This may be a strange request for this forum but I'd appreciate advice on good reasons (or otherwise) to wait for the A4 2.0T B7 or should I simply go for the existing A4 1.8T B6?

I've got offers from dealerships on the existing A4 and not sure if it's worth the wait for the B7?

it's going to have more power, supposed to have less lag and is FSI.

...the A4 really needs the extra 30 hp. This is especially true with the auto trans.

I too am faced with the same thing, but since I wanted a White Ultra sport with a 6sp, Bose and lighting package, I will have to wait. Apparently there are not many Ultra sports left.

I've driven the 1.8T B6 and it's clearly underpowered. The extra 30 horses will make it more fun to drive. On top of which, if you don't wait, you might regret purchasing the 1.8T. But if you do wait, you can always go back to the 1.8T if the B7 is not to your liking. That's my logic.

Daniel may be fine with the power and the equipment of the B6.
if you want a better deal, than get the B6.
It is all about what car is right for you.

I downloaded the equipment sheet for the b7, which has a comparison to the b6. Even the 2.0T, which is what I'm looking at, leaves me drooling over the eq, std and optional. I can't believe I have to be carless until April or May!

Not sure if this helps you but I saw this good private deal (see link below) on silver version of fully-loaded ultrasport 6 speed manual in the Boston area if you're interested. Saw the car myself and it looked good but I'm not keen on the sports suspension.

http://boston.craigslist.org/car/55361629.html

Drabin, I had the exact same dilemma.

Personally I prefer the look of the B6. The B7 may look good in the flesh though - the latest crop of Audis don't seem to photograph well.

The 2.0T (when available in Australia) is going to be more expensive than the 1.8T - somewhere between the 1.8T and 3.0. Plus initial availability is going to be limited in terms of colors and options. So the 2.0T lost a few points.

The last-of-the-line B6s are exceptionally good cars. Having had 2 previous A4s (one with sport suspension, one without) I believe my current A4 is the best yet. It handles almost as well as my TT did. In fact, I'm convinced the suspension has been tweaked for the last-of-line (eg. your 2005 model year) models.

I got to see and drive the actual car I bought - silver 1.8T multitronic. Although the engine is still loosening up, I'm impressed with its power and sheer driving pleasure (sorry to steal a BMW catchphrase).

Whichever way you go, you won't be disappointed.

Most European car magazines reckon the current FSI engines are a disappointment - getting rather loud and thrashy at high revs.

In America, you'll have trouble getting fuel which will get the best out of an FSI engine. FSI needs *very* high quality, low-sulphur fuel. I believe US fuel is, by Euro standards, very high in sulphur.

If you ask me there is no question that you should get the B7. I know there are great deals now on remaining cars if you are leasing, but I think the new car if worth the premium you will pay. I wouldn't worry about the styling because Hated the B6 in pictures before I saw it in person and i hated the A6 till I saw it in person. I finally gave up and realized that Audi has not made an ugly car yet(Except Project Rosemeyer)and probably never will.
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...in the B7 may make for significant handling improvements. We will have to wait a month or two to see if this is, in fact, the case.

I'm caught in the same bind. I'm moving up from an 02 Passat 1.8t manual, paid for, with only 23k. I really like this car, but deep downalways wanted an A4. A buddy is willing to give me a fair price on the Passat, so I went and drove an 05 A4 1.8t front wheel manual. I thought it was AMAZING!

I also drove an Acura TL, Infiniti G35, a Volvo S60 T5. All of these cars have better numbers than the 1.8T A4, but I learned by driving them that numbers don't translate into satisfaction. The proof is in the ride. The A4 just felt sooo right.

So, now I can get an 05 A4 1.8T, manual,premium, sport, metallic paint, cold weathr, MSRP around 29900, and cash price from dealer of 28500. I'd do it Monday, but the 05.5 comes to mind. From pics, I really like the looks of the 05 better. The new design may grow on me in person, but side by side, I'd choose the old design.

The new engine is pretty tempting though. Newer and more powerful always better, right? On the other hand, from driving the Acura TL and Infiniti G35, I came to the conclusion that my current Passat and the 05 A4 are plenty fast enough, and maybe in the bigger scheme of things it won't really matter that much whether it takes 7.1 or 7.9 seconds to go 0-60.

This leaves me thinking mostly about price and value. The new A4 pricing isn't out yet, right? It will be more, and dealer informs me I'll pay MSRP on the new ones. A similarly equipped 05.5 is likely to cost probably 2-2.5K more than the discounted 2005.

I can make the decison about whether 2.5 k more is worth it, but here's what I'd like to ask the experts. I know the new model has supsension changes. Any idea if the new suspension will alleviate the need for the sport package? If the new suspension is all that much better, maybe I don't need the sport package, and that will knock a grand off the newer model, and then I might be nudged to wait two months. Make sense?

Any advice?