B6/B7 differences

**skiptowncat** · 25-01-2010,10:29 PM

As the title says, what are the main differences between the two.
Is it a totally package or was the b7 an upgrade on the b6, are the engines the same (I know the 3.0 tdi power output is different but is that just the mapping?)

**skymaster** · 25-01-2010,10:41 PM

Hi

I recently had a long thread going on this... I just upgraded from a 2003 B6 to a 2006 B7....

I was originally concerned that I would be paying a fair wad to upgrade to a very similar car.... but it's not the case... the B7 I went for is very different to my older B6 in the way it drives......

From what I found out there were suspension upgrades using some S4 and A6 parts... and the gearbox / engine position and layout has been improved for better handling... The range of engines is totally different as well...

I would say it's different enough to make me feels it's very much the newer model.... if only they had updated the dash... then people probably wouldn't consider the B7 a B6 with a new body shape...

**skiptowncat** · 26-01-2010,07:41 AM

Well that was the answer I was looking for.
So in your opinion it's worth the extra couple of grand?

**kodkod.84** · 26-01-2010,09:51 AM

Some light reading for you regarding changes between the B6 and B7.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_A4

**skymaster** · 26-01-2010,10:36 AM

Originally Posted by skiptowncat

Well that was the answer I was looking for.
So in your opinion it's worth the extra couple of grand?

If it's a case of a couple of grand then certainly worth it... I paid 8.5k to change up from a 2003 B6 to a 2006 B7..... Although I went from a fairly basic spec SE quattro up to a S line special edition with a fair amount of decent options added.... so essentially a much better car... and petrol of course... instead of diesel...

A lot of people still seem to be fairly keen on the B7s despite the B8 being released... The styling on the B7 represent the peak of A4 design in my opinion... there is a B8 parked in my road and I just can't get on with how it looks.... A friend of mine had one as a curtesy car as well (a B8).... and thought the interior was fairly cheap and plastic compared to my old B6....

**Embisix** · 26-01-2010,11:16 AM

Originally Posted by skymaster

A friend of mine had one as a curtesy car as well (a B8).... and thought the interior was fairly cheap and plastic compared to my old B6....

I Know it's a little off topic, but I'm inclined to agree. The B8's interior definitely has a cheaper feel about it than the B6/7.

If you get the chance, run your fingers across the top of the silver trim just below the clocks. There's a really sharp edge, feels as though a piece of trim is missing. Also doesn't feel as solid overall IMO.

I don't think Audi felt they needed to upgrade the dash on the B7 as the B6's was so good, it still looks clean and modern today (certainly compared to all those cheap AKAI hi-fi effect ones that seem to be appearing on a lot of other cars at the moment).

**skymaster** · 26-01-2010,11:21 AM

Yes, the inside of the B7 S line with it's Ally trim and newer steering wheel etc etc does look very modern and up to date... Car interiors seemed to peak on many models in the early noughties... take the MK5 golf for example... great car but with an ugly plastic interior that probably cost VW sales...

**skiptowncat** · 26-01-2010,09:22 PM

Originally Posted by Embisix

I Know it's a little off topic, but I'm inclined to agree. The B8's interior definitely has a cheaper feel about it than the B6/7.

If you get the chance, run your fingers across the top of the silver trim just below the clocks. There's a really sharp edge, feels as though a piece of trim is missing. Also doesn't feel as solid overall IMO.

I don't think Audi felt they needed to upgrade the dash on the B7 as the B6's was so good, it still looks clean and modern today (certainly compared to all those cheap AKAI hi-fi effect ones that seem to be appearing on a lot of other cars at the moment).

Off topic posts are always welcome on my threads!!

The reaason I ask is i'm looking at the 3.0 tdi, I do quite a lot of motorway driving as well as "spirited" driving so it seems a good trade off between economy and power.
I've got up to 15k to spend and i could either get a b6 cab or a b7 saloon

**randall977** · 27-01-2010,05:44 PM

Huge shame they didn't put the Cabriolet dash in the B7 - it's so much nicer and better quality. I believe they are now using the Cab dash in the Exeo... Can the Cabriolet dash be transfered into a B6 / B7?