Audi A6 Allroad - Audi allroad opinions and recommendations

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Sat 26 Aug 2017 23:29
Audi A6 Allroad - Audi allroad opinions and recommendations - Rtps
Im thinking of buying Audi Allroad 2.7T 2002 - 2004 at some point of my life
Im just a huge fan of audi and this model has my full attention
Im not too much into this kind of stuff... well not yet so i need some help to understand the good and bad points of this car and decide wether to buy one or not
Thank you ??
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Sat 26 Aug 2017 23:51
Audi A6 Allroad - Audi allroad opinions and recommendations - galileo
Im thinking of buying Audi Allroad 2.7T 2002 - 2004 at some point of my life Im just a huge fan of audi and this model has my full attention Im not too much into this kind of stuff... well not yet so i need some help to understand the good and bad points of this car and decide wether to buy one or not Thank you ??



A friend's 2008 V6 Passat just had the cambelt break. This is also a V6, DOHC VAG engine, cambelt changes are due every 4 years/40,00 miles, book time for the change is 4 hours, book time for rebuilding the heads/valves if the belt breaks is 10 hours.

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Sun 27 Aug 2017 06:53
Audi A6 Allroad - Audi allroad opinions and recommendations - badbusdriver

The allroad is a very complex car with adjustable suspension. I'm not sure what the actual rate of failure for this type of system is, but it seems a recipe for disaster to me!. In addition, if it is fitted with the 'dual spoke' alloy wheels, they are an absolute nightmare to keep clean, and you will constantly be trying to fish stones out from between them. Years ago I worked at a local VW dealer and remember going to pick one up, a diesel, from an Audi dealer run by the same family. It was a pleasant enough thing to drive, but didn't feel any different to the regular A6. If you really have to have a 15 year old Audi estate, then I'd be looking for a standard car, not the allroad. Less to go wrong (but frankly, still plenty).

I know that you are a big Audi fan, but for your own sake, don't by into the hype, they're not as reliable as you might hope, certainly less so than most of the Japanese manufacturers. Speaking of which, it's just occurred to me, that if I wanted an elderly 'off road' estate, the subaru legacy outback would be my choice!.

But, in summary, my advice re the allroad is, don't do it!, sorry.

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Sun 27 Aug 2017 08:04
Audi A6 Allroad - Audi allroad opinions and recommendations - SLO76
You'd be mad to buy a highly complex 15yr old car like this on a tight budget. It will be hugely expensive to keep on the road. If you can't afford to buy and maintain what is effectively a £40-£50k motor then don't buy it. Live within your means!
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Sun 27 Aug 2017 09:12
Audi A6 Allroad - Audi allroad opinions and recommendations - RT

2004-on Subaru Outback 3,0R - much better car.

Or a 2003-on VW Touareg 3.6 V6 - if you really want a smile on your face the 5.0 V10 TDI.

Edited by RT on 27/08/2017 at 09:15

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Sun 27 Aug 2017 09:15
Audi A6 Allroad - Audi allroad opinions and recommendations - nellyjak

As above...don't do it.!...you'll likely need a very fat wallet to keep it in order.

These once very expensive cars are generally not a good buy when on any kind of limited/normal budget.

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Sun 27 Aug 2017 09:52
Audi A6 Allroad - Audi allroad opinions and recommendations - RT

With any used car, regardless of age, the maintenance cost is proportional to it's original list price adjusted for inflation - so a car that would now have a £60,000 list price will always cost 3x that of a £20,000 car - on top of that, the risk/chance of expensive failure goes up in line with age.

I'd love a Bentley Arnage, under £20,000 now - but equivalent new list price would be £200,000.

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Sun 27 Aug 2017 11:48
Audi A6 Allroad - Audi allroad opinions and recommendations - Rtps

I want this car because of the suspension... I intend to go offroad rather often but also I dont want a car thats lifted too much above ground all the time... i know subaru is a nice choice but I definetly want Audi because there has always been at least 2 audi in my family and with time Ive grown attached to it ... I just dont feel that way in any other car. I bet you understand what I mean since men can take a car like something very personal.

What problems exactly are we talking about ... I read the engine is nice ... just needs some basic maintenance and changes from time to time

I know suspension repair isnt cheap if it breaks.

And I know buying a car that old Is really risky but still I dont want to give up just yet

I take into consideration everything u guys say

Thanks for the help once again.

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Sun 27 Aug 2017 12:01
Audi A6 Allroad - Audi allroad opinions and recommendations - RT

Air suspension operates in a "hostile" environment, where all the moisture and mud collects, encouraging corrosion - both VW Group and LR versions of air suspension are likely to need expensive repairs as they get older.

My VW Touareg has air suspension, but it's under manufacturers warranty and will get an after-market warranty when that runs out - I wouldn't want to risk a repair on an older model that could cost more than the car is worth.

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Sun 27 Aug 2017 12:19
Audi A6 Allroad - Audi allroad opinions and recommendations - Rtps

What exactky usually breaks in such suspension to cost that much ... these air springs or whatever they are called ... for mercedes e class 2005 brand new were around 400euro each if im not mistaken but I know about a way of repairing them and it costs less than half that price

Which else part of the suspension could be so expensive.

Im just curious

Basically the problems should be around that part of the car Or there is something else that is very likely to break.

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Sun 27 Aug 2017 12:22
Audi A6 Allroad - Audi allroad opinions and recommendations - pd

These are old cars now which were complicated and not particularly well built to start with.

Everyone I come across is usually leaning like a ship in a bad storm. As they cost a lot of keep up the maintenance of virtually no one does. As well as the suspension the gearboxes can be a bit iffy and they drink fuel at a horrendous rate.

If you must have one try and go for the later 2005-on "C6" model which has less generic problems. You still need to pick your model creafully though - the V6 diesels are the best but 2005-2007 models of those have injector issues which an Audi dealer will charge £2500 to sort.

The truth is they're pretty rubbish to dirve as well. They are basically (the pre 2005 model) a Passat anyway.

Edited by pd on 27/08/2017 at 12:23

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Sun 27 Aug 2017 12:41
Audi A6 Allroad - Audi allroad opinions and recommendations - Rtps

Well yeah I like the 2008 3liters diesel but the price Is twice as much...

Also these new models are lower I think around 3cm difference

About the fuel im thinkin to with gas installation which u probably wouldnt like haha

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Sun 27 Aug 2017 12:44
Audi A6 Allroad - Audi allroad opinions and recommendations - gordonbennet

Don't mention Subaru's in glowing terms too much chaps, when the current one dies another undesired cheap as chips one will most likely be the replacement for SWMBO.

I get on well with the lorry mechanics at various makes locally, a group of the younger ones at one form a bit of an unofficial car club and all pile round to the house of whichever vehicle needs attention at weekends and have a giggle helping each other, a common theme with VW group carsthey say is the nightmare of everything suspension bolt wise being seized solid making suspension work a nightmare, where the Japanse cars of the group whilst still suffering wear and tear nearly always simply dismantle, and are in most cases designed to be worked on during service life not just manufactured.

This has been my experience too of the Japanese vehicles i've run, nice to work on, though we'll skip over spark plug changes on Subarus :-)

The problem with an ageing German specialist model isn't going to be parts wearing out, its going to be how much of the rest of the vehicle do you gave to replace when replacing one part, let alone what else breaks during removal when seized...i'll give my Merc coupe as an example of this German approach, bottom ball joint on lower spec models approx £15 from MB dealer, on 320 and above models its part of the wisbone so getting on for £500 a side, which pales into insignificance when you get a newer air suspension CL/S class model, where the bottom ball joint is part of the strut at around £1200 a side.

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Sun 27 Aug 2017 15:21
Audi A6 Allroad - Audi allroad opinions and recommendations - badbusdriver

I want this car because of the suspension... I intend to go offroad rather often but also I dont want a car thats lifted too much above ground all the time... i know subaru is a nice choice but I definetly want Audi because there has always been at least 2 audi in my family and with time Ive grown attached to it ... I just dont feel that way in any other car. I bet you understand what I mean since men can take a car like something very personal.

What problems exactly are we talking about ... I read the engine is nice ... just needs some basic maintenance and changes from time to time

I know suspension repair isnt cheap if it breaks.

