Allroad owners
Discussion
legacy4cam said:
Another one with some love for the C7 Allroad, mine is a 64 BiTDi , I've owned it for 5 yrs, done 55k miles and love it. It has had a wee wobble this month, needing an O2 sensor and a front height sensor.
Had a water pump under warranty which is common on the V6 TDis I believe.
Tip for anyone who looks after their own, check the link rods on the height sensors and in particular the lower ball and socket, mine were all seized or seizing and would have led to broken sensors... hopefully saved a bit by freeing off.
MIne had a few options, sports seats, pano roof, full paint, 19"s ( now my winters) , factory towbar, keyless entry...added up to £11k when new ! Ironically it doesn't have the extended interior lighting that my sons old C6 A6 has arrived with this week...
On the wheel front, the offset is shared with the A8, and wheels for these come up at more reasonable price than A6 stuff, or they did when i was looking for 20's.
I cannot see what the replacement option is, newer one ( now discontinued I believe??) , Merc E400 Alltrack?? , a S6 TDI with air option..??
If the reliability settles back down, I'll keep mine for a while I reckon. I do have a wee look for a late C7 allroad with comfort seats and minimal miles....but chances are slim!
Good thread.
Is it now behaving itself?Had a water pump under warranty which is common on the V6 TDis I believe.
Tip for anyone who looks after their own, check the link rods on the height sensors and in particular the lower ball and socket, mine were all seized or seizing and would have led to broken sensors... hopefully saved a bit by freeing off.
MIne had a few options, sports seats, pano roof, full paint, 19"s ( now my winters) , factory towbar, keyless entry...added up to £11k when new ! Ironically it doesn't have the extended interior lighting that my sons old C6 A6 has arrived with this week...
On the wheel front, the offset is shared with the A8, and wheels for these come up at more reasonable price than A6 stuff, or they did when i was looking for 20's.
I cannot see what the replacement option is, newer one ( now discontinued I believe??) , Merc E400 Alltrack?? , a S6 TDI with air option..??
If the reliability settles back down, I'll keep mine for a while I reckon. I do have a wee look for a late C7 allroad with comfort seats and minimal miles....but chances are slim!
Good thread.
Searider said:
Now you’ve sorted a few things how is it generally? My budget is likely to dictate a higher mileage one. I’ve had olde4 high mileage Audis before (B5 S4s) and they felt well screwed together, better than the C6 A6 I had.
I just had it serviced this week and also planned on changing the top two suspension arms on the front left, however due to VAG's wonderful suspension design, the pinch bolt snapped 
therefore, I have now had to order a whole new hub knuckle part and bolt kit as there is no way of removing the snapped pinch bolt. TPS wanted £500 odd plus VAT for the part 
However, I managed to source one for £200 which was a lot more than I had planned, in order to change two bloody suspension arms.......... Hopefully have the car back next week and I hope to spend no more money on it for quite sometime!!!
It is the same with any older complex German car, things wear out and they are a pain in the ass to remedy
Would I recommend one even after all this spend recently? I would say yes, as there is very little which competes with the BiTDI's in Allroad format for the price on the used market. I think if you do end up getting one, go for the highest spec and make sure it has decent history, and keep some money set aside as it will require something either way. When you test drive them, look at the condition of the brakes and really test the suspension for any rattles or issues with the different ride height modes.
gmackay2 said:
Searider said:
Now you’ve sorted a few things how is it generally? My budget is likely to dictate a higher mileage one. I’ve had olde4 high mileage Audis before (B5 S4s) and they felt well screwed together, better than the C6 A6 I had.
I just had it serviced this week and also planned on changing the top two suspension arms on the front left, however due to VAG's wonderful suspension design, the pinch bolt snapped therefore, I have now had to order a whole new hub knuckle part and bolt kit as there is no way of removing the snapped pinch bolt. TPS wanted £500 odd plus VAT for the part However, I managed to source one for £200 which was a lot more than I had planned, in order to change two bloody suspension arms.......... Hopefully have the car back next week and I hope to spend no more money on it for quite sometime!!!
It is the same with any older complex German car, things wear out and they are a pain in the ass to remedy
Would I recommend one even after all this spend recently? I would say yes, as there is very little which competes with the BiTDI's in Allroad format for the price on the used market. I think if you do end up getting one, go for the highest spec and make sure it has decent history, and keep some money set aside as it will require something either way. When you test drive them, look at the condition of the brakes and really test the suspension for any rattles or issues with the different ride height modes.
Glad to hear it is mostly good now.
Searider said:
Is it now behaving itself?
