A4 B6 platform versus B7 (newer) one
Discussion
Hi
I currently run about in a 2003 Audi A4 TDI (130) quattro, it's got about 90k on the clock. It's a nice car, no doubt about it. It's the SE model so comfy and not to expensive when it comes to tyres. I have been tempted by a petrol A4 of the slightly newer shape, the 2005 - 2008 version. I would go for quattro again, either with the 2.0T engine in 220 HP guise, or maybe be silly and get a 3.2 V6 petrol... However... The change will be costly... and I am concerned that i will essentially end up with a very similar car to what I already have.
Aside form the obvious body shape and minor bits of ally trim upgrades inside are there any significant differences between these B6 and B7 A4s?
Cheers
I currently run about in a 2003 Audi A4 TDI (130) quattro, it's got about 90k on the clock. It's a nice car, no doubt about it. It's the SE model so comfy and not to expensive when it comes to tyres. I have been tempted by a petrol A4 of the slightly newer shape, the 2005 - 2008 version. I would go for quattro again, either with the 2.0T engine in 220 HP guise, or maybe be silly and get a 3.2 V6 petrol... However... The change will be costly... and I am concerned that i will essentially end up with a very similar car to what I already have.
Aside form the obvious body shape and minor bits of ally trim upgrades inside are there any significant differences between these B6 and B7 A4s?
Cheers
We had essentially the same issue with our previous car (A4 Avant B6 3.0 petrol quattro sport manual) prior to which we had the 2.4 petrol SE non-quattro version. The local dealer lent us a 3.0 diesel quattro B7 for a weekend and while it was a nice car, it didn't come anywhere near justifying the extra cost. It's meant to be a better drive due to redesigning the engine/chassis layout for better weight distribution, but in most day to day driving you won't notice it except for the really annoying side effect of the transmission tunnel intrusion into the footwell resulting in offset pedals which I found uncomfortable for long runs.
Our niggles with the A4 were primarily wanting better economy (averaged around 26mpg) and wanting more gadgets (heated seats and the excellent steering wheel mounted bluetooth integration). Having bought our pram contingent for a new arrival and tried it for size in the back of the A4, it focussed us to look at an A6 instead. We've ended up with an A6 Avant 3.0tdi quattro Le Mans edition, which can be a little harsh on the ride at times but is overall a significant improvement on the old A4 in almost all respects. I vaguely recall someone saying the B7 A4 is similar in external dimensions to the A6 so could be worth a look? Depending on your budget that could open up some very interesting options for you. At the time we were looking you could get an S6 Avant for around £28k which has the very nice V10 derived from the Gallardo in it. We tried one of these but the suspension was way too firm for us.
Our niggles with the A4 were primarily wanting better economy (averaged around 26mpg) and wanting more gadgets (heated seats and the excellent steering wheel mounted bluetooth integration). Having bought our pram contingent for a new arrival and tried it for size in the back of the A4, it focussed us to look at an A6 instead. We've ended up with an A6 Avant 3.0tdi quattro Le Mans edition, which can be a little harsh on the ride at times but is overall a significant improvement on the old A4 in almost all respects. I vaguely recall someone saying the B7 A4 is similar in external dimensions to the A6 so could be worth a look? Depending on your budget that could open up some very interesting options for you. At the time we were looking you could get an S6 Avant for around £28k which has the very nice V10 derived from the Gallardo in it. We tried one of these but the suspension was way too firm for us.
I've recently bought a Seat Exeo 2.0 TDi 143CR (Sport), which is basically the Audi A4 B7 Chassis, with the newer B8 TDi (Common-rail) engine fitted, and restyled bodywork.
If you're not bothered by the 'S' badge, then they're a damn good buy to be honest. I managed to pick my '59 plate pre-registered car up for £5.5k less than the current list price of £21.5k.
So for £16k I've basically got a brand new A4!
I looked on here and AT at older A4's for a comparison, and for the same price I could only get a '55 plate with about 70k on the clock.
Internally the car is almost identical to a B7, apart from the A4 Cabriolet dash (much nicer than the std A4 dash) and the Seat steering wheel (which is a little plasticy tbh).
The driveability is superb, and is definitely Audi derived! No compromises have been made when transforming it to a Seat!
The styling is a bit 'marmite' to be honest, I'm still getting used to it! But then again, you don't have to look at the outside when you're driving it!
