Audi A6 Allroad 06 onwards general advice
Discussion
Hi guys, can any of the more informed give me any advice about the 2006 onwards A6 allroad? I've been looking for a 3.0tdi manual/tip estate either A4 or A6 and I came across a very we'll specced 2007 A6 allroad. I've heard of the horror stories with the all-roads suspension but I've done a search and it would appear that it affected the previous version. Is this correct or does this version also suffer very expensive faults? I've also noticed the car appears to have rear led lamps but not on the front, is this normal? I know they did a minor facelift in 2008 (which is about the extent of my knowledge), which gave better mpg and cheaper tax from the 3.0tdi but apart from this engine was there cosmetic changes inside and outside the car? I have also been told there was a solar panel in the roof as some form of option! Any help much appreciated as usual...
The facelift is best noticed on the sedan models, and there were cosmetic changes the facelift has LEDs as day running lights and the rear on the avant models looks the same to me, but the sedans have LEDs and the pre facelift models have a silver ish line that connects the tail lights and thats all that ive noticed here is a picture of a pre facelift sedan (And ive seen solar panels on RS6 models)
Edited by Maxem888 on Wednesday 19th November 20:28
One way of spotting a facelift is that it appears to be badged TDI, with a Quattro badge underneath, whereas the prefacelift has the engine size as well as Quattro underneath 
IIRC the facelifted regular A6 also gained the 240ps engine, as opposed to the 233ps. Not sure if this is the case with the Allroad.
Dr G is the man for all things A6.
IIRC the facelifted regular A6 also gained the 240ps engine, as opposed to the 233ps. Not sure if this is the case with the Allroad.
Dr G is the man for all things A6.
Freedomfighter said:
Thanks guys- any idea of reliability issues?
My 2008 3.0TDI had the cooling fans pack up, the fans alone cost £900. The rear wiper also stopped working. And a new battery. The size of the car was one of the most costly things....people kept knocking it in car parks! Had 3 major scrapes in 2 years, it fills a parking space quite well.
There was 76k on it when we sold it.
My cooling fans were changed by Audi under a recall.
The rear diff went not long after buying it. The previous owner had four different tyres on it so I expected problems and factored that into the price I paid. It was done by a third party warranty company.
The parking sensors sometimes throw a paddy and the fuel level has sometimes stopped working for a week. Otherwise mine has been completely reliable for 5 years and 55,000 miles.
The rear diff went not long after buying it. The previous owner had four different tyres on it so I expected problems and factored that into the price I paid. It was done by a third party warranty company.
The parking sensors sometimes throw a paddy and the fuel level has sometimes stopped working for a week. Otherwise mine has been completely reliable for 5 years and 55,000 miles.
I realise this is posted some time after the OP question. If it helps...
I purchased an Allroad reg 09 (2008) model just 14 months ago & so far pretty pleased with it after owning a C5 V6 A6 previously. I too had worries over the air suspension but so far all okay & makes a huge improvement in ride quality even on 19's over non A/R & C5 versions. Most suspension issues affected the previous version, it has been redesigned for C6, but may also be because they are newer. Check compressor is quiet on o/s front arch when lifting.
I decided to replace ARB bushes & had full alignment done when new, plus changed the gearbox oil on mine at 70k to ensure longevity - not cheap but worth while longterm. Since then just normal servicing which is reasonable at an Indy.
There is a lot to go wrong electronically as they are usually fully loaded, and if it does go it will be costly, but no differnet to many other newer cars in this respect, but when its working its a great all round package. Test drove several 5 series etc but i felt A6 was superior in many ways.
Unfortunately mine must have missed out on the modified engine so its in a higher tax bracket which annoys me for 2 CO2's. For a diesel (which i hate) 3.0 is pretty good with superb torque & power & nice V6 grumble when pressing on with no clatter inside the car. Tiptronic box works well with engine & has 5 different gear settings to choose from if you get bored. Paddles work well.
In respect to body damage - yes its a big car but smaller than Q5 Q7 & the allroad does have the plastic guards over the exposed panels which protect the vulnerable areas my previous A6 sustained damage. If you choose a good colour you can blend away the AR trim if its an issue.
