looking to join the newer audi crowd

[FU5E]

I am in the market for a B7 or (B8 possibly) as a DD. I come from the B5 platform which is staying. I prefer a manual however there is one for sale near me I really like that's an auto. a bit high on miles but depending on maintenance id consider. I'm concerned mostly with traveling across the country for one and finding it has the oil consumption issue. How is the reliability of the autos and how do I try to protect myself from the 2.0t oil issue Carfax only shows so much.

[JDillon15]

I would definitely avoid the CVT (only on FWD cars, so if it's Quattro, you're good).

Maintenance is relative - I don't think it's too bad, but I do a lot of work myself. To each their own.

I would also avoid early B8's (2009 & 2010) as many of those had oil consumption issues.

[Mlambrecht17]

My b7 has been reliable. I have an 06 2.0t auto, it does have the torque converter issue so if I could do it again I would buy a manual. Also cam follower and timing belt are your main priorities for maintenance. Timing chains, pcv, and coil packs are another thing to consider and watch for. I'd recommend getting an s line or an 08 body because of better styling in my opinion, also try to find one with bixenons. That's the thing I regret most about my b7. Your best bet is to buy from an enthusiast because often times they seem to know what they're doing.


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[KingWulfgar]

My b7 has been reliable. I have an 06 2.0t auto, it does have the torque converter issue so if I could do it again I would buy a manual.

Same here. I have been pretty pleased with the 2.0T quattro except for the Tiptronic transmission. I'm still not sure how I'm going to handle this one.

B7s have cam follower, coolant flange, vacuum pump, engine mount issues. B8s (early ones anyway) seem to have oil consumption and chain tensioner issues. Personally, I liked my chances with the B7 better. Plus, I like the lines of it a lot.

[FU5E]

I don't consider it a proper audi if it's not quattro lol, looking at an 08 S-line 6 sp. Carfax shows 2 owners 2 service hist. Entries and an also an 09 auto has stg 3 Apr. Miles are high too. I love the 08 black/black 6 sp. Just wish I knew more service history

[Copen-cisco]

We have two black B7's - dont get a black car :)

[JDillon15]

I don't consider it a proper audi if it's not quattro lol, looking at an 08 S-line 6 sp. Carfax shows 2 owners 2 service hist. Entries and an also an 09 auto has stg 3 Apr. Miles are high too. I love the 08 black/black 6 sp. Just wish I knew more service history

Be very careful if you buy a 2008 - They came standard with the s-line appearance package and many people will tell you it is an s-line when it is not.

There are a couple giveaways:
won't have s-line on the steering wheel
won't have s-line on the door sills
has a 4-spoke steering wheel opposed to a 3-spoke

There may be a few others I'm forgetting.

[FU5E]

We have two black B7's - dont get a black car :)
Excellent advice, my big turbo b5 is black I should know better. Lol

[QuattriumMT6]

Be very careful if you buy a 2008 - They came standard with the s-line appearance package and many people will tell you it is an s-line when it is not.

There are a couple giveaways:
won't have s-line on the steering wheel
won't have s-line on the door trim
has a 4-spoke steering wheel opposed to a 3-spoke

There may be a few others I'm forgetting.

Yep. Door sills should have s-line on them. Wheels should be 18" either 5 spoke or 18" multi spoke of Titanium Packaged. I can't remember if Color DIS was just an option or if it came standard on S-lines (please correct me if I'm wrong).

[67Twisty]

I have an '08 Sline with the red DIS. Doesn't bother me, but color was obviously not standard. I have the RS4 pedals which also came standard with the Sline package in '08. You can't always rely on the wheels as they may have been changed by PO. Check the spare for clues if the original 18" are missing. Red sport shocks should be visible through wheel well unless PO went with aftermarket suspension. Lower front fascia on Sline bumper is different on true Sline vs the appearance package (fog light inserts are black rather than body colored). Oil consumption won't show on Carfax unless dealer took corrective action. The problem ran through the 2011 model year, but was worse for B8s on 2009 and 2010 as stated above.

[vce1232000]

I have the Tip with 225k miles on it and [drive] the [poop] out of it daily. Im gonna [drive] it till the transmission drops to the ground. Then [wrench] another one and [drive]it some more

[dalmation53]

OP get a B7.. B8's are meh.... the Quality materials on the B7's is soooo much better. try to find one with timing belt already done if it has more then 100k. cam follower, DV valve and PCV are crutial to replace before modding.

[ADCS]

If you prefer manual then don't settle for an auto. I did and hate it. It's my first auto car in 15 years and I hate it. Actually my B7 just sort of fell into my lap at a super deal so it would have been dumb not to buy it but I still hate the auto. I don't know how people drive them and actually enjoy it.

[o1turbo30v]

Owning all 3 I can tell you they are very different cars. The b7 will "feel" more like your b5, smaller and an interior pretty much unchanged from 2002, the first gen fsi 2.0 is so so, and the autos suck, the b8 is completely different from a b5/6/7, longer wheel base and a way better tfsi 2.0t (minus the oil consumption but the b7s have that issue also) the manual is very good, the interior is much better on the b8s imho, but honestly go test drive them for yourself, I think you will feel that the b7 is already 10ish years old.....

[vce1232000]

I still hate the auto. I don't know how people drive them and actually enjoy it.
I [az] the tiptronic when Im [drive]ing is NYC traffic[mad]

[ADCS]

I hate the auto the most when stuck in traffic....Stop changing gears unnecessarily!! lol. And the sport mode is a joke. I much prefer my manual B6 when stuck in traffic....needless to say the B7 is in 'manual' shift mode 95% of the time.

[johnruan]

B7 is 10yrs old car. If you have access to E85 gas and like tuning your car I would look for b8.5 2013. Only some of those models compatible with E85 and with E85 tune that thing is a beast.

[FU5E]

B7 is 10yrs old car. If you have access to E85 gas and like tuning your car I would look for b8.5 2013. Only some of those models compatible with E85 and with E85 tune that thing is a beast.

I'm not up to date on the B8 but since E85 is part of my b5 build that's something I might consider searching out. Drove a b7 true s line before and liked it just didn't make sense then. DD a jeep grand cherokee now auto, big and slow.
I plan to keep looking under $15k though so it doesn't interfere with re-building my b5 the way I want it. Kinda keeps me in the B7 model.

[Mlambrecht17]

You can find a nice titanium A4 for under 15k. Those imo look the best for b7s.


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[B-Time]

Lower front fascia on Sline bumper is different on true Sline vs the appearance package (fog light inserts are black rather than body colored).

Incorrect. There is only one S-line bumper. All 2008s had an s-line bumper.

[Ringsby4]

hi Fu5e,all good advice above and Ive been trying to work out how to purchase a B8 eventually and evaluate the oil burning issue before purchase...
(but only just started [wrench] modding my B7 lol )
But if you go for the B7 and and service history is not fully documented, ask the seller to pull the HPFP and if its got issues he pays/you leave,otherwise...maybe you pay or split and purchase at the agreed price.
With the oil issue though,its tough.Its impractical to test the car for soo long to evaluate that.So unless its documented that its been fixed or that it has an issue-I just haven't worked that one out yet ?? -Maybe full Audi service history will guide you...otherwise go for oil-safe 2013+ ( cost a bomb here but cheaper in US ) Good Luck !