B5 vs B6 A4- What do YOU think?

[myb5quattro]

Okay, so I'm debating selling my B5 for a B6. The B6 body style has really grown on me, and I recently got more and more interested in them. I searched the differences between the two, but only got hits on different wheel options, s4 wheels, things like that. I'm interested in feedback from the AZ community on driving characteristics, interior feel, modability, reliability, Basically an open discussion. anything you have to offer would be greatly appreciated!

[jsquillz22]

stay b5

[Seerlah]

USP? They basically have the same engine as the AWM. They are a little heavier, I think the last year of the B6 is offered in a 6-speed, they have a returnless fuel system, tuning also varies from the AWM, they have stg1+ tunes with upgraded injectors for the k03s, dual exhaust, etc. Then of course, cosmetics interior and exterior differ (mechanical, upholstry and electronics).

[Silverstreak98]

Having driven both my 2.8 and my family's 3.0 multiple times, I have to say that the B6 interior and stock driving dynamics of the B6 are much better. Obviously this makes since as it is a newer car.

However, I much prefer the look of the B5 body style to that of the B6.

[manguyen]

you're opinions are going to be a bit biased. I own a b6 and love it, interior looks so much better and updated compared to the b5. (interior on b6 is same as that of the b7s)

of course a stock b6 with unpainted lowers look like crap though.

[myb5quattro]

stay b5

Why?

And I believe 6speed is an option on almost all of them, I've seen a couple 03 and 04 6 speeds, I think it's standard though on the last year.

The stage 1+ seems like a sweet plus, as well as the sound of a nicely done turbo back dual

I'm basically trying to decide A.) sell my car now and take a hit but get a newer nicer car until I graduate from either undergrad or grad school, or B.) drive my b5 till it dies and get a next to new Audi A4/S4/A5/S5 etc or MAYBE the 135i depending on where I live.

[myb5quattro]

you're opinions are going to be a bit biased. I own a b6 and love it, interior looks so much better and updated compared to the b5. (interior on b6 is same as that of the b7s)

of course a stock b6 with unpainted lowers look like crap though.

I agree 100% with you. Some B6s (especially USP) look amazing, the black, dolphin gray, blue.. but some with HUGE unpainted lowers look terrible haha

[jsquillz22]

Why?

And I believe 6speed is an option on almost all of them, I've seen a couple 03 and 04 6 speeds, I think it's standard though on the last year.

The stage 1+ seems like a sweet plus, as well as the sound of a nicely done turbo back dual

I'm basically trying to decide A.) sell my car now and take a hit but get a newer nicer car until I graduate from either undergrad or grad school, or B.) drive my b5 till it dies and get a next to new Audi A4/S4/A5/S5 etc or MAYBE the 135i depending on where I live.

02 came in a 5 speed.... idk tehy look good... but im just not a fan... ha we have 3 b5 a4 and 2 c5 a6... the twin turbo :)

and my aunt has a b6a4... i dont likey...

[myb5quattro]

Ohh okay, I see what you're saying. I was just curious as to your reasoning. I love the b5 too, but the b6s are growing on me. I used to think they were too bubbly and basically a girls VW bug mixed with a sporty A6 haha but they look better and better every time I see one done right. And if the tt a6 is a 6 speed, that is awesome!

[jsquillz22]

Ohh okay, I see what you're saying. I was just curious as to your reasoning. I love the b5 too, but the b6s are growing on me. I used to think they were too bubbly and basically a girls VW bug mixed with a sporty A6 haha but they look better and better every time I see one done right. And if the tt a6 is a 6 speed, that is awesome!

they are both twin turbo both auto... parents lol

but yea idk dont really like em... they look niice, but my buddy has one, he also has nothing but problems.... idk they are newer so thats a plus but i feel like the b5 is more sporty than luxury.... i want sporty lol

[myb5quattro]

Nooo! not slushbox!

