Hi all,

Long time Volvo owner, new to the Audi world. I found this forum while looking around for some info on the 97 A6 Quattro. This is a great site!!

The question that I have is this:

Are there any major differences between the '97 A6 Quattro and the '98 A6 Quattro? The price difference is about $2K so it's not that much. Are there any advantage to getting one or the other?

 

Scott,
There was a major redesign from 97 to 98, however, the Avant (wagon) carried over basically the same from 97 to 98. The Avant was changed to the new body in 99.

The non-avant 98 model is the rounder one that is the same body used for todays 04 model.

The 97 and 98 avant are the square model that was carried over from the 2nd genratioon 100 series back in 95. I am not sure of mechanical differences.

That is all I know,
Jack

 

On top of the 98 having a much cleaner and up to date look it also has a more powerful v6 engine pushing out 200 hp, where as the 97 puts out 172 hp. reliability seems to be about the same for both cars, but I have not owned either and am just going by what I have read on the net.

 

I actually can attest to that. My first car was a 1992 100S sedan NON-QUATTRO and it put out 172hp. Recently i bought a 1996 A6 Avant quattro and it too has 172hp. HOWEVER, my 100S beat my new Avant off the line because of 2 factors....1) the 100S was lighter because it was front wheel drive so it didnt have rear differential and 2) because the Avant is heavier because it's a wagon and so there is more body structure back there. Now...on the flip side, my mom has a 1998 A6 sedan quattro and i have driven her car ***** to the walls, foot to the floor and id have to say if u had a race between my 100S, Avant, and her 98 A6, her A6 would blow them away. I actually did race my dad, he in her car and me in my 100S (he is a mechanic and i work with him so we around Porsches and Audi all day at his shop and love speed) and my mom's A6 is noticeably faster even though he couldnt pull away too much. There are many more factors and design changes between my 100S, Avant and the 98 A6's. here is some:

-'92 100S & '96 A6 Avant
-2.8L V6 2 valves per cylinder (12 valves total) SOHC
-4-speed automatic transmission is what is in both of my cars. My 100S has a sport button whereas the Avant is in permanent sport mode it seems but adjusts to your individual driving style
-172hp at 5500rpm
-184lbs-ft of torque at 3000rpm
- (weight is slightly different between my particular 2 cars: 100S is 4531 lbs and Avant is 4993 lbs {i actually just went outside and looked haha} this may not seem like a lot but it makes a difference)

-'98 A6
-2.8L V6 5 valves per cylinder (30 valves total) DOHC
-5-speed tiptronic transmission is what my mom's and most '98 A6's are
-roughly 200hp at 6000rpm (i say roughly because I've heard it runs anywhere from 192hp-200hp...I'd go with 200hp though just because it's an Audi and well let's face it, AUDI'S ARE THE BEST!!!)
-207lbs-ft of torque at 3200rpm
-I dont know the weight of the '98 A6's
-0-60mph in 9.7 seconds

hope that gives you a little more insight into the world of Audi and I hope (I'm pretty sure it is) that all of my information is accurate. I knew a lot but also did some research for my own knowledge as well

that said, does anyone know how I should go about looking up and getting ideas on enhancing the performance of my 1996 Audi A6 Avant quattro? I am working on the intake now but I also want to lower it and I am trying to find other possibilities for it but am having a hard time finding ideas and things I can and cannot do with the stock engine.

 

def get a 30v (no offence to the 12 valvers out there) but the 30v is far superior. It is smoother and has better power throughout the rev band. Plus the 98 (c5) is a way better platform than the 97 (c4) and you gat a better transmission! O and who says 9.7 sec to 60? That is so wrong, I have timed 60 in 7.8 sec in mine. Still slow but 9.7 is like Geo metro speed!

 

for awhile i was getting 10+sec 0-60

not sure where i'm at right now but i doubt i'm even in 8s