Which Wagon...

[G Men 08]

B6 1.8t avant

C5 allroad

I like the styling of both. Either one would be a manual. I am leaning towards the b6 because of the gas mileage, plus it is cheaper, and only one turbo to worry about, not to mention no air ride.

I like the allroad, well because its an allroad. The mpg isn't awful, but not nearly as good as the b6.

Thoughts? Opinions?

[williamr91]

allroad better engine (not starting a debate here) slightly bigger, interior is a bit nicer (still very similar to the b6 though). You can also find an ar for a bit less I'm assuming.

[8520]

Ar wins for me. No questions asked.

[G Men 08]

There is an 03 allroad, 6 spd, with 130k on it near me. They are asking 6500 for it, which I think is a bit steep. Although, it has had the timing service, control arms, new clutch, engine with 105k on it and air bags have been replaced. The other kicker is that it has a salvage title due to a theft from what I can see. I don't have much info on it other than the autotrader ad. I'm thinking it is more worth 5k maybe.



http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

[khalimadeath]

AR=Awesomeness

B6=more practicality for the wallet.

[G0to60]

I was thinking that $6500 isn't bad for an allroad with the timing service done until I saw the salvage title part. I know that manuals are harder to find but I would probably try to find one with a good title. Unless you're going to be keeping this car until it dies (or a very long time) where you don't care about selling it in the future.

I vote for allroad. My Mother-in-law has a B6 and while it's nice I like our allroad better.

[G Men 08]

how is the MPG comparison?^ that is one of my big concerns. Especially with the gas prices expected to shoot up higher this summer.

[jmgraham78]

AR <end>

[FrankA6]

How about a 3.0 A6 avant?

You don't have to worry about high maintenance, gets decent mpg and you still get a C5.....

[8520]

Ar is the ultimate in practicality, but you have to decide if the price to play(mileage, upkeep)is too much for you or not.

[martianbooby]

another thing i would think about is how harder it is to work on the AR compared to the b6...

but i would still get the AR

[jaycurn]

I have to go with the AR vote here, but must also say, I would have a hard time turning down a clean, low mileage, B6 6MT USP avant!!!

[G Men 08]

IMO the C5 avant is ugly. If you are going to have a wagon, it needs to have the wide body.

[martianbooby]

IMO the C5 avant is ugly. If you are going to have a wagon, it needs to have the wide body.

this statement is only true until u swap the door blades...
suddenly the fenders seems wider, ud be surprised at how many ppl thought my avant was s6...
also the rear on the c5 avant vs the rear on the b6 avant is just night and day difference...

[FrankA6]

The widebody C5's aren't THAT much wider than a narrow body, if you lower it and have proper fitting wheels no one can really tell the difference other than us, your normal car crowd/enthusiast wont even notice...

85-90% of the people on Audizine probably don't even know the C5 has a wide and narrow body model.

Here's a pretty nice C5 Avant with a 2.7T







I think the C5 is still the best looking avant other than a B5 RS4 , the B6 or B7 doesn't do much for me at all.

The allroad is my favorite but if your looking for a daily driver I think a 3.0 Avant slightly little lowered with nice wide OEM wheels would look awesome.

[A6Avant]

That ^ Avant is pure sex....

allroad better engine (not starting a debate here) slightly bigger, interior is a bit nicer (still very similar to the b6 though). You can also find an ar for a bit less I'm assuming.

1.) allroad engine better.... If you mean that it is less reliable then the 1.8T and has higher cost to maintain then... Yes... In reality, It's more powerful and more fun. Better is very debatable.

2.) Slightly bigger.... I have had both the C5 is MUCH larger. In the Auto world 4" is a lot.

3.) Interior is nicer.... If you have a USP model... Then it is comparable but not nicer.

4.) Finding a AR for less??? Well that purely depends on age mileage etc... But where I live a clean '02 - '04 AR goes for 12-19K. The B6 same years 9-15k.

Ar is the ultimate in practicality, but you have to decide if the price to play(mileage, upkeep)is too much for you or not.

