AllRoad A6 or E350
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm looking for an estate, and primary purchase reasons are comfort, ride quality (my wife has a back problem) with a frisson of driver interest if possible for when I'm alone in the car. I've been researching ride-quality for the last few months, and it seems like the best contenders are the MB E350, the Audi AllRoad and possibly the XF estate. I'm discounting the latter because they're just too expensive.
Everything I read tells me that the E350 will have the best ride comfort, but I'm interested to know peoples' thoughts about the AllRoad. The thing that attracts me to it is the adjustable air suspension - meaning I can have some sort of Sport mode when I'm on my own in the car, but hopefully super smooth and non-crashy pot-hole absorbing air-floatiness when my wife is a passenger.
I've yet to test-drive either, but Allroads are pretty thin on the ground so trying to get a feel on whether I should bother holding out to try one or just pile straight into the E350 test-drives (and then there's the question of MB's AirMatic suspension - but by all accounts it's costly to maintain and doesn't add much to their ride comfort anyway).
So, has anyone owned/driven both, who could give me some insight as to whether I should keep the Allroad on the shortlist? I've always fancies an Audi but if the comfort isn't there then it's a non-starter. Any opinions gratefully accepted!
I'm looking for an estate, and primary purchase reasons are comfort, ride quality (my wife has a back problem) with a frisson of driver interest if possible for when I'm alone in the car. I've been researching ride-quality for the last few months, and it seems like the best contenders are the MB E350, the Audi AllRoad and possibly the XF estate. I'm discounting the latter because they're just too expensive.
Everything I read tells me that the E350 will have the best ride comfort, but I'm interested to know peoples' thoughts about the AllRoad. The thing that attracts me to it is the adjustable air suspension - meaning I can have some sort of Sport mode when I'm on my own in the car, but hopefully super smooth and non-crashy pot-hole absorbing air-floatiness when my wife is a passenger.
I've yet to test-drive either, but Allroads are pretty thin on the ground so trying to get a feel on whether I should bother holding out to try one or just pile straight into the E350 test-drives (and then there's the question of MB's AirMatic suspension - but by all accounts it's costly to maintain and doesn't add much to their ride comfort anyway).
So, has anyone owned/driven both, who could give me some insight as to whether I should keep the Allroad on the shortlist? I've always fancies an Audi but if the comfort isn't there then it's a non-starter. Any opinions gratefully accepted!
I know a different model but have you considered an A4 allroad. We've been lent the 2.0 tdi for the last month, or so and I've genuinely been surprised by how comfortable the ride has been. It's also relatively quiet, and to my eyes at least quite good looking. The only things I would mention are the seats you must spec the leather. The standard seats seem to be made from the same material as Brillo pads. Truly horrendous. The second point is performance, the 2.0 is particularly poor at accelerating.
We have an Allrodd, the air suspension is great, extremely comfortable, but does take a while to change from 'sport' to 'high' setting, but in normal use we leave it in 'automatic' for the suspension, and it adapts perfectly to the speed and conditions.
Usually change a car every 4 years, but this is now 5yrs and 90k miles, we cant think of anything else to change it to so will stick with it as long as it remains reliable.
The 'extended' height is great for the winter snow, just as capable as our Range Rover on normal tyres.
Usually change a car every 4 years, but this is now 5yrs and 90k miles, we cant think of anything else to change it to so will stick with it as long as it remains reliable.
The 'extended' height is great for the winter snow, just as capable as our Range Rover on normal tyres.
Not sure what year Allroad you are considering but I know someone who had a first gen A6 one 2.5l diesel, manual box. Was a lovely car but threw some pretty steep bills for the air suspension and clutch. It also had an intermittant fault where the engine would just die, loads of money spent on fuel pumps, etc but no better. One breakdown got recovered to dealer and just dumped in their driveway blocking everything in, when challenged he threw the keys at them and walked off.
