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!
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.
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.
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. legless said:
I work for VW Group UK. I'm not exaggerating when I say that the A6 Allroad BiTDI is currently the best car in the group (at least, by my standards). I rate it higher than the RS models as an ownership prospect.
You would say that. Yeah, have to say, having driven the 3.0 bi-turbo monster, it's a very nice, very rapid and very spacious and practical car.
Main question is affordability. Don't suppose you can find me a 3.0L 2012-plater, in Silver or Black, with about 25K on the clock, coming in at about £22-24k? If so, I'll be round to your dealership tomorrow to ensure you get the commission.
Yeah, I knew what you meant about the group. Outside the group, what would you consider as an alternative?
Thanks for the info though, didn't realise 2015 was facelift year. That's great - means that if I hold out until the autumn, I should be able to get a used model similar to the one I drove in November for a reasonable price, as you say.
Thanks for the info though, didn't realise 2015 was facelift year. That's great - means that if I hold out until the autumn, I should be able to get a used model similar to the one I drove in November for a reasonable price, as you say.
Yeah, I need to look at the Sportbrake, as I've had a few recommendations that it's good. Not sure if it's roomy enough though, and the prices seem high for a used one (probably because they're rare). I liked my X-type a few years back though, and the comfort was good.
SUVs aren't really an option, mainly because my wife can't climb into a tall car - otherwise an Audi Q or a Tourag definitely seems to be top of the comfort list. Also, SUVs are ridiculous for driving on the road and I always think people who drive them are Muppets. :-D
So it's still looking like a two horse race between the Allroad and E350 - and the face-lift price adjustment factor this year could push the balance Audi's way.
SUVs aren't really an option, mainly because my wife can't climb into a tall car - otherwise an Audi Q or a Tourag definitely seems to be top of the comfort list. Also, SUVs are ridiculous for driving on the road and I always think people who drive them are Muppets. :-D
So it's still looking like a two horse race between the Allroad and E350 - and the face-lift price adjustment factor this year could push the balance Audi's way.
Edited by AllotmentChap on Sunday 1st March 12:04
Another question for you guys.... anyone driven both the 245ps and 204ps versions of the 3.0TDi A6 Allroad? If so, opinions on the difference, real-world? I'm not worried about top-end, my speeding days are long gone and I don't really drive in EU much. More interested to know if there's a real-world difference between them while pressing on along country roads.
Also, I've read that the 204PS version is just a de-tuned version of the 245PS engine, and can be reasonably easily remapped back up to 245PS. Is this chipping company nonsense, or is there something to it?
Also, I've read that the 204PS version is just a de-tuned version of the 245PS engine, and can be reasonably easily remapped back up to 245PS. Is this chipping company nonsense, or is there something to it?
Quick question for any of you AllRoad owners out there... have you used/tried the MMI Connect smartphone app for music, satnav destination setting etc? Any good? Reviews in the Google appstore imply that it doesn't work well and is a bit of a shambles. Be interested to hear any experiences people have had.
So, just to update the thread, I finally got a test drive of a C350 SE, E350 SE, 530D SE and an Allroad this weekend. The E and 530 were saloons, but enough to tell me what the ride was going to be like. In summary: C class was bloody awful - far to harsh for an Elegance. The E was better, very plush. The Beemer totally surprised me and was better than the E class, and a very nice drive - I nearly ordered a 2011 535D SE touring that the dealer had on the spot. But the Allroad, in comfort mode, wafted them all away - it absorbed bumps better and gave a smoother ride (eg over cats eyes, pot holes etc) and in Allroad jacked-up mode was even more smooth. So we're going for the Audi.
Will be getting a silver 2012/13 245PS model, and just need to find the right car now.
One dilemma left - and I'm sure this will result in religious war... Do I go for a car with privacy glass or not? :-)
Will be getting a silver 2012/13 245PS model, and just need to find the right car now.
One dilemma left - and I'm sure this will result in religious war... Do I go for a car with privacy glass or not? :-)
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