New to the boards, trying to decide on a B5 or B6 S4... Opinions needed!

[Turbo74]

I have always been a big Audi fan ever since owning a 2000 TT and i'm thinking now might be the time to switch back. I currently have a 2004 Volvo S60R with an ECU flash that is wicked fast but for some reason I cant get the idea of an S4 out of my head. I have a few main questions:

1) Which platform is more reliable?
2) Which responds better to modification?
3) What are the overall differences in feel between the TT6 and the NA V8??

I am a wine rep and would be using this car daily, putting about 15K miles on it a year. The volvo currently does the job perfectly but the Audi was where I have always been looking. I snatched the Volvo up way cheap and its been a great car for me so far. Are there any specific years to avoid on either platform? A friend of mine has an 00 S4 and he LOVES it. I've ridden in it a few times and it's a great car for the money you pay. I wonder if the B6 is THAT much better to warrant the additional money and insurance??


Rob


04 Volvo S60R
74 Porsche 911 Turbo Carrera
91 Porsche 911 Carrera 4
72 BMW 2002

[tike0rz]

Hey Rob,

1) The 00-02 S4s have their share of problems. Check the sticky at the top of the B5 S4 forum for more information.

2) The B5 S4 responds excellent to modifications.

3) TTv6 - More bang for your buck, turbo spooling sound...
NA V8 - Thunderous sound, instant power, reliable....

I DD my 6spd 2000 S4 in Philadelphia traffic. Its fine.

I would not trade my B5 for a B6/B7. Nuff said!

[Audi S4 Turbo]

I was in the same boat but deciding on a B7 Rs4 or B5 S4. I sold my E46 M3 to get the new one, and decided to get an Rs4 instead. Then one day, my mind switched and I couldn't decide between an Rs4 or E92 M3. So in the mean time I bought a B5 S4 and stage 3'd the biach. I now beat both M3 and Rs4. I also have a bunch of money left over since I didn't buy a $60+ car. Couldn't be more happy.


Depends on what you are looking for, fast B5 S4, refined and newer looking B6 - B7 S4.

[BastardS4]

neither are what i would call reliable.

[rick_chicago]

I love my B5 S4.

But there is no way I would log 15k miles a year with it as my only transport. There's just too many weak points, and so few out there with low mileage.

The B6 would be a vast improvement in reliability, with many more low-mileage examples out there to be found. You'd give up the mod potential, but many swear the B6 handles a touch better than the B5.

If it were me, I'd take the B6 money, and grab a B5 AND a decent daily driver.

YMMV

[Turbo74]

hmmm so many good options..

One of them would be to keep the volvo, sell my 91 911 and buy a stage 3'd
B5 S(nogaro Blue of course!) That way I'd keep the volvo as a DD, still have the other 911(which is rotting because it gets ZERO attention and its making me mad) and the B5 S4 could be a great little sleeper. What kind of HP and 1/4 times are we talking with a stage 3'd S4? I'm guessing they are super finicky when boosted to that level and I should expect alot of nagging issues???

Rob

[Boris]

I had a brand new b6 s4, and sold it to eventually get a B5 s4...

The B6 has a better interior, but the thing is even more piggy than the b5 s4 (heavier)

And I always felt it (b6) was sluggish in twisties

BUT there isn't one girl out there who doesnt think the B5 is better looking than the B6..it looks newer etc..if that matters to you

But Ive seen more and more problems occuring with the b6 s4 now that it is getting a bit older..
But granted the b5 s4 has many problems that can happen
..

Just go drive both, that will help you decide real fast.

[RolledMySTi]

Hey Rob,

1) The 00-02 S4s have their share of problems. Check the sticky at the top of the B5 S4 forum for more information.

2) The B5 S4 responds excellent to modifications.

3) TTv6 - More bang for your buck, turbo spooling sound...
NA V8 - Thunderous sound, instant power, reliable....

I DD my 6spd 2000 S4 in Philadelphia traffic. Its fine.

I would not trade my B5 for a B6/B7. Nuff said!

My thoughts exactly

[lil' is 300]

I'm calling three pages of shitfest - any takers?

[Rated S]

One person said it pretty well a while ago:


If you want a ridiculously fast car, get a B6.
If you want a 4-door Corvette/Porsche killer, get a B5.

[Sleeeper X]

comon, the B6's struggle to beat g35s. nuff said.

[S-Power]

Are you looking to buy it and thats that, or will you be modding?

