A6 Allroad 3.0 - Any views?
Discussion
My early Range Rover Sport is now ready to be changed and much as I love it, not convinced I want to shell out the whopping sum needed to make a sensible upgrade to a newer one.
I usually buy at about 4/5 years old and have been looking at the Allroad, attracted by the adjustable ride height, load space and rear seat legroom. I pull two trailers, both when loaded around the 1700kg mark. c£15k seems to be the start point for a fairly decent 2010 example with around 60,000 miles covered.
Don't use all the 4wd gadgets the RRS has to offer but like the extra grip if needed.
Realise it's a different animal from what I'm going to change, any good/bad views on this option would be gratefully received.
I usually buy at about 4/5 years old and have been looking at the Allroad, attracted by the adjustable ride height, load space and rear seat legroom. I pull two trailers, both when loaded around the 1700kg mark. c£15k seems to be the start point for a fairly decent 2010 example with around 60,000 miles covered.
Don't use all the 4wd gadgets the RRS has to offer but like the extra grip if needed.
Realise it's a different animal from what I'm going to change, any good/bad views on this option would be gratefully received.
Well 2010 is the approx. change from the C6 to C7 model year. I have owned a C6 Allroad 3.0 for approx. 2 years.
Its not going to do offroad as well as the rangey, but most don't in reality if on road is your main thing the suspension adjustable ride height & damper adjustment is more than sufficient for most conditions with 5x adjustments. Will be much quicker & sure footed in handling stakes than the rangey on road.
Engine will tow well & its very torquey. Road tax is expensive esp with the tiptronic box but its usaually always specced & quite strong with good paddle override. Engines last well & take high miles, V6 generally reliable too, cheap to maintain through a good indy but I guess suspension will be expensive when it does go wrong (but no more than the rangey) just check no nasty noises from motor when height being raised & that it all levels out. Ride on 19" wheels is okay & doesn't give that high rolling farmer look either whereas smaller wheels will.
I can't comment on the C7 model but I imagine its similar but improved from comments I've read.
Its not going to do offroad as well as the rangey, but most don't in reality if on road is your main thing the suspension adjustable ride height & damper adjustment is more than sufficient for most conditions with 5x adjustments. Will be much quicker & sure footed in handling stakes than the rangey on road.
Engine will tow well & its very torquey. Road tax is expensive esp with the tiptronic box but its usaually always specced & quite strong with good paddle override. Engines last well & take high miles, V6 generally reliable too, cheap to maintain through a good indy but I guess suspension will be expensive when it does go wrong (but no more than the rangey) just check no nasty noises from motor when height being raised & that it all levels out. Ride on 19" wheels is okay & doesn't give that high rolling farmer look either whereas smaller wheels will.
I can't comment on the C7 model but I imagine its similar but improved from comments I've read.
We have had ours from new, a late 2009 (2101 model) 3.0 tiptronic.
It also replaced a RR sport (supercharged) and have had no regrets at all. Just as comfortable, far more reliable and plenty of room inside. Used a few times for a horse trailer wit no problems and very good in the snow.
It has averaged about 36mpg over 100k miles mainly as the wifes car for commuting and is still surprisingly quick, just as much so as the 4.2 s/c. The adjustable suspension is a great feature. From late 2009 the road tax came down when the cars were fitted with DPF, spotted by the 'straight' exhaust tips rather than the 'bent down' tips. Just taxed this week for the next year at £278 ish.
We usually change cars every 4 years, but kept this longer because we could not think of a better replacement.
It will be for sale very shortly, wife wants an RS3 now kids have grown up and gone to uni, we just dont need all the extra space.
It also replaced a RR sport (supercharged) and have had no regrets at all. Just as comfortable, far more reliable and plenty of room inside. Used a few times for a horse trailer wit no problems and very good in the snow.
It has averaged about 36mpg over 100k miles mainly as the wifes car for commuting and is still surprisingly quick, just as much so as the 4.2 s/c. The adjustable suspension is a great feature. From late 2009 the road tax came down when the cars were fitted with DPF, spotted by the 'straight' exhaust tips rather than the 'bent down' tips. Just taxed this week for the next year at £278 ish.
