am I crazy to want a b7 s4 in 2k22?

[fastboatster]

as the title says, am I completely crazy to want a B7 S4 in this day and age given that I already have a "reliable" b8 s4 I had to replace the entire drivetrain in? I'm curious how b7 s4 compares to b8 s4 in more subjective terms such as fun, engagement, and being raw, rather than 0-60, 1/4 miles etc. b8 is a quick and competent car but I don't really miss it all that hard when I drive my lowly e90 328i. Subjectively, I also kind of like b7 looks more plus it has a V8 which is kind of getting rarer nowdays. So what do you say, is b7 just an older and less reliable s4 which is completely sunset by the b8 and newer Audis or does it have something newer cars don't have?

[Rol-co]

Lets see........




Nope, don't get anything from your brain, its locked

[CONative]

I don’t think you’re crazy. There’s a niche market (more so for the Avant) and it’s one of the last platforms that Audi offered a V8 paired with a 6MT. Just need to find a well-sorted one with the timing work done or be prepared to dig deep into your pockets. If you’re handy in the garage you’ll save $$ in labor, the massive engine in the tiny engine bay is what makes these cars labor intensive to work on.

One thing the B7 platform has going for it is Audi gave us the RS4 which I think will always be timeless. The body lines, wide hips and hand-built V8 are some great characteristics of the RS4. I sometimes go back and forth on whether I should have ponied up and bought a RS4 over a S4 Avant but I have a soft-spot for wagons and enjoy wrenching.

Find one with a 6MT and it will be endless smiles per gallon as you row through the gears :)


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[Zolli]

Interesting question.

Well, I was looking for a luxury manual V8 that was attractive and suitably rare that I could be proud to own, wrench on and learn about, modify and make better. I didn’t want to be in the same old rat race as everyone else around me. The 25Quattro S4 ticked those boxes for me. I couldn’t afford an RS4 back then, anyway.

I enjoyed driving it from the beginning. Over the years, I’ve fixed innumerable things, several oil leaks from PO neglect / ignorance (I’ve been that guy before, too - so no hate from me), stuff that gets old and breaks. But then I’ve also swapped out OE for performance parts, upgrades, some experiments here and there, cosmetic stuff, and even though I’m about 2/3 through my goals for the car, it has become a mean machine that has impressed many people, whether it’s moving or stationary. My top recommended mods are rotating mass reduction, performance mounts and suspension, exhaust, and a Jackal tune. Great stuff.

But, consider that you’re asking this question on a well-established Audi forum in a section set aside specifically for B7 S4/RS4 owners. Not too many here are going to respond in the manner of “sarfing sucks, don’t try it.” We’re all here actively interested in these cars.

Probably the best gauge would be to visit a Porsche / BMW / Merc forum and see if any of those guys regret getting out of the B7 S4 / RS4 platform. Or maybe they’ve never looked back over their luftgehkult rear ends....

Find one you like and give it a drive.

[Zolli]

BTW you’re definitely no stranger to cars. I don’t think you’ll be out of your depth with the B7 V8 at all. It is more reliable than the B6, but people are scared of the chain. I think whatever you decide, you will have arrived at the decision carefully and wisely. Good luck!

[jbain2]

What about the B7 platform are you attracted to? If it’s the V8, I can’t really respond because that motor is a dog compared to your 3.0”T”. I own a B7 S4 which has a 2.7 swap. There are many things I like about the platform but the V8 was not one of them. But if that’s what you are after have at it. But as others have eluded to make sure you are ready to do an engine out timing chain service or it’s already been done recently.


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[Rol-co]

BTW you’re definitely no stranger to cars. I don’t think you’ll be out of your depth with the B7 V8 at all. It is more reliable than the B6, but people are scared of the chain. I think whatever you decide, you will have arrived at the decision carefully and wisely. Good luck!

Well said! Chains is one you can calculate, done or not, but the unexpected one's like ps pump, a/c bearing or splines, oil and coolant leaks. If you don't want to do anything then don't buy it just get the toyota.


But for the rest it is big fun, have a B7 avant tipt with the flappy paddles and @S its a big smile at my face, car is factory original from top to bottom, notting changed.
Only thing is 1:7 with €8,40 a gallon

[ak-s4]

"engagement, and being raw" is relative and also depends on the configuration of the car. A manual B6/B7 with upgraded clutch, loud exhaust and tune is going to be a completely different experience than a DSG B8/B8.5 with just a pulley and tune, for example.

To be a proper comparison, I think you would need to go with a manual B8/B8.5 plus clutch, HX, loud exhaust and probably some kind of ethanol blend.

The V8 does sound completely different than the V6. I have no plans to give up my B6 primarily for that reason.

[fastboatster]

well okay, I need to find some b7 with 6mt and test drive it. as for b8, I somehow that this guy nailed it:
http://dreamingin302ci.blogspot.com/...o-long-s4.html
I'm basically looking for a car with more character which will be more memorable as well. really hope that b7 is that car.

[KPack]

I'm in the same boat as you. Currently looking at B6/B7's, even though they are ~15 years old. If I'm going to spend money on a car I'd prefer manual over automatic...more fun to drive, more engaging. Not many manual cars out there now. I like the V8 personally for the sound and the "different" factor. I don't know if we'll see any other smaller cars in the future with a V8 stuffed in them.

