CoolMax

iTrader: (7)

Audi A6 2.7T-
Advantages: German, Audi name, moddability, quattro, 6-speed/Tiptronic.
Disadvantges: Reliability, wear from 2 turboes, 250hp, price.

Nissan Maxima 3.5-
Advantages: VQ-smoothness, price, reliability, 255hp from an NA engine, 6-speed.
Disadvantage: FWD, and it's a Nissan.

Looks are subjective, so I don't think it's worth mentioning.

Maybe a a more fair comparison (to negate the price difference) would involve a 2000 2.7T with ~15k miles.

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

You can get an used 2000 2.7TT for about 30-32k?

If so, I would have to say 2.7TT. I think the turbos are probably fairly reliable w/ a responsible owner. It's just too easy to go over 300hp w/ the Audi. To do the same for the 255hp Maxima, would have to mod the hell out of it and put up w/ a loud modded car again.

MaximaRider

iTrader: (3)

i would rather have the maxima for the price, and it will be the best maxima so far, also N/A is attractive, because there is always the possible option of S/Cing or even Turbo if one is available. I don't like the style of the A6 either. And i have heard of reliability issues with the 2.7T, two of my friends have S4's and both of them have had problems.

Sprint

iTrader: (10)

Audi 2.7 Turbo..

Turbo upgrades are cheap and sick

mtrai760

iTrader: (19)

You consider the Nissan part to be a Con?
Well anyway, I would go with the Audi, but personally I would get an S4... mmm, turbo's... G/F's got an A4 and it's a sweet car

LucentAUTO

mtrai: nissan compare to audi, audi has a better name.

i think audi is better over all, diff class than maxima.

Dirksmoothe

yeah, my ex has the same A4 as Matt's g/f, and I have to say, this car is just solid! it's a 1.8t and even shutting the door feels like you are shutting a safe!

I really like those cars, and have convinced friends in the past to buy them. I say test drive the A6 2.7t after the 2k2 max, and you won't even stop at the nissan dealership.

I know I wouldn't.

Paul6speed

If you could get a 2.7 TT A6 for that price, I would go for it.

Frank Fontaine

beauty is only skin deep, but ugly is to the bone. If you're gonna pony up that kind of coyne, and Maximas seem to be at rip-off prices right now, looks do matter. It isn't subjective. Ask 20 random people which car looks better, and I guarantee about 18 will say Audi. The 2 or less that choose Nissan probably are just off-the-wall for whatever reason.

The Audi A6 platform is good-looking, whether one likes Audi or not. Too bad the V8 is nicer, because the 2.7T could benefit too from the fender treatment.

But the real bottom-line is to drive both cars one after the other, twice or 3 times. If you really like the Nissan better, then buy it. You'll shoot holes in the theory that ugly is to the bone.

Paul6speed

The sticker prices have crept up, but many dealers give great deals. Can you pick up a Audi A6 for less than 25 grand new? I'm talking about a 6 speed Maxima with leather, Bose, HID, and sunroof. That's going to cost mid 30's on the Audi. Don't get me wrong, I would rather get the Audi, but 25 K is already pushing it for most people.

NYC GS4

iTrader: (2)

These are prices taken from every dealers auctions around the country.

2001 A6 2.7T
09/26/2001 ATLANTA $ 30,100 28,180 X BLUE 6G Auto X SE
09/13/2001 MANHEIM $ 32,000 12,307 X GREEN 6G Auto X NE
09/13/2001 MANHEIM $ 36,000 5,062 X SILVER 6G 6 X NE
09/20/2001 RIVRSIDE $ 32,000 7,962 SILVER 6GT Auto X WC
09/20/2001 RIVRSIDE $ 33,000 8,477 BLUE 6G Auto X WC
09/20/2001 RIVRSIDE $ 34,000 13,549 SILVER 6GT Auto X WC
___________ ___________

2000 A6 2.7T
08/29/2001 ATLANTA $ 30,600 19,101 SILVER 6G A X SE
09/26/2001 ATLANTA $ 29,500 6,795 BLACK 6G A SE
09/12/2001 CEN FLA $ 27,100 18,469 X WHITE 6G A X SE
08/30/2001 DALLAS $ 28,100 7,033 TAN 6G 6spd X SW
08/30/2001 DALLAS $ 29,000 13,941 RED 6G A X SW
08/31/2001 MANHEIM $ 32,200 10,671 X BLUE 6G A X NE
09/14/2001 MANHEIM $ 26,800 40,806 RED 6G A X NE
09/21/2001 NEVADA $ 32,000 10,036 X BIEGE 6G A SW
09/06/2001 NORTHWY $ 29,200 11,570 X TAN M X NE
08/23/2001 RIVRSIDE $ 25,300 24,875 BLACK 6G A X WC
09/20/2001 RIVRSIDE $ 32,200 18,257 SILVER 6G A X WC


This basically means that if you get lucky, you'll be able to find one at the Maxima price range(Only because the 2.7T's are pretty new and relatively rare).

