1998 or 1998.5 ?

[pweishaupt]

I'm new to Audi and am looking for an A4 2.8 Quattro. I've noticed the wikipedia site is pretty lame on the B5. How do I figure out if I'm looking at a 1998 or 1998.5? What is the difference? Secondly, why not just get a 96 or 97 with low miles and save money? are 1998.5 and later that much better?
thank you in advance.

pete

[pipe7284]

96 and 97 are 12v 2.8 motors, on the 98 and 99 you have the 30v, and more friendly to mod. Not as friendly as a 1.8.

[flashburn]

Though, if you aren't worried about preformance modding, the 96 is the best because you get all european features like fog lights in the rear and euro deck lids. Not to mention cooler badging on your fenders. the 1996 is pretty much a euro a4 thru and thru, it wasn't americanized yet.

[Silverstreak98]

1998.5 will have the the Driver Information Screen I believe.......also the fender no long has the logo that says "audi" on it.......there are a few more differences and there is a full explanation of the differences on Audiworld.

[pweishaupt]

Thanks for the info. Does the 1996 come with tiptronic?

[generik777]

1998.5 will have the the Driver Information Screen

Not all of them do. But the 98.5's are the first to have the Audi football logo removed from under the side blinker on the fender. Also they were the first to have the Alarm LED's located on the doors next to the lock plungers.

[djwimbo]

If you have "Audi" in a small oval below the fender blinker it's a '98. If it's not there it's a 98.5

98.5's FTW. I'm glad I picked up a '98.5. I like the interior setup, still keeps the stubby, AEB engine(very simple electronics) and other little things. Only thing I'd upgrade externally (without S4 bumpers) would be facelift taillights. They look a lot better to me.

[black99.5a4]

Though, if you aren't worried about preformance modding, the 96 is the best because you get all european features like fog lights in the rear and euro deck lids. Not to mention cooler badging on your fenders. the 1996 is pretty much a euro a4 thru and thru, it wasn't americanized yet.

I have a factory rear fog in my 99.5

[djwimbo]

Though, if you aren't worried about preformance modding, the 96 is the best because you get all european features like fog lights in the rear and euro deck lids. Not to mention cooler badging on your fenders. the 1996 is pretty much a euro a4 thru and thru, it wasn't americanized yet.

I'm pretty sure that they all have the rear fog. The badging is preference, but i think it looks more classy to not have the '80s looking badges on the fenders.

Yes, the '96 did have the Euro style trunk lid.

No, it was Americanized. If it wasn't they speedo and gauges wouldn't be in Fahrenheit and MILES per hour.

[Militant-Grunt]

/Misses his 98.5

[Jibberific]

99.5 is the way to go

[chimchongdlight]

well let me ask a question too then, mine said its a 98, and i knwo it woudln't say 98.5 on the pink slip, but i didn't have the audi football logos, nor the old taillights, but i do have the led doors, but i thought the 98.5's came with one piece headlights? am i wrong? bc mine came with two piece..but mines a 1.8. does that make a difference, bc i swear mine was a 98.5 but i figured it wasn't bc it had 2 peice headlights, and where was the badges on the older models? bc my badges were on the trunk...?

[amd is the best]

well let me ask a question too then, mine said its a 98, and i knwo it woudln't say 98.5 on the pink slip, but i didn't have the audi football logos, nor the old taillights, but i do have the led doors, but i thought the 98.5's came with one piece headlights? am i wrong? bc mine came with two piece..but mines a 1.8. does that make a difference, bc i swear mine was a 98.5 but i figured it wasn't bc it had 2 peice headlights, and where was the badges on the older models? bc my badges were on the trunk...?

99.5 or the "facelift" was the first to have the one piece headlights, new climate control, rectangle clear side markers, non-flush door handles, etc..

I believe the early 98's had the 12v v6 and 98.5 got the 30v.

Early 99's were the first to get a full sized pass mirror.

Nick

[chimchongdlight]

i have square side markers, and im not sure if i have flush door handles, and i have the short mirror

[amd is the best]

i have square side markers, and im not sure if i have flush door handles, and i have the short mirror

Then is for sure a 98.5 or older (unless someone swapped out your mirror) in which case it could only be a 99.

[generik777]

well let me ask a question too then, mine said its a 98, and i knwo it woudln't say 98.5 on the pink slip, but i didn't have the audi football logos, nor the old taillights, but i do have the led doors, but i thought the 98.5's came with one piece headlights? am i wrong? bc mine came with two piece..but mines a 1.8. does that make a difference, bc i swear mine was a 98.5 but i figured it wasn't bc it had 2 peice headlights, and where was the badges on the older models? bc my badges were on the trunk...?

If it's a 98 with no football logos and does have LED's by the door locks then you have a 98.5, They came with 2 piece headlights. And for your last question your badges should be on the trunk, All of them will be on the same level, the newer facelifts had the "A4" and "2.8" or "1.8t" logo lower than the audi rings.