If the A6 comes with both 5 or 6 speed AND a more high performance engine 2.7L bi-turbo or 4.2L V8, would you consider it?...how much would you be willing to pay for such a car?. If the S4 is in the $40-45K US range....what you would spend on a S6 or bigger engined A6...again, if it were at least a 5 speed. $43 - $48K? I personally will not consider upgrading to an A6 until both these things happen. I still got a leadfoot. :-)<p>Steve S.<br>97 2.8QM

both cars are just too big. I like a tight vehicle. I am still getting accustom to the a4. I had a talon/laser before.<p><p>1996 a4 2.8 qm<br>

My parents are considering to get the A6 4.2 V8 later on this year. A6 is simply too big for me. I like to drive a compact SPORTS SEDAN like my A4 1.8T. I used to drive the dog-slow 92 BMW 318 sedan. I will only consider vehicles smaller than a VW Passat for my next purchase.<br>Tom<br>97 A4 1.8TQM<br>99 Jetta GLS 2.0

I would LOVE to have the added interior space of the A6 -- it's just so much nicer when driving with 2-4 passengers. And I don't think it's "too big", as randall says. I could have plenty spirited driving in a car that size.<p>That said, I'm going with the new S4 instead. Why? Because it's a real model and will be here within 10 months. Also, I have a better feel for the actual impact on my wallet.<p>However, I still think Audi should push ahead with a true 540i/M5 fighter. But let's not mess around with the 2.7L Biturbo or the 4.2L V8. Instead, take the 3.7L V8 from the current A8, bump it up to 5 valves/cylinder, and *then* add a Biturbo. THAT would put little BMW in its place!!!<p>My .0171 Euro worth.

Steve,<p>I was at Diablo Audi talking to Ernst Gosch the other day, and he did believe that both a 2.7L turbocharged engine and manual transmission are going to be available next year (I don't recall him saying that the 2.7 was a biturbo, and I did not hear about a 6-speed). These two features will make the A6 a very appealing car for me. I sure could use a roomier car even if it's nowhere as beautiful as the A4. <p>What am I willing to pay? Less than $40K fully loaded will be great, but I suppose they won't sell a biturbo at that price.<p>-- serdar<br>

The 2.7 V6 low pressure biturbo will be the one that comes with the A6 in the near future. It only makes 230hp rather than the fully blown 265hp of the S4 biturbo. But, i'm sure there will be a chip to boost the 230hp up to 260hp.....<p>Christian

Saw an A6 2.7L biturbo yesterday, six speed, US gauges, bigger brakes. Pretty cool, from what I understand, it's undergoing testing. Saw it at Prestige Porsche-Audi in Lakewood, CO. I would easily go for this over an S4, but two kids weigh in on the decision.<p>Alex<br>

I have experienced it first hand. While I was on a business trip to the Springs one of our sales calls was cancelled...so me and another Audi fanatic went to the dealer row in the Colo Springs. At the Audi dealer...(and we are talking about Nov 96...or so) we saw THREE non-US A4 1.8TQMs....This was WELL before the introduction of the 1.8T to the US. Of course we asked the Audi Brand Specialist if we could drive it....and he said "NO". He told us that these cars were here for an Audi testing maneuver on Pikes Peak with several Audi folks and select Brand Specialists from around the US. They were non US spec cars that could not be driven on regular roads or the highway. Apparently they were soon to be shipped back to Germany. Did we leave dejected or WHAT?<p>My ongoing question is "Why does Audi have this thing with bringing cars to Denver/Colorado Springs for testing...High Altitude?...Pikes Peak?....Cold Weather?...or a combination of all?" You folks in metro-Denver and the Springs sure do get a treat well before the rest of us. Enjoy!<p>Steve S.<br>97 2.8QM

I have two daughters so the extra space would have been nice if the A6 had come with a manual transmission and sportier engine. The A4's small back seat is an issue for me but my girls are still young so I'm hoping I have a few years before it becomes a real problem.<p>However, I'm still concerned about taking client's to lunch. It's rare that I take more than one person at a time so I think I'll be able to just get around that one... or I just make sure they're small people:)

After an 8 hour ski trek from Seattle to Kelowna B.C. in our 2.8Q, my wife and growing 5 year old need more space - An A6 Avant is looking REALLY good...plus I get to keep the A4 :-)

I changed to A-6. The A-4 was A little tight and A lot slower than my other cars. Would be A great "one" car choice though. It was great value for money, I miss the 5 speed!

I dislike large cars, and for me, the A4 is the perfect size.

When the S4 comes to our shores...wont the A4 have the:<p>1) 1.8T 150 bhp<br>2) 2.8 30V 190 bhp<br>3) 2.7 bi-turbo 230 or 265 bhp<p>There is three engines there...what makes you think the A6/S6 wont get the <br>same treatment?<p>Steve S<br>97 2.8QM

The S4 will have the 2.7 biturbo in 250hp form (265hp in Europe), not the 230hp form. Well, that's what I heard, i could be wrong. Also, I wonder if they are going to drop the 200hp 2.8 from the A6?:<p>Christian J. Long