Feet back into the A6 water

Hey all,

I''ve been reading the posts and responses in the past few days. I''m very impressed at everyone''s knowledge and contributions. I''ve read twinturbomew''s post on the respones to the 04 A6 2.7T inquiry. Great starting point for me as I consider one.

I''ve been away from the Audi fold for a couple of years and I am venturing back in. I got hooked on a 92 100S, then went with a 2003 A6 3.0L that had a lot of problems, all covered under warranty but a pain in the ass to deal with. As I spoke to other Audi owners, seems that I got a lemon. The dealer even told me this when I turned it in at the end of the Premier Purchase Agreement. Here is my Pre-purchase question to all:

Any recs on whether or not to go with an 04 v. an 05 A6?

It seems that the normally aspirated versions are more reliable. As a prior 03 A6 3.0L Quat owner, performance for me at that level was excellent and I was more than satisfied with the handling/ride and satisfied with the speed. Therefore, anything over that is gravy to me but I do not want to sacrifice reliability for a few extra ponies.

Here are the choices I am faced with at my local (CT) Audi dealers as I look to trade in the family truckster (2000 Suburban) for a CPO A6, either 2004 or 2005. I can go with any of the three very clean 2004 A6(s), one with 42k (2.7T S-line), one with 43k (3.0L A6 Quattro) and one with 48k (2.7T S-Line). Or . . . I can go with two different 05(s), one is a 3.2L A6 Quattro Oyster Gray (Amaretto Interior - seats sort of looks like a Spalding basketball, bigger alloys and Nav - sweet ride and most expensive) and the other is an 05 3.2L A6 Quattro Silver and Black Interior (standard run of the mill).

I would appreciate feedback on reliability on all as that is the most important factor for me right now, especially due to prior experience. Speed is nice, but not a huge factor for now and I know that which ever one I go with will handle and ride like a dream.

Thanks all for your anticipated responses. Hopefully by next week this time I will be tooling around in my new old Audi, which is much better than 90 percent of the new cars out there.