What Made You Choose a C5?

[R490]

I wanted to replace my B5 with something similar, yet with a wider range of modifications that I could do to it, (I had a 12v 2.8) Something clean too, with manual transmission. I knew I wanted another Audi and immediately thought of the Allroad, when I couldn't find any clean ones, I went to the A6 and found mine. Why? Manual, luxurious, different, fast and AWD.

How about you guys?

[julex]

Had manuals all my life, bought C4 A6 Audi (Auto) in avant but it got boring quick due to auto, otherwise car was pretty nice for what it was although 2.8 in 12V is definitely a slow car. So I wanted something newer in stick and then I saw burgundy allroad on the road. I looked it up and simply said "WTDF??!!" after I saw that it is available in stick and engine is twin-turbo, so the quest began . At that time (5 or 6 years ago) they were just starting to experience turbo failures, gaskets, etc, especially older 01-02 so I grabbed one without a shame (fully functional) for 4.5k . At the time there were two others I could pick from at that price range, both 6 speed. Year later and non 6 speeds were to be found anywhere unless for a lot more.

I chipped it shortly, blew turbos in 1k miles, and that's when things got interesting, you know, k04 and such. Then tial 770 and built motor, numerous modifications to everything I could modify (but always keeping it as close to factory looks as possible! unless you look under the hood or under the car that is, lol) and the car is what it is today - something I get asked about all the time by motor aficionados.

[4rings2turbos]

Oh man, I love this question. I think a lot of us here are the same. The C5 gen for me marked the peak of Audi design. It's subtle and austere with high quality build and materials everwhere in the cabin. And time and attention was spent on the details. Favorites are the door pockets, the coat hooks, the lit door handles and vent regulators and the way the dash gently curves around you.

Newer Audis took a marked shift away from this 'every detail' philosophy and toward technology, a lot of which is gimmicky. The C5 is the sweet spot for analog and digital systems.

I love both of mine!

[glennda5id]

I can't afford to import a C7 A6 Allroad from Europe (or C6 for that matter)...

[carmudgeon]

I fell in love with it when I saw the RS6 Avant in Layer Cake. I stumbled across my S6 last year and bought it on the spot. Mmmmm, same color and even had RS6 clone wheels. Now I just need to find a pair of RS6 sideskirts.......

[massboykie]

2.7 Twin turbo... last A6 with Manual tranny (requirement in my book)... just a little slower than the S4 with more room... Need I say more... lol

Have been driving her for 11 years and she still puts a smile on my face... she can still surprise many a new car owner that thinks they drive a "performance car"...

Cheers
Massboykie

[A Stupid Turtle]

I went from turbo v8's and toys to needing to be more responsible and wanted a little more comfort. Sold the toys, and my goal was....
AWD or 4wd. Needed a V8. And be more on the uncommon side. Too many suv and trucks around. My dad had a v70xc, and an outback and I loved wagons. So I decided to search around and kne kid mentioned to me an S6. Researched for a month or two. Sold my last turbo foxbody, and bought an S6. Great sleeper status.
Only problem now is my girl friend doesn't like the exhaust drone around town lol.

[SteelyS6]

Interior and exterior looks. Also I love the way my allroads and S6 drive and handle!

[4rings2turbos]

Yeah, didn't even think about it for my answer. But like all of you say- that 2.7T! Especially with manual trans quattro and a hatch.

[Arsenal2012]

Price range and amenities. I guess it helps that I fell in love with Audi's in late 2001.

Ontop of that I love the red illumination, the VW is second in my book for interior aesthetic lighting, go figure.

[B5Newbieone]

My B5 S4 manual is fun, but I actually prefer the C5 Allroad comfort, the side and rear shades. Most importantly, the driving experience is just so comfortable.

Lastly, with the seats down and with the inclusion of a cargo liner it's basically a luxurious small pickup that allows me to move anything I need...

[A6C5V842]

Well built, timeless design, 4.2 is quiet, comfortable (with sport and weather packages) and with the 6MT it drives and performs like it should have from the factory. It's like a B4 S4 all grown up!

To replace it in the current lineup would be north of 70K and it probably, in all honesty, wouldn't be a better car.

[mr_dave]

Perfect size, design that ages very well, high quality components (especially 4.2L / S6 / RS6 models use of aluminum suspension/body panels), very comfortable, reasonably easy to work on, great handling and performance (S6 & RS6), reasonably priced.