He now drives an old Volvo with starship mileage that is an economic right off if new pads are fitted as The allroad turned him into an Audi (dealer) hater and nothing will make him have another Audi.
He now drives an old Volvo with starship mileage that is an economic right off if new pads are fitted as The allroad turned him into an Audi (dealer) hater and nothing will make him have another Audi.
Had a 3.0tdi allroad auto a few years back. Great car, as said the suspension was slow to change heights manually but it was big, comfortable, practical and unstoppable on the slippy stuff plus had a reasonable turn of speed.
Not particularly economical for a diesel at around 25mpg, weight maybe the killer there though? as my brother-in-law has an A5 3.0tdi Quattro that is a fair bit better on the fuel consumption front.
Not particularly economical for a diesel at around 25mpg, weight maybe the killer there though? as my brother-in-law has an A5 3.0tdi Quattro that is a fair bit better on the fuel consumption front.
catso said:
Had a 3.0tdi allroad auto a few years back. Great car, as said the suspension was slow to change heights manually but it was big, comfortable, practical and unstoppable on the slippy stuff plus had a reasonable turn of speed.
Not particularly economical for a diesel at around 25mpg, weight maybe the killer there though? as my brother-in-law has an A5 3.0tdi Quattro that is a fair bit better on the fuel consumption front.
I had a 2014 A6 allroad while the wife's S4 was in for servicing for the day, averaged 45mpg on the motorway, I was impressed as the most I have had out of the 2.0tdi's was about 36mpg. The biggest improvement for me was the suspension, I am getting this in my next car wonderful ride!Not particularly economical for a diesel at around 25mpg, weight maybe the killer there though? as my brother-in-law has an A5 3.0tdi Quattro that is a fair bit better on the fuel consumption front.
gottans said:
Not sure what year Allroad you are considering but I know someone who had a first gen A6 one 2.5l diesel, manual box. Was a lovely car but threw some pretty steep bills for the air suspension and clutch. It also had an intermittant fault where the engine would just die, loads of money spent on fuel pumps, etc but no better. One breakdown got recovered to dealer and just dumped in their driveway blocking everything in, when challenged he threw the keys at them and walked off.
He now drives an old Volvo with starship mileage that is an economic right off if new pads are fitted as The allroad turned him into an Audi (dealer) hater and nothing will make him have another Audi.
"Audi's A6 Allroad is the most unreliable 4x4 on the road"He now drives an old Volvo with starship mileage that is an economic right off if new pads are fitted as The allroad turned him into an Audi (dealer) hater and nothing will make him have another Audi.
http://www.gizmag.com/the-top-10-most-and-least-re...
I guess OP refers to newer version.
And how comes a XF estate is too expensive as it is priced right in that range ???
lemonslap said:
I had a 2014 A6 allroad while the wife's S4 was in for servicing for the day, averaged 45mpg on the motorway, I was impressed as the most I have had out of the 2.0tdi's was about 36mpg. The biggest improvement for me was the suspension, I am getting this in my next car wonderful ride!
Maybe the way I drive? 
but the average (according to the trip computer) was around 25mpg, unless the new ones are better? (mine was a 2007). Always surprises me that my brother-in-law's A5 with (I assume) the same engine, does (at least he claims) in the 40's...
tali1 said:
gottans said:
Not sure what year Allroad you are considering but I know someone who had a first gen A6 one 2.5l diesel, manual box. Was a lovely car but threw some pretty steep bills for the air suspension and clutch. It also had an intermittant fault where the engine would just die, loads of money spent on fuel pumps, etc but no better. One breakdown got recovered to dealer and just dumped in their driveway blocking everything in, when challenged he threw the keys at them and walked off.
He now drives an old Volvo with starship mileage that is an economic right off if new pads are fitted as The allroad turned him into an Audi (dealer) hater and nothing will make him have another Audi.
"Audi's A6 Allroad is the most unreliable 4x4 on the road"He now drives an old Volvo with starship mileage that is an economic right off if new pads are fitted as The allroad turned him into an Audi (dealer) hater and nothing will make him have another Audi.
http://www.gizmag.com/the-top-10-most-and-least-re...