Just my 2p's worth, with regards a very real alternative to the B7 A4 [;)]
If you're not bothered by the 'S' badge, then they're a damn good buy to be honest. I managed to pick my '59 plate pre-registered car up for £5.5k less than the current list price of £21.5k.
So for £16k I've basically got a brand new A4!
I looked on here and AT at older A4's for a comparison, and for the same price I could only get a '55 plate with about 70k on the clock.
Internally the car is almost identical to a B7, apart from the A4 Cabriolet dash (much nicer than the std A4 dash) and the Seat steering wheel (which is a little plasticy tbh).
The driveability is superb, and is definitely Audi derived! No compromises have been made when transforming it to a Seat!
The styling is a bit 'marmite' to be honest, I'm still getting used to it! But then again, you don't have to look at the outside when you're driving it!
Just my 2p's worth, with regards a very real alternative to the B7 A4 [;)]
Edited by andyj2 on Wednesday 6th January 11:14
Hi
Thanks for the input guys. My head says I should stick with what I have... I own it outright and the MPG / performance ratio is excellent!
My heart still yearns for a decent petrol engine again....
I have considered A6s. In fact the 2005 onwards ones do look lovely in my opinion. I am guessing these are also a newer platform as well? The only issue with these is finding a quattro one with a manual box... the 2.0 TDI 2WD versions are all over the place... but all the 3.0 TDIs and 3.2s are Auto or Tip...
Thanks for the input guys. My head says I should stick with what I have... I own it outright and the MPG / performance ratio is excellent!
My heart still yearns for a decent petrol engine again....
I have considered A6s. In fact the 2005 onwards ones do look lovely in my opinion. I am guessing these are also a newer platform as well? The only issue with these is finding a quattro one with a manual box... the 2.0 TDI 2WD versions are all over the place... but all the 3.0 TDIs and 3.2s are Auto or Tip...
OK... I have been and tested a nice looking A4 2.0 T special edition S line quattro (the 220 hp version)....
It was certainly a very nice car indeed... 43k on the clock... I was expecting a bit more power from the 220 turbo lump... but then again I am used to a 130 TDI thats been chipped to 170... so the mamouth torque I currently get makes it feel fairly lively... I guess i just need to get back into 'Petrol' driving mode...
I didn't go for it in the end though... mainly because the amount to change was just too much cash (about 8.5k) for a car that (as some of you rightly say) is so similar to mine in so many ways... I guess if I was going from a Ford Mondeo to the newer A4 I would have been more impressed with it... But I drove away thinking that I already had 75% of the car I was thinking of buying... without an 8.5k hole in the bank account...
It was certainly a very nice car indeed... 43k on the clock... I was expecting a bit more power from the 220 turbo lump... but then again I am used to a 130 TDI thats been chipped to 170... so the mamouth torque I currently get makes it feel fairly lively... I guess i just need to get back into 'Petrol' driving mode...
I didn't go for it in the end though... mainly because the amount to change was just too much cash (about 8.5k) for a car that (as some of you rightly say) is so similar to mine in so many ways... I guess if I was going from a Ford Mondeo to the newer A4 I would have been more impressed with it... But I drove away thinking that I already had 75% of the car I was thinking of buying... without an 8.5k hole in the bank account...
I have taken the plunge and bought a B7 Audi A4 2.0 Turbo special edition S line quattro (220 HP)... Seems fairly good value considering the spec & power... they seem to be about the same money used as a same year golf GTI with the same engine in... but the A4 seems just... better...
I collect it tomorrow... will advise how I get on..
I collect it tomorrow... will advise how I get on..
skymaster said:
I have taken the plunge and bought a B7 Audi A4 2.0 Turbo special edition S line quattro (220 HP)... Seems fairly good value considering the spec & power... they seem to be about the same money used as a same year golf GTI with the same engine in... but the A4 seems just... better...
I collect it tomorrow... will advise how I get on..
See you have got the new car then!!!!!!!!!!!I collect it tomorrow... will advise how I get on..
Yes, I picked it up last Sunday... the 2.0 T Quattro S line Special Edition... I dare say that it is considerably different to my old B6 model, in many ways. I would say it's a worth while upgrade... I am also happy to be back in a high revving petrol..... MPG aside I had had enough of Diesel...
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