Although if you do find one, it would be an easy decision. I love Maxima's but an A6 2.7T is simply at another level. Probably my third favorite after the 540 and GS 4/430.

costcowholesale

iTrader: (12)

for the maxima con: rear beam supension

Chuvak

Nissan is known to be very reliable and dependable overall. Service sucks, but it seems to be a "good bang for the money"...
Audi A6 2.7T is a tight ride. Fast, good looks and is just on another level. If you can afford it, I think you should go for the A6, I know I would. If you want to have a brand new, reliable car with decent options, cannot go wrong with the Max.
However, if you are willing to spend more $, why not go for a used BMW 330xi?

Tmeyers

Better get a extended warranty on the Audi !!!!!!!!!
My next door neighbor has a 2001 S4 Avant (bright yellow) and he has
been told by many people on the A4/S4 org about those twin turbos
going bad at around 20K miles...His is running just fine but he
is a little worried...Very nice car,,,I have drove it (6 speed)
and its a rocket...Just so you know !!!!!!!!!

I'd go for the Maxima with the 3.5 litre and the 6 speed....

BrianV

iTrader: (9)

There's something about audi build quality I can't get over, it far lacks compared to BMW and Benz. My friend has a TT Quattro Sport it's really cheap.

max'n out

Man the audi is a sick sleeper comfy car got to get it...very large inside great dash great leather pretty quick decent aftermarket...plus there is a chip that adds 40 hp for 400bucks. The stock turbos'are strong quick spooling and can suport more boost. Great paint build and finish...get the audi

Jimbrowski

There have been some cases of turbo failures on the Bi-turbo V6 engine, but there have been remarkably few on the A6 2.7T. I tend to believe that many S4 owners are harder on their cars than A6 owners. I also have researched deeper and found that the S4's have a smaller engine bay, and that it is believed that lack of airflow throughout the engine bay can be one of the factors that decreases turbo life. I also know that the incidence of turbo failures is low, even in the S4, something like less than 3%. Not exactly disaster proportions. Also, an extended warranty is definitely something that you should have, on any make of vehicle.

The A62.7T 6 spd has tons of performance in it's stock form. I personally have run 14.4's (about 5.6-5.7 secs 0-60) repeatedly with a bone stock car. (nice 3500-3800 rpm launch with lift-throttle shifting) For a vehicle that weighs over 4000 lbs, that's amazing.
The build quality is excellent, you get the same "carved out of a slab of granite" feel that you'd get from the 3-pointed star products.
Road manners are benign, just like most German products. I have to consciously watch the speedo (or set the speed alert) to prevent wandering into the triple digits) or run the risk of many speeding tickets. It is a superb interstate machine, you will swallow miles at a rate you never thought possible. I make 3-4 800 mile interstate trips per year, (NYC to S. Carolina in 9 hrs, including gas and lunch stops) and I routinely drive the tank empty before stopping (about 420 miles or so) as the car is good on gas for its performance, and comfortable for the driver and passengers.
I'll be turning 30k this weekend on my A6, which is 15 months old. Those miles have been about 60/30 highway/city. I've had one or two problems with the car, but only one required the car to remain at the dealer overnight. The car was delivered with warped rotors. (this has been a problem area with 2.7 A6's) The other was a rear door moulding that somehow came unfixed and bent itself at a 90 degree angle when a passenger opened it. My dealers service is superb, and the part was ordered and painted, and 5 days later I stopped by and the dealer installed it in 15 minutes. All of your maintenance (for 3 yrs 45k when new) is free, and that includes brakes (front and rear) wipers, air filters, and even 1 tire rotation and 1 wheel alignment.
All 2.7T's come with quattro, which is absolutely necessary with that amount of HP and TQ. I drive my car, even in NYC snow. During one particularly nasty snow in NYC (it was 10") I was out driving around like nothing. The only problem with deep snow is that you will drag your undersides over the snow. Anything up to about 9-8" of fresh powder is doable, as it will move as you pass over it. You can get them stuck, but to do so, you will have to do something stupid. Even on dry pavement, the quattro system has it's advantages. You will not be able to spin any wheel, unless you spin all 4 at the same speed. If you're into autocrossing or corner carving, you will be able to put many a car to shame. You can charge into the corner, pick your line, and BEFORE the apex, you can roll on full throttle. You will accelerate out of the corner way harder than you'd imagine, and be able to put many "sports cars" behind you.
All in all, I think it's a great automobile, one that is a bit of a "bargain", especially when you factor in the equipment you get for the price.