Coming from a Ford Edge Ltd that was only a few years old, the difference in quality is night and day even though our Audis are almost a decade older. The Edge's stamped steel suspension components were already completely rusted, the body panels were tinny and thin, the hard plastic interior left a lot to be desired, pushing the v6 past the mid RPM range made it beg for mercy.

The only downside on the Audis are the ancient 5sp auto transmissions, but the RS will get a 6sp swap once the auto dies and the S will just have to live with what god gave it.

[4rings2turbos]

Allroad uses alu panels too ;)

[n8henn]

I found the allroad to be the "Swiss Army Knife" of cars. It offered the best (for my needs anyhow) of what both C5 and B5 platforms offered. I actually always wanted a B5 S4 however felt that once I built it to be the car I wanted (Wheels,coilovers,engine mods etc...) it would immediately become a Garage queen. I felt the allroad on the other hand was built for the inclement weather. With a roof rack for my family's boards, we seek that shit out.
I know what I want to say about my AR but just have a hell of a time putting it in words. LOL! It really seemed like the only option for what I was looking for. I often times wonder, what the hell I would do if I had to replace her.
The heart of the S4 (that I always wanted) The same 6 speed tranny, unlimited tuning options, utility of air ride, oh and that wide body. Not to mention, wagons are just plain bad-ass!

[Kruat]

That's why....

[twizz]

I started with a B5 A4, which I bought to build as track capable daily. Something I could throw a gt30~ on and still demand results coming out of corners with, all while being reliable and daily-able. Turns out the car was once owned by a local B5 guru, who had sold it after purchasing a B5 S4. We met up and were introduced and became friends. He gave me a ride in his S4, which just so happen to be Stg3 w/RS6's. Absolutely BLEW me away. It was on Stasis Tracksport Coilovers, and had all the right supporting mods through and through-out. I ended up buying that from him a few months later and he replaced it with a 2003 911 Turbo. Which in all honesty was its own kind of monster, but almost a downgrade performance wise. (it was also modified).

Anyways, around the time I met him, my friend had also picked up a C5 A6 2.7t from another local guy. After I sold the B5, I had the pleasure of driving the C5 and it just felt right. I felt like I was at home inside it, everything was familiar...yet so much more comfortable. It was such a good compromise between performance and comfort. I realized then I wanted one, but it wasn't until I purchased that exact one recently that I realized what I really want is ideally, Mr. Rictus's exact setup. This body is already rough, so now the goal is to find a clean S6 roller to build up. Throwing 30K into this project will net me something that will be much more rewarding than something I can get off the lot for that or more.

[R490]

I started with a B5 A4, which I bought to build as track capable daily. Something I could throw a gt30~ on and still demand results coming out of corners with, all while being reliable and daily-able. Turns out the car was once owned by a local B5 guru, who had sold it after purchasing a B5 S4. We met up and were introduced and became friends. He gave me a ride in his S4, which just so happen to be Stg3 w/RS6's. Absolutely BLEW me away. It was on Stasis Tracksport Coilovers, and had all the right supporting mods through and through-out. I ended up buying that from him a few months later and he replaced it with a 2003 911 Turbo. Which in all honesty was its own kind of monster, but almost a downgrade performance wise. (it was also modified).

Anyways, around the time I met him, my friend had also picked up a C5 A6 2.7t from another local guy. After I sold the B5, I had the pleasure of driving the C5 and it just felt right. I felt like I was at home inside it, everything was familiar...yet so much more comfortable. It was such a good compromise between performance and comfort. I realized then I wanted one, but it wasn't until I purchased that exact one recently that I realized what I really want is ideally, Mr. Rictus's exact setup. This body is already rough, so now the goal is to find a clean S6 roller to build up. Throwing 30K into this project will net me something that will be much more rewarding than something I can get off the lot for that or more.

Great story! Do you have a build thread for the A6?

[twizz]

I had started one, but I believe I formatted it more along the lines of an introduction thread. The car was in super rough shape when I got it and if i hadn't bought it, it would have ended up at the salvage yard. I'll see if I can't find it, or perhaps I'll make a new one

[PaperToast]

i chose c5 because c4 just didn't pack enough boom . . hehe

in reality it just happened by chance, and it was a better replacement from the xc70 i had