I think the reliability of your Audi greatly depends on who you bought it from. Some people buy an Audi and do nothing but beat it and know nothing about the timing belt or water pump or any of the common issues we talk about every day and just sell it worn out. Are the b6s overall less reliable though?

[jsquillz22]

Nooo! not slushbox!

I think the reliability of your Audi greatly depends on who you bought it from. Some people buy an Audi and do nothing but beat it and know nothing about the timing belt or water pump or any of the common issues we talk about every day and just sell it worn out. Are the b6s overall less reliable though?

i guess my aunt bought her car brand new from audi its an 04... so far no probs... i bought my car from the second owner... i also have like 100k more than her... and ihavent needed too much! i replalced parttss over time bc i felt like i should.. but she has a auto too lol and is stock

[Kyle H]

B6 as a DD for sure. easy ME7 maffless tuning, s4 and touareg brakes bolt up in the front, 6speed, more room for wider tires (I think...), and the avants are MUCH better looking than the B5 Avants.

[calvin1.8t]

i would stay with the B5. from working at an audi dealer, ive seen so many b6's come in for service multiple times. they are in for broken shit more then any other generation a4 and the trim and stuff ive noticed falls apart. stay with the b5

[Revolution02]

if you are going to get a B5 you have to get the last generation of them. If you get the B6 you have to get the UPS with 6-speed. Personally I like the B5 because its smaller and lighter and funner to drive.

[somebody5788]

I think USP's only come in the 3.0. I could be wrong

[Revolution02]

no, UPS comes in 1.8T aswell. I actually know someone who has a UPS 1.8T with FWD. Which I dont understand why they did that.

[.Mad Hatter.]

you can def. get a USP with a 1.8t.

[pfa65]

B5 all day. Depending on your particular car, you should use your own judgment (what condition it is in).

Don't be lame and upgrade for the latest (later) model. Stay loyal and maintain your B5.

I treat my wagon like a child, upgrade and replace parts when I can afford them and it always gets the job done. I get questioned all the time about what year it is... no one can believe its almost 12 years old. I take pride in the capability of maintaining my possessions, and its a good indication of character.

A well preserved B5 could drive/handle/perform way better than an average B6... and vice versa.

Work with what you have, you are fortunate enough to have it in the first place

[audikid66]

i had a b5 then went to a TT then B6.. i love my b6.. however id say if you are in this game strictly for performance then jus keep your b5 nnd BAT it b6 is heavier and a bigger car..but its well worht it to me for the looks. i love the way my b6 looks.. on the other hand too i would have never bought a b6 if i didnt find my USP.. i woulda jus got an s4.. so id say if u want strictly performance DD/track car.. stick with b5.. if u want peformance and a really steezy lookin whip get an USP

[Turbo1A4]

i love my b6 and i think it is way better than my b5 i had. the looks and over all appeal of the inside is alot better looking. if you do trade up, search all the options of the b6 and get the one with the options you want. i didnt do that and i wish i had got a manual but nooo i got an auto

[viceprp]

Buddy of mine owns a B6 Dolphin Grey A41.8TQM and its pretty nice. The interior is a lot more modern but "home is where you make it". I don't like how much more bulky it looks compared my audi but its all personal preference.

Please do a search on what year you go with though. '02 have the lowest sport suspension ride height but also has the most problems Stage 1+. '03 was the beginning of the 6 speed for the A line.

I like the B6 but since I have less than 3K to go til she is paid off, it would be stupid to upgrade to another 11K loan. Can't wait to stop paying $400 a month for this car.

[myb5quattro]

Thanks a lot for the input these are all really good points. I have a friend who is a VW/Audi mechanic and he just got a deal on an 01 A4, it's silver which is the same as mine I like it but it's too common. BUT- it's in great shape and I may end up getting it. It has all of the options, and suspension and what not. I like the feeling of the b5 while driving, but I've never driven a b6. I may end up selling my b5 for the updated b5, saving for a big turbo, and running it until it dies. Yes? No? I'd love it if it was black or santorin, but hey

[CleanA4]

Im in the same boat as you and I really would like to move up in a Newer Audi a b6 because of the body style and the fact that I need a manual. The best thing to do is keep the b5 and buy yourself a b6 because Im sure you will miss it like crazy when it is gone, also if you sell the b5 you will get nothing in return. A couple g's and that it so its better to keep the b5 and get yourself a used audi b6 in your price range and have both.

[viceprp]

Isnt the 99.5 the best block for the 1.8t? I hope this doesnt start a fight..

[gmx]

B6 as a DD for sure. easy ME7 maffless tuning, s4 and touareg brakes bolt up in the front, 6speed, more room for wider tires (I think...), and the avants are MUCH better looking than the B5 Avants.

+1

What kills it for me is that B6s are much heavier. Other than that, a much better package.

B5s have quite a bit of chassis flex that is annoying.
Then ease and lack of emissions crap on our Euro B5s is a tiny bonus.

[myb5quattro]

Isnt the 99.5 the best block for the 1.8t? I hope this doesnt start a fight..

I think you're right. It has the looks of the newer/est b5s, and I believe the engine is the strongest. I could be wrong too, but I believe I read somewhere that most BT and BAT turbo cars run the earlier block because of it's strength.

[JEmm]

I would say, unless its a low mileage USP 6 speed quattro in the color you want, stick with the B5

[myb5quattro]

I would say, unless its a low mileage USP 6 speed quattro in the color you want, stick with the B5

Seems reasonable to me, Good Call

[Kyle H]

My B5 will turn into a vr6-t or ls2 swapped track car as soon as I can get a HTA30r B6 as a DD, FWIW.

[JEmm]

Seems reasonable to me, Good Call

BTW that's what I plan on doing as well

Currently trying to find a white or black of that set up

[20A4Audi1.8t01]

b5

[biketsai]

b5, im a little biased unless its a USP.

[gli_ryan]

b5's are cheaper. buy I think just as cool. Especially when you factor in the stuff you can get with the money you saved. everything will be more affordable. but you can get s line b6's....

[Coopa]

I prefer the body styling of the b5 by far, but I do like the the b6 interior.

If your b5 ain't broke don't fix it? And by fix it I'm talking about buying a b6?

But really, unless the b6 is exactly what you want and affordable, stick with the b5's.

[Seerlah]

Isnt the 99.5 the best block for the 1.8t? I hope this doesnt start a fight..

Not necessarily the best. It would all depend on what you plan on doing with it. If you want to go BT (larger than a GT2871R or similar turbo), then you would still have to deal with the ME5. But it has the facelift cosmetics and the AEB bottom end which is stronger than the other A4 short blocks (best if looking for a 250-400chp application). But still does not have the versatility an ME7 would.

[gmx]

& imo, 06A's (ie ATW - that's the 01 motor right? and later) are better for building, esp strokers.

No machine IM shaft, no piston squirter shimming I believe.

Don't know about crank clearancing though.

[tdn]

I had to make this decision before I bought my b5, I'm not a big fan of the b6 styling - so I ultimately went with my current b5. However, I wouldn't have gotten anything but an 01 or 99.5 b5. I am very happy with my decision over the b6, the only thing from a b6 I'd like over my b5 is a 6speed transmission.

In retrospect, I wish I waited a few months before buying my b5, because s4 prices (and a4 prices) dropped a lot very shortly after buying my a4. Though I did get a great deal on my a4 so I suppose it evens out.

By the way, with b6 prices, why not b5 s4 vs b6 a4?

[tdn]

Like others have said B6s have better upgrade options, MAFless tunes, more tuning options especially for BT

I think it's been mentioned before, so to reiterate, the 2001 a4 falls into this category as well. So if you prefer the b5 but want the 'tunability' of a b6... look into a 2001 b5.

[Trisha90]

B5!!!!! =]