folks,

2004 a6 owner here like the car,but don't love it . been trouble free but i find the ride uninspiring vs my bmw 528 that i owned prior. lease is up, trying to figure out if i should get a new one or not. going to purchase this time, would prefer 1 year old used but there doesn't seem to be good inventory on those. also looking at 530xi

what are my must have options in your opinion? i would like 4.2 but can't afford it so 3.2 awd it is I am thinking I need cold weather package, convenience, technology and premium packages and rear side airbags. I'd like to get s line package but I think it's out of my $$ league.

how about adaptive air suspension? Does it make a big difference?

anyone know what current APR audi is doing on purchases?

any thoughts on this car vs 5 series xi or the GS350?

right now you could probably land good deals on E60 xdrive models as the 08 restyled (you really can't tell) are coming out.

you should give Audi a try too. the 3.2 has a decent engine, which you'll need to get the 530 to keep on par. i have a 525xi and it's fine, but needs a bit more power.

I just purchased a 2006 A6. Came from a 2003 BMW 5 series. Really wanted to purchase the E60 BMW but just couldnt get into the car.

Purely driving dynamics, maybe the BMW is more satisfying but if you factor in all else (quattro, MMI vs. I-drive, comfort, interior) and the Audi is the clear winner to me.

I am in Chicago and there are lots of 1yr old used A6's around.

idrive isn't a big deal. it takes a little while to figure out, as i'm sure MMI does. once you get used to it, it's not a second thought.

xi works in some very, very bad weather extremely well--i'm in lake effect snow land and the car worked as well as my C5 quattro.

the seats are very comfortable in the BMW...even moreso with the comfort seat option. i didn't like the seats in the C6.

everything's a personal choice and wish you good luck in your car search. the audi & bmw have nice traits.

if you can, the 08s should be hitting dealer floors soon...i'd drive a 535 to compare.

first of all, the C6 A6 is a HUGE improvement over the C5 A6. The stiffer body makes for a better drive. As far as the Bimmer, the 535 will have more juice than the 3.2. I'm not that big of fan of the 3.2 in the A6(maybe thats why I have a V10). Its a little underpowered. X-drive is certainly comparable to quattro as well. The interior of the Audi is very nice and and there is a difference between MMI and I-drive. I-drive is not impossible, but not nearly as intuitive as MMI. MB's Command system falls short as well. Take both cars for spin and see what you like.


current-'07 S6 phantom black/black, Tech, cold, warm, 15% carbon fiber tint, carbon fiber inlays
-'07 Mercedes ML63 AMG obsidan black/black
-'07 Honda Accord V6 w/navi
-'86 BMW M6

former -'01 A6 2.7T
-'01 Allroad
-'03 A6 2.7T
-'05 A6 4.2 S-line

as a result. Not sure if that matters. I had the non-X BMW 530 and it, pardon the expression, SUCKED in the snow and ice. Wonderful driving experience though. Tighter than the A6, which I have now. The iDrive is extremely easy to use. I actually liked it a bit better than the MMI as you never needed to look down to see what buttons to push, etc. Wouldn't give up the quattro for anything now.

I go to the BMW dealer, test drive the cars, kick the tires and then buy and Audi.

i pretty much wouldn't give up awd in any make now...i had one rwd car, even with Hakka 2s it sucked compared to other awds.

When I was looking at cars I looked at an 04 A6 S line, an 05 A6 3.2 and an 05 BMW 530.
I couldn't find a 5 series with AWD around here so that was my option.
The BMW drove nice and the steering was very tight I think one knock on Audi is a little over aggressive in the power steering. The interior is well made but I thought it was bland.
The second car I drove was the 04 A6, I loved it the twin turbos made it a fun ride, then I was able to sit in the 05 A6 and I was in love, the interior is so comfortable and well laid out, I think the 3.2 give it decent power but I wish there were more upgrades for it. In addition if gas prices keep going up the 6cyl may be a better choice.

In the end the new body style A6 was what I ended up with and I wouldn't change a thing.

They are the best seats on Earth. Even better than the B6/B7 S4/RS 4 Recaro sport non racing seats, which are better than all other seats on Earth. Like the S4/RS 4 Recaros, S6 sports are upholstered in the best leather on Earth, Silk Nappa leather.

I don't like the non sport seats in the C5 or the C6 A6. Too soft and flat. C5 A6 sport seats are excellent. I have never sat in the C6 A6 sport seats. However, I can imagine that the C6 A6 sport seats are just as good as or better than the C6 A6 sport seats. But neither can hold a candle to the S6 sports or the S4/RS 4 Recaros.

and my back/legs were killing me. seats are highly individual (like all of our bodies).

bad backs aren't fun. thanks timbilt. maybe next time around i'll take another look.

go to your VW dealer. Test drive a passat. Save $15000.

We test drove both the 530xi and A6 3.2 and while the bimmer may have had the edge in handling, the interior was sub-par, i-Drive sucks and the price was too high. My wife was bit upset to give up the "Roundel" but now really loves the A6. I drive it on weekends and the 3.2 is an amazing engine coupled with a great 6-speed auto. We can get 30MPH highway cruising at 80MPH. The interior is like a palace and my wife handles the MMI like a pro.

I would not hesitate at all to get the Audi. We also looked at the older A6's and we always found those too bland and under-powered. Audi has hit a sweet-spot with the C6.

..get a Passat if you like ugly cars. and a loaded Passat isn't 15,000 less than an A6 3.2

In fact, just consider my post a "ditto" to Timbilt's. The most pleasant surprise of the S6 owner experience. I'm very "finicky" about car seats...my wife always comments on how I am constantly shifting around to find a better position. In the S6 seat however, I can drive for hours without feeling uncomfortable or tired.

I do like my seats in the S, but I got to say the seats in my AMG are totally awesome. Heated and cooled, with more available adjustments...

and I liked the heat/cool option (especially since I live in L.A.). I wish that was an option with the S6 seats. In fact, I almost bought a swb A8 with that option. That's why it was a pleasant surprise to find how comfortable the S6 seats are during long drives. Much more so than the sport seats on my C5 4.2.

The 535xi gains 286lb over the 535i. The E60 was not designed with the newest xDrive in mind, which is why the large weight gain. Base curb weight is 3946lbs before options. That's 100lb more than the Audi.

535Xi Weight distribution 53.4 / 46.6 f/r

Just pointing out the pricing spread and the fact that dynamics may not be superior once all the factors are tallied.

Except that the S6 seats in the S5 have the embossed S5 logos where the S6 seats in the S6 have the embossed S6 logos (in the center of the backrest near the top).

Compare a C6 to a Passat!! More smokin than jokin.