odd-e

Ok, so I just bought a gently used Audi as my winter car.

1997 A6 Quattro Wagon / 2.8L / Auto.

Which chassis is it? (B4, C5, C6, ZA437.. gaaah!)... and I don't know what the difference is between a Berline or an Avant.

I like to tinker with cars and mod them up a bit, so I really need to know what body I have. From my searches on the internet, there does not seem to be much available for a '97 as most body mods or add-ons appear to be only for 98 and up. Am I SOL on this model?

Sorry for the noob questions, but we all have to start somewhere. Any help would be appreciated.

odd-e

Me thinks I found the info.

I own a C4... I think.

It's on Wikipedia:

The C5 saloon variant arrived in late 1997, and the Avant in 1998 in Europe. In the United States, the C4 continued for 1997, with the C5 saloon available in 1998, and the C5 Avant available in 1999. In Canada, there was no Avant (Audi's name for a estate/wagon) available at all in 1998 - Audi dropped the C4 Avant at the end of the 1997 model year, and jumped straight to the C5 Avant in 1999 in conjunction with its release in the US.

Can someone decipher this gobbly-gook?

Joker

I'm no expert but from what I know:

A4, S4 and RS4 are the B chassis
A6, S6 and RS6 are the C chassis

The number after the chassis is the generation. For example I have a 2005 S4. Since it was built in the second half of 2005 (also refered to as a 2005.5) it is a newer body style so it is a B7. You can also have a 2005 S4 which is a B6 if it was built in the first half of 2005. The wagon is refered to as an "Avant" the other is refered to as a sedan. They both use the same chassis codes as far as I know.

A 1997 Audi A6 could be a a C4 or a C5 depending on when in 1997 is was produced. Based on your Wiki quote though I would say the C4 was used for all of 1997 in North America. Sounds like you do infact have a C4

odd-e

Thanks, joker!

Would you know what the definition of 'Berline" is?

My owners' package from the MTO erronously identifies the car as a '4 door sedan/Berline', although the vin on the document matches that on the car.

Tamas

If you post a pic I can tell you if it is a C4 or C5.

And I know my french properly "berline" is a sedan, but "avant" is wagon......but the MTO will often indicate a vehicles as both or non. I had a Pickup that was classified by them as an SUV and SUV that was classified as a pickup....most of the the time they don't know their heads from the a hole in the ground.

C4 Avant


C5 Avant

odd-e

Same car as the first one, including the piece of molding aft of the rear door that fell off. I have that piece, just need to re-install.

That really sucks, though; as there appears to be no body kits available.

(pics to follow)

Thanks!

Tamas

so you have a C4....always liked how they looked, a lot more classic Audi then the C5 and the C6

odd-e

Heres the pics:

Nice look, for a grocery-getter.


I don't think they could fit any more red plastic on its arss.


I do like the dual exhaust tips.


A few dings and scratches. It is, after all, a lucky 13 years old.


Lotta room for me, the little missus, and the 'soon-to-be' hoard of Westies.


That pretty much says it all.

137,000 km

(Ya, I know the front plate is bent, I haven't had a chance to detail yet.)

adamstasiak

I like the Avant version because it is heavier at the back compared with sedan and this gives you way more traction in snow. My wife used to bring furniture in it home. Nobody believes how big it is inside. I had a previous version of it AUDI 5000 and we absolutely loved it.

Take care of your air intake and keep it lubricated and clean for smooth ride and easy starts during winter time. This car breaths a lot of air.

Red Plastic on the back looks good and it looks friendly. It is there for safety reasons, as everything else serves a purpose.

Take care of the paint on the hood. The air flows in different pattern on this car. The greatest stress is on the hood. Make sure you put TEFLON car polish paste on it for protection, otherwise the whole paint may peel off from the hood. It is just the hood.

Check your rear brake pads , they go really fast. 12 months and they are gone. I always insisted on the hard ones as they last longer.

It is a good idea to do the rad flush before the winter. The car is heavy and it cools itself all the time which brings stress on the radiator. It also takes longer to generate heat inside, so rad flush will help to keep it healthy.

PS
This is what my wife brought home in it and it was not dismantled.

odd-e

Thanks for the tips, Adam. (e.g. intake/hood/pads)

... and judging from the size of the dresser, I'm sure that a couple of Westies should have a little room in the back!

p.s. : The brandy looks good, too!