equ
03-04-2010, 08:54 PM
So my 2010 (b8) a4 2.0T just crossed 5k miles and got its first oil change. I had a regular A/T, non-sport 2008 (b7) a4 2.0T loaner for the day. FWIW, here are some differences I noticed:
b7 pros:
- overall length/size: if you don't need the expanded interior room of the b8, the b7's outside compact dimensions are much better.
- steering weight: b7 is far from perfect (b6 was better without servotronic) but sadly, it still has better (more) steering weight than the b8. The b8 servotronic is even more aggressive. Not much difference in feel or precision.
- some interior plastics are better quality
b8 pros:
- engine, engine, engine. While the 2.0T label is the same, the engines are quite obviously different. This one goes (by a mile) to the b8 due to power, efficiency, lack of vibrations.
- handling, less understeer-y
- smoother, more settled seeming ride
- space (obvious counterpoint above)
- interior ergonomics (the b7 stereo/hvac felt like a mess after the intuitive b8)
- sports seats! Funny, I had the b6/b7 seats down as comfy but the new sports seats are way better (for finicky me).
b7 pros:
- overall length/size: if you don't need the expanded interior room of the b8, the b7's outside compact dimensions are much better.
- steering weight: b7 is far from perfect (b6 was better without servotronic) but sadly, it still has better (more) steering weight than the b8. The b8 servotronic is even more aggressive. Not much difference in feel or precision.
- some interior plastics are better quality
b8 pros:
- engine, engine, engine. While the 2.0T label is the same, the engines are quite obviously different. This one goes (by a mile) to the b8 due to power, efficiency, lack of vibrations.
- handling, less understeer-y
- smoother, more settled seeming ride
- space (obvious counterpoint above)
- interior ergonomics (the b7 stereo/hvac felt like a mess after the intuitive b8)
- sports seats! Funny, I had the b6/b7 seats down as comfy but the new sports seats are way better (for finicky me).