My current lease is coming up at the end of this month and I'm considering a new (06 or 07) Audi A6. I've always driven a Saab (89 SPG, 99 9-3, 2002 95 Aero, 2004 9-5 Aero) but feel that GM has ruined Saab and that I'd like to step up to an Audi. I'm undecided on the 4.2 or the 3.2.

I stopped into a local dealer the other day and spoke to a Sales Consultant about my situation. He suggested I call him to set up an appointment to drive them side-by-side. I've called him not once but twice leaving a message on his voice mail trying to set up an appointment. He still has not called me back. I called the dealership to confirm he does in fact still work there.

So here are my questions. 4.2 or 3.2 and when I get it from another dealer do I send a picture of it to the sales manager from the dealership that would not call me back with a note telling him/her that additional training for the "Sales Consultant" is needed?!

People have asked your question on this board before and the responses depend on the individual. Most 4.2 owners seem to think the 4.2 is worth the extra money and most people with the 3.2 say the smaller motor is sufficient.

In my case, I found the lower fuel economy and higher upfront cost of the 4.2 worthwhile sacrifices to get more power. Keep in mind that the 3 mpg difference between engines (26 vs. 23 mpg highway) equates to only 50 gallons a year of extra gas if you drive 10,000 miles per year. The real world difference may be even narrower, since I can easily beat 23 mpg on the highway with my 4.2 (i've hit 30 mpg on the tip computer).

vs. the 3.2's EPA rated 27mpg highway.

I drove both side by side at my local dealer (Stammler in Boulder) with no problem. At our altitude it's clear the 4.2 is a better choice (actually the 2.7T is even better but that's another story).

If not, contact another salesman. IMO the 1st one lost a commission.

If you do test-drive both 3.2 and 4.2, be sure to drive the 3.2 in "S" mode. I absolutely love it!

I agree with the other's arguments that gas mileage doesn't make a good argument for either over the other, but generally there is much better prices to be had on the 3.2 vs. the 4.2, thus you have to decide for yourself how much more you are willing to pay for that extra horsepower, and how often you'll use it. For each person, that price difference varies...

Good luck, and have fun driving them!

that your salesman wouldn't call you back. Unless he was off and then sick; I'd give him one more day and then call back and ask for the sales manager. I always return my calls ASAP; its much easier to work by appointment than wait for somebody to drive on the lot.

As for the difference between the 3.2 and 4.2, I feel that the 4.2 is worth every penny. The sound, the feel and the performance dwarf the 3.2. Depending on how you option the 4.2, you can have an A8 for 15k less.

My 3.2 gets 28mpg driving with cruise on at 75mph...what speed are you driving to get 30mpg with a 4.2 non-FSI?

Assuming you're leasing again, I would recommend the 4.2 as the difference in gas cost over the life of the lease will most likely be minimal and you'll get more enjoyment out of the vehicle.

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/101565/audi_3.1.jpg"></center><p>DO NOT FORGET the sport suspension!!! It is not too stiff, just right!

I bought an S4 a couple years ago and had a hard time getting the local dealer to find one with the color and options I wanted. After a while I got fed up with the poor service and started making calls. In a day or two I found what I wanted a few states away and negotiated a better deal than what I was offered locally (for a car I didn't want anyway).

The whole experience was painless and actually very exciting when the semi rolled up to my house and unloaded the car. If you are going to buy something off the lot you might be able to get a better deal, but if you can't find what you want you have lots of options. I think the dealerships in larger cities tend to be more helpful due to the competition and larger inventory.

I have gotten 24 doing about 80 or so on the way to AZ (I-10).

I'm going to another dealer today. I'm tending toward the 4.2 because by the time I get all the options I want on the 3.2 the price is not that much diff.

On the NJ Turnpike, I consistently get between 28-30mpg on the trip computer at a speed somewhere in the 70-75mph range. I've heard the trip computer is a little optimistic, on the order of about 2 mpg.

for yourself, everyone "fells" differently when driving the 2 engines. I came out of a '03 3.0 A4 that I bought because the 1.8T was slow...I did not see that same difference between the 4.2 and the 3.2. It is entirely up to you whether you think the additional cost is worth it for the few times you are really going to stand on it. The 3.2 in the "S" mode is quite a quick ride and the S-Line makes it that much better...but of course that is my opinion...

The 4.2 has such strong performance and is also turbine smooth where the 3.2 is a little more harsh.
After owning it for several months, my mileage is right around 26mpg (mostly highway driving) - and this is with the 06 pre-FSI engine. At a steady 65 mph, the fuel economy display will show around 30 mpg.
Finally, the 4.2 is an absolutely bullet proof engine.

I have the 3.2 and I think it is more than adequate. I have driven the 4.2 also and it's faster of course but in the end I cannot justify the extra cost of the engine alone.