013 A6 2.0T and my present 2014 A6 3.0T.

The acceleration and braking features of the Avant were excellent. These features on the A6 2.0T were inferior to the Avant.

Acceleration and braking on the 2014 A6 3.0T are superb and far surpass either of the other two cars. In fact, other than appearance, the AT 2.0T and 3.0 from a driving experience are quite different.

Whereas the A6 2.0T braking feels jerky, the A6 3.0T braking is smooth and sure. On the highway regardless of speeds, the 3.0 feels energetic and high powered. The 2.0T has energy but not the same level of thrust.

I think the A6 3.0T is one of the truly great cars of my lifetime. It has not only a beautiful visual design, but also elegant appointments and an engine, transmission and braking system to meet every driving condition.

irenesbob

I assume the current car is Quattro, but what about the 2013? If it was the FWD with CVT, the comparison between it and the 3.0 is kind of irrelevant, since the transmission and Quattro have so much to do with the character of the car in terms of dynamics. Also, if you had a Premium level 2013 it likely did not have the 18" wheels/tires, MMI Navigation plus, Audi Connect, parking system w/ rearview camera, heated, auto-dimming exterior mirrors, keyless entry, HD radio and Xenon plus headlights. Now maybe you had a 2013 with these features, I don’t know – just questioning.
I had a 2010 A6 P+ 3.0 with 6-speed Tiptronic and now have a 2013 A6 P+ 2.0 with the 8-speed Tiptronic (both Quattro). I actually feel the 2.0 with the 8-speed (great transmission) feels smoother and more linear in terms of power delivery than the 3.0 did. I recently drove a friend’s 2014 2.0 FWD with the CVT and it felt like a totally different car than mine.
The braking on my 2.0 seems no different to me than the 2010 3.0 did, and in terms of interior appointments I think the trim level determines that regardless of power choice, except for the step to Prestige which does not offer the 2.0 in the States at this time.

carbuff

irenesbob, MY 2013 A6 was a 2.OT quattro Tiptronic Premium Plus 4 Door Sedan with 20” alloy wheels running on summer tires.

I have no doubt that individual cars within the same model configuration display different handling and performing characteristics. My comments were not to denigrate MY 2013 A6 2.0T as a "bad" vehicle. They were only meant to state that MY 2012 A4 2.0T and MY present 2014 A6 3.0T Premium Plus quattro with its 19" rims and tires were and are superior to MY former 2013 a6 2.0T.

This situation is quite similar to my experience with sidearms. I have had two pistols from the same maker and model that felt and performed quite differently from one another. Why this occurs?

I have been happy with all of my Audi's over the years. Some were better than others but all were fine automobiles. My 2013 A6 was a good car. It just was not as good as its predecessor or replacement.

irenesbob

carbuff-
Thanks - gotta agree cars are not clones - each one varies a bit. No doubt, I would love an S6 over my 2.0, lol

carbuff

irenesbob, me too. If I were younger, I would deny myself normal pleasures and save and save for the day I could afford an S6. It is magnificent.

But today being in my mid eighties, I think that my present A6 is going to be the final car. With diminishing abilities, I hope to stop driving before I put others in danger. It this is my final car then I am grateful that I find the A6 so very wonderful.

Although I have owned over forty automobiles, my favorite maker is Audi. These are the models I have owned:
1975 Audi 100 GL Sedan
1982 Audi 5000 Quattro Sedan
1985 Audi Sports Quattro S1 Coupe
2012 Audi A4 Avant
2013 A6 Tiptronic Quattro 2.0T
2014 A6 Tiptronic Quattro 3.0T Supercharged

Igoboe

Hi guys,

Great posts about the differences between 2.0 and 3.0 engines on the A 6s, very useful info! I am considering one and cannot really decide...

My question: what about reliability of those engines? Which one is less troublesome? Also, what is MPG on them (I meant quatro models)?

Thank you again!