I have test driven a couple different cars, both B6 and B7. They were a lot of fun. Plus I like that they look clean and simple, a bit understated if you will. With a few things done to them the cars can look a little more aggressive while still being tasteful.

[jbain2]

well okay, I need to find some b7 with 6mt and test drive it. as for b8, I somehow that this guy nailed it:
http://dreamingin302ci.blogspot.com/...o-long-s4.html
I'm basically looking for a car with more character which will be more memorable as well. really hope that b7 is that car.

I read that post. The guy basically complained that the car was too good in every way. Basically it did everything well and for you. Should have kept the S4 and just bought a Miata for the track. The B7 feels more raw then the B8 because it is. It’s simpler. They tech is simpler. Overall the car is simpler because it came from a simpler time. If that simpleness requires more driver engagement then perhaps that’s what you are after?

I’d happily trade my B7 for the B8. I sold the B8 for financial reasons as I had 4 cars and I couldn’t justify keeping them all and the value on a DP 6mt B8 was too good to pass up selling it. I regret it.


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[ak-s4]

I do have a B8.5 S4 as well (HX, pulley, tune). I like the upgraded features. Foot well light "hack", three-setting heated seat button, backup camera and sensors, trunk is better, engine bay is nice for DIY work. Sometimes you just want to hop in a car and go, minimum fuss, noise, etc. But it's also plenty fast if you want.

6-8 months of terrible snowy/icy roads here, both cars are a blast to drive in bad weather. But I will say no-contest, the B6 is MORE of a blast, part of that is the low-end torque, other part is the manual trans. I have an upgraded clutch that I can abuse to no end, like always starting out in 2nd gear.

An interesting side note between the two cars is how the traction control works after the braking method is overwhelmed. The B6 does some kind of fuel injector de-activation as a way to instantly reduce and then restore the power output, and so I found it is more effective than what the B8.5 does. In poor-grip situations, the B8.5 is really all over the map if you are too aggressive with the gas pedal.

[s4ski]

I have no experience with the b8, but ak-s4 b6-b8 experience is interesting. I can attest that the b6 is very quick on its feet, having avoided 4 to 5 accidents on icy road conditions with blizak tires and quick maneuvers. It is the best AWD I have owned, which includes a 4 Runner, old school Land Cruiser and A4. I think the AT is quite quick and some early best 1/4 mile times with this platform were with AT. Nonetheless, I regret not having an MT.

Regarding OP's question, I don't think he is crazy. I have held onto this car long beyond what I normally would. Primarily because of an excellent full time AWD wagon with a V8. There is just little out there to replace it, even after all these years, regarding personality, practicality, uniqueness. Yes, it is expensive to maintain. It is not the best of anything. But it finds a median happy place of practicality, raw performance, fun, under stated elegant design, quality and comfort.

[sushistar]

I'm a little further along in the process...I had the opportunity to drive an B7 S4 6MT when my A3 was in the shop last year. I didn't want to return the car. For the next year I managed to convince my mechanic to give me first right of refusal for its purchase. So...a couple of months ago, I bought it! The engine was replaced (prior to my introduction to it), timing chain work is done, I just had it lowered with H&R springs, new cross drilled rotors & brakes, door window frames/seals replaced, door blades repaired/refurbished, 2 sets of rims & tires, JHM weighted shift knob (might have the short shift kit too), LSD, an almost perfect interior (tiny driver's side bolster wear (which is easily repaired). It's got 200k kms and I'm nuts to get it. However...there's something so visceral about driving it.....So, I don't think you're crazy. RS4's are rare as hen's teeth around here and this is the next best. I'm not really interested in the 0-60/ ¼ mile stuff either. There's just something about the car that's magical.

[drewRS4mica]

That is not a crazy idea at all. I went on a hunt for a b7 S4 in October and was lucky enough to get one from an AZ member (07 DTM). What a GREAT car. It made me remember how much fun driving could be. I bought it as an extra car because with everything going electric/autonomous I wanted to get a V8/manual while I still could. It did make my daily (18 A7 … currently for sale in the Classifieds) seem not that much fun to drive….so I went and found a 16 S4 manual and it is also fun. It has more creature comforts for a daily but is still fun to row through the gears.

The B7 is amazing and nostalgic and everything I love about older Audis and I haven’t regretted the decision for a minute … though I’ve not had to do any major work to it yet yet $$$/fingers crossed

Just my 2 cents

[alpinevr]

We have an 08 RS4 and a 17 SQ5. The SQ5 is obviously an easier daily driver and has some more tech in it. I would jump in the RS4 any day of the week over the SQ5. The RS4 isn’t fast in today’s standards, a B8 S4 with a basic tune would hand me my lunch, a stock one would probably be a good race as I barely put about 1/2-1 car on our SQ5 through the 1/4 mile. But I never stop smiling when I’m driving the RS4, the sounds it makes revving out to 8K+ rpm, I wish I lived somewhere warm so I could drive it year round! It is an incredibly fun car and if you have the chance to test drive one do it!