Sprint

iTrader: (10)

Jim whats up with the new name?

Jimbrowski

Couldn't do anything with it, all the forums were locked up to that username. I asked for help, but never got any.

Sprint

iTrader: (10)

well at least you are back

Washington DC Maxima

I'd have to pick the Audi in this line up..

CoolMax

iTrader: (7)

Audi vs. Nissan...in terms of name and everything that goes along with it consider being a Nissan a disadvantage when compared to Audi.

CoolMax

iTrader: (7)

Yup, IMHO, it makes a huge difference...I love thos flares. I don't doubt you can add some to the 2.7T.
The 4.2 and 2.7T are different animals, with the 4.2 being geared for highway/luxury cruising.

CoolMax

iTrader: (7)

And that's a good reason why Audis are generally cheaper.

CoolMax

iTrader: (7)

I think that problems are expected on aspirated car with a turbo or SC. Now the question is: how do the problems of the A6 2.7T compare to the problems of other turbo cars?

Jimbrowski

Try comparing apples to apples. Compare an A6 to a 5 series. The A6's build quality is just as good if not better than the 5 series.

CoolMax

iTrader: (7)

I must not have any clue...so why are Audis cheaper than their German counterparts?

CoolMax

iTrader: (7)

That's my favorite thing about the A6 2.7T (especially when compared to the S4) -- it's a sleeper.

Jimbrowski

Just about any turbocharged car has some issues with the turbocharger. Most of them have to do with coking of oil (hence the addition of water cooled bearings) Frequent oil changes, good quality oil, proper warmup/cooldown, and you shouldn't have any problems.

Neptune97

If I was going to lease either of these cars, I would most definitely want the 2.7T. There's no doubt its a faster car, and if its handling is anything like the A4, its probably funner to drive. However, two friends of mine recently bought manual A4s, and since neither of them could drive stick, I went along with them to test drive every single car they looked at (probably around 5 cars). All 5 were from private owners and all had less than 45k miles. Every one I drove seemed to have something wrong with it, and when they took the car(s) to get it it checked at an Audi dealership, they found the following things wrong:

The first one had something wrong with the electrical system so that the majority of the exterior lights functioned incorrectly (or not at all).

The second car had a bad seal somewhere in the exhaust system that made a pretty annoying noise.

The third had a bad quattro differential that needed to be replaced.

The fourth had a full service record that indicated the rear rotors had been replaced 3 times (in 36,000 miles) while the front never even needed a grinding.

True, some of these weren't a big deal, but some of them were ($2000+ for a differential). The point is I've never heard of a Maxima with problems like these...they simply don't break. And of course, maybe the newer A6 has a much better build quality (the A4s I tested were all 1998s).

CoolMax

iTrader: (7)

Jim, what kind of rims?

98maxse5spd

iTrader: (5)

NYC, where did you find this info? is it publicly available?

mr

carnal_c30

iTrader: (38)

Audi A6 2.7TT its an amazing car and for that chepa hell yea get it
the maxima is still a maxima, not an Audi

Jimbrowski

I personally think that Audi has something to prove, as their 5000 problems of the 80's put them in serious financial dire straits.
I think the reason Audi is lower in price than some of the other German nameplates is modularity.
The current A6 and A4 were designed from the same platform. That probably explains why they can fit the same powertrains in 2 bodies that are much different in size. The A4 is much smaller than the A6, but the same powertrains/combinations are available in either. BMW and MB have their heritage, and it'll be just about impossible to knock them down a notch, even if you make a auto that is faster, handles better or is of a better quality than their products. Audi offers a few things they don't. Audi's quattro system operates much differently than MB's or BMW's. Audi is trying hard to carve a name for itself, and given some more time, they will do it.
Every car will break, and quite frankly, BMW, MB and Audi are all more problematic than Nissan in general. The 3 German brands also will require more expensive maintenance than most Nissans I can think of.
BTW, the wheels are Ronal LZ's in 17" with Pirelli P-Zero Rosso's (235/45/17, Y speed rated)