To B5 or not to B5(B6 instead)this is the quattro....heh

[Trevsaudi]

*tried to search for something on this topic but I cant find anything or im just an idiot...one of the two*

So Im looking for some input on whether i should go B6 or B5, my price range is around $10,000 (highest probably $14k, thats stretching it) I originally wanted B6 because of nicer looks and it just seemed logical that because it was newer it would be better. But now i realize that while i could get a B6 for around that range i could alternately get a B5 for less money and have several thousand for upgrades, however if i got a good deal on a B6 i could also have some cash left over for add ons to that, chip/exhaust/suspension/whatever plus i would have the B6 sweet looks. I know i want quattro and manual tranny.

I'm definitely eyeballing the APR chips, i like the ability to be able to switch from performance to valet to gas saving stock mode as i am also very interested in getting good gas mileage when i need it(is there an option somewhere for like a super gas efficient highway mode for when I'm on a road trip completely uninterested in performance?) also they seem to have a nice security system. I like the sound of the magnaflow exhaust but hear its not really the complete package, and i have no idea what wheels to get....but i do like me some nice wheels! lol oh and im an idiot when it comes to suspension...no clue there either but nothing too low riding.

lets go by the kelly blue book private party values for excellent condition in the base 1.8t quattro 5spd with 60,000 miles, 2002 model year for the B6 and i dunno lets say 1999 for the B5

B6 1.8t quattro 5spd(2002)- $11,565 - leaving $2435 for add ons (from 14k)

B5 1.8t quattro 5spd(1999)- $8,410 - leaving $5590 for add ons

Can you guys give me a good list of add ons to fit each of those price ranges? keep in mind im not too concerned with having 350+hp(but it wouldnt be a bad thing) lol I'd just like to have a very classy-sporty looking ride that people in their 50's and teens alike would look at and drool and i want it with a good bit of kick behind the gas pedal but kick thats not going to severely shorten the life of my engine/car (i take very good care of my cars with full synthetic every 3-4,000 mi though). I plan on keeping it for many years as a daily driver! (the sportiness combined with the usefulness of four doors and a large trunk along with good gas mileage is what first attracted me to A4s) oh and im not only thinking of APR just whatever you guys think.

thanks!

im posting this in the B6 discussion board as well

[Don Supreme]

If your primary concern is to go fast then get the B5, if you don't plan to go past a chip on either platform then go with the B6.

[Trevsaudi]

well i'd like to go fast, but im not a "hey lets race" kind of guy. would i be right to think a chip with exhaust and maybe a larger turbo would offer the middle ground between baseline slow and super modded fast?

[Don Supreme]

^ if thats true, if you don't want to run deep 12s or 11s then get the B6.

[D's Avant]

You really should drive both and then decide... The B5 is really allot lighter, and drives that way. The B6 is a few hundred pounds heavier and drives that way IMO. You can really feel that extra weight when you toss/throw a B6 into a corner.

[Trevsaudi]

what kind of horsepower #'s would run deep 12 or 11's? just trying to get a feel for whats considered fast

[Squarrl]

more then 350

[Trevsaudi]

Yeah i plan on driving both, every time i call someone with an ad tho they've sold it already! :( oh and yeah jesus definitely not going to be needing that much hp, thanks

[D's Avant]

more then 350

I was thinking something like 500 WHP.

[tdn]

500whp on a b5 is in the 11/10 second range i think. take the gtrs elim at 350 crank hp is in the low 13's and high 12's with race gas.

[djwimbo]

The B6 is more of a bitch to work on. I like my B5, and externally I really like B6's. However, I don't think I'd buy one anymore.

Putting aftermarket speakers in the doors has been known to set of the side airbags, the door panels are a bitch to take off, even changing the oil is more of a pain. I'll stick w. my B5.

NTM you can find Facelift cars for $6500 w/ minimal problems. That leaves plenty of cash to put on some coilovers, tires, chip tune, exhaust and 1piece headlights.

EDIT:

trying to get a feel for whats considered fast

Take the $6500 you can get a B5 for and go buy a CBR929/954RR or GSXR1000, ... That's fast.

[tdn]

maybe you should get the b6.

i personally think the b6 i the ugliest of a4's. i love my brilliant black b5 and I get a hard on looking at it sometimes. If you'll get that feeling more out of a b6, then go for it. but if you want something that will perform better with the mods you throw at it, get the b5.

