B6 / B7. What are the differences?

[5LitreV8]

Are there any mechanical differences between the B6 and B7 or is it just cosmetics?

Cheers.

5LitreV8

[Pete.S]

There was talk on here a while ago about whether the B7 has the FSI V8, over the normal V8 for the B6, and also if an improved front-rear torque split had been implemented, but these suggestions have never been confirmed/denied.

AFAIK those would be the only possible mechanical differences.

[TDiAvant]

The B7 does not have the FSI engine or 60/40 split. The rear suspension is different on the B7, and I'm guessing the front is different. They also fixed the aux rad failure that plagued the B6. On the electronics side, the B7 also has later versions of ESP & ABS modules

[801]

Do these changes make the B7 better than the B6?

Former S3 owner, new to forum.

[BlingBling]

The engines are the same, non FSI. The only definite mechanical difference that I know of is the rear brakes. Things like software will be different I guess

[P_G]

Main differences are that the B7 has a trapezoidal rear suspension set up with slightly digfferent brake assembly but the same discs and pads and the revised front bumper incorporating the shield grille allows for better ducting preventing the auxilliary radiator corrsoion problem the B6 occasionally has (although Audi replace the rads under warranty).

ESP has changed from 8 to 9, otherwise it is pretty much M&E wise the same car with different panels cosmetically. One other thing, the B7 exhaust system does give a better note and a Milltek isn't a necessity IMO on it compared to a B6 (more rasping being a quad pipe setup as opposed to the B6 twin exit).

The engines are identical.

[shimmy]

how can you tell the difference btween the B6 and B7 if buying?

age/grill/inside?

[Pete.S]

B6 03 - 54, B7 05 onwards, B6 twin pipes, B7 quad, B7 has the all-in-one grill, plus new lights front & rear. Inside the only difference I can remember is the steering wheel

[grgh]

B6 03 - 54, B7 05 onwards, B6 twin pipes, B7 quad, B7 has the all-in-one grill, plus new lights front & rear. Inside the only difference I can remember is the steering wheel

I test drove a B6 on Saturday, when I got back to the showroom a B7 went past with the quad pipes, and now I want one of those instead!

I think I'll have to wait a while until the price comes down.

[tweek]

Having owned both a B6 (gone ) and a B7 S4, I would say they have toned down the variable cam timing response in the B7.

The B6 felt more aggressive when the cam timing started to change compared to the B7, suspect the rate of timing change occurs over a wide rev range to smooth it out.

Comments welcome....

Pete