b5... or b6...?(nice job, rook)

[lagomorph]

And for my first trick, I'll try and decide what car to buy...

I'm looking at either B5's or B6's.
Definitely avants. I'm going to do one of the famed TDI swaps into an avant.
Just gotta choose which one. Getting the drivetrain will be the easy part.
Give me some pluses/minuses of each of the cars...like can the rear seats in a b5 fold down w/o moving the front seats forward? Is there small annoyances like this with the audis? My old jetta TDI really annoyed me with the seat thing.

I do lots of bike racing, so being able to haul gear is the best reason for a wagon, aside from they look better.

I like the styling of both, perhaps the b6 a little better, but the cost advantage leans toward the B5. Found a really nice one in the classifieds here with tons of mods for a real reasonable price. I haven't driven a b5 for a while, drove a b6 recently and was impressed, even though it was a v6 auto...I'm selling my e28 M5 and my jetta coupe to fund this little project.

Heres a few pics of my other cars-rabbit has a TDI swap, and my former jetta wagon that started as a 2.0....




And yes- I'm doing it because I'm slightly off, and enjoy swapping engines.
Thanks for your input...

[Sablea4]

do it. i want audi to bring over a diesel wagon.

[B6480Avant]

heres one

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/957269242.html

[lookaught]

I like the looks of the B6 more, but the B5 may be easier because of ECU and Immobilizer compatability.

1.9tdi?

[lagomorph]

yes, the initial plan is going to be 1.9 TDI.
But, I may be modifying that depending on finances to 2.0PD/130 hp. We'll see what transpires. Lots of avants available, but can't choose what to buy...and my budget is dependent on selling at least one 'extra' car.
I really like this one...even if it's autotragic. But, at 10,999....it's just too much for what it is going to need to make it what I want...

[lagomorph]

So,
any more input as to b5 or b6? seems like there would be some good discussion here, but can't seem to get the b5 vs. b6 factions riled up.

How about....
Hey-I heard from a guy on here that B6's really suck in the snow-and they aren't as good as the B5's. Another guy said the B5's are unreliable and tend to hydroplane in rain since they're smaller cars- and can't carry anything since the seats don't fold flat in the rear.

[Idrive]

How about....
Hey-I heard from a guy on here that B6's really suck in the snow-and they aren't as good as the B5's. Another guy said the B5's are unreliable and tend to hydroplane in rain since they're smaller cars- and can't carry anything since the seats don't fold flat in the rear.

Hahaha that son of beach!

I drive a b5 and my brother drives a b6 and there are really two things I'm a lil jealous of, and that is his dual exhaust and his 6 disc cd changer in the head unit. Other than that I'm always stoked on getting back in my car after driving his. To me the b5's just seem more rugged.

And to that 'guy' who said the seats don't fold flat in the rear, he needs to be punched in the left ear. My baby can easily manage mine and 3 other friends' snowboards/gear.

B5 for the win!!

[DolphinV8]

get what you can afford. my b6 is a lil nicer than my b5, but I seem to like my b5 more recently.

[OMEGA SUPREME]

B5 a4 wieghs about 300-400 lbs less than the B6. B6 S4 is about 600 to 700 lbs heavier. I love my B5.

[chris23]

So,
any more input as to b5 or b6? seems like there would be some good discussion here, but can't seem to get the b5 vs. b6 factions riled up.

How about....
Hey-I heard from a guy on here that B6's really suck in the snow-and they aren't as good as the B5's. Another guy said the B5's are unreliable and tend to hydroplane in rain since they're smaller cars- and can't carry anything since the seats don't fold flat in the rear.

B5...i've had no problems w/ my '01 S4...they do great in the weather but tire selection makes a huge difference w/ some cars and they may be smaller but they are not light...my seats fold fine and you don't have to have a midget drive...plus the B5 should be cheaper to purchase.

[lagomorph]

Well, I was going to purchase that white wagon above this week.
Could not get the payment quite low enough to accommodate my budget on the one I want, so I'm in limbo until the E28 M5 is sold, or the jetta coupe, or I find a huge bag of money on the sidewalk. They'd only finance 3 years on a 2001, and 10k is not exactly money I have in the piggy bank.
Looks like I'm (currently) going with B5. 2000 or 2001, but I found a nice s-line avant in casa....just gotta figure out the funds-hope the M sells soon...

[CARTEL]

B6 yar!

[4ringAR]

So,
any more input as to b5 or b6? seems like there would be some good discussion here, but can't seem to get the b5 vs. b6 factions riled up.

How about....
Hey-I heard from a guy on here that B6's really suck in the snow-and they aren't as good as the B5's. Another guy said the B5's are unreliable and tend to hydroplane in rain since they're smaller cars- and can't carry anything since the seats don't fold flat in the rear.

B6's and B5's both have the exact same quattro system, they should not be noticably different in the snow(assuming same tires, and that ride height is not being discussed).

Keep up with maintnence and it should be a pretty reliable car(b5 or b6). But you are doing a TDI swap, so that might make the car less reliable no matter B5 or B6.

Hmmm havent heard anything about B5s hydroplaning anymore than B6's. Likely more of a tire issue than anything.

The seats in a B5 fold mostly flat. They are at 5 degrees or something. And actual luggage capacity in the B5 is greater than that of a B6.

I, personally, loved my B5 until the tranny was about to go(110,000 miles) so we sold it. Note: Unfortuantly it was an auto. Never once wished I had a B6 instead of a B5.

[Yevmeister]

I would go with b5, considering you gonna do the swap you will save some $$$, diesel is tourqey so the weight of b6/b5 is not really the issue.

i do have to straighten passenger seat a little bit to fold down the back, i generally seat 90 degrees straight, my passengers aren't however so that's where is a little hassle.

B5 is little more mechanical, but like i said it wouldn't matter since you are gonna chop it up anyway.
go with the looks and the budget, whatever would make you happier.

most of factory b5 with AEB engines are actually drive by wire if that makes things easier

Yev

[boy412]

Nice B6 Tony!

[boy412]

I'll say I wasn't in love with the A4 until I saw a B6 Avant. Better looking IMO, although I have seen some REALLY nice B5 Avant's around. There's even a B5 RS4 Avant rolling around here in the District.

But I love the B6. Dual exhaust tips, and better body styling. Probably not helping out much with your decision! But you're looking for an Avant so you'll be good either way.

:)

[deephouse]

B6 yar!

Man, i'm with Tony.... i love the B6 lines and interior. prices have come way down too. $10k for an 02 or 03 if you look hard enough.

However I do love the B5 A4 w/ RS4 trim.... pretty mean looking. =)

[lagomorph]

found a suitable patient.
casablanca 1.8t 5 speed B5 wagon.
should be here in a few weeks. pics then.