b5 v b7

[mckd]

what do owners think,and why

[S4TAN]

I think b7 is 2 more than b5 - why? Because 5 + 2 = 7 (and the 'b's cancel out)

[JohnW]

what an open question that is.

For me b5. Why ?
Because the difference between the b5 & b7 is simply not worth the extra money.

The are pros and cons both ways on this. Do a search on here and have a good read. Its all been asked and stated before.
If you can afford a B7 chances are you'll buy one because most b5s are now around 7 years old.
If you can't, then buy a b5. They still go as well as they always did, and are just as reliable too.

[ZeroK66]

I have a 500BHP S4 B5 and had an RS4 for several weeks on loan.

No doubt the B7 is a far superior chassis. I am suffering with poor ride on my B5 currently, so that may not help my opinion, but the B7 has a really night nible nose. Slamming through the gears is VERY quick - love the neck snapping torque from gear to gear. Absolutely no doubt on a stretch on B road an equally powered B5 would struggle to keep wtih the B7 through the best. It is confidence inspiring & a breeze to drive. The B5 (mine at least) boaders on scary & is hard work.

The B5 steering seems VERY light and the gear change quite sloppy in comparison. The B7 is weighted well (at times a little too much for slow driving).

2 Particular road stick out in my comparison:

1. A nice windy A road I drive down every night after work. The B5 its like WHOOOSHHH on the power, HARD on the brakes crapping yourself as you enter each bend then back on the power again. The B7 I managed to get 20MPH more out of the car on most sections with absolutely NO drama or panic.
2. A really tight bumpy B/"C" Road. The B5 I will no do more than 30mph on for fear of the car bouncing off the road and ending up in a ditch/ bottoming out and causing damage to the car. The B7 I absolutely THROW it around that bit of road. hair pin after hairpin heading up/down the mountain. The B7 soaks up the bumps and just effortlessly flies round the bends.

When I got back in my B5 it felt slower (Even though significantly quicker) because it appeared very laggy compared to the instant power on gear change in the B7. The steering felt so light that the car felt as if it was steering left/right on its own - it was horrid. My gear change even with a short shifter felt VERY sloppy. The seats felt like they would not hold you in anyway round a bed (I have full recaros - hate to compare to std seats). The driving possition no where near as nice.

The interior although going from the B5 to the B7 didnt feel much different, going back it felt SERIOUSLY dated - I was SOOO excited to get my car back but was a serious anti-climax.

After a week or so I adjusted to my car again and love it. But the B7 is special and a REAL joy to drive. The B5 is a seriously quick straight line machine & can be made to handle fairly well at the cost of ride comfort. Never be a B7 though.

[DavidT]

Moved to the B5 RS4 section as it seems the most appropriate place to debate B5 & B7 RS4's

[Contigo]

Had both and the B7 is definitely the nicest of the two, but then it's is a 2006/7 car and it's technology, chassis, suspension and safety gear and ahead of those.

I sold mine as I needed out of a 50k car that was losing silly money a month and into a 25k car that for me was not half as good.

the b5 now with the MRC remap is what the original car should have been and sometimes the handling of the b5 as a daily driver is very wallowy and soft compared to the well planted B7.

They are both fantastic cars though as motorway cruisers and the B5 takes it for comfort on the long drives for me down to the nice recaros seats and the b7's bolsters were too narrow for my wide hips.

As I said, they are both great to own and well ahead of their time in terms of technology and engines etc... the V8 on the B7 at WOT sounds truly awesome and is probably one of THE best engines ever made.

[mjc_rs4]

Which two roads were you talking about zerok66? I'm Exeter based and your description's got me curious!

[neckarsulm]

I thought the B7 was called NA because it was normally aspirated but I gather it's because that's what B5 owners say five times on a straight road as they overtake them
NA..NANA..NA......NA

Seriously though, I thought the RS cars were meant to be turbocharged and four wheel drive. They haven't stuck the NA V10 from the S6 into the RS6 have they?

I am sure it's a go kart in comparison to my nose heavy Bea5t but it's a bit like Mk4 Golf R32 vs Mk5, the old one is an event to drive even though it's flawed - the Mk5 is a better overall car but less 'special'.

The engine in the B5 really is a special one with loads of torque from down below yet a really strong top end, I'd say IMHO this makes up for the handling defecit over the B7.

I lusted after the B5 when it came out and I can't really imagine 25 year olds today doing the same about the B7.

The B5 is a bit like a 911 , it's not a car that age affects the desirability of that much, the residuals say it all, 7 years old, 70k and worth 40% of original price is very rare.

Also if exclusivity means anything there is no contest - still haven't seen another B5 while driving mine in last 13 months/8k miles.

Just my opinions

[ZeroK66]

Well put neckarsulm. Lol @ NA NANA NA NANA

[mbelle]

Seriously though, I thought the RS cars were meant to be turbocharged and four wheel drive.

Well put as well, and I agree...

MB

[neckarsulm]

Without deliberately trying to wind anyone up, I'd like quattrosteph to relive his B5 vs B7 experience on the way to the 'ring last Sep, I've only heard the story 3rd hand.
VARSITY may not want to, seeing as it made him rolling road his B7 to see what the power really was and the results weren't good

[Contigo]

Until you've owned both I'd say it's hard to comment really. Comments like that above are not really that helpful too

[Contigo]

Plus you're comparing you're modded B5 to a standard B7 and there's simply no comparison.

The B5 in standard form is just not in the same league as the standard B7.

[neckarsulm]

Until you've owned both I'd say it's hard to comment really

I appreciate what you are saying and the fact you have owned both gives you a better insight than me BUT the fact I don't want a B7 even though I could probably stump up the cash surely counts for something?

[mckd]

i owned both at the same time,bought the b7 new in 2006 and sold it just before chrismas 07 with 6500 miles on clock for a 10grand loss,plus had a flywheel ,clutch under warranty 1000 miles earlier.the car just didn't excite the way the b5 does.thats why 6500 miles in 18 months,i just like the b5 driving experience better. engine out at moment for some mods