I purchased an Allroad reg 09 (2008) model just 14 months ago & so far pretty pleased with it after owning a C5 V6 A6 previously. I too had worries over the air suspension but so far all okay & makes a huge improvement in ride quality even on 19's over non A/R & C5 versions. Most suspension issues affected the previous version, it has been redesigned for C6, but may also be because they are newer. Check compressor is quiet on o/s front arch when lifting.
I decided to replace ARB bushes & had full alignment done when new, plus changed the gearbox oil on mine at 70k to ensure longevity - not cheap but worth while longterm. Since then just normal servicing which is reasonable at an Indy.
There is a lot to go wrong electronically as they are usually fully loaded, and if it does go it will be costly, but no differnet to many other newer cars in this respect, but when its working its a great all round package. Test drove several 5 series etc but i felt A6 was superior in many ways.
Unfortunately mine must have missed out on the modified engine so its in a higher tax bracket which annoys me for 2 CO2's. For a diesel (which i hate) 3.0 is pretty good with superb torque & power & nice V6 grumble when pressing on with no clatter inside the car. Tiptronic box works well with engine & has 5 different gear settings to choose from if you get bored. Paddles work well.
In respect to body damage - yes its a big car but smaller than Q5 Q7 & the allroad does have the plastic guards over the exposed panels which protect the vulnerable areas my previous A6 sustained damage. If you choose a good colour you can blend away the AR trim if its an issue.
Air suspension been no problem for me,it's an 08 with 65k miles.
I've had 3 issues.
1) manifolds
2) central information screen(between speedo and rev counter) does not come on until car is warm
3) the 'chrome' surrounds go milky white
All 3 are common issues.
The air suspension will go at some point ,but it makes the car into a fine riding machine .
I've had 3 issues.
1) manifolds
2) central information screen(between speedo and rev counter) does not come on until car is warm
3) the 'chrome' surrounds go milky white
All 3 are common issues.
The air suspension will go at some point ,but it makes the car into a fine riding machine .
franki68 said:
Air suspension been no problem for me,it's an 08 with 65k miles.
I've had 3 issues.
1) manifolds
2) central information screen(between speedo and rev counter) does not come on until car is warm
3) the 'chrome' surrounds go milky white
I'd be interested in more details ie issue with manifolds & what chrome surrounds?I've had 3 issues.
1) manifolds
2) central information screen(between speedo and rev counter) does not come on until car is warm
3) the 'chrome' surrounds go milky white
There's a little rocker arm that operates the manifold flaps (variable length inlet manifold) notorious for breaking. Very rare they can't be repaired with the newer parts, bank on about £300 all in for both sides from a specialist. Audi normally quote for whole new manifolds.
Air suspension is generally reliable but fixing the rare faults can be expensive. Make sure it all works, doesn't feel overly bouncy and doesn't sag or lean when left. Parts prices from air suspension shop in Germany are just over half what Audi charge.
EDIT: Have a good read of the recent A6 threads too, there's been a lot of great info and accounts from long term owners.
Air suspension is generally reliable but fixing the rare faults can be expensive. Make sure it all works, doesn't feel overly bouncy and doesn't sag or lean when left. Parts prices from air suspension shop in Germany are just over half what Audi charge.
EDIT: Have a good read of the recent A6 threads too, there's been a lot of great info and accounts from long term owners.
SO it seems like, unless you're unlucky with the air ride, most problems are common A6 problems or Audi engine problems rather than specific to the Allroad?
This could be good news for me as I've always fancied the idea of one. The one advantage it has over and above our Current A6 is the ride height. Our is constantly bottoming out on speed bumps, people's drives and even the most basic of farm tracks.
Plus, I actually like the idea of the plastic wheel arches and bumpers as the wife and/or random strangers have managed to hit the rear bumper, the front bumper and the rear wheel arch. All causing significant scratching.
This could be good news for me as I've always fancied the idea of one. The one advantage it has over and above our Current A6 is the ride height. Our is constantly bottoming out on speed bumps, people's drives and even the most basic of farm tracks.