Dre how is a Vehicle with the EXACT same body as a regular C5 Avant that has a KNOW suspension issue and engine issue that basically make it less reliable the ULTIMATE in practicality? NA Engines are more reliable... non air suspensions are more reliable... Other then that the cars are the same... The B6 is just smaller... With no air ride and one less turbo for issues.... The fuel econo is a BIG difference! The C5 drinks a LOT more then a B6.... Again I have/had both.

[8520]

All roads are a do anything car. Can be low and look good, can do minor off roading, can tow a decent amount and yet still be a fast 6 speed sports car. A standard avant cannot do most of those things. To me, practicality has more to do with what a car can do, and less to do with how supposedly "reliable" it is.

Did I offend you in some way? You sure sound like I did.

[VJ's A6]

AR 100%..

[A6Avant]

All roads are a do anything car. Can be low and look good, can do minor off roading, can tow a decent amount and yet still be a fast 6 speed sports car. A standard avant cannot do most of those things. To me, practicality has more to do with what a car can do, and less to do with how supposedly "reliable" it is.

Did I offend you in some way? You sure sound like I did.

No, you did not offend me at all my sincerest apologizes if my post came off that way. I was just sincerely trying to understand the term ULTIMATE regarding your post... Im my head with the clear less-then reliable option I could not see how you could mean ultimate... I understand your position now.

Practical in my books means ALL aspects taken into account... Reliably is a BIG one if I'm seriously looking at the term practical. Another one is utilitarian... As far as the ability to use the space goes all the wagons are basically the same besides the actual size of them... Hauling capability well the 2.7T cant haul any more then the 2.8 or 3.0 legally so you are stuck with going with a 4.2 if you want that extra towing power that actually makes it ahead of a straight Avant. then you dont have the 6spd option either since that was the sports aspect of the equation for you. Granted you could always do the swap.

As far as the lowering and raising... If you went from car shows to 4x4 in the same day then yea i would agree with you. But otherwise coils are so super easy to spin up and down if they are maintained... Not as easy of course as touching a button but still not exactly difficult and A LOT Less expensive over all and long term.

Dont get me wrong I have become a huge allroad fan. I love them. Im just playing the devils advocate here... We are all C5 guys (plainly) so its difficult to get an objective opinion a lot of times in this forum...

My personal choice would likely be a B6, S6, or allroad... My major deciding factor would be what would the best cleanest option I could get with the most value for my dollars... Either one I would be happy with and love!

Again dre no offence intended...

[Vinchenzo51]

S6 or AR

AR would have to be 2.7T 6MT. Or the S6 would be fine with the 4.2, but would need a 6MT swap to add the fun factor.

The A6 Avant isn't bad, but personally, for my likings, I don't care for the motor offered. I can wrap my head around a trans swap, since its a simple swap. But having to do an engine AND tranny swap is a little much.

Next time, make a poll so we can vote on it

[G0to60]

how is the MPG comparison?^ that is one of my big concerns. Especially with the gas prices expected to shoot up higher this summer.

I generally get around 20mpg in mixed (40% city/60% hwy) driving and being nice on the gas pedal.

My M-in-L gets mid-20's, I think, in mixed driving.

Both require premium so that's a non-issue. The B6 wins on the MPG front.

[jaycurn]

S6 or AR

AR would have to be 2.7T 6MT. Or the S6 would be fine with the 4.2, but would need a 6MT swap to add the fun factor.

^^^^ This! I think this is a much better comarison. S6 or AR. Coming from being a prior S6 owner, I can say this would be the perfect vehicle IF, and a big IF, you swapped in a 6MT. Otherwise the car is amazing, but almost unbearable after a while with that old TIP! The perfect car? C5 AR 4.2, THEN an 01E swap. Now you're talkin!!

[ChrisEsco1]

I vote 4.2 AR or C5 S6. Both with 6MT swap of course.

EDIT: both of those options are probably double of what you're looking to spend.

[EinSchnellAudi]

B6 S4 avant with a 6spd? You get more ponies, still an avant, 'widebody', and has a 6spd with a V8 out of the box :)

example: link 1

How cool is this color :) and recaro

anothre example

[Vinchenzo51]

B6 S4 avant

[EinSchnellAudi]

^^ Know of any other Avants with a V8 and a manual out of the box?

