<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/16711/a6_side.jpg"></center><p>I really like the car the way it looks, the way it came from the factory. That's cool to me. Am I the only one and everyone else like to tweak? Just curious.

2000, Sport, Xenon and Rear Bags.

some big mods like 4-ring valve stem covers and foam trunk mat. Additionally, I check my tire pressure with the 4-ring Audi tire pressure gauge and drink wine from Audi wine glasses.
Hey, that car looks just like mine. I didn't know the 5spokers were available for 2000. I should've gotten Nemo.

but I'd like to change out the headlight washers for washers on my wheels (brake dust, phew!)

I'm mostly happy with the factory look.

I have to admit, I found the below article shocking. Modding a car before you even take delivery just shocks me for some reason. It probably shouldn't, but it does.<ul><li><a href="http://www.audiworld.com/forum/m/a6/msgs/47142.phtml">http://www.audiworld.com/forum/m/a6/msgs/47142.phtml</a</li></ul>

SHIFTING - the feel of the stock 6 spd sucked. Most common analogy used to describe it - "rowing a boat". I felt the UUC short shifter was a necessary mod. I've got mine set at only 20% (minimum) just to make shifting more precise. Now it feels great. This product should be the factory standard for 6spd's.

FACTORY 16" WHEELS - 'nuf said. Who here is content w/16" wheels and soft tires for spirited driving? Certainly not me. No, I don't autocross or anything, but I prefer my car to hold the road and corner like it's on rails. I'm happy to report that I'll be having the 4.2 5-spoke alloy sport wheels w/235/45-17's installed on my 2.7T as soon as it gets warm. (Woo Hoo!) Granted, I'm changing the stock wheels, but going for another Audi OEM tasteful, athletic wheel. IMHO, this is the perfect wheel for the A6. Then my car will (almost) look like Crider's, which BTW looks beautiful!

NON-SPORT SUSPENSION - Admittedly, I'm still in a quandary about this issue. I didn't get the PSK package because of the (IMO) sucky wheels that came with the package. Furthermore, I felt it would be a cheaper start to have the car delivered w/all season tires, as I took delivery 12/18/00 and I live in PA... Now I regret that I didn't get the PSK (no PST avail. at the time) for the sake of the firmer suspension. I'm currently looking into alternatives, but am afraid to do the Eibach pro's, because I am afraid that after the springs settle, the car will look "slammed". This car is definitely not the kind of car the slammed look does any justice for... Oh, I did do the PSK rear sway bar - another mod that doesn't affect appearance, but significantly affects performance. Highly recommended...

My goal is to keep the car looking as stock (and tasteful) as possible. I am considering small performance mod's, mainly Forge valves, and unsure about the chip route, mainly because of warranty issues and accelerating the likelihood of mechanical failure.

So what does that make me? A non-factory-compliant, aftermarket-tuning junkie? :)

I'm expecting delivery of my (A6 4.2 Silver/black + all packages but the phone) by the end of March - it's on the boat now!

I will be tinting the windows (minimally), and for now just thinking about those smoke rear taillights, but otherwise I think it is a fantastic looking automobile just the way Audi makes it.

I've always like the "stock look" vs. lots of modifications. The Q-Ship factor to me is one of the cooler and attractive things about the A6, and too many (especially visible) modifications ruins it.

Cheers!

what does a "UCC short shifter" do? Where can purchase one and how much does it cost?

I agree with your impression of the 2.7 shifter. The throws are much longer than the Saab 9000 Aero I'm currently driving. I've got a 2.7 on order though and may consider this upgrade.

Thanks.

A short-shifter kit reduces the throw distance of the stock shift kit and greatly improves the precision. UUC's product has adjustable settings of 20, 30, or 40% reduction. I'm probably in the minority w/it set at 20%. 30% seems most common from what I've heard...

Check out www.uucmotorwerks.com (the mfg of the product) or www.stratmosphere.com (a reseller) for more details. If you have a 6spd 2.7T on order, I would submit that this is a must-have upgrade. If you have the opportunity to drive one w/the short-shifter vs. w/out, I think the product will absolutely sell itself.

My only advice: have a UUC-authorized shop do the install, unless you are mechanically saavy. If you're having anyone else do the install, make sure they have the correct tools, i.e. circlip plyers. Without the correct tools, I think most people will agree it is a bitch of a job.

I hope I remembered the URL's correctly... If not, you can follow the links page within AudiWorld to each of those aforementioned sites.

The five-spokers came with the Sport Package and as usual, I had to search for dealer who actually could find the code to order the car. I ordered it in December of 1999 and took delivery in April of 2000.

I know, the 16"ers are way to small for those huge wheel wells, and I'm not sure the 17"ers are big enough either. Mod'ing the car just makes me nervous as I've had bad experiences in the past with an '84 4000 quattro, even with changing the wheels (the ones I chose weren't hub-centric) Ugh.

I love the look of the 4.2. The flared wheel wells, and the additional wheel options. If I wasn't waiting for the next S6 Avus wheel group buy to come around (soon I hear btw) I would go for those wheels for my 2.7T. The car looks amazing.

But I'm on the exact same boat as DMY 2.7T, (though I have PSK). I have the short shifter (set at 40%, awesome, first mod ever to any of my cars- a must for the 2.7T 6sp IMHO). Replaced the TBB at 16K (cautionary). Got the Forge Diverter Valves in at January (cautionary).

Wheels/Tires are next, since I have Winterport's on right now on the PSK twin spoke 16" wheels. It's either the 5 spoke brushed aluminum from the 4.2, or the Avus S6 wheels.

As for the chip, maybe in 6-10 months. Only if I get a new ECU, and a new exhaust ($2500+). Not likely since I'm looking at getting engaged around that same time frame, and the future Mrs. might get a bit worried, since I promised her a long honeymoon- one week for each year of dating (going on 7).

Had the 4.2 come with a manual 6 speed, with those 17", well, I'd probably be driving one, and leaving it all alone.

Nonetheless- still a sweet looking piece of automotive engineering.

Cheers,
ERT

No you are not alone, I plan no modifications to my 2001 A6 2.7T when it finally arrives from Germany and that includes no sport package whatsoever. I realize this is a very personal preference....I simply enjoy a luxury-tuned suspension/seats over sport versions.

not so bright. I kept saying, "How do you not know about this, it's on the Audiusa website, and is mentioned in many magazines?" Response was generally "Huh?, I'll have to look into that."

Well, you're in a different boat, definitely. You want to shift and you have bad weather. Both of those things aren't really options for every day drivers in LA. We don't need winter tires and I love to shift, but not in LA traffic.

I miss not having snow to drive around in and I definitely miss not being able to shift anymore (the tiptronic is nice, but it's not the same feeling), it's just not practical since I commute to work in this car.

I was there a couple of weeks ago, early feb during the heat spell... got stuck on 405 and it was only bearable becuase I was driving a rental Porsche Boxster. But if I had that everyday, I would go with tip. Though I had a 60 mile/3hrs roundtrip commute for the first 9 months of my 2.7T, there were many a days I was wishing for the tip.

ERT

and I've flirted with thoughts about clear tail lens as I saw them on another silver 2.7T and they looked very good. (High tech, not rice rocket.) Showing my age, but other than that I'm happy with the performance and handling. Don't even hate the Conti's, though I'll move up to SP5000's with 10mm more tread when they go.

It's kinda like Harley owners who can't resist personalizing their rides. I'm not going too nuts, just chips, diverter valves, better air filter, smoked lenses, and a different code in the central locking computer.

All of which improve the car, IMHO...

Actually,

I love our allroad quattro pretty much as is.

Killer 2.7T engine, nice 17" wheels with 225/55s and all the goodies including Tip controls on the steering wheel, dimming mirrors, heated everything and Xenon headlights. What's not to like? The car has it all.

Josh Smith

'01 silver allroad quattro Tiptronic
'97 Saab 9000 Aero 5spd
'94 Nissan King Cab pickup V6 5spd