Ok I posted this in the S forum, but think it might be worth the A3 bias opinions.
Within the next month or two I'll be buying an audi. This summer I came a signature away from a 2000 S4 with 55k miles for about 14k. A little pissed but was about to go back out to college. Right now I'm stuck between three options, a B5, B6, or 2006/7 A3. Each have their own perks and downsides. Here is how I look at it:
B5 S4:Highs:Cheap upfront, will mod the **** out of it, better mpg than aB6, 2.7T,leaning towards the B5. Lows: Higher mileage, will require a lot more maintenance, older car... duh
B6: Highs: Lower mileage and has decent power out-of-the-box, would be happy with only a few mods, overall newer car. Lows: Pricier to start, not that many mods, higher mpg, higher insurance than B5.
A3: Highs: Great mpg, low miles, love the 2.0T w/ DSG, love the newer body style with oettinger styling,cheaper than B6, reliable, warranty. Lows: Almost fully modded will only be as fast or maybe slightly faster than stock S4, FWD and I live in the mountains.
Sounds like you outlined it pretty well. I could very well be happy with owning any of those choices as well. Just should let you know that I'm still incredibly happy with my A3, two years later. It is a blast to drive and has a fun factor that the S4's don't. I've driven a B7 S4 very hard before and I don't think my car is that much slower, if any. I do like the V8 growl though and the Quattro.
Different body styles/model years. The current versionof the A4 platform is the B7. I'm not sure of the cut-off years of the previous platform, but the S4 in the B5 was a 2.7T engine, and they switched over to the 4.2L V-8 in the B6 platform.
Y'know, I am a big fan of the B5s and even more so of the 2.7T. I don't think you will be unhappy with any of the choices, but I think the A3 is more fun to throw around (you said you have some good mountain roads ) and the S4 is going to be more fun in a straight line. After having the A3 for a while, my friend's B5 just seems so big now -- it feels unwieldly when you are throwing it into a corner at high speed. 'Course the B5 I'm used to is a FWD A4, the S4's Quattro surely improves the handling feel of the car. The weight really isn't much different either, the B5 just feels like a boat to me now after being in the A3.
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Turbochargers whistle while they work, superchargers whine while they screw.
Lets see the A3 is a great smaller car and the mod ability is very high. But that's with the 2.0T. I personally love the 2.7T its an incredible engine and can be a power hog when modified, plus with an otty body kit you can get away from that bland styling. For the money you can't beat the S4 B5. I would have gone that direction if the option was there.
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2006 A3 2.0T Sport DSG. Open sky, Sirius, AWE Vent Boost Gauge.
Ya, what about the 3.2?
It might be a little bit more out of the wallet, but its a blast to have in the mountains. The V6 allows you to still have some fun, even in the high altitude and the quattro never lets you down!!
Altought the B6 S4 is an awesome car, never driven it before though, so my opinion as of now is only based on its looks and visual impressions...
__________________ 2007 Audi A3 3.2 S-line. Black, open sky, Navigation, 18" wheels.
Soon to come:
Milltek exhaust, Revo stage 2 chip, VF air intake
Choices