We usually change cars every 4 years, but kept this longer because we could not think of a better replacement.
It will be for sale very shortly, wife wants an RS3 now kids have grown up and gone to uni, we just dont need all the extra space.
For us 4 wheel drive was a bonus, we also had a defender for towing/winter, but
We also looked at a Subaru legacy, but thought the interior was just a bit cheap/plasticy?
Other option was a 5 series estate, but no 4 wheel drive and dealers were less than helpful when trying to buy one. Didnt look at Merc, wife did not like the look of them.
Had looked at Volvo in the past, but the engine just did not give the performance we wanted (In diesel), the Audi seemed the best for us. Only warranty claim was a starter motor, disc/pads lasted to 84k miles and servicing around 17k miles, so not expensive to run.
We also looked at a Subaru legacy, but thought the interior was just a bit cheap/plasticy?
Other option was a 5 series estate, but no 4 wheel drive and dealers were less than helpful when trying to buy one. Didnt look at Merc, wife did not like the look of them.
Had looked at Volvo in the past, but the engine just did not give the performance we wanted (In diesel), the Audi seemed the best for us. Only warranty claim was a starter motor, disc/pads lasted to 84k miles and servicing around 17k miles, so not expensive to run.
I have the Audi A6 3.0L TDI Quattro, Its not the allroad, but still 4 wheel drive. It doesn't have the plastic wheel arch covers and also doesn't have the adjustable ride height. But do you actually need it? Its a great car and the 4 wheel drive is excellent in wet and ice!
Could save yourself a bit of cash.
Could save yourself a bit of cash.
LFB531 said:
Thanks very much, really helpful.
Out of interest, did either of you consider anything else when you bought? I can only think of the XC70 Volvo and the Subaru Legacy as being remotely similar to the A6 in concept/size.
There are a couple of the Subaru legacy's in the family & they just don't compare to the Audi in most ways - competent machines but suspension is fixed so road holding is compromised in the upright position. I personally wouldn't consider the Volvo having had a V70 estate as a company car previously, also ride is fixed high on that too.Out of interest, did either of you consider anything else when you bought? I can only think of the XC70 Volvo and the Subaru Legacy as being remotely similar to the A6 in concept/size.
I had an A6 Avant previously and my only criticism was the ride quality being over firm & crashy which is why I bought the Allroad as a solution. They don't have to look like farmer giles with colour coded body trim & larger alloys. Offroad or not, the suspension is a big plus & I'm always adjusting mine depending on road type, purpose, and fun factor required on any specific trip, much better than stnd model for ride & build quality improved.
Final point on previous comment is that mine has a DPF but also has £450 road tax - having said that its the cost of an extra couple of tanks of fuel per year! So chose carefully which year if you wish to avoid higher rate- 2009/10.
If you're looking at a 2010 car the RFL should be £300 odd which isn't too painful; even at £500 for an earlier car it's a pain but look at how much car you're getting for the cash.
Everything that's good about the A6 but with a lovely, insulating ride. I even prefer the way they look (compared to regular A6).
A6 faults are well documented around here but have a good play with the suspension and make sure it behaves without bangs or sagging. It's generally a very reliable system but parts from Audi are expensive. Someone like Air Suspension Shop can supply OE bits for less money, luckily.
I far prefer them with the plastic nappy colour-coded; don't be turned off a car that doesn't have this. It isn't expensive or difficult for a bodyshop to sort.
Everything that's good about the A6 but with a lovely, insulating ride. I even prefer the way they look (compared to regular A6).
A6 faults are well documented around here but have a good play with the suspension and make sure it behaves without bangs or sagging. It's generally a very reliable system but parts from Audi are expensive. Someone like Air Suspension Shop can supply OE bits for less money, luckily.
I far prefer them with the plastic nappy colour-coded; don't be turned off a car that doesn't have this. It isn't expensive or difficult for a bodyshop to sort.
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