C6 3.0T A6 or C7 2.0T A6- Which is the better choice and Why?

[RedS-line]

Hi all. I spent a lot of time on the B7 A4 forum but since I sold my car I decided to move up to something bigger. I am looking at the 2011 A6's with the 3.0T. I like having the familiar seats and steering wheel and most models out there have the paddle shifters which i use every day so that s a plus. I am also looking at 2012-2013 C7 A6's that have the 2.0T with quattro, of course. If anyone upgraded from a c6 to a c7, how do you like the change? I really loved the 2.0T when tuned so that would be plenty for me but the C7's are still expensive and i dont see any in my range with the paddle shifters i want. anyone swap steering wheels to one with paddles? if so, was it an easy switch? Thanks in advance.

[Glacier6]

I would hold off and see if you can get a 2012 C7 3.0T. I had a '13 2.0T, non-quattro, but it left a lot to be desired in power, so after a year or so I actually traded it in for a CPO '12 A7 3.0T and it puts a smile on my face everyday. There is a huge difference in power and acceleration b/w the two. See if you can test drive both.

[agent47]

I would hold off and see if you can get a 2012 C7 3.0T. I had a '13 2.0T, non-quattro, but it left a lot to be desired in power, so after a year or so I actually traded it in for a CPO '12 A7 3.0T and it puts a smile on my face everyday. There is a huge difference in power and acceleration b/w the two. See if you can test drive both.

+1 . The 2.0T seems ok for the A4. But on the A6, when you drive a car that size, you always yearn for power. But that's me. I have gotten my 3.0 A6 tuned and just love the beast awake. I was given a 2.0T a6 as a loaner and I went back the next day to exchange it for a 3.0. If you look around well enough, finding a CPO 3.0 won't be difficult.

[Brooklyn]

what exactly is your price range? that's probably the biggest factor here. The C7 was a pretty big step up tech wise from my B8 S4 (at least to me), so I imagine it would be doubly so to a C6. The 3.0t is miles better than the 2.0t, and if you're thinking tune on the 2.0t and you're already facing budget constraints, factor in the potential warranty issues if the tune is discovered. I would think a non-tuned 3.0t might still be a more spirited ride than a tuned 2.0t in a car this size.

[RedS-line]

to glacier- im guessing you never tuned the 2.0t right? i dont blame you for feeling underwhelmed. but tuning that engine really puts out just about as much torque as the 3.0t does stock. yes the hp wont be close, but i dont do too much driving in the high end of the tachometer.
brooklyn- budget is low 30s but right now there are very few C7s out there for sale that are still under warranty and or CPO, and those that exist are too expensive. so this is my compromise;
Old body style with 3.0T and 6 speed w/paddle shifters vs. New body style with 2.0t w/ 8 speed and probaby no paddles. Seeing as i drive a lot, the 2.0t makes more sense for fuel costs and the C6 style still reminds me of the 05-06 style which is as old as the car im replacing.

[Glacier6]

No I didn't tune the 2.0 especially with regards to voiding the warranty and having the CVT transmission. The sound of the supercharged 3.0 is almost intoxicating though and seems so effortless, whereas the 2.0 seemed like it was overworking itself. Disclaimer....I never drove the 2.0 Quattro, which I'm sure is a little different and doesn't have the CVT tranny.

[Brooklyn]

Red, rgr that. I don't think it's possible to swap steering wheels to gain the paddles, but that's a wild ass guess. I've driven 2.0t A6 loaners and other than the engine, it's the same car, so if you don't mind the tune, I'd think that's your best bet and you get a car with more tech and the overall updated interior and body style.

[MLee]

I got a C7 2.0T A6 as a loaner for a week. if you don't care about speed then it'll be just fine. if you drive it in "S" the car still moves, but I wouldn't call it quick. it has no problems going 80-90mph on the fwy. the one thing that I liked about the 2.0T compared to my S6 was the gas mileage. it got nearly double the range on a full tank than i get with the s6. someone like my wife barely notices the difference as she always drives slow anyways. go drive a 2.0t if you haven't already and decide for yourself if the power is adequate. other than the engine, the C7 is much better than a C6 in everyway possible.

[agent47]

I got a C7 2.0T A6 as a loaner for a week. if you don't care about speed then it'll be just fine. if you drive it in "S" the car still moves, but I wouldn't call it quick. it has no problems going 80-90mph on the fwy. the one thing that I liked about the 2.0T compared to my S6 was the gas mileage. it got nearly double the range on a full tank than i get with the s6. someone like my wife barely notices the difference as she always drives slow anyways. go drive a 2.0t if you haven't already and decide for yourself if the power is adequate. other than the engine, the C7 is much better than a C6 in everyway possible.