[SoSlow]

depends on what you're trying to do with the car

if you're trying to smoke single turbo supras, 350z, ferraris, etc, then you're going to want to get a b6 s4 (make sure to keep it in 3rd gear during races)

if you want a slow piece of garbage that breaks down constantly then get a b5 s4

[S-Power]

depends On What You're Trying To Do With The Car

If You're Trying To Smoke Single Turbo Supras, 350z, Ferraris, Etc, Then You're Going To Want To Get A B6 S4 (make Sure To Keep It In 3rd Gear During Races)

If You Want A Slow Piece Of Garbage That Breaks Down Constantly Then Get A B5 S4

Lmao

[Rated S]

depends on what you're trying to do with the car

if you're trying to smoke single turbo supras, 350z, ferraris, etc, then you're going to want to get a b6 s4 (make sure to keep it in 3rd gear during races)

if you want a slow piece of garbage that breaks down constantly then get a b5 s4

ahahahahahahahahahahahaha i forgot all about that.

[GramCracker]

I'm calling three pages of shitfest - any takers?

Ill take you up.

[jibberjive]

BUT there isn't one girl out there who doesnt think the B5 is better looking than the B6..it looks newer etc..if that matters to you

I'm assuming you wrote that backwards? I have both a B6 A4 USP and a Casa white S4 and every girl who's made a comment on the cars thinks the B6 is better looking and better inside. Better looking is subjective, but I think it's hard to argue against the B6 looking way newer than the B5.

Either way, I'm selling to B6 to get into the B5, it's just so much more fun to drive (keep in mind I have a stage 1+ 1.8t B6 A4, not B6 S4.)

[highPSI-S4]

depends on what you're trying to do with the car

if you're trying to smoke single turbo supras, 350z, ferraris, etc, then you're going to want to get a b6 s4 (make sure to keep it in 3rd gear during races)

if you want a slow piece of garbage that breaks down constantly then get a b5 s4

Your clearly in the wrong forum and making upsurd accusations. What website did you get that from?

[GramCracker]

depends on what you're trying to do with the car

if you're trying to smoke single turbo supras, 350z, ferraris, etc, then you're going to want to get a b6 s4 (make sure to keep it in 3rd gear during races)

if you want a slow piece of garbage that breaks down constantly then get a b5 s4

Clearly he knows what he is talking about.

[GyzmoS4]

I love the S60R. If it wasnt so far out of my price range when i was trading in my A4, i would probably have that car right now.

Honestly, you're going to get pretty much the same responses that have already been posted in this thread. B5 much better for mods, B6 better for reliability. I have no experience with the B6, but that's pretty much been the consensus on these boards.

[b5rs4]

1.reliability my b5 s4 stg3 has been great to me but it depends how you treat your car.
2.mod list this is a given unless you are planning on spending 20k for a sc from mtm for your b6 s4 you won't have enough power and even then a b5 s4 stg3 will spank that.
3. I like a turbo feel personally. again a matter of individual choice.
ps.soslow I hope you were being sarcastic because single turbo supras will spank b6 s4s again it depends on what size single turbo we are talking about but the b5 platform has a much better chance.

[1997gtx]

A good, well put together stage 3 B5 S4 would be my choice.

Pick one up in the $17k - $20k range and never look back.

It will run consistent low 12's / High 11's with no tweaking, and nothing 'major' to break.

A B6 S4, while 'newer' and 'more reliable' just won't give you the 'wow' speed factor that the B5 S4 will make.

Plus, you can get a nice suspension an effective, but quiet exhaust and drive it daily, while getting over 20mpg.

Do it. Those of us that don't have a Stage 3 wish we had just gotten one to start with.
--Adam

[torment]

Yeah I just chipped my B5 S4 and I couldn't wipe the smile off my face the entire weekend. Stage 3 must be retarded fast....wish there were more people in Oklahoma with stage 3 vehicles.

B5 S4 FTW.

[ThirdStrike]

asking a bunch of b5s4 owners about buying a b6s4 is lol material..
being that a chipped b5s4 can keep up with a b6s4 id say most of us will say get the b5. a stage 2 (chip + exhaust/downpipes) b5s4 will stomp a mudhole in a b6s4. again take your pick

[ThirdStrike]

btw the b5 chassis just looks all around better than the b6 chassis.

[SoSlow]

Clearly he knows what he is talking about.

i know that my car is faster than your silver turd bucket on wheels

[SoSlow]

Your clearly in the wrong forum and making upsurd accusations. What website did you get that from?

wat

[Das General]

A stage 3 is fast as shit.

But a B6 S4 stock in 3rd gear is def. just as fast if not faster.

[alias747]

A stage 3 is fast as shit.