And I know buying a car that old Is really risky but still I dont want to give up just yet

I take into consideration everything u guys say

Thanks for the help once again.

Buying a car that is old is not by itself risky. Buying a very complex car, and (if this post is anything to go by) using it in a way that it was never intended to, is way more than risky!.

You say you intend to go offroad 'often', but the allroad is not an 'offroader', its adjustable suspension is just there for a bit of extra clearance. Even with the suspension at full height, due to the length of overhangs, especially at the rear, any proper offroading is going to have the car beached at either end or ripping bumpers off. The tyres that you will be using are not going to be particularly capable off road on anything other than forestry tracks. If you 'need' to go off road, then a proper offroader is a far more sensible choice, and far more able to deal with the punishment offroading entails. If you 'want' to go off road, a better choice would be to buy an old cheap vitara or similar as a 2nd car, something which you wont need to worry about damaging.

You say you will take into consideration everything the members say, but that doesnt seem to be the case, as pretty much everyone has said "dont do it"!. I think SLO hit the nail on the head when he say's you 'have an itch which needs to be scratched' and no amount of advice is going to persuade you otherwise!.

At the end of the day, it is your money to do with as you please, but you have been warned about the likely outcome.

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Sun 27 Aug 2017 14:15
Audi A6 Allroad - Audi allroad opinions and recommendations - SLO76
I suspect that this is an itch which must be scratched and that no amount of advice will talk you out of seeking one of these highly complex and expensive to maintain cars out.

Reminds me of a customer a number of years ago I tried to talk out of a cheap old A6 2.5 TDi. He bought it and it was written off within a month by the four figure cost of replacing the high pressure fuel pump. A painful lesson learned and one I fear you will need before accepting the sense in living within your means.

If you absolutely must have one then look for condition and history over all else and bring someone who really understands these cars even if that means bribing your local VAG specialist to take a look. He'll no doubt condem it as a daft idea and hopefully you'll listen. Factor in that the timing belt (due every 5yrs) will be overdue on any you look at and is very costly to do on this engine, think £600 plus including water pump and tensioners.

When buying on a tight budget keep it simple.
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Sun 27 Aug 2017 17:41
Audi A6 Allroad - Audi allroad opinions and recommendations - Avant

I sympathise - I like Audis too, but we can't in all conscience tell you what you want to hear. The expense of repairing cars is in proportion to what they cost new, not to what you might pay for an old example.

Don't despair: save up for a few years and buy a newer Audi when you can afford it. Meanwhile if you want to do some serious off-roading (which no Audi is designed for anyway), look for a cheap old Japanese 4 x 4 which hopefully won't cost too much to buy and run while you save for an Audi.

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Sun 27 Aug 2017 20:07
Audi A6 Allroad - Audi allroad opinions and recommendations - Fishermans Bend

Your main problem will be finding one, none on autotrader in your age range. This one is on ebay. Bit older than you want with good recent history. As others have stated still not a vehicle for off roading. A mate wants to go off roading, currently looking to buy a Daihatsu, now that's the kind of vehicle for those escapades. You can't really go wrong with Japanese.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-A6-Allroad-Quattro-2-7T-LP...V


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Sun 27 Aug 2017 20:21
Audi A6 Allroad - Audi allroad opinions and recommendations - badbusdriver

There are currently 16 Audi allroads on autotrader, that is using 2001-2003 as an age requirement.

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Sun 27 Aug 2017 20:55
Audi A6 Allroad - Audi allroad opinions and recommendations - Rtps

Well guys i never really asked for anybody to talk me out of it because i know myself... I feel a need to do that and even if it turns out to be a very bad decision, which is the likely scenario, i still need to see for myself... you know mistakes are the best lessons.

I thought all of you will say stuff like that and i know you are right... i wrote that because i wanted to get informed if the car is nutorious with some deffect or something like that. Im trying to prepare myself for the worst and if its too much maybe i will think of something else.

