The Goal: find one of the 241 B5 Cactus Green avants brought to the US, and drop a 5.2 in it with R8 headers mate it to a 6spd 0A3 trans .
WHY? I’ve landed on this goal based on my experience with German cars so far. The specialty OEM colors of the 90s and 00s have always been cool to me. They made a zillion silver B5s so colored ones stuck out. I swoon any time I see a green SQ5 and set my sights on finding a Cactus Green car next. I love the 2000s VAG because to me its the correct size vehicle. Every year cars grow in size and weight and to me its unnecessary. B5 seems to be the right size. After having the C6 S6 I was sold on the V10. Theres still great power by today’s standards. It is obscure (to most) and has a lot of unlocked potential. I am comfortable working on it. Next, what better combo than a V10 with a manual?? The common swap seems to use 01E but forums have convinced me an 0A3 is just as capable of holding the power, and giving a better driver experience. And finally, why Avant? The wife said she wants a station wagon 
- My 1st VAG car was a MK4 New Beetle 1.8T - cut my teeth on this mechanically as a teen. Light and fun. Went to SoWo a few times, got in the “scene” I was hooked.
- 2nd VAG was B8.5 S5 - Full bolt ons, fun but didn’t like paying $4k to fix my Electromechanical Steering rack.
- C6 S6 - Fell in love with the BXA 5.2 sounds, but its a big boy and the transmission/cats…we all know they’re castrating. Once I saw what Joel and Martin were doing with these engines in smaller chassis I knew that was my next move. Took me a few years but I’m finally here.
8/2023
Sold my C6 S6 at a premium $14,000, and started searching for parts/donors. I got 3 leads on cactus avants, and one great package deal that ended in the seller backing out. Found an 0A3 with a cracked bellhousing for $100 locally. Will have to TIG it back together then it’ll be mint!
Acquired the R8 Headers! Also got a B7 S4 rear timing cover and 5.5mm OEM spacer. Martin got me a set of manifold flanges to weld on when I get there. I think a big hurdle I am willing to take on is his comment about these not fitting in the B5 frame rails. I believe the ID of the rails is 25" and needs to be 32" for a correct fitment. Maybe some tube rails are in the future?
9/2023
Found a donor facelifted S6 in the hills of Vermont. 179k and in rough shape. He backed over a 5 gallon bucket of white paint on the passenger side and it has leaked oil since. He said that was a few months back and he’s had it parked since the incident. We agreed on $2500…Not bad considering the original post was for $12,900. I drove it 300 feet, it pisses oil. Suspecting the oil cooler got jacked as its in that general location. Time to part out and pull the motor.