IL

irenesbob

Both are great engines that are used in many VAG models around the world.
I had a 2010 3.0 and now a 2103 2.0. At the same overall driven miles (20,000 miles) I got 22.3 mpg on the 3.0 and am now getting 24.3 mpg with the 2.0. Not a great difference, but since both recommend (and I use) premium gas, the savings is noticeable. The April 2015 Consumer Reports auto issue says the gas and diesel 6’s have had “average" reliability, while the four has been “above average.” I am not one to trust CR for car reviews since a view of the car as more than just “4 wheels” is important to me, but on reliability I do a bit more. On a personal level, I had a major water pump and replacement issue and a power steering replacement problem with the 2010 3.0, but no issues with the 2013 2.0 nor with either of my A4’s (2006 and 2008) with earlier versions of the 2.0.
I recommend driving both versions if you can. That’s is what convinced me to get a 2.0 after I had the 3.0. I was very surprised during my initial test drive and have never regretted the decision to go with the 2.0.
If you are looking to buy new, 2016 offers a big boost in the 2.0’s power and offers more features in both Premium 2.0 and Premium Plus 2.0 trim levels compared to 2015. Bear in mind that in Germany (Audi’s home turf and host nation to the Autobahn) the A6 can be ordered with a 1.8 liter gas engine as well, an interesting thought for those of us in the States. lol
Good luck.

Maverick61

While i do not know if Wards takes reliability into account when they do their best engines ranking, what I do know is the 3.0 engine ended up on Ward's Ten best Engines list an unprecedented 5 years in a row - from 2010 - 2014. In 2015 they finally did not include it simply saying

"3.0L DI supercharged V-6 333 hp

+ Hard to improve on perfection

- But give it a try, Audi

= It hurts to say goodbye"

Here is the report from 2014:

2014 Winner: Audi 3.0L TFSI Supercharged DOHC V-6 | Ward's 10 Best Engines content from WardsAuto

It damn near came to blows as two passionate WardsAuto editors argued amid a full staff meeting about Audi’s 3.0L supercharged V-6 and whether it deserved yet another Ward’s 10 Best Engines trophy.

They both were right, actually: One editor insisted the engine hasn’t been updated in several years while other auto makers have bombarded our offices with new and compelling technologies that deserve recognition.

The opposite side refused to boot the engine because no rivals have come along that can match the 3.0L’s silkiness, its lively tip-in, its daily drivability, its gratifying torque at every engine speed. In other words, it’s still a benchmark.

That’s the argument that won ultimately, propelling Audi’s TFSI V-6 to its fifth consecutive Ward’s 10 Best Engines win.

On their score sheets, editors describe it as “the best engine I’ve ever encountered,” “amazing,” “one of the best high-performance V-6s ever” and “so refined, with a wonderful exhaust note under heavy acceleration.” The 333-hp TFSI V-6 is as stealthy and lethal as an assassin’s bullet.

It revs so effortlessly and sounds so enticing, it’s hard to think of this engine excluded from the list, especially as V-8s have become less popular in luxury cars over the years. Audi has pegged its fortunes to this engine as two-thirds of its product lineup relies on it.

And with good reason. This versatile engine works equally well in small and sporty cars such as the S4 and S5 and in spacious, suave cruisers such as the A7 and A8 sedans, not to mention the SQ5 and Q7 utility vehicles. Volkswagen and Porsche use the engine in hybrid applications, too.

It’s also worth noting the well-equipped ’14 S5 quattro coupe (with 6-speed manual transmission) we evaluated in early November came with a $58,845 sticker price that was $8,000 less than the S5 we tested last year.

Only two other luxury gasoline engines could be counted among the TFSI’s competitive set this year: Cadillac’s 3.6L twin-turbo V-6 and BMW’s 3.0L N55 turbocharged inline-6.

They’re both engaging, but the Cadillac engine, while being crazy fast, is crazy expensive and of limited purpose. And the BMW engine, while being smooth, fuel-efficient and capable, is starting to fall behind the leaders in specific output.

Several WardsAuto editors approached 20 mpg (11.7 L/100 km) while driving 415 miles (668 km) in the S5, so maybe that’s the engine’s lone weakness. Audi promises updates are on the way, so fuel consumption most likely will be addressed.

A decade ago, starting in 2004, Audi strung together three consecutive Ward’s 10 Best Engines wins for its 4.2L DOHC V-8, which was considerably less efficient than the 3.0L TFSI V-6.

The arguments for and against that engine in 2006 and 2007 were just as raucous, but the V-8’s gas-guzzling nature ultimately forced it off the list, despite its many strengths.

Yes, Audi engines inspire us to take these fights to the extreme, to the mat when necessary.

KevinGary

The 4.2 was one sweet motor. I kept mine for nearly 10 years before the plastic timing chain guides brought her down. But technology moved forward, as it always does.

irenesbob

Let's not forget that the Ward's 10 best engines list included the Audi 2.0 four cylinder from 2006 to 2009