Plus, I actually like the idea of the plastic wheel arches and bumpers as the wife and/or random strangers have managed to hit the rear bumper, the front bumper and the rear wheel arch. All causing significant scratching.
I keep looking at these myself, but there's a few snags to finding one that just can't persuade me to swap one A6 for another.
Nice ones attract a fairly big price premium over other A6 models. As lots of them were individual purchases rather than fleet, quite a lot have very weird poverty specs - 2.7, MMI Low, pale green paint with beige cloth seats and carpet? Not a good look for them. I can almost hear the conversation in the dealer - "Bose? Bluetooth? Satnav? Do you think I'm made of money???"
Thanks to the CO2 tax, slightly newer ones (2008ish) are in the ripoff-tax bands.
Me? I keep browsing them, but I just can't justify spending £5k to swap my minty A6 lemans for an Allroad the same age and a poorer spec, it would be cheaper to buy smaller wheels and softer springs.
I reckon I'll hang onto it until there are more C7 versions on the market.
Nice ones attract a fairly big price premium over other A6 models. As lots of them were individual purchases rather than fleet, quite a lot have very weird poverty specs - 2.7, MMI Low, pale green paint with beige cloth seats and carpet? Not a good look for them. I can almost hear the conversation in the dealer - "Bose? Bluetooth? Satnav? Do you think I'm made of money???"
Thanks to the CO2 tax, slightly newer ones (2008ish) are in the ripoff-tax bands.
Me? I keep browsing them, but I just can't justify spending £5k to swap my minty A6 lemans for an Allroad the same age and a poorer spec, it would be cheaper to buy smaller wheels and softer springs.
I reckon I'll hang onto it until there are more C7 versions on the market.shtu said:
I keep looking at these myself, but there's a few snags to finding one that just can't persuade me to swap one A6 for another.
Nice ones attract a fairly big price premium over other A6 models. As lots of them were individual purchases rather than fleet, quite a lot have very weird poverty specs - 2.7, MMI Low, pale green paint with beige cloth seats and carpet? Not a good look for them. I can almost hear the conversation in the dealer - "Bose? Bluetooth? Satnav? Do you think I'm made of money???"
Thanks to the CO2 tax, slightly newer ones (2008ish) are in the ripoff-tax bands.
Me? I keep browsing them, but I just can't justify spending £5k to swap my minty A6 lemans for an Allroad the same age and a poorer spec, it would be cheaper to buy smaller wheels and softer springs. I reckon I'll hang onto it until there are more C7 versions on the market.
I'm actually finding the opposite. I've seen a few 80k-100k mile examples with HUGE spec. Too many I've seen though are pre facelift and therefore in the highest tax bracket. As for that green your talking about, I've recently seen one with so many options it was unreal including TV, solar powered sunroof, dab, rear airbags, 20inch alloys, electric memory seats, heated front and rear seats, the list went on and on and that green paint was iirc a £2k odd option. I do want one but would rather a face lift version with decent miles which I haven't come across from a private seller yet.Nice ones attract a fairly big price premium over other A6 models. As lots of them were individual purchases rather than fleet, quite a lot have very weird poverty specs - 2.7, MMI Low, pale green paint with beige cloth seats and carpet? Not a good look for them. I can almost hear the conversation in the dealer - "Bose? Bluetooth? Satnav? Do you think I'm made of money???"
Thanks to the CO2 tax, slightly newer ones (2008ish) are in the ripoff-tax bands.
Me? I keep browsing them, but I just can't justify spending £5k to swap my minty A6 lemans for an Allroad the same age and a poorer spec, it would be cheaper to buy smaller wheels and softer springs.
I reckon I'll hang onto it until there are more C7 versions on the market.Edited by Freedomfighter on Thursday 18th December 22:02
Andy JB said:
I'd be interested in more details ie issue with manifolds & what chrome surrounds?
The manifolds are known to go faulty,don't know what else to say ,had mine done very recently .The chrome bit is the surrounds to the windows,they get a milky white 'stain' which I'm so far at a loss to get rid of,tried the old wd40, etc.
It isn't noticable from a distance but close up it is.it will clean up a lot temporarily but comes back .
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