But a B6 S4 stock in 3rd gear is def. just as fast if not faster.

I can't tell who is being sarcastic anymore... lol I haven't been in a B6 S4 before, but I can't imagine a car that is heavier and has less horsepower being faster. But what do I know...

[AUDILUX]

A stage 3 is fast as shit.

But a B6 S4 stock in 3rd gear is def. just as fast if not faster.

Whaaa???

[AMC]

i know that my car is faster than your silver turd bucket on wheels

i bet my silver turd is faster thank your peice of shit

[ThirdStrike]

A stage 3 is fast as shit.

But a B6 S4 stock in 3rd gear is def. just as fast if not faster.

finally someone that makes some sense in here..

[SoSlow]

i bet my silver turd is faster thank your peice of shit

[AMC]

might i ask what u drive

[SoSlow]

might i ask what u drive

more than you can afford, pal

[Boris]

I'm assuming you wrote that backwards? I have both a B6 A4 USP and a Casa white S4 and every girl who's made a comment on the cars thinks the B6 is better looking and better inside. Better looking is subjective, but I think it's hard to argue against the B6 looking way newer than the B5.

Either way, I'm selling to B6 to get into the B5, it's just so much more fun to drive (keep in mind I have a stage 1+ 1.8t B6 A4, not B6 S4.)

Lol yes, excuse me, I meant that the b6 s4 is more favorable for picking up ladies in my experience.. They think the b5 is a tad dated, this is on the west coast..

[ThirdStrike]

Lol yes, excuse me, I meant that the b6 s4 is more favorable for picking up ladies in my experience.. They think the b5 is a tad dated, this is on the west coast..

if you need a flashy car to get pussy then your game needs improvement, just ask the bmw folks. esp the ones that drive e46m3's lol .. i kid i kid.

[NogaroWonda00]

this is all that matters lol
b5's are cheaper and a stage 3 done right can break 12's no problem. a b6 is more money more weight and most likely more air bags lol. sure the b6 is quick i would imagine but no 3rd gear pull is gonna touch a single turbo supra haha (sounds like a 15 sec 1/4 to me lol)
if you take care of the b5 it will last but it depends on how you drive it and how often you get it serviced etc.
now im guessing if you want a stage 3 b5 then you have money and time to spend on your toys, if i had the money id take the b6 and have the rs6 turbos installed and make it into a nice car but god knows how much that would run.

the b5 s4 stage 3 is the super sleeper save ur money keep the volvo sell the 911 cause you wont want it anyways once you drive a stage 3 b5!


i had the opportunity to drive an 03 rs6 for about a month and a half. it was a really really nice car. I raced a 02 ws6 trans am it had somethings done to it and wasted it, then i found myself sitting at a light with a 89 240sx my buddy owns it has that sr20det swap and it stood right next to the rs6 till we hit 120 then i flew and he ran out of gear.
if you or anyone you know is having trouble beating a g35 then slap them in the face you have awd! launch that sucka and you wont know he was even there to begin with!!! my 98 mustang gt beats g35s and z's and its a mustang for gods sake

[Boris]

comon, the B6's struggle to beat g35s. nuff said.

This actually was one of the main reasons I sold the B6 s4.. despite the fact it was a beautiful nogaro with a warm weather package I looked all across the US for...and had downpipes, intake, software, exhust, suspension some other crap too I cant recall...

But...Do you know how aggravating it is not being fast enough to overtake a lightly modded g35? I underestimated how important this is... I mean it has that red mark on your car, the S...and it has trouble beating a g35? Forget it, that was just too demeaning...all show and no go...a farce...that b6/7 engine is nice SOunding, but its a completelty Docile engine, and revs up like a power drill...additionally the engine was never happy revving constantly , like in mountain roads, and downhifting,

Really the b6/7 s4 is a departure into more luxury than performance..



Even the Rs4, with its CLAIMED 420 hp, which actually has been dynoing quite a bit less all across the country, is putting down what? 325 whp ? I think thats one of the highest numbers I remember seeing.. regardless my point is, with a nice set of Rs6 turbos, you will put down more whp on a b5 s4, than the new rs4 even CLAIMS it has at the engine

awesome sleeper power

[Boris]

if you need a flashy car to get pussy then your game needs improvement, just ask the bmw folks. esp the ones that drive e46m3's lol .. i kid i kid.

Cant argue with that. BUT, if you do have skills, there's a whole slew of slores that you have a leg up on with a newer german car, I've seen them at car meets, its a extra tool for someone with decent game, a bonus.

Especially when they feel the quantum leap like speed of 3rd gear, they will be overcome by their own sexuality.