Dude your S6 essentially has double the motor size and output :P . It's true though, the 2.0T is a great engine. On my A4, it used to fly between 26-28mpg c+h combined and it was quick. My A6 is consistently around 24-25 . So I am ok with that. Red - with that budget and if you don't do a lot of DBag driving, the 2.0T should suffice. You'll get all the goodies for a bargain price.

[lnferno]

C6 3.0T because Avant

[texsun]

I'm a former C6 owner and now C7 3.0T owner. I've also had a C7 2.0T loaner on at least three occasions.

Have you driven all of your choices? I ask because engines aside the difference in handling and overall performance is pretty significant between the two generations. If you also factor in resale value and warranty, then I'd say the pendulum swings to the C7.

[RedS-line]

texsun, thanks for the info. please elaborate on the handling. i am in the process of driving all the models. i know from my last car the 2.0t will be fine with a tune, but i am more interested in handling than hp. Please explain the difference in the handling from the c6 to the c7. i will replace the suspension in both, and weight is the enemy ( another reason to like the 2.0t), but i want to know if the c7 actually improved on the handling with all other things even.

[RedS-line]

I was kind of let down by the new model C7 in that the trunk felt smaller (less deep) and the lack of a full size spare, also the new tech looks nice but i can get a prestige C6 whereas i can only get a premium or premium plus C7 so the options list is greater with the C6. the selection for the c7 right now just isnt there so unless the perfect one pops up soon, i have to lean to the C6...........

[b6onboost]

Of those options I'd pick the C7 2.0T.

The C7 is just a much more modern car. It looks it and feels it. Gorgeous interior, huge MMI screen, great DIS screen, very classy, and comfortable. I've had a few C7 loaners (2.0T and 3.0T) and they truely are excellent sedans. As much as the added power of the 3.0T is enticing, it wouldn't be enough for me to consider downgrading everything else (just my opinion) by getting a C6. Especially since you can easily tune the 2.0T and gain 50hp/70tq if it feels lacking in stock form.

To answer your steering wheel question, yes you can eaily swap in a sport wheel with paddle shifters from an A6 or other Audi model. The paddles can be enabled via a VAG-COM.

[agent47]

I was kind of let down by the new model C7 in that the trunk felt smaller (less deep) and the lack of a full size spare, also the new tech looks nice but i can get a prestige C6 whereas i can only get a premium or premium plus C7 so the options list is greater with the C6. the selection for the c7 right now just isnt there so unless the perfect one pops up soon, i have to lean to the C6...........

C7 is a totally different car to the C6. Even the preium plus c7 has more tech compared to the c6 (3.0/2.0 regardless) . I have a 3.0 prestige and I might sell soon (looking at a7/s7) but it's expensive coz of the prestige package. You might wanna wait for a few months and keep looking - I see tonnes of those already on the market - 2.0's going for 30's and 3.0's in 40's.

[Packy]

A 4400 lb car with a 220hp 2.0? Makes me cringe. I drove the 3.0 and thought it was gutless, I can't imagine the 2.0. At very least, get a tune with the 2.0. Get really interesting and get a stage III 2.0 tune

[agent47]

A 4400 lb car with a 220hp 2.0? Makes me cringe. I drove the 3.0 and thought it was gutless, I can't imagine the 2.0. At very least, get a tune with the 2.0. Get really interesting and get a stage III 2.0 tune

Dude we have to consider the OP's budget also. I can't see a C7 3.0 out there for 30's. So 2.0 seems the only option- of course with a tune.

[RedS-line]

im currently trying to negotiate 2012 c7 3.0t's with dealers. if they are willing to play ball then i can get the best of both worlds. dreading that fat 4 spoke wheel and shifter but they will be the first things i replace if it works out.
on a side note- not a single c7 a6 at waterfest WTF?

[jayts]

I had an A6 2.0 as a loaner, it was a dog, get the 3.0


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[RedS-line]

looks like i cant even get a c7 2.0t quattro in my price range but there are some c7 3.0t's starting to come down so if i can get the dealers to play ball then i might just get everything i want...

[b6onboost]

That doesn't suprise me at all. I'd bet a newer A6 or A8 are the least represented cars being that they are larger (ie not as sporty) and expensive. Probably more likely to see a newer S6/S8 there to be honest.

on a side note- not a single c7 a6 at waterfest WTF?

[texsun]

texsun, thanks for the info. please elaborate on the handling. i am in the process of driving all the models. i know from my last car the 2.0t will be fine with a tune, but i am more interested in handling than hp. Please explain the difference in the handling from the c6 to the c7. i will replace the suspension in both, and weight is the enemy ( another reason to like the 2.0t), but i want to know if the c7 actually improved on the handling with all other things even.

Nothing too earth shattering - the C7 is more balanced and neutral. I always felt the C6 was too noise heavy. The C7 feels like you a driving a smaller car. Not nimble by any means and I am always looking to tighten things up. Definitely go into the MMI and switch steering to Dynamic mode on your test drive.

[RedS-line]

texsun, i definitely should have changed the steering mode to dynamic. i think it was on comfort and the electric steering basically ruined my test drive to the point that I wanted to go back to the 2011's. Next run i will be in dynamic and i hope that it helps. the c7 does handle better but im not seeing much of a selection for upgrading the suspension whereas the c6 has a decent amount of options out there. i didnt like the 2.0t in the a6. i think a big benefit of upgrading from the a4 is getting a better engine. still hoping the dealers will play ball..........

[b6onboost]

Lol. Well your S6 was quoted as having "Massively, explosvie power". So surely a 3.0 feels weaker in comparison, but a 3.0 is by no means gutless. Now the 2.0, it does feel underpowerd in the A6 in terms of performance, but being torquey its still more than adequate in daily driving situations. Its all relative.

A 4400 lb car with a 220hp 2.0? Makes me cringe. I drove the 3.0 and thought it was gutless, I can't imagine the 2.0.

[agent47]

Lol. Well your S6 was quoted as having "Massively, explosvie power". So surely a 3.0 feels weaker in comparison, but a 3.0 is by no means gutless. Now the 2.0, it does feel underpowerd in the A6 in terms of performance, but being torquey its still more than adequate in daily driving situations. Its all relative.

+1 . Gutless by no means- of course everyone who drives a bigger engine is gonna feel a loss of power with smaller motors - common sense . A guy driving an RS7 won't have the same fun in the 3.0 - obvious. Definitely a 2.0 is a little weak for a car this big but there are tonnes of people driving it and they are happy with it. My 3.0 was good enough when stock. But I have an itch for power. So no matter what I get, I'll want more :P

[jayts]

What is so weird is that my wife's 2.0 q5 feels like a torque monster with gobs of power, but the a6 2.0 loaner I had could not have felt more sluggish

Maybe a tune might wake it up


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[07S6]

+1 . Gutless by no means- of course everyone who drives a bigger engine is gonna feel a loss of power with smaller motors - common sense . A guy driving an RS7 won't have the same fun in the 3.0 - obvious. Definitely a 2.0 is a little weak for a car this big but there are tonnes of people driving it and they are happy with it. My 3.0 was good enough when stock. But I have an itch for power. So no matter what I get, I'll want more :P

Generally true, though I didn't feel a significant difference going from my V10 S6 to the 3.0T. Obviously the V10 had more soul that you just can't replace, though once I get an exhaust and maybe a tune, the A6 should come to life more. Will prob feel more of a difference between the newer V8 and 3.0

[sciblades]

get a 2.0t, put a k04 in it and call it a day

for 3k extra you can have a ko4 upgrade and have all the power you want it is factory turbo, every company APR, UNITRONIC, and GIAC have a file for it.

[agent47]

Generally true, though I didn't feel a significant difference going from my V10 S6 to the 3.0T. Obviously the V10 had more soul that you just can't replace, though once I get an exhaust and maybe a tune, the A6 should come to life more. Will prob feel more of a difference between the newer V8 and 3.0

Yup. Cant replace the v8 and v10 grumble. But with a tune the 3.0 springs up a surprise. I dont know when I'll do the exhaust but I am happy with it for now.

[RedS-line]

Ended up getting the best of both world C7 WITH the 3.0T!
Thoughts- really miss the sport package but i can fix most of that myself but I am worried that my snow wheels will lower the car since they are 225/40-18. That is fine on stock suspension but it might stop me from going to lowering springs or even coilovers since i dont want to scrape anything. Also mad that my knockoff vagcom wont work on this new car but it worked on my 06 a4. Also, what is the best way to fill the front plate holes? thanks to all.