[titsavant32]

B6 1.8T Ultrasport Avant if you can find one.

[Vinchenzo51]

^^ Know of any other Avants with a V8 and a manual out of the box?

Yeah, the SteveKen edition S6

No no, your right... the B6S4 is another good solution. I just despise the V8-S4 world, a lot of them are assholes to us 2.7T fellas.

[EinSchnellAudi]

They let the 'S' get to their heads. ^^

[williamr91]

^ what about the b5 s4 guys they dont let the s go to there heads...

[khalimadeath]

^ what about the b5 s4 guys they dont let the s go to there heads...

I agree. It goes to their penis.

[A6Avant]

^LMFAO

[ENDEE666]

Allroad gets my vote 1,000%.. A4's have terrible rear leg room. And the space and wide body of an AR is WIN..

[green a6]

AR

[CALL AAA]

Wait, how did the S6 get thrown into the conversation? If the OP is asking about the fuel economy, the S6 probably shouldn't be on the list. I don't know what the AR gets, but the 1.8T should do quite a bit better. I guess it comes down to what you really need in a car. I like both of them, but there is a bit more space in the AR. I might avoid the AR for the possible future suspension issues.
I say get the A4.

BUT, if you want a bigger car, and gas prices drop to the point where you no longer care about the mileage, then bring the S6 back into the discussion.

[williamr91]

I agree. It goes to their penis.

HEY MY Penis has grown since my purchase :P ahha jk I hope I'm not one of those guys. But even if I where at least I'm not a BMW guy....335i owners

[nitrolvr33]

The allroad is way more fun :)

[G Men 08]

I really am still on the fences here fellas. I had a b6 a4 before I stepped into my c5. I LOVED the full black interior on that car. I really do like the looks of the b6, and IMO it is the best looking small sedan out there. But I am particular to the size of the c5 chassis. My dad is a big dood and when he slipped into my b6, he was very uncomfortable. If I were the only person to ever ride in my car then the b6 would be the choice because it is perfect size. But when you add a few more people, it quickly feels crowded. I am less than 5 weeks away from being a new daddy so more room is going to be key. My only issue with the allroad is 1 more turbo and the air ride. The rest of it is all the same, give or take a few dollars here and there. How often does the air ride go south on the allroad? is it like a timing belt thing where it happens roughly 75k? or is it hit or miss.. I can handle maintaining a car, but fixing the same issue on multiple occasions is what kills it for me.

[AK_92_V8]

Buy an allroad dirt cheap that needs airbags. Go to arnott get gen1 (daily driving) or gen2 (stiffer more for performance) change all the airbags. They come with a lifetime warranty that basically covers anything. My friend got in a wreck (not his fault) and he called up arnott, they just sent him a new bag no questions. Then you can go low with the press of a button(402'd as low as you want). You get the wide body and the better looking front bumper. I always check here to see what deals can be found http://erepairables.com/salvage/audi/allroad+quattro
Hope that helps. If I wasn't in an allroad my next choice would be a 2004 S4 Avant.

[8520]

I really am still on the fences here fellas. I had a b6 a4 before I stepped into my c5. I LOVED the full black interior on that car. I really do like the looks of the b6, and IMO it is the best looking small sedan out there. But I am particular to the size of the c5 chassis. My dad is a big dood and when he slipped into my b6, he was very uncomfortable. If I were the only person to ever ride in my car then the b6 would be the choice because it is perfect size. But when you add a few more people, it quickly feels crowded. I am less than 5 weeks away from being a new daddy so more room is going to be key. My only issue with the allroad is 1 more turbo and the air ride. The rest of it is all the same, give or take a few dollars here and there. How often does the air ride go south on the allroad? is it like a timing belt thing where it happens roughly 75k? or is it hit or miss.. I can handle maintaining a car, but fixing the same issue on multiple occasions is what kills it for me.

If you don't care about the air ride why not do a standard narrow body stock spring and shock conversion. One of the members here did it and it was decently low and rode like a stock car. Buying used stock suspension should be cheap too.