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While there are more popular options in the large executive sports sedan market, there are few that are quite as well rounded as the C4 Audi S4/S6 twins. The C4 might have been slower out of the box than the M5 and 500E/E500, but as the only turbocharged version quick tuning meant it was easily capable of pushing the same power. The real key to driving these inline-5 wonders, though, is the torque that’s available once the turbo kicks in. A wave of power seemingly able to extricate you from any situation is suddenly available, picking that heavy nose up and launching the car forwards in a symphony of rally-inspired wooshes. Add to that the legendary quattro all-wheel drive and the Audi was a useable, year-round package that has maintained a serious cult following in all areas of the country. Especially sought after these days are clean, original examples that don’t carry the easy to show wear Ecru interior. Despite the all-too-predictable Emerald Green Mica of this example, the insides are Darth Vader’s own palace – black leather with carbon trim:
It’s been a mixed week at GCFSB for C4 Audis; yesterday I wrote up the best of the U.S. S4 which reminded us how incredible these cars can be; but more folks pine for a good example of the Avant. A few days earlier, I wrote up aslightly rough 1995.5 S6 Avant, which needed some trim work, a good cleaning and some center caps for the wheels but otherwise looked decent. In that post, I talked about how these Avants were used hard and most turn up in worn condition; today’s example is no exception. Looking a bit tired but – as they say with houses – with “good bones”, will this S6 Avant be a heap worth restoring?
Okay, so you can’t get the Euro-spec C4 Audi S6 here in the U.S. yet. That means the awesome 6-speed, interiors, V8 engine options, better bumpers and wheel packages remain across the pond, just out of reach of enthusiasts. Bummer, right? Well, don’t forget that nearly the same version of the Euro-spec car came here for 3 short years in the form of the S4/S6, long a popular favorite in the Audi tuning crowd. Capable of monstrous levels of power, the snap of torque in chipped versions of the 3B/AAN motor is downright addictive. You’ll quickly find your self repeatedly slowing down, a gear up from where high-revving BMWs would be calling, and planting your foot deep into the carpet to ride a giant wave of torque to illegal speeds. But the C4 is also a comfortable cruiser capable of tackling long trips with luggage for the family in any weather. It is, simply put, one of the best packages Audi has ever produced – and they don’t get much better than this one:
If you’re a big fan of the Audi S6 Avant, and you see a good one, buy it. These rare wagons were used and used well by their owners, and today few remain in top shape. Many more appear in the condition of today’s car; worn, a bit tired, but underneath the patina they are still one of the best sleeper performance packages out there. Unlike the last example, a clean and super rare Casablanca White example, today’s is shown in the much more common Emerald Green Metallic with black leather – apparently, the prototype of the Goodwood Green example I wrote up earlier this week:
Recently I’ve written up a few tasty European market S6 quattros, but what’s available on this side of the pond? Well, even though the used market is a little different here than it is in Europe, there are still several great options in you’re into the C4 chassis and its legendary 2.2 20V turbocharged motor. Today I’ve got three examples of one of the more rare colors to see on the C4 – silver, and two with grey leather. Which will be the one you’d like? Let’s start with the oldest:
