B5 or B6 S4?
08-19-2008, 07:03 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Dartmouth, NS
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B5 or B6 S4?
I really, really, REALLY want an S4. I am thinking of finally getting one in the next few months. Now, should I go for a B5 (less expensive purchase price) or a B6 (pay a bit more, but have a newer car)? Which car has the better driving experience, reliability, and overall better value? I don't think I could go wrong with any S4, I just want to get the best car I can afford right now. Thank you for any thoughts and opinions!!!
08-21-2008, 12:19 PM
#2
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Central Canada
Posts: 711
Re: B5 or B6 S4?
Big difference between B5 V6 Twin Turbo and B6 V8. You should test drive at least one of each.
The reality is that you should be prepared to replace the Turbo's in a used B5 S4. Some are over 200K KMs and still going strong on stock Turbo's, some not. All depends on previous owner's care of the Turbo gentle warmups / cool downs before boosting, maintenance, timely synth oil changes, etc which can be difficult to determine when considering used car purchase.
The V6 can produce more power than the V8 if your prepared to explore the miriad of B5 upgrade options. The V8 has plenty of stock power and is often considered "more reliable" than the V6, typically in terms of not having to pull the engine to replace Turbo's.
Both are great cars!
The reality is that you should be prepared to replace the Turbo's in a used B5 S4. Some are over 200K KMs and still going strong on stock Turbo's, some not. All depends on previous owner's care of the Turbo gentle warmups / cool downs before boosting, maintenance, timely synth oil changes, etc which can be difficult to determine when considering used car purchase.
The V6 can produce more power than the V8 if your prepared to explore the miriad of B5 upgrade options. The V8 has plenty of stock power and is often considered "more reliable" than the V6, typically in terms of not having to pull the engine to replace Turbo's.
Both are great cars!
09-07-2008, 10:23 AM
#3
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Location: Montreal
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Re: B5 or B6 S4?
B5 > B6 ... Period. 
No, I'm kidding. I own a B5 and as such, I'm probably biased towards it. As far as the engines are concerned, as K04 said: be ready to replace the turbos. Mine went at 180k and the car was stg 1 for about 50k.
With a little money, the b5 will be faster, hands down. The tradeoff though is that the b6 chasis is more ridgid and drives better than a b5. Then there's the engine sound...you can't beat that v8 sound.
If you're planning on dumping money into the car to make it faster...the b5 is your car. The potential is rediculous. It'll take a lot more money to make the b6 as fast as a well modified b5 though.
The interior is also a little nicer on the b6.
To sum this up...I want both. and a b7. I need more money...
No, I'm kidding. I own a B5 and as such, I'm probably biased towards it. As far as the engines are concerned, as K04 said: be ready to replace the turbos. Mine went at 180k and the car was stg 1 for about 50k.
With a little money, the b5 will be faster, hands down. The tradeoff though is that the b6 chasis is more ridgid and drives better than a b5. Then there's the engine sound...you can't beat that v8 sound.
If you're planning on dumping money into the car to make it faster...the b5 is your car. The potential is rediculous. It'll take a lot more money to make the b6 as fast as a well modified b5 though.
The interior is also a little nicer on the b6.
To sum this up...I want both. and a b7. I need more money...
09-07-2008, 11:54 AM
#4
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Location: Central Canada
Posts: 711
Re: B5 or B6 S4?
Maybe it's the suspension and not the chassis. Installed Vogtland adjustable coilovers and they are a great step up from stock. Immediately noticed night and day handling difference esp with power upgrades. Body roll significantly reduced and have not noticed any B5 chassis movement.
Interior is personal preference. I prefer B5 Sport Package Interior with alcantara and aluminum beltline trim over any B6 interior. If I had wood trim in a B5 S4, it would be changed out for aluminum, piano black or CF for sure.
09-16-2008, 08:57 AM
#6
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Location: Oakville
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Re: B5 or B6 S4?
well said lads
if you're a tuner/modder and like to get dirty, get the B5
if you're more into just a stock car that is incredibly fun out of the box, get the B6
also get the B6 V8 if you want to terrorize people with the thunderous exhaust note. The B5s I've heard sound tinny when pushed.
if you're a tuner/modder and like to get dirty, get the B5
if you're more into just a stock car that is incredibly fun out of the box, get the B6
also get the B6 V8 if you want to terrorize people with the thunderous exhaust note. The B5s I've heard sound tinny when pushed.
Last edited by sakimano; 09-16-2008 at 11:08 AM.
09-16-2008, 11:05 PM
#7
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Re: B5 or B6 S4?
The stock B5 S4 exhaust is fairly quiet, as it should be. B5 exhaust upgrades that include piggies / downpipes change the exhaust note considerably, as does a cat back portion of the exhaust setup. There are quite a variety of options available. For now I'm running stock DPs with forward cats removed, relocated rear O2 sensors to behind main cats for no CELs and a 3" stainless Vibrant cat back... the last thing it sounds like is tinny
09-17-2008, 08:49 AM
#8
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Posts: 1,155
Re: B5 or B6 S4?
youtube it! lots of good exhaust tests on there. The milltek on the v8 sounds pretty incredible. Most of the others are a bit too 'look at me'. I haven't really checked out any B5 S4 exhaust note videos on there. I should.
I always remember my first brush with a B5 S4. It was one of those stop lights where up ahead the right lane ends and 2 lanes merge into one. I was in the right lane at the light (2000 Mercedes C230 Kompressor) planning to do a weaseldog in front of traffic into the left lane. A Nogaro blue biturbo was beside me at the front of the left lane. Off the light I gunned it, and when the supercharger kicked in, I passed him into the left lane. I was stunned when I looked in the mirror and he was no longer behind me...he was blowing by me in the right lane! He weaseldogged my weaseldog! I remember the turbo whine...and the laughing from the girl I was with. The b5 impressed her to no end...
I always remember my first brush with a B5 S4. It was one of those stop lights where up ahead the right lane ends and 2 lanes merge into one. I was in the right lane at the light (2000 Mercedes C230 Kompressor) planning to do a weaseldog in front of traffic into the left lane. A Nogaro blue biturbo was beside me at the front of the left lane. Off the light I gunned it, and when the supercharger kicked in, I passed him into the left lane. I was stunned when I looked in the mirror and he was no longer behind me...he was blowing by me in the right lane! He weaseldogged my weaseldog! I remember the turbo whine...and the laughing from the girl I was with. The b5 impressed her to no end...
The stock B5 S4 exhaust is fairly quiet, as it should be. B5 exhaust upgrades that include piggies / downpipes change the exhaust note considerably, as does a cat back portion of the exhaust setup. There are quite a variety of options available. For now I'm running stock DPs with forward cats removed, relocated rear O2 sensors to behind main cats for no CELs and a 3" stainless Vibrant cat back... the last thing it sounds like is tinny
09-17-2008, 10:58 AM
#9
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Location: Toronto
Posts: 77
Re: B5 or B6 S4?
B5 FTW!
I own one and my dad has the B6 version. I drove it - it does sound really nice...but, if you show the B5 some love, it will eat the B6 alive
I have heard so many people say that the B5 has all these problems - they have problems that any other car would have...just wear and tear. As for the turbos, I'm at almost 140,000 kms and they're doing fine! It just all depends on how people take care of them (it's called a turbo timer for you jerks that just turn the poor thing off! lol).
There is nothing like the pull from the turbos in the B5
I own one and my dad has the B6 version. I drove it - it does sound really nice...but, if you show the B5 some love, it will eat the B6 alive
I have heard so many people say that the B5 has all these problems - they have problems that any other car would have...just wear and tear. As for the turbos, I'm at almost 140,000 kms and they're doing fine! It just all depends on how people take care of them (it's called a turbo timer for you jerks that just turn the poor thing off! lol).
There is nothing like the pull from the turbos in the B5
10-06-2008, 08:41 PM
#10
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Location: whishler
Posts: 22
Re: B5 or B6 S4?
Get a b7..... the ecomomy in the south is in the *******. now is the time to get a newer ride for a great price... if you dont care about losing money on resale. get a b5 and tune it they are quick, otherwise shop the us market and get a 2006....