I guess OP refers to newer version.
And how comes a XF estate is too expensive as it is priced right in that range ???
They seem to have both of those sorted out for the second gen; the 3.0tdi's main weak point is the manifold flaps. (Although mine were fine on 150k)
I had a 3.0tdi mk2 Allroad from 100k to 150k over about 20 months, and loved it. The ride in comfort mode was really pretty good, the engine strong and economical, and it was very well equipped. In dynamic mode it did firm up, but didn't exactly make it a fun drive. Safe & quick, but not really fun.
I do question Audi's long life service schedule... Mine was showing signs of engine wear (lots of blue smoke under load after idling for a while) at 150k, but no other problems save for roll bar bushes.
Managed up to 44mpg, even managed 39mpg while towing an mx5 200 miles. This seemed to drop during my ownership as shortly before moving it on I'd struggle to see 30mpg with only a light kit car & trailer, or 40mpg when travelling empty. Perhaps the engine wear affected it? (Also, I'm sure I was towing a few mph quicker.)
I wish the subsequent replacement BMW 535d was half as reliable, comfortable and well equipped! - I seem to have lost the 100k car lottery this time.
I am now running an a6 allroad and am loving the super comfortable ride and performance of my twin turbo 2.7 petrol. This is the first generation model and the I bought from a 1st owner with a mountain of receipts. They had spent a pretty penny on it but that said theres almost nothing I have traveled in that comes close to it for comfort and its proper quick too.
Fuel consumption is painful. Appreciate the original post is historic and wonder where you put you your money?
Fuel consumption is painful. Appreciate the original post is historic and wonder where you put you your money?
Haven't put any money down yet. After several months of trying to get a test-drive of a 535D Touring without sports suspension, and an E350 estate without sports suspension - both to no avail - I'm no further forward. It's impossible to find any dealer who can source me the car I want to drive for an extended test-drive.
So far the AllRoad A6 is miles ahead of what I have tried (E350 saloon, which will probably not be much different to the estate) and the C350. Haven't tried any Beemers yet though.
So far the AllRoad A6 is miles ahead of what I have tried (E350 saloon, which will probably not be much different to the estate) and the C350. Haven't tried any Beemers yet though.
I may be able to enlighten you in this respect. I cannot comment on the merc 350, however, I bought An Allroad mk2 version 15 months ago. I purposely bought it for the ride control as i had owned a previous generation A6 Avant and my only complaint during its tenure was the harsh ride quality - and i prefer a firmer ride!
I find 'comfort' irons out the bumps nicely on our rubbish roads without undue wallow on the corners, firm does a reasonable job of controlling near 2 tons for rapid progress, and auto changes settings depending on road conditions. Of course theres the height control to play with too.
The suspension will be costly if it goes wrong but is much better than earlier versions for reliability, just make sure its quiet when raising and levels out when stationary. Its heavy on ARB bushes & links but these are cheap.
A friend has a 535 estate I was in over the weekend and although the ride is pretty good even on run-flats as standard, it may be on the firm side for your wife's condition. Also seats wern't as adjustable or comfortable as the Allroad and interior isn't as nice. Both auto boxes work equally well. The Audi 3.0 tdi works very well with tiptronic box.
I expect work will be pleasant but you will lose on the adjustability the allroad provides - its a class machine and I hate diesels.
I find 'comfort' irons out the bumps nicely on our rubbish roads without undue wallow on the corners, firm does a reasonable job of controlling near 2 tons for rapid progress, and auto changes settings depending on road conditions. Of course theres the height control to play with too.
The suspension will be costly if it goes wrong but is much better than earlier versions for reliability, just make sure its quiet when raising and levels out when stationary. Its heavy on ARB bushes & links but these are cheap.
