Discussion
Just discovered your thread Leins and its a great write up. I'm a serial estate lover having started with an RS2 lookalike 80 Avant 2.8 quattro whilst living in Poland and then many a 5 series Touring after returning here.
I'd always flirted with another big Avant, with S4/S6 2.2's, S6 Plus, then almost any S4/S6/RS4/RS6 almost always on radar and ad ebay watch list. Mrs E24man had a 1.8 S3 to accompany her TVR Griffith 500, then a 4.2 S4 Cabriolet to replace both when we need a four seat cabriolet.
Sadly for me, my Alpina addiction got in the way and I ended up with two Tourings instead of any Avants but I still look and admire, and recent work requirements got me looking at S4's, S6's and even a rare newish 4.2 AllRoad.
I still remember the induction roar of your CSL though, just awesome.
I'd always flirted with another big Avant, with S4/S6 2.2's, S6 Plus, then almost any S4/S6/RS4/RS6 almost always on radar and ad ebay watch list. Mrs E24man had a 1.8 S3 to accompany her TVR Griffith 500, then a 4.2 S4 Cabriolet to replace both when we need a four seat cabriolet.
Sadly for me, my Alpina addiction got in the way and I ended up with two Tourings instead of any Avants but I still look and admire, and recent work requirements got me looking at S4's, S6's and even a rare newish 4.2 AllRoad.
I still remember the induction roar of your CSL though, just awesome.
Thanks E24man, and can you believe that was five years ago now?! Your E34 B10 in particular left a strong impression on me, what a fabulous car that is 
There is just something about estates though, isn’t there, even if I don’t actually use this much for its load carrying ability
Won’t be going too far in it this year, as the AMG gets the run to Le Mans this summer, but hoping to bring the Audi to Germany again next year. If I’m going to be heading past your area I’ll be sure to give you a shout in advance
There is just something about estates though, isn’t there, even if I don’t actually use this much for its load carrying ability
Won’t be going too far in it this year, as the AMG gets the run to Le Mans this summer, but hoping to bring the Audi to Germany again next year. If I’m going to be heading past your area I’ll be sure to give you a shout in advance
So with lockdown being gradually reduced, it was time this week to get the car back out. Took it into my mechanic for a quick checkover and all looked good, so been doing a little bit of driving this week. Love being back in it, and while 380hp isn’t all that noteworthy these days, it’s still a pretty quick car once the two turbos are spinning
Next up is into Audi for a service and 4-year belt change/water pump/stat, etc. The car has only done a few thousand miles in that time, but I have a fear over belts so will be getting it done regardless
Next up is into Audi for a service and 4-year belt change/water pump/stat, etc. The car has only done a few thousand miles in that time, but I have a fear over belts so will be getting it done regardless
Leins said:
Thanks Escort3500. Nowhere near as aggressive looking these days as some of the new cars about, but it still feels and looks special to me
As Court_S says, it’s the subtly of this version which is a particularly nice feature (in addition to the performance and handling ). I’ve got one of its later cousins (B7 RS4) which isn’t quite as understated, though still reasonably subtle and lost on the uninitiated, which suits me just fine Escort3500 said:
As Court_S says, it’s the subtly of this version which is a particularly nice feature (in addition to the performance and handling ). I’ve got one of its later cousins (B7 RS4) which isn’t quite as understated, though still reasonably subtle and lost on the uninitiated, which suits me just fine
Big fan of the B7 too, I think they’re still pretty subtle especially compared to their replacements. The arches are the biggest give away (along with the burble). Both look well to me.). I’ve got one of its later cousins (B7 RS4) which isn’t quite as understated, though still reasonably subtle and lost on the uninitiated, which suits me just fine As lesser models ape performance models with their design, the actual halo cars have to be pushed in an ever more aggressive deign direction to differentiate them which has led us to the OTT variants we now have.
B5 always been my favourite shape.
A lot to be said for the slightly more understated looks.
In a time when cars are becoming ever more bloated with silly HP figures, a slightly older hero car has so much more appeal. A great driving tool with a decent amount of driver interaction
Why il probably never sell my DC2
A lot to be said for the slightly more understated looks.
In a time when cars are becoming ever more bloated with silly HP figures, a slightly older hero car has so much more appeal. A great driving tool with a decent amount of driver interaction
Why il probably never sell my DC2
Looking excellent. I am biased though as we have a stage 1 b5 s4. They definitely fly under the radar and I fully understand the tax issue.
Out here in NL ours is 750 a year to tax. It’s painful but living near the autobahn has its advantages.
I toyed with the idea of selling and going for a panamera but it’s still here.
Out here in NL ours is 750 a year to tax. It’s painful but living near the autobahn has its advantages.
I toyed with the idea of selling and going for a panamera but it’s still here.
Court_S said:
Big fan of the B5; they still look so right. They’re very subtle (in a good way) but those that know, will know. I love how clean and simple the exterior is.
A director at work had one for years, it always looked lovely in the car park. It was the same colour as yours.
There are a few other colours I really like in the B5, but for me Avus Silver is the most low-key of them which is what I really wanted. I do get the odd thumbs up from people who know what it is thoughA director at work had one for years, it always looked lovely in the car park. It was the same colour as yours.
Escort3500 said:
As Court_S says, it’s the subtly of this version which is a particularly nice feature (in addition to the performance and handling ). I’ve got one of its later cousins (B7 RS4) which isn’t quite as understated, though still reasonably subtle and lost on the uninitiated, which suits me just fine
B7 does make a much better noise with that V8, and yes they’re still nowhere near as in-your-face as later models. Have you had it long? I’m five years with this car now. Not quite sure if I’d ever sell it though, or even what I’d swap it for, maybe some form of 911 Turbo. I worry I’d miss it too much though). I’ve got one of its later cousins (B7 RS4) which isn’t quite as understated, though still reasonably subtle and lost on the uninitiated, which suits me just fine chrismc1977 said:
B5 always been my favourite shape.
