Paul3.2A4avant

We had a 2002 allroad that we loved for 110,000 miles, despite it needing new suspension air bags, cv boots, many brake rotors, a new main rear seal and other expensive items that come with allroad ownership. Then we had kids and my wife's SUV became the family hauler and I downsized to an A4. Now the kids are older and we're going skiing on weekends, we're putting way too many miles on my wife's LR3. The LR3's main job is driving onto a nearby beach in the summer, so we need that vehicle. My A4 is a little small for family hauling, but it is the best Audi I have ever owned, so I'm keeping it. (55K and never a single problem-knocking on wood) So, we want to add a third vehicle to the motor pool for family hauling on long trips. With lots of traffic here, my wife prefers a tip over my choice of another manual allroad. I've found that prices for used 2.7T and 4.2 allroads are about the same, probably due to last year's gas prices. Which would you get? I recall hearing of some tensioner problem with the 4.2, but not sure if it applies to just the S4 4.2.

happy allroader

I'd vote for the 4.2 which has no turbos and / or BTL (brake throttle lag).

ar_in_maine

...and no TB right? Chain instead?

Paul3.2A4avant

Good point - my 3.2 A4 has a "lifetime" timing chain as well.

difficulTT

gas milage is about the same, no timing belt or turbos to worry about...and it can go on the beach with the LR3 too!!


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2jzQzEDmo9Dp1wgXukdcxw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-0pvmigKaiE/SEyiKRHj5DI/AAAAAAAACfI/-n4iWL-oRLs/s800/CIMG0270.JPG" /></a>

dscottjr

If a tip the 4.2.

grey-2002-ar-6sp

I wanted a stick, so it was 2.7t or bust.

Paul3.2A4avant

Great picture...thanks.

Misplacedyankee

If a TIP then 4.2 without question

allestraße

For all the reasons given (no turbos, TB issues etc), but also for the delicious growl from the V8. I will confess that sometimes I turn off the radio in the car just so that I can hear the sound when I hit the gas pedal. You will also find that 4.2s come with more standard features (see www.allroadfaq.com). Yes, prices have been depressed, but like others I don't see gas mileage any worse than the 2.7T, so you may actually get more for the money with the 4.2 on a strict side-by-side comparison.

My wife has an A4 3.2 S-Line, so I can make the comparison. Ride is harsher in the A4 (has sport suspension package), but it is glued to the road on the twisties which makes it a lot of fun. Engine has a nice note, but it does not hold a candle to the V8. I enjoy driving both, but allroad is the long distance hauler for us.