View Full Version : Folks that have been in one...Is B8 A4 "really" roomier inside???
gophaster
07-02-2008, 08:38 AM
I have a B7 A4 which the lease will be up in a couple months. I was planning on stepping up to an A6 because I am tired as hell of my right knee being cramped against the center console, also it can be a bit of a pain to take my 1.5 year old daughter in and out of her baby seat in the back. (but mainly the knee against the center console just kills me!!)
I have read that the new A4 is slightly larger in the cabin but is this actually noticeable in real life or is it just something that looks good on paper?
Thanks in advance for any input :)
Noffy
07-02-2008, 08:49 AM
Damn how tall are you?? I am 6'3'' and have no troubles with insufficient room in the drivers seat. I have not been in the B8 yet but its almost as big as the B7 a6 sound it really will be roomier inside.
nola22
07-02-2008, 10:57 AM
I drove the B8 at Infineon yesterday. It was a very nice car. We drove the Euro version 3.2's. I've driven B7s, but I don't own one. My sense is that the interior is not much roomier than the outgoing model--additional headroom seems negligible. If my memory serves me, the seats in the B8 are a little nicer. One thing that stood out to me was a rather large piece of aluminum colored plastic surrounding the instrumentation in th etest model. I wouldn't go so far as to call it cheap, but it did detract from the interior. IMO, the B7 interior is better in that respect.
Once the pricing comes out on the B8's we will be able to get a true comparison of value, including gas mileage differences. That's when I'll decide on whether to order a B8 or go for a discounted SE B7.
By the way, the racetrack driving was awesome. I'm no racer, but I was surprised to see how well this vehicle handled at highspeeds. No shaking, slipping, etc. while doing straits at 120 and take corners at nearly 100. Couldn't believe the car was actually going that fast.
If you have the opportunity to do the Driving Experience, I'd recommend it highly.
I drove the B8 at Infineon yesterday. It was a very nice car. We drove the Euro version 3.2's. I've driven B7s, but I don't own one. My sense is that the interior is not much roomier than the outgoing model--additional headroom seems negligible. If my memory serves me, the seats in the B8 are a little nicer. One thing that stood out to me was a rather large piece of aluminum colored plastic surrounding the instrumentation in th etest model. I wouldn't go so far as to call it cheap, but it did detract from the interior. IMO, the B7 interior is better in that respect.
I really hope that plastic trim gets upgraded...but I suspect it won't. :( That was one of the things I really disliked about about the A6 when I test drove them.
-Travis
gophaster
07-02-2008, 01:36 PM
Thanks for the replies.
nola22.... Regarding the interior...that is what I was worried about.
Performance wise...what I've been hearing is pretty much exactly what your experience was...the car seems to perform better overall than the B7 which is great.
I do want the additional room pretty badly, guess I will have to drive one before I make my final decision.
I drove the B8 at Infineon yesterday. It was a very nice car. We drove the Euro version 3.2's. I've driven B7s, but I don't own one. My sense is that the interior is not much roomier than the outgoing model--additional headroom seems negligible. If my memory serves me, the seats in the B8 are a little nicer. One thing that stood out to me was a rather large piece of aluminum colored plastic surrounding the instrumentation in th etest model. I wouldn't go so far as to call it cheap, but it did detract from the interior. IMO, the B7 interior is better in that respect.
Once the pricing comes out on the B8's we will be able to get a true comparison of value, including gas mileage differences. That's when I'll decide on whether to order a B8 or go for a discounted SE B7.
By the way, the racetrack driving was awesome. I'm no racer, but I was surprised to see how well this vehicle handled at highspeeds. No shaking, slipping, etc. while doing straits at 120 and take corners at nearly 100. Couldn't believe the car was actually going that fast.
If you have the opportunity to do the Driving Experience, I'd recommend it highly.
nola22
07-02-2008, 01:47 PM
The plastic piece I referred to shows up in the last pic under the thread titled "Finally got my B8 a4."
gophaster, I think you better wait to check/test drive the car for yourself.
The new car interior is roomier but we all come in different sizes and tastes ;-). go to the dealr, check the car throughly and test drive the car to see if it fits YOUR needs.
arktctr
07-08-2008, 07:18 AM
Also drove at Infineon yesterday and had an amazing time! They really let you push these street cars pretty good out on the track! All of them were non-sport suspension/tire versions but were equipped with Drive Select which helped out quite a bit. As for room, I'd say very roomy... when not wearing a helmet (a bit tight with the helmet on...those who have done the infineon event would know what I mean [:)])...Overall the impression is a much larger car inside but not as large as what it would seem from looking at it on the outside. I wasn't a fan of the beige interior on the cars I drove as some of the plastics inside appeared cheap. I'm hoping that the color of mine (with black interior) will look much better when it gets here...
gophaster
07-08-2008, 07:27 AM
Thanks for the info guys. That's good news...sounds like there is potential.
When will Audi dealers start to receive the new B8's?? Will the 2.0T with manual trans be available from the start?
Thanks!
arktctr
07-08-2008, 12:28 PM
Demos arrive in August, Customer Cars start in September...manual (from what I'm reading everywhere) is not until March 09...
Auditude2.0T
07-08-2008, 12:57 PM
The B8 A4 is a little bigger than a C5 A6. A C5 A6 is MUCH roomier than a B7 A4.
DeMOROlized
07-08-2008, 06:38 PM
The B8 A4 is a little bigger than a C5 A6. A C5 A6 is MUCH roomier than a B7 A4.
The B8 A4 is smaller than the C5 A6, not bigger. Especially the back seats.
A4_cabrio
07-11-2008, 10:45 PM
I sat in a B8 A4 in Italy. I really didnt see much difference in front but the rear legroom is much improved.
Kievskiy
07-12-2008, 06:54 PM
[rolleyes] you need to get ur facts straight man. b8 is not bigger then c5.[o_o]
The B8 A4 is a little bigger than a C5 A6. A C5 A6 is MUCH roomier than a B7 A4.
mercury26
07-13-2008, 09:03 PM
Damn how tall are you?? I am 6'3'' and have no troubles with insufficient room in the drivers seat. I have not been in the B8 yet but its almost as big as the B7 a6 sound it really will be roomier inside.
My 2008 GTI has a roomier drivers seat than my '06 A4 and '07 S4. I am 6'3" and found the B7 interior very cramped. I am hoping the new models are roomier, can't wait for the dealer demos.
Cheers,
Chuck
gophaster
07-14-2008, 12:18 PM
My 2008 GTI has a roomier drivers seat than my '06 A4 and '07 S4. I am 6'3" and found the B7 interior very cramped. I am hoping the new models are roomier, can't wait for the dealer demos.
Cheers,
Chuck
Yeah, my problem is not so much the height as the width....particularly the center console...my knee is usually cramped up against it :(
mercury26
07-14-2008, 03:56 PM
Yeah, my problem is not so much the height as the width....particularly the center console...my knee is usually cramped up against it :(
I could not agree more, the GTI has more "knee" room than my previous A4 and S4. I really hope the new A4 has more knee room, as the current B7 model is horrendous. I tried every position imaginable and could not make right leg comfortable due to the center console.
My Passat W8 was great for interior room and was the perfect size. Wish that car came with the v6, 6MT and 4motion, but that is another story all together.
Cheers,
Chuck
A5AFTERB5
07-20-2008, 12:37 AM
Also did the Infineon Raceway event on Friday; I too hit 120 but I wasn't paying attention if that was MPH or KPH; all I know was it felt like 80 but if it was 120mph, and keep in mind, all parms in the drive select were in "dynamic" mode (sports), then this is one smooth power delivery while still being a comfortable car; I know I made my female passenger a bit nervous; hell, we never met before!!! :D :D :D
That was my first time on any track in a production car. I'm willing to sign up again if they have it next year! Beats going to work! :D
gophaster
07-20-2008, 07:38 AM
Yup, same here...my B5 Passat had the perfect interior size for me...it is noticeable bigger (wider) than B7 A4. Also, my dad has a 08 Passat and that is also larger inside. I LOVE my B7 A4 just wish my knee would not be forced up against the center console ;)
I could not agree more, the GTI has more "knee" room than my previous A4 and S4. I really hope the new A4 has more knee room, as the current B7 model is horrendous. I tried every position imaginable and could not make right leg comfortable due to the center console.
My Passat W8 was great for interior room and was the perfect size. Wish that car came with the v6, 6MT and 4motion, but that is another story all together.
Cheers,
Chuck