A lot to be said for the slightly more understated looks.
In a time when cars are becoming ever more bloated with silly HP figures, a slightly older hero car has so much more appeal. A great driving tool with a decent amount of driver interaction
Why il probably never sell my DC2
It’s funny given it’s now 20 years old, but it doesn’t feel that old to me. My previous E34 M5 was seven years older than it, but felt like it was from a different eraA lot to be said for the slightly more understated looks.
In a time when cars are becoming ever more bloated with silly HP figures, a slightly older hero car has so much more appeal. A great driving tool with a decent amount of driver interaction
Why il probably never sell my DC2
English expat said:
Looking excellent. I am biased though as we have a stage 1 b5 s4. They definitely fly under the radar and I fully understand the tax issue.
Out here in NL ours is 750 a year to tax. It’s painful but living near the autobahn has its advantages.
I toyed with the idea of selling and going for a panamera but it’s still here.
I love the S4s too, and the older S2 Avants. Don’t talk to me about tax though, as this is €1400 per year until it’s 30 years old, and that’s not even the top rate! At least the insurance isn’t too bad though as it’s on a classic policy nowOut here in NL ours is 750 a year to tax. It’s painful but living near the autobahn has its advantages.
I toyed with the idea of selling and going for a panamera but it’s still here.
I looked at a couple of B5 RS4s but they were a bit scruffy and had patchy service history, so I went for the B7 Avant. I’ve had it for about 7 years It’s only done 63k miles and is standard apart from adjustable spring platforms (I don’t like standard ‘nose up’ ride height on the front) and an MRC Stage 2 remap (plus periodic carbon cleaning 
). I don’t use it much these days but can’t bring myself to sell it. Yet
). I don’t use it much these days but can’t bring myself to sell it. Yet Escort3500 said:
I looked at a couple of B5 RS4s but they were a bit scruffy and had patchy service history, so I went for the B7 Avant. I’ve had it for about 7 years It’s only done 63k miles and is standard apart from adjustable spring platforms (I don’t like standard ‘nose up’ ride height on the front) and an MRC Stage 2 remap (plus periodic carbon cleaning ). I don’t use it much these days but can’t bring myself to sell it. Yet
My car is on 68k miles now, with a decent service history throughout, which was important to me. It’s still standard too, although there are plenty of tuned and big-mileage cars about which says something about how these things were built. They can obviously throw up bills, but in general given the performance I don’t think they’re too bad). I don’t use it much these days but can’t bring myself to sell it. Yet TheDukeGTi said:
Beautiful car, certainly one of my favourites!
Definitely agree with all the sentiments; they just don't make them like this anymore.
Thanks very muchDefinitely agree with all the sentiments; they just don't make them like this anymore.
Really big fan of these, looks great especially with the standard wheels still on. Really surprised by the photos showing how small these are, I certainly don't see them as a small car.
I remember an old Clarkson VHS where he drove one, and the main point he made was just how stable it was, he couldn't get it to do anything other than just go around a corner normally, no matter how silly he was being
I remember an old Clarkson VHS where he drove one, and the main point he made was just how stable it was, he couldn't get it to do anything other than just go around a corner normally, no matter how silly he was being
Jaaack said:
Really big fan of these, looks great especially with the standard wheels still on. Really surprised by the photos showing how small these are, I certainly don't see them as a small car.
I remember an old Clarkson VHS where he drove one, and the main point he made was just how stable it was, he couldn't get it to do anything other than just go around a corner normally, no matter how silly he was being
Ta very much. I don’t actually remember that Clarkson one, I must check it out. If eBay is my friend then I’ve still got a VHS player in my ML I remember an old Clarkson VHS where he drove one, and the main point he made was just how stable it was, he couldn't get it to do anything other than just go around a corner normally, no matter how silly he was being
paulw123 said:
Love these in this colour with the stock wheels. Effortlessly cool. Will alway think of Layer cake though when I see one like this.
Thanks, it’s actually on the replacement hard compound wheels, as the original owner got fed up having to go back for new soft compound ones that had cracked. Audi gave up on the soft compound after about 10 years of warranty I think tooI’ve never really seen a wheel better suited to the B5 for me, although I do quite like 19” MTMs on them too. I’m holding out on keeping the car as standard as possible though
Been having a couple of issues with the battery lately, so gave it a full recondition with the C-Tek, which told me everything was OK. However, 48 hours later it was as dead as very deceased dodo
Picked up a new Bosch S5 for it, but haven’t had a chance to fit it yet, so hopefully that does the trick
Picked up a new Bosch S5 for it, but haven’t had a chance to fit it yet, so hopefully that does the trick
Out for my first proper drive of the summer this morning, across the mountain roads in Wicklow. Went down there early with a friend in his lovely Z3 M Coupe, and we got a really good run across for most of the way, until cyclists/sheep/tour buses stopped play. We retired for coffee and proper car chat instead then
Car drove really well, although ideally it’s still a bit too big and heavy for the sorts of roads it was on this morning. I reckon I’d make much better progress in my GP1. Still good fun though to get out and about
NCT (Irish MOT) this week, and then have a service booked with Audi the following week
Car drove really well, although ideally it’s still a bit too big and heavy for the sorts of roads it was on this morning. I reckon I’d make much better progress in my GP1. Still good fun though to get out and about
NCT (Irish MOT) this week, and then have a service booked with Audi the following week
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