Which Audi is the most Audi?

[Spartan117]

Right then, having joined the Audi clan only 4 weeks ago with the purchase of an A4 B7 S-Line Cabriolet it got me thinking. My neighbour used to have an A4 B6 saloon on 19" wheels and it looked the tits, to me, that was an audi both inside and out, it couldn't be mistaken for any other make. Then he bought a B7 A4, which again looked like no other car make but when parked next to his B6, it didn't look as classy. He now has a B8 A4 saloon and I'm sorry, but what have Audi done? It looks like a cross between a C Class and 3 series not an Audi.
To me the B6 and original TT are the classiest looking Audis made.
What do you all think of that?

 

[jojo]

For some reason, I find 10 year old Audi's the most Audi like, think of the models you can buy used now which are 10 years old, and that's an 'Audi', in my opinion. Maybe the fact that most 10 year old examples are still going strong, and don't look too dated in design?

It's all personal preference really, I really like the latest front end designs, but not too keen on the latest rear end lenses in the day, but they do look the dogs danglies at night time when lit up!

 

[Fanboy]

I don't like the new shapes at all...

 

[Andy1608]

I much prefer the new shape inside, especially on the A3. It's just more practical and a better design.

 

[Spartan117]

Not an overwhelming approval for modern Audi then especially the A1, looks like a Vauxhall Adam ( stupid name), I agree with JoJo, b6 A4 is the class of Audi.

 

[Broken Byzan]

Peaked at the B5 and 8L IMHO

 

[B5NUT]

Audi Coupe, Just something about this car.

 

[Andy1608]

Agree so much with the audi coupe . my mates mum ran a purple one when I was growing up and I think that's where my love for audi started and had 4 now

 

[Spartan117]

Audi 80 for me was the birth of modern understated design, I loved the Quattro of the 80's too.

 

[sidibear]

My mum in law has a J plate 80 Coupe.
You could get into this car blindfold and know you was in an Audi. You get in and it just feels right, drives right, handles right, its just Audi-ish.
Not really any other word to describe it.

 

[jbh]

enough said in my eyes... this was the same as my first Audi and this was what made me fall in love with the brand..

 

[Nilz]

The Audi 80 and 90 were the cars I grew up with, then the B5 and 8L shape were where it was at, the B6 with the Kit on it just looks mean on the road, has a great presence and just feels right!!

The thing with the newer cars is that they are all getting more and more generic in shape, which is quite disappointing, as they all look the same!!

 

[jojo]

The thing with the newer cars is that they are all getting more and more generic in shape, which is quite disappointing, as they all look the same!!

I know what you mean there Nilz, but I personally think the current Audi range are good looking cars, apart from the Q range, the A1-A8 are all good looking machines! And in 10 years time, we will all appreciate the 'Audiness' of them! Lol

On another note, I always associate 'Quattro' with Audi, so I guess a genuine Audi should really have 4wd, but hey, I'm being a snob now!

 

[Spartan117]

JoJo, I don't think we will look back in 10 years and appreciate the Audiness of the present day range because most people cannot tell today's Audi apart from Mercs and BMWs, yet show them An original TT or even a 80's Quattro and they will say, oh that's an Audi.
Have to agree with you about Quattro though, all Audis should be Quattro, wish mine was 😉

 

[AlexGSi2000]

Personally I prefer older cars, especially older Audi's.

I think the reason for this is because of all the cars I lusted over when I was in my teenage years and counting down the years before I could drive.

I currently have a B6 A4, but one of the cars I would really like is an BMW e36 (may get one when the missus changes her car).

I only usually keep cars for a year or so before moving on, when I got the Audi two years ago (from a Vectra C) I instantly liked being inside the car - the Vectra was abit of a chore, where as I find the A4 doesn't phase me when on long drives.

The car is rapidly approaching 200k now but have no plans to change, regular maintenance and parts when it needs them has ensured the car is as reliable as it can be.

Not sure given the money I would go for a newer Audi, possibly a B7 RS4 at most.
I was working on a friends mums A3 (2010) recently replacing a window regulator - brake discs & pads.etc - I was fairly shocked at the build quality behind the scenes, plastics appeared to be cheap, parts behind the door card were from cheap brands or unbranded.etc
Was very similar underneath to an 8L - not sure if I could stomach buying one new or a few years old.

 

[ScottD3]

B5.
Fact end, mini adventure!!

 

[warren_S5]

Whilst I drive newer Audi models and I find the Audi interior to be the statement point that makes you feel like you're in an Audi, for me this is their defining moments:

For me this is the Vorsprung Dursch Technik era when Audi's didn't feel like rebadged Skoda / SEAT / VW's. You had the lovely aerodynamic concept running through aspect like the door handles / flush window frames that showed that beyond the Quattro product they had other interesting ideas up their sleeves. In their day they were far more 'wow' to me (and to some extent still are) than anything I've bought recently.

I know it's easy to look back through rose tinted glasses, I'm sure these cars had their issues, but I suppose the only other car that really define Audi-ishness to me is the B5 RS4. The 8L S3 had the looks but lacked the driving experience, and the B8 RS4 was brilliant but flawed. I'm suprised there aren't more votes for the Coupe Quattro, maybe it's more cult than a thing of beauty.

Edit:

Just thought, this was the first really beautiful convertible, probably dynamically flawed but the it and it's successors have largely been the best looking convertibles in their class ever since: