c5 A6 vs b5 A4? opinions please...

**darkhorse1001** · 07-04-2008,08:59 PM

on recieving compensation from my (or rather her) insurance company i am in the market for a new car.

i can't decide on a 1.8t sport a4 or a 1.8t a6, both would be in avant form as i carry large loads on a regular basis. given i want to keep to a relatively low(ish) mileage model i am probably looking at a pre-facelift a4 for the money i can spend. but while browsing through the ads i've seen some a6's that seem to offer a lot more car for the same money.

so, is the a6 too underpowered with the 1.8t to offer as much fun as the a4 would with the same engine? despite the a6 having some extra toys and a more modern style? if i have enough change left over i may well look into a remap whichever car i choose.

descisions, descisions....

**RickT** · 07-04-2008,09:42 PM

I guess its all about what you want...

if it was me...

I would go for an A4..

Reason... The non engine parts seems to be a little cheaper, ie CV joints etc etc.. and I think it looks a bit nicer... also.. I think in years to come it will hold it value a little better than the A6 and look younger..

What sort of budget have you got in mine??

We maybe able to throw some other ideas in to make that decision even harder!

Rick

**paul b** · 07-04-2008,10:13 PM

I don't know about a 1.8T A6, but my 1.9 TDI is powerful enough. A 1.8T should be quicker than mine as it has more horses.

If you were going for an A6, I would only go for a post August 2001 car, as that is the facelift and many of the common problems such as temperature sender etc were seemingly rectified. Also the plenum chamber fault seems far less common on the facelift.

It all depends on how much you are planning to spend though.

By the way, would you not prefer a diesel, they will hold their value better in years to come.

Paul

**Clinterous** · 08-04-2008,09:02 AM

I concur with both previous member posts.

But also, A4 is lighter and nimble, the A6 is more cruisey. You say 'large loads' depends on what your definition of 'large' is; the A4 isn't particularly roomy in the boot, and whilst the A6 isn't exactly cavernous, it does of course have a larger boot.

Having enjoyed the space in the A6, I couldn't down size to an A4 now.

**darkhorse1001** · 08-04-2008,01:55 PM

well i guess i really need a two cars!

i regularly have loads that fill the boot of the a4, so it would be nice to have a little extra room in the a6. i often drive long journeys on major a roads with these loads, and twice a year i cruise all the way from norfolk to cornwall with passengers, and i know the a6 would be perfectly suited to this.

however, when i'm driving to more leisurely pursuits, i like to drive hard, and often thats down small twisty b roads as well. this is where the added bulk of the A6 puts me off.

i have around 3k to spend, so when i say a lowish milage i guess i should say anything below 100K.

you might be right about diesels, i've generally been put off by them in the past, but thats probably down to the fact that all the diesel cars i've driven have been old examples, and any newer derv engines i've sampled have unfortunately been mounted to a van. not the best place for them to shine.

**paul b** · 09-04-2008,12:23 AM

Just my opinion, but in a modern, everyday car, a diesel is just as good, if not better than petrol.

Paul

**Lofty79** · 09-04-2008,08:34 AM

A4A4A4A4 without doubt

**darkhorse1001** · 09-04-2008,03:16 PM

well after taking an a6 for a test drive i reckon i'm sticking with the a4, the a6 would no doubt be better for those long cruises if not from my point of view, then definately form the rear passengers. but hey, whose paying for the car?

in every day use the a4 wins.

if i were to go for a diesel it would be new territory for me, so any advice in picking out a good example would be much appreciated. and also given the technology in diesels has come on leaps and bounds recently, is there anything i should look out for that would hinder a remap in the future? whats the easiest way to tell between the different power outputs. i know the red i should give it away but never judge a book by its cover and all that...

edit, and what does PD stand for in reference to diesels? i could really do with a dummies guide here...

**Lofty79** · 09-04-2008,03:27 PM

PD stands for Pump Deusse and is a better more powerful engine if you can afford em, they came out in cars around 1999 - 2000. If not PD you want to be looking for the 110 BHP lump, all are very moddable engines and can take it.