Out with the old, what to get for the new

[rocky.ca]

Im inbetween getting an older 1998 or so 1.8t and building it and a 1999.5-2001 with under 75 000 miles and saving up for mods. pros and cons of both? i will have around 10 000 to play with but i have to keep it within canada so prices are going to be a bit higher

[lanoueb5er]

facelift. got mine for 8500$ can tax in and I guess they are more reliable since its the end of the model-line years

[rocky.ca]

i found a brilliant black 2001 a4 with only 113 000kms on it, can get it for around 8-85 taxes in... dont know how long it will be on the market though

[lanoueb5er]

sounds like a good deal if its clean and depending how much money in repairs it needs

[rocky.ca]

anybody else have an opinion?

[lowandslow4now]

I like the DBC for my preference but with the newer ones with MAP sensors you can get software now to run MAF less if you go BT its a tough one. If I could do it again I would still go for the older ones

[Seerlah]

Prefacelift:
Pros
-AEB engine
-Many seem to adore the DBC as the DBW can have a mind of it's own at times

Cons
-Prefacelift exterior and many like to upgrade ot the 1-peice headlights and facelift tail lights
-20 less hp (but I believe the 00 also has the same)
-Older style dash console

Facelift
Pros
-k03s and 20 more hp stock (01 model)
-one peice headlights and tail lights
-newer dash
-flashed software
-MAFless tunes
-Meth kit ran off of Map sesnor
-Diode mod
-Knock sensors
-fog lights

Cons
-Weaker block
-I have no issues with the DBW, but many would always say the DBC has a better throttle response

It all depends on what you want. If you just want a more reliable block, don't care about making the intake w/ MAF on a BT set up, don't mind not having fog lights, prefcelift interior and exterior, than go with the AEB. If not, then go with the 01-01.5 (AWM). Not the ATW.

[slopoke]

Or you could get a 1999.5 like mine and have the best of both worlds! hehe

[Jibberific]

yeah the 1999.5 is the best of the B5s

[rocky.ca]

aha! I JUST found a 1999.5 that was posted today. It has 142 000 kms on it, and the guy wants 8k for it. only thing is that it has HIDEOUS black rims (im going to tell him to keep them and put on the stockers ) which will hopefully drop the price to 7000 and "euro tails" im assuming altezzas... ugh, maybe he still has the stock tail lights. maybe i can get him down to around 6800-7000, and depending on the condition. im inbetwen this car and the other one i posted above... decisions decisions

hey, maybe i can finally pay off the credit cards, god i hate being a student

[Militant-Grunt]

Prefacelift:
Pros
-AEB engine
-Many seem to adore the DBC as the DBW can have a mind of it's own at times

Cons
-Prefacelift exterior and many like to upgrade ot the 1-peice headlights and facelift tail lights
-20 less hp (but I believe the 00 also has the same)
-Older style dash console

Facelift
Pros
-k03s and 20 more hp stock (01 model)
-one peice headlights and tail lights
-newer dash
-flashed software
-MAFless tunes
-Meth kit ran off of Map sesnor
-Diode mod
-Knock sensors
-fog lights

Cons
-Weaker block
-I have no issues with the DBW, but many would always say the DBC has a better throttle response

It all depends on what you want. If you just want a more reliable block, don't care about making the intake w/ MAF on a BT set up, don't mind not having fog lights, prefcelift interior and exterior, than go with the AEB. If not, then go with the 01-01.5 (AWM). Not the ATW.

AEB

Pros:
Less emissions BS on the motor
I never not once had a boost leak in two years of ownership .
Big port head / intake manifold
Prefacelift was about 150lbs lighter as a whole.

Cons:
Less refined interior quality / fit and finish. Over all the car is a tad louder.
Less safe, no curtain airbags.



AWM/ ATM

Pros:
Nicer interior / quality / fit and finish. When the car was stock it was eearie quiet in there.
Safer


Cons:
Overly complicated emissions system (Secondary air injection, EGR, TOO many damn vacumme hoses And CONSTANT boost leaks)
Numerous unecessary Sensors
Smallport head / intake manifold
Heavier due to revised interior / exterior.


Overall I liked my old AEB better, I had that car running like a perfectly tuned clock. While my replacement has numerous teething problems. I guess I will like it more with time. And I'd Definitley would reccomend an 2001 over any year, seeing that if you ever want to big BAT setup, its really easy to stroke the motor.

[rocky.ca]

would the 1999.5 be considered pre-facelift, or facelift?

[redflagquattro]

99.5..if i could go back in time i would have gotten on instead of my 01

[redflagquattro]

would the 1999.5 be considered pre-facelift, or facelift?

facelift

[rocky.ca]

yeah, thats what i thought, so the 1999.5 has all the benefits of both the aeb and awm/atm? seems like the most logical choice. im going to see what i can talk this guy down to :)

[VTAudiA4]

Why would you not want to go with a ATW engine? The bottom end is AEB while the head is ATW. Am I right?

[burner799]

......

[Tifun]

yeah the 1999.5 is the best of the B5s

yeah times eleventybillion. I got my 99.5 because its the best of both worlds.

[redflagquattro]

Why would you not want to go with a ATW engine? The bottom end is AEB while the head is ATW. Am I right?

because it's dbw

[Wizard-of-OD]

Cons
-Weaker block
-I have no issues with the DBW, but many would always say the DBC has a better throttle response

It all depends on what you want. If you just want a more reliable block, don't care about making the intake w/ MAF on a BT set up, don't mind not having fog lights, prefcelift interior and exterior, than go with the AEB. If not, then go with the 01-01.5 (AWM). Not the ATW.

Weaker rods,not weaker block...
The block can be taken to 800+whp no issues.More than anyone in North America will ever make (except me & Paul )

My advice is to go with the AWM A4.Why?
* You get Motronic ME-7 (more files available and you can run a MAFLESS software) - Perfect for GT3582R+ users
* DBW - can remove the lag in the software and the options for larger throttle bodies are the sky.For DBC there is only 1 single DBC upgrade available.
* Internal water pump block - allows you to really clean up the accessories down the road if you want allowing for larger custom intake manifold set ups.
* NO AC compressor on the passenger side of the block on some models.This will allow you to run a large bottom mount turbocharger + tubular manifold.

That is just to name a few.The AEB head is not the be all end all...the small port head is just as good,it just needs to be port matched to an AEB intake gasket.