A friend has a 535 estate I was in over the weekend and although the ride is pretty good even on run-flats as standard, it may be on the firm side for your wife's condition. Also seats wern't as adjustable or comfortable as the Allroad and interior isn't as nice. Both auto boxes work equally well. The Audi 3.0 tdi works very well with tiptronic box.
I expect work will be pleasant but you will lose on the adjustability the allroad provides - its a class machine and I hate diesels.
I bought a new Allroad biTdi in Dec and have done 4000 miles. Had lots of cars, this replaced a Rangie. It's brilliant!
Seriously fast, 40 mpg on a run, great comfortable in comfort and sporty in dynamic. Mine has loads of toys. I didn't spec it so got a great deal.
I test drove the Merc 350 est but found it too old mannish and lack of 4 wheel drive was a serious problem for me.
Only problem with Allroad is it's not huge in the back.
So there you have it, thoroughly recommended.
Stop press, had it chipped, wow, midrange clout is something else. Just need to get my licence back which I lost in France at the weekend! 200kph = €750 fine!
Seriously fast, 40 mpg on a run, great comfortable in comfort and sporty in dynamic. Mine has loads of toys. I didn't spec it so got a great deal.
I test drove the Merc 350 est but found it too old mannish and lack of 4 wheel drive was a serious problem for me.
Only problem with Allroad is it's not huge in the back.
So there you have it, thoroughly recommended.
Stop press, had it chipped, wow, midrange clout is something else. Just need to get my licence back which I lost in France at the weekend! 200kph = €750 fine!
I ran a Gen 1 Allroad 2.5TDI for four years. Very reliable and comfortable on long hauls.
We need a load lugger so changed to a Mercedes E-Class 250CDI SE. I'm not a fan as the ride is too soft for me. But SWMBO, who hates spots suspension, loves it. IT does cope with speed bumps and pot holes rather well.
We need a load lugger so changed to a Mercedes E-Class 250CDI SE. I'm not a fan as the ride is too soft for me. But SWMBO, who hates spots suspension, loves it. IT does cope with speed bumps and pot holes rather well.
Thanks for all the feedback and updates. To respond to a few:
Skoda Superb - I had a look at these, but while they're good value for money, it's easy to see why. The interior just looks cheap.
I hoped that since most of the switchgear is shared with the VW/Audi range, they'd be comparable, but the experience of the A6 cockpit versus the Skoda is another world. Perhaps that's the snob in me, but if I'm going to have the car for the next 10+ years, I want somewhere I enjoy being.
Re: the E350 being too old-mannish, I'm less worried about that, as I'm already an old man.
AudiDoody - interesting to hear from somebody who's actually owned both. The implication is that the E CDI SE (without sports shocks) is a lot more comfortable than the Allroad? If so, that might be the winner. If only I could find one to bloody test drive.
Biggest question is that of affordability; if we end up buying in the next few months, the E350 may edge it out (assuming the comfort is comparable) because they're just cheaper. The C6/Mk2 Allroad is nice, but if I'm going to lay out the cash I'd much prefer the C7 version - the styling is infinitely better, and I like the interior more. But the C7 is about 5-8k over-budget right now, whereas by the end of 2015 it may be nearer what I want to pay.
It all depends on whether I can ever find a dealer who has a non-sport-suspension E350 or 535 touring that I can get a proper test drive for more and 20 minutes around the block. The whole thing is incredibly frustrating.
Skoda Superb - I had a look at these, but while they're good value for money, it's easy to see why. The interior just looks cheap.
I hoped that since most of the switchgear is shared with the VW/Audi range, they'd be comparable, but the experience of the A6 cockpit versus the Skoda is another world. Perhaps that's the snob in me, but if I'm going to have the car for the next 10+ years, I want somewhere I enjoy being. Re: the E350 being too old-mannish, I'm less worried about that, as I'm already an old man.
AudiDoody - interesting to hear from somebody who's actually owned both. The implication is that the E CDI SE (without sports shocks) is a lot more comfortable than the Allroad? If so, that might be the winner. If only I could find one to bloody test drive.