[djwimbo]

and I get a hard on looking at it sometimes.

that's not something you should admit to the general public. Especially if we're talking about cars that NEW cost $25K, not high end Italian or German cars.

[pipe7284]

Like said before.
If your plans are not to go all crasy horspower out of the car, just get a B6 and install a K04 maybe a gtrs.
If you want to go crasy like me and many more in here get the B5 and install a gt30r.

[A4orce84]

I agree with what has been said. I think the B5/B6 are the best of the Audi A4s (waiting to see the B8 in person)....I never was a fan of the B7 with that huge fish-mouth grill.....

But it's true its getting harder and harder to find "virgin" B5 A4s...and with 99 being almost a 10 year old car, from a reliability standpoint....it might be better to get a B6 at this point.

With that being said, I still love my B5 and it's free and paid-off, but when something breaks or gives problems....get ready to spend a good deal of $$


my 2 cents.

I also HOPE you posted this in the B6 forum, to get their input as well.

--Asif

[hawaii]

In my own opinion, I do think that the B5s looks better than the B6s, especially the rear. However, the B6s are more technologically advanced, such as electric truck release (I really want that on my B5), one-touch up and down for all windows (though we can simply do the mod for B5), power seat (I think that the B6s come with it for the driver's seat), etc. On the other hand, I think that the B5s are more "mod-friendly."

[kingtr]

Either way don't get a 2002 B6. That was their first year, never buy a first year car. Look 2003 or 2004 (if looking at B6). Also, why not go with 99.5-2001.5 A4 as opposed to 99? Is DBW vs nDBW the issue? If not, then why not a 2000 or 2001 B5?

[speedydragon]

In my own opinion, I do think that the B5s looks better than the B6s, especially the rear. However, the B6s are more technologically advanced, such as electric truck release (I really want that on my B5), one-touch up and down for all windows (though we can simply do the mod for B5), power seat (I think that the B6s come with it for the driver's seat), etc. On the other hand, I think that the B5s are more "mod-friendly."

we have electric trunk release. The button is stowed away near the dirver's side compartment where you'd normally put CD's or maps.

Either way don't get a 2002 B6. That was their first year, never buy a first year car. Look 2003 or 2004 (if looking at B6). Also, why not go with 99.5-2001.5 A4 as opposed to 99? Is DBW vs nDBW the issue? If not, then why not a 2000 or 2001 B5?

Don't get an 03. Get an 02 sport if you want really low w/o getting coil overs. get 04 and up if you want painted lowers. If you have 14k to spend, and want a decently powered vehicle, I'd suggest B5 S4. Or if you're looking for reliability, then go with an Impreza Wrx (227hp)

[hawaii]

Oh really? Can you take a photo and tell me where it is?

[speedydragon]

Oh really? Can you take a photo and tell me where it is?

I'm eating dinner right now (yea I know it's almost 1am lol)..but I'll edit this post with a pic asap

[hawaii]

I'm eating dinner right now (yea I know it's almost 1am lol)..but I'll edit this post with a pic asap

It's not in a hurry. Just take your time. =]

[speedydragon]

there :]

[hawaii]

Hm. I don't think mine has the button there. Yours is an avant, right? I think that's why.

[speedydragon]

oOo maybe that's why :\..well you always have a button on your remote key right?

[hawaii]

oOo maybe that's why :\..well you always have a button on your remote key right?

So sad that I just have the lock, unlock and panic key on my remote. That's why I said that I don't have electric truck release on B5.

[prey]

Get the b6, its much more updated, looks much better IMO, but I still do miss my b5.

[Trevsaudi]

thanks for all the replies everyone, funny you guys should mention the b6 trunk release lever thing on the door, i was test driving one the other day and i was like heeeyyy look at this neat lil switch! Anyway yeah i think now that ive heard from some people and read around the forums on upgrades for a solid day straight I've decided i'll probably go for the B6 and the Revo/gtrs set up with the boost on the lower side, doesnt seem to be too overly powerfull yet has a good bit of hp while (from what ive read) retaining some pretty good city driving characteristicts. ....now do i go for gtrs eliminator or the "complete solution" revo/gtrs thing....hmmmmm

[94jedi]

if you don't want to run deep 12s or 11s then get the B6.

I've had this debate in my head many times over and this is what it boils down to.

[prey]

thanks for all the replies everyone, funny you guys should mention the b6 trunk release lever thing on the door, i was test driving one the other day and i was like heeeyyy look at this neat lil switch! Anyway yeah i think now that ive heard from some people and read around the forums on upgrades for a solid day straight I've decided i'll probably go for the B6 and the Revo/gtrs set up with the boost on the lower side, doesnt seem to be too overly powerfull yet has a good bit of hp while (from what ive read) retaining some pretty good city driving characteristicts. ....now do i go for gtrs eliminator or the "complete solution" revo/gtrs thing....hmmmmm

Just get the Eurocode GTRS kit its like 2699.

[00SantorinS4]

I'm on my third B5 and I had a B6 1.8t in between. Great car for sure!
It definitely is more updated but when it all boils down to it IMO the body style of the B5 with its simplicity and elegant curves is the winner.
Don't get me wrong I would buy a B6 S4 in a heartbeat but the exterior differences between a stock B6 a4 and a B6 S4 are phenomenal.

B5 bro

edit: oh and if you do go B6, get an 02 w/ sport suspension you won't have to drop your car much more.
02 is my fav year. rear heated seats ftw haha

[tdn]

that's not something you should admit to the general public. Especially if we're talking about cars that NEW cost $25K, not high end Italian or German cars.

did you just take me seriously?

[AudiA4_20T]

The B6 is more of a bitch to work on.

What are you talking about!!! Audi took every annoying thing with the B5 and made it so much easier

1. Suspension
2. Brakes
3. Transmission
4. Bumpers
5. Lights

etc etc

[Trevsaudi]

Alright well i decided im most definitely getting the B6 but now i'm pondering saving some money by going FWD instead of quattro, while i still plan on getting the ecode revo/gtrs kit and neuspeed exhaust once i decide on a car.

My question being, if i dont plan on launching from a standstill in the rain but still want to enjoy the power of the gtrs after im already moving will i regret not going quattro? I live in Tampa which is basically huge thunderstorms randomly at any point during a nice sunny day accompanied by a whoooole lot of rain. Would fwd be slipping all over the road under moderate-hard acceleration even once im going like 15-20mph? what about interstate speeds?

[a4rings]

if u want fwd get a vw. trust me u will regret skipping on quattro

[Ewok_Fetus]

Two words.... No one has said it yet....

S
4

[onemoremile]

B6 Quattro. I had a Jetta VR6 and it seemed like it was worse in the rain than in the snow. Snow has relatively even traction side to side and there isn't enough bite for much torque steer. Nice Tampa roads with puddles and heavy rain are a whole different story. If you get Quattro you won't have to wrestle the steering wheel or feel all acceleration come to a momentary halt every time a tire hits a puddle.

Or to put it another way, you can run the best rain tires available - F1 GSD3 - on a FWD and it won't be as good during nasty weather as Quattro with a set of halfway decent $60 tires. My old office had three of us working there and we all had B5 Audis, an S4 Avant, my A4 Avant, and a V6 Fronttrak sedan. We all traded cars and even in the summer there was a noticeable difference. There is just something about a Quattro car that makes buying a fwd Audi pure foolishness. If you want a good front driver then get an Acura.

[m5racer]

i say get an 01.5 B5 a4. The best thing about them is: HID came standard on sport, the sport suspension sits amazing with a set of 17's on the car, you get the exact same engine as the B6's but less the 400 extra pounds, the interiour is almost identical (cluster is same climate control and raido are diffrent) No Traction control to worry about and have to turn off all the time.(with all my mods no tire slippage anyways) and hondestly i love the look of the B5 over the B6 any day.

[Ewok_Fetus]

i say get an 01.5 B5 a4. The best thing about them is: HID came standard on sport

Sorry, HID was part of the Premium Package.... Not sport... My 01 sport didn't come with HID's...

[Trevsaudi]

Quattro it is then! i like the look of b5's too but not that much mostly because they all remind me of my B5 lemon experience, man that thing was crappy

[m5racer]

Sorry, HID was part of the Premium Package.... Not sport... My 01 sport didn't come with HID's...

Well weard, mine did and its sport, i guess orig owner decided to get the HID's as an extra. Funny how they paid for that but didnt even get a sunroof.