advisor02

I'm struggling with a new (er, pre-owned) purchase decision. I've narrowed the decision down to an Audi A4 Avant and am consider the following options...all about the same price range:
- '05 (B6) S 4 Avant with about 40k miles
- '07/'08 (B7) A4 Avant with s-line, lower 10-20k miles

Any thoughts/recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Chris

bcramer

A4 Avant

advisor02

what about engine...2.0 turbo or 3.2 v6. have found a few outfitted with both, which are roughly the same price.

Thoughts/feedback?

TwentyValveB5+S4

power above all else, significant modding? A4 2.0T with big turbo, or S4 with the VF supercharger

power above all else without modding? S4
power above all else with only minimal modding? S4, 2.0T distant second
power + MPG, minimal to moderate modding? 2.0T

Good combination of power, mpg but neither being great? A4 3.2

MPG first? 2.0T
Interior accents? S4

If you're getting the S-Line packages (with sport suspension!) handling across the board should be the same, maybe a little in favor of the lighter A4.

shamrok

Decided I didn't need the V8, I had nowhere to open it up, I don't track, gas was over $4.00/gallon, etc. Even now, I'm glad I got the A4. The S4 is an awesome car, I just didn't need it, the 2.0t is all I need, and I still haven't even chipped it. The interiors are basically identical minus the seats.

I'd hit the A4, but if you really want that V8, go for it, it's a sweet car. Oh, and B7 > B6.

Gorobei

Have you driven the V8 S4? I found that motor to be utterly boring. I have a chip and exhaust on my Avant and the torque that it produces makes it waaaay more fun for 99% of the driving that I do. The power delivery of the S4 was just really mundane to me. The ONLY thing I miss about the S4 is the seats; I wish the A4 had a sportier seat option.

Anyway, I have no regrets 2 years later. Love the 2.0t motor.

HysterWV (ChadB)

the A4. I drive alot (40-50k miles/year). The longest I keep a car is 3 years.

The sound of the 4.2 is incredible and I previously had an A6 4.2. Torque on the interstate was great.

I've been sold on a b6s4 for some time. Glad I held off. The recent developments with the cam/timing chain tensioners on the S4 scare the crap out of me. $4k to pull the motor to replace plastic tensioner guides!! YIKES!

I'm trying to find a lightly used B7A4 2.0 and will chip it. I'm sure it will do well enough.

taxman1

I got the Avant Special Edition in April. 2.0T, 6MT, sport suspension. This is my second B7 - the first was a sedan when the B7s first came out - Feb 2005. The 3.2 has to be smoother - based on my former experience with a Passat VR6 but I don't regret haveing this 2.0T the last 3.5 years. No mechanical issues; decent torque. Suggest MT over the automatic.

BrunS4

A4 Avant! You'll thank yourself when gas goes back up to $4.00+...