Biggest question is that of affordability; if we end up buying in the next few months, the E350 may edge it out (assuming the comfort is comparable) because they're just cheaper. The C6/Mk2 Allroad is nice, but if I'm going to lay out the cash I'd much prefer the C7 version - the styling is infinitely better, and I like the interior more. But the C7 is about 5-8k over-budget right now, whereas by the end of 2015 it may be nearer what I want to pay.
It all depends on whether I can ever find a dealer who has a non-sport-suspension E350 or 535 touring that I can get a proper test drive for more and 20 minutes around the block. The whole thing is incredibly frustrating.
This might seem like a flippant comment, but have you tried a car with smaller alloys?
When we had our 530d Touring (E61) M Sport the ride comfort was appalling on sports shocks, and 18" alloys with RF tyres.
But, after getting stuck in snow, I invested in some 16" alloys and non-RF winter tyres. The difference was like night and day.
The same is true of my current A6 3.0TDi Le Mans. It's crashy on the standard 19" alloys, but the 17" winter wheels and tyres make a load of difference.
What I would say is that you're never likely to get a sporty drive from an Audi. Fast, yes, but not delicate and balanced in the way BMW is.
I've never driven a Merc as I don't like their image, so I can't comment on how they are to drive.
When we had our 530d Touring (E61) M Sport the ride comfort was appalling on sports shocks, and 18" alloys with RF tyres.
But, after getting stuck in snow, I invested in some 16" alloys and non-RF winter tyres. The difference was like night and day.
The same is true of my current A6 3.0TDi Le Mans. It's crashy on the standard 19" alloys, but the 17" winter wheels and tyres make a load of difference.
What I would say is that you're never likely to get a sporty drive from an Audi. Fast, yes, but not delicate and balanced in the way BMW is.
I've never driven a Merc as I don't like their image, so I can't comment on how they are to drive.
I've had both an E350 and a 535D (both estates) and the Mercedes had, by a massive margin, a much better ride quality. It was also better built, more reliable and more economical. The BMW handles better and had a little more urge but that was it.
The Mercedes was genuinely an epic mile-muncher that consumed my rather ragged family with ease!
The Mercedes was genuinely an epic mile-muncher that consumed my rather ragged family with ease!
Yes, definitely looking at smaller alloys, and most of the conversations I've had with dealers have been to talk about not just non-sport suspension, but also options with 17" alloys. That definitely seems the way to go.
Re: your 535 tale, though, how much of the difference was due to the run-flats, and how much due to the alloy size?
As for a 'sporty drive', I'm not so concerned about that. If I can get something that'll press on nicely, great. But whatever we buy, the requirements of supremely comfortable ride quality versus driver engagement are diametrically opposed, so I'm not worried about the latter. Of course, if there's an option to liven it up a bit, great (e.g., when I tried the 3.0L bi-turbo A6 Allroad, in sports mode it was interesting enough) but I'm well aware it's never going to be an Elise.
That said, I got most of that urge out of my system with a Prodrive Impreza and Type-R STi back in the late 90s, so nowadays I'm much more enthusiastic for the powerful whoosh of a luxo-barge.
Re: your 535 tale, though, how much of the difference was due to the run-flats, and how much due to the alloy size?
As for a 'sporty drive', I'm not so concerned about that. If I can get something that'll press on nicely, great. But whatever we buy, the requirements of supremely comfortable ride quality versus driver engagement are diametrically opposed, so I'm not worried about the latter. Of course, if there's an option to liven it up a bit, great (e.g., when I tried the 3.0L bi-turbo A6 Allroad, in sports mode it was interesting enough) but I'm well aware it's never going to be an Elise.
That said, I got most of that urge out of my system with a Prodrive Impreza and Type-R STi back in the late 90s, so nowadays I'm much more enthusiastic for the powerful whoosh of a luxo-barge. Gassing Station | Audi, Seat, Skoda & VW | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff