Audi on a budget...?

[John B]

I have to agree with whats been said here, also with the previous comments from members. 
Considering you're on a budget, and seem to be budget minded, the A4 would (in my opinion) only be cheaper to keep on the road because of how available replacement parts are, and the general age of components (age kills just as bad as mileage!). 
Now, having said that, someone with an S6 that is in nice shape at this point would have had to keep tabs on the car to keep it in nice shape. Can you find an S car for under $3k? Yea, but don't expect to get years of life out of it that's for sure! The value of the older S cars varies, but has been slowly climbing as the popularity of Audi in the US takes off. Even some of the 1991 200 20v's (as listed below) can break your budget depending on the work and condition the car is still in. 
If power is what you want, the S6 has the engine that I describe as something that if you think you have maxed out on power, you just haven't spent enough. The AAN / 3B variants have shown quadruple digits in power (1000+ horsepower) from radical 2.5 stroker monsters frankesteined together from several shops overseas (and one of our own here in the US coming close, 034). The potential of the 20v turbo inline 5 engines is really only confined by your wallet. 
So it really comes down to what kind of Audi and Audi experience you want. if something for daily driving with light mods but not too far in to the Audiholics world, I'd vote for the A4. If you're ready to dive right in head first in to the mad world we're all addicted to, opt for the S6 and keep a couple pennies in the bank for the "what ifs" in any case. 
JohnnyPre95

> Date: Tue, 1 Mar 2011 05:24:18 -0800
> From: amdickinson at rogers.com
> Subject: Re: Audi on a budget...?
> To: quattro at audifans.com
> 
> I always say that when it comes to an older car the key is maintenance.  Lots of 
> it.
> 
> At the age these cars are at it is typical to be on the crest of a big spending 
> spree just to keep them running right.  If there aren't any maintenance records 
> then I will usually shy away unless the car is dirt cheap ($500 or less).  You 
> should expect radiator, heater core, blower motor, alternator & battery, wheel 
> bearings, brakes including e-brake, then there are the sensors and so forth.  
> Probably nothing new here if you have been dealing with an older Saab.
> 
> A great place to look is the Audifans marketplace... 
> www.audifans.com/marketplace
> 
> My preference has been the 5000/200 turbo Quattro.  While their numbers are 
> starting to fall their potential (as kent mentioned) comes from the iconic, 
> turbocharged I-5.  The base figure is 167hp and that is easily ramped to around 
> 220hp with a chip for the ECU and stiffer spring for the wastegate.  It is not 
> uncommon to install a BPV to keep the intercooler from blowing the ends off (and 
> that can also be prevented by strapping the end caps on for a little 
> extra mechanical reinforcement)
> 
> If you start at the 1991 200 TQ you get the first 20-valve motor with EFI.  
> These are easily jumpped up to over 260hp with very little effort (some say 275) 
> just like the 10VT motors.  The 20-valve breathes much better as it is a 
> cross-flow head... more in = more out.  The 1991 20VT is comonly called the Ur-S 
> as it is the first car that followed the 'S' level of performance but predated 
> the badge.
> 
> I have personally hammered the I-5 well beyond what one would expect a motor to 
> take... and it took it all day long, day after day.  I can personally say that I 
> vouch for their bullet-proof reputation.  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ________________________________
> From: Kent McLean <kentmclean at comcast.net>
> To: quattro at audifans.com
> Sent: Tue, March 1, 2011 7:25:15 AM
> Subject: Re: Audi on a budget...?
> 
> Nick Urban wrote:
> > I'm thinking about buying my first Audi.
> 
> > I'm looking for something practical, elegant, and fun, preferably with
> > a manual transmission for less than $6000. I figure my best bet would
> > be to find a well cared for A4 or S6 from the 90s.
> 
> It depends what you are looking for. Since you didn't mention it, and
> since you left out the A6, I'll assume you may be looking to enhance the
> basic car. The S6 can take lots of mods, up to RS2 spec (Ka-Ching!).
> The A4 1.8T can also take mods. The A4 V6, not so much.
> 
> Some will argue that the S6 is the iconic Audi - famed, bullet-proof
> I-5, easily taking bigger turbos. The size is adult sized, with space
> for 5. But it can be a real sleeper.
> 
> The A4 is a beautiful body, but it is smaller than the S6. You can mod
> the A4, but it won't be in quite the same league as the S6. A modified
> S6 is probably going to last longer than a modified A4, just because
> the little 4-cylinder will be stressed more.
> 
> The key is electrics. The S6 has it's issues, but the A4 has more
> electronics -- HVAC, the little LCD driver display that is known to
> go bad, radios go wonky. etc. You can fit a DIN head unit in the S6,
> but will be hard pressed to replace the A4 audio with a clean install.
> 
> I like my A4, but I wish it were a little bigger. My biggest complaint,
> aside from the bad LCD driver info display, is the seat bottom cushions
> are too short. I can't quite get comfortable in them. I replaced the
> standard seats with the sport seats from an S4, but they still aren't
> as comfortable as you'll find in the S6.
> 
> -- 
> Kent McLean
> 1999 A4 Avant, V6 Tiptronic
> 1990 200 Avant mit V8 conversion
> gone: too many to count, including my first, "Bad Puppy"
> 
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