For the offroad... I intend to go up in the mounstains in some villas and the road to many is just dirt ... Not some serious harsh tracks for fun and some crazy experiments with the car... i need a reliable car for any type of road or weather (The way i see it quattro wouldnt have problems with snow) and i dont want that car to be a jeep and as i said before i would love that car to be some Audi, and a powerful one... Before i thought about the 2.5TDI 180hp engine but i think the fuel consumption (as price) is higher than 2.7T working with gas. Also its TDI ... and as far as i know diesel engines need some special care to keep clean.

As for to find such car in the internet... well i live in Bulgaria the local site has some of these cars and they seem pretty decent at a price of around 3,800 euro ... Usually they are brought from Germany Swiss and Italy ... I sometimes avoid looking for cars from Germany because at such age they are usually rusty.

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Sun 27 Aug 2017 21:09
Audi A6 Allroad - Audi allroad opinions and recommendations - SLO76
Best of luck! Keep us informed.
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Sun 27 Aug 2017 22:33
Audi A6 Allroad - Audi allroad opinions and recommendations - Fishermans Bend

badbusdriver, I searched via the A6 allroad option. There were none. The site is quite clearly useless because if you put in a6 allroad as a keyword they all come up, as you quite possibly did. There are some very cheap ones.

Rtps, you seem to be going for one with your eyes open. I'd spend as little as possible, make sure the car has full history, low owners, doesn't soon need a new cambelt/tyres and if possible has had the suspension done. That will minimise your downside. Spend more and with the complexity of the beasts there are no guarantees newer will be any more reliable, AND if you spend more you KNOW you'll lose MORE in DEPRECIATION, that's a given.

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Mon 28 Aug 2017 06:09
Audi A6 Allroad - Audi allroad opinions and recommendations - Rtps

I was wondering if i should look for manual or automatic... With this much HP i definetly think manual is a better option for more control on the car but if you know more about the gearbox feel free to share. Which one might be more durable stuff like that.

And what do you think do you think about a gas system ?

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Mon 28 Aug 2017 07:07
Audi A6 Allroad - Audi allroad opinions and recommendations - badbusdriver

If you are really going to take the plunge, then a manual gearbox is your best choice.

FB, the early ones were not officially referred to as 'A6 allroad', just 'allroad', so that is what you select from the choice of models.

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Mon 28 Aug 2017 20:56
Audi A6 Allroad - Audi allroad opinions and recommendations - Fishermans Bend

If you are really going to take the plunge, then a manual gearbox is your best choice.

FB, the early ones were not officially referred to as 'A6 allroad', just 'allroad', so that is what you select from the choice of models.

Thanks for pointing that out. .I'll know for future reference, rather like them but can't see the need to ever have one.

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Mon 28 Aug 2017 09:05
Audi A6 Allroad - Audi allroad opinions and recommendations - SLO76

I was wondering if i should look for manual or automatic... With this much HP i definetly think manual is a better option for more control on the car but if you know more about the gearbox feel free to share. Which one might be more durable stuff like that.

And what do you think do you think about a gas system ?

Audi don't shine with glory regarding auto boxes so I'd avoid older examples and as for the lpg conversion well it's known for burning valves and it'll cost around £2k to have a system fitted properly. It'll also add no value to the car. Factor in that you'd be spending a lot of money on a car that could expire tomorrow and I'd say it's unwise. Again, if you absolutely must have one of these against advice then buy the best you can afford up front, stick to a manual box and buy only with a main dealer or genuine VAG specialist history.
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Mon 28 Aug 2017 20:21
Audi A6 Allroad - Audi allroad opinions and recommendations - Rtps

Well if im going to buy one that will be next year for sure... I keep track on the prices and ive concluded manual is always more expensive... but better to save some more money and buy something that would probably last longer.

Okay everybody if there isnt any more to say...

When the time comes i might reopen this topic and think it through again maybe help me choose if there is more than one stuff like that... Well guys im really thankful for all the advices and all the help... Best of luck everybody and see ya

If there is something more to say i will check here once in a while.

Byeee (for now) !

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Mon 28 Aug 2017 21:38
Audi A6 Allroad - Audi allroad opinions and recommendations - SLO76
"I keep track on the prices and ive concluded manual is always more expensive"

For good reason... see my last comment.

Best of luck anyway. Get out there and prove us all wrong.
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