Most recent issue is a wheel bearing that manifested itself as something much more sinister and had me thinking about front diff bearings and so forth. Once I investigated properly and stopped panicking it was simple enough.Bearings are £60 and a couple of hrs hammering and spannering....its 8 yrs and 75k miles old...so that is okay.
The period of wondering what the noise was had me looking at potential replacements...and struggling to see what would feel like a good value replacement or modern equivalent. I reckon you would need to spend £40-50k on a new shape Allroad, Merc E- Allterrain, or buy a 530dx tourer at £30-35k ...one oddball was the 630dx GT .....quite like them..
Cheers
Iain
legacy4cam said:
Most recent issue is a wheel bearing that manifested itself as something much more sinister and had me thinking about front diff bearings and so forth. Once I investigated properly and stopped panicking it was simple enough.
Bearings are £60 and a couple of hrs hammering and spannering....its 8 yrs and 75k miles old...so that is okay.
The period of wondering what the noise was had me looking at potential replacements...and struggling to see what would feel like a good value replacement or modern equivalent. I reckon you would need to spend £40-50k on a new shape Allroad, Merc E- Allterrain, or buy a 530dx tourer at £30-35k ...one oddball was the 630dx GT .....quite like them..
Cheers
Iain
My list of potential replacements is similar but none particularly inspire me. The new shape Allroad is apparently no better at anything than the C7 shape, just more modern inside with the touch screens. The Merc is nice enough but that and the BMW (which was high up my list until I checked this) both have smaller fuel tanks. The C8 shape Allroad does as standard but you can option a 73l tank, putting it pretty much on par with the C7. I may end up going for something like a Touareg next because they have a much larger fuel tank and thus range, despite the few mpg penalty of being a taller SUV. Range is more important to me than outright mpg because I don't want to fill up twice a week.Bearings are £60 and a couple of hrs hammering and spannering....its 8 yrs and 75k miles old...so that is okay.
The period of wondering what the noise was had me looking at potential replacements...and struggling to see what would feel like a good value replacement or modern equivalent. I reckon you would need to spend £40-50k on a new shape Allroad, Merc E- Allterrain, or buy a 530dx tourer at £30-35k ...one oddball was the 630dx GT .....quite like them..
Cheers
Iain
After moons of finally getting the 360 cameras arranged and fixed by the Audi Dealer, I have only had it back a week or so.
I drove to Manchester Airport Monday, got back in it last night to drive home to find a christmas tree of error messages:
<ding> Main Beam assist : System Fault !
<ding> Stabilisation control (ESC /ABS) : Fault!
<ding> Start / Stop : System Fault !
<ding> Air Suspension : System Fault
<ding> Brake Servo Restricted
<ding> Audi Adaptive light : System fault
<ding> Parking Brake ! {not on}
<ding> TPMS Tyre Pressure System Fault
<ding>
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ltjq01uscy6q658/23e5c3a1...
In addition all parking sensors are borked, the cameras, and cruise control
Deep Joy.
Tried turning it off and back on again etc. Gave it a look round and hoofed it home while copilot googled.
This morning I finally found the battery and tried to power it all down to reboot, and surprised to see the terminals totally dry connections.
Audi Dealer this morning, in fair play, took it straight in - and have diagnosed it to a faulty ABS sensor or cabling. They say this could be linked to a worn bearing often.
Can't fit it in until 19th !
I drove to Manchester Airport Monday, got back in it last night to drive home to find a christmas tree of error messages:
<ding> Main Beam assist : System Fault !
<ding> Stabilisation control (ESC /ABS) : Fault!
<ding> Start / Stop : System Fault !
<ding> Air Suspension : System Fault
<ding> Brake Servo Restricted
<ding> Audi Adaptive light : System fault
<ding> Parking Brake ! {not on}
<ding> TPMS Tyre Pressure System Fault
<ding>
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ltjq01uscy6q658/23e5c3a1...
In addition all parking sensors are borked, the cameras, and cruise control
Deep Joy.
Tried turning it off and back on again etc. Gave it a look round and hoofed it home while copilot googled.
This morning I finally found the battery and tried to power it all down to reboot, and surprised to see the terminals totally dry connections.
Audi Dealer this morning, in fair play, took it straight in - and have diagnosed it to a faulty ABS sensor or cabling. They say this could be linked to a worn bearing often.
Can't fit it in until 19th !
Hope you get those issues sorted!
Have now done done 3k miles in mine since getting it - and the car itself through 130K miles this week and going well. Topped up the Adblue earlier in the week and got the first litre or so on my jeans and shoes. I'll blame the cheap Halfords nozzle!
Otherwise all ok. Still get the rear squeaks but it's rarely sat higher than the second-from-bottom setting but will aim to book it into the Phirm in Camberley for its next service later in the year instead of taking it to the local garage.
Have now done done 3k miles in mine since getting it - and the car itself through 130K miles this week and going well. Topped up the Adblue earlier in the week and got the first litre or so on my jeans and shoes. I'll blame the cheap Halfords nozzle!
Otherwise all ok. Still get the rear squeaks but it's rarely sat higher than the second-from-bottom setting but will aim to book it into the Phirm in Camberley for its next service later in the year instead of taking it to the local garage.
PushedDover said:
After moons of finally getting the 360 cameras arranged and fixed by the Audi Dealer, I have only had it back a week or so.
I drove to Manchester Airport Monday, got back in it last night to drive home to find a christmas tree of error messages:
<ding> Main Beam assist : System Fault !
<ding> Stabilisation control (ESC /ABS) : Fault!
<ding> Start / Stop : System Fault !
<ding> Air Suspension : System Fault
<ding> Brake Servo Restricted
<ding> Audi Adaptive light : System fault
<ding> Parking Brake ! {not on}
<ding> TPMS Tyre Pressure System Fault
<ding>
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ltjq01uscy6q658/23e5c3a1...
In addition all parking sensors are borked, the cameras, and cruise control
Deep Joy.
Tried turning it off and back on again etc. Gave it a look round and hoofed it home while copilot googled.
This morning I finally found the battery and tried to power it all down to reboot, and surprised to see the terminals totally dry connections.
Audi Dealer this morning, in fair play, took it straight in - and have diagnosed it to a faulty ABS sensor or cabling. They say this could be linked to a worn bearing often.
Can't fit it in until 19th !
I was going to say this sound like a flat battery, issue with earth or battery connections.I drove to Manchester Airport Monday, got back in it last night to drive home to find a christmas tree of error messages:
<ding> Main Beam assist : System Fault !
<ding> Stabilisation control (ESC /ABS) : Fault!
<ding> Start / Stop : System Fault !
<ding> Air Suspension : System Fault
<ding> Brake Servo Restricted
<ding> Audi Adaptive light : System fault
<ding> Parking Brake ! {not on}
<ding> TPMS Tyre Pressure System Fault
<ding>
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ltjq01uscy6q658/23e5c3a1...
In addition all parking sensors are borked, the cameras, and cruise control
Deep Joy.
Tried turning it off and back on again etc. Gave it a look round and hoofed it home while copilot googled.
This morning I finally found the battery and tried to power it all down to reboot, and surprised to see the terminals totally dry connections.
Audi Dealer this morning, in fair play, took it straight in - and have diagnosed it to a faulty ABS sensor or cabling. They say this could be linked to a worn bearing often.
Can't fit it in until 19th !
StoutBench said:
Quite fancy the 3.0btdi for a dog wagon upgrade. If I was looking to buy a high milage 13 plate over 100,000 miles am I right in thinking a full service and replacing the suspension bags would be the right thing to do? Or am I looking at a huge money pit at that age?
No you would not need to do this I would say. Mine is an early 62 plate that I bought with 122k on it. The airbags on the C7's are no where near as problematic as earlier generations of Allroads. But what you will probably have to do, is budget for a front suspension arm/ball joint refresh if none of them have been changed. Also front wheel bearings seem to be weak point on them too. Otherwise ensure it has had gearbox service and if not that would need to be done too. Full engine service kit from any of the well know autopart suppliers using quality filters etc is not expensive for them.
One last thing, factor in some money for a stage 1 remap, it does wake these cars up a bit more. You can also remap the ZF gearbox to better match the engine, Darkside Developments are able to do this, I may well book mine in for that later this year.
gmackay2 said:
StoutBench said:
Quite fancy the 3.0btdi for a dog wagon upgrade. If I was looking to buy a high milage 13 plate over 100,000 miles am I right in thinking a full service and replacing the suspension bags would be the right thing to do? Or am I looking at a huge money pit at that age?
No you would not need to do this I would say. Mine is an early 62 plate that I bought with 122k on it. The airbags on the C7's are no where near as problematic as earlier generations of Allroads. But what you will probably have to do, is budget for a front suspension arm/ball joint refresh if none of them have been changed. Also front wheel bearings seem to be weak point on them too. Otherwise ensure it has had gearbox service and if not that would need to be done too. Full engine service kit from any of the well know autopart suppliers using quality filters etc is not expensive for them.
One last thing, factor in some money for a stage 1 remap, it does wake these cars up a bit more. You can also remap the ZF gearbox to better match the engine, Darkside Developments are able to do this, I may well book mine in for that later this year.
prand said:
I was going to say this sound like a flat battery, issue with earth or battery connections.
Agreed - but It had a good 140mile journey before hand. and I've tried the connectors. I dont understand how one sensor can make it go so haywire - and by that virue. Whats the point of a sensor for an individual part that gives so many other random messages ???gmackay2 said:
Otherwise ensure it has had gearbox service and if not that would need to be done too. Full engine service kit from any of the well know autopart suppliers using quality filters etc is not expensive for them.
One last thing, factor in some money for a stage 1 remap, it does wake these cars up a bit more. You can also remap the ZF gearbox to better match the engine, Darkside Developments are able to do this, I may well book mine in for that later this year.
Funny you say the above, this is just what I have planned for my (non allroad) C7 BiTDI. I want to get the gearbox and diff fluids replaced, filters and gaskets done, and a trip to Celtic for the stage 1 tune. One last thing, factor in some money for a stage 1 remap, it does wake these cars up a bit more. You can also remap the ZF gearbox to better match the engine, Darkside Developments are able to do this, I may well book mine in for that later this year.
PushedDover said:
Agreed - but It had a good 140mile journey before hand. and I've tried the connectors. I dont understand how one sensor can make it go so haywire - and by that virue. Whats the point of a sensor for an individual part that gives so many other random messages ???
I've found old batteries just don't hold enough charge for modern elecctronics, so if its 5-7 yrs old, worth trying a new one (or at least get it tested).The last two cars I've had with older batteries, I always need to drive a round a bit to get enough charge for the auto stop-start to start working. then after being parked up, the charge will drop again as the batteries can't maintain it overnight even after a long run.
prand said:
PushedDover said:
Agreed - but It had a good 140mile journey before hand. and I've tried the connectors. I dont understand how one sensor can make it go so haywire - and by that virue. Whats the point of a sensor for an individual part that gives so many other random messages ???
I've found old batteries just don't hold enough charge for modern elecctronics, so if its 5-7 yrs old, worth trying a new one (or at least get it tested).The last two cars I've had with older batteries, I always need to drive a round a bit to get enough charge for the auto stop-start to start working. then after being parked up, the charge will drop again as the batteries can't maintain it overnight even after a long run.
prand said:
PushedDover said:
Agreed - but It had a good 140mile journey before hand. and I've tried the connectors. I dont understand how one sensor can make it go so haywire - and by that virue. Whats the point of a sensor for an individual part that gives so many other random messages ???
I've found old batteries just don't hold enough charge for modern elecctronics, so if its 5-7 yrs old, worth trying a new one (or at least get it tested).The last two cars I've had with older batteries, I always need to drive a round a bit to get enough charge for the auto stop-start to start working. then after being parked up, the charge will drop again as the batteries can't maintain it overnight even after a long run.
I did look to the terminals. I can put a charger on to condition the battery I suppose? It does seem odd as the car does a lot of pottling around. Parked up for a few days at a time. Yet Monday I drove it 140miles motorway speeds, parked up 72 hours (I did notice the NS rear window had dropped 1 inch if relevant at all) and had all the alarms.
I have since driven it back the 140 miles obviously.
But how do I go about the clearing of the plethora of error messages to see if the battery was / is the cause?
PushedDover said:
After moons of finally getting the 360 cameras arranged and fixed by the Audi Dealer, I have only had it back a week or so.
I drove to Manchester Airport Monday, got back in it last night to drive home to find a christmas tree of error messages:
<ding> Main Beam assist : System Fault !
<ding> Stabilisation control (ESC /ABS) : Fault!
<ding> Start / Stop : System Fault !
<ding> Air Suspension : System Fault
<ding> Brake Servo Restricted
<ding> Audi Adaptive light : System fault
<ding> Parking Brake ! {not on}
<ding> TPMS Tyre Pressure System Fault
<ding>
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ltjq01uscy6q658/23e5c3a1...
In addition all parking sensors are borked, the cameras, and cruise control
Deep Joy.
Tried turning it off and back on again etc. Gave it a look round and hoofed it home while copilot googled.
This morning I finally found the battery and tried to power it all down to reboot, and surprised to see the terminals totally dry connections.
Audi Dealer this morning, in fair play, took it straight in - and have diagnosed it to a faulty ABS sensor or cabling. They say this could be linked to a worn bearing often.
Can't fit it in until 19th !
I drove to Manchester Airport Monday, got back in it last night to drive home to find a christmas tree of error messages:
<ding> Main Beam assist : System Fault !
<ding> Stabilisation control (ESC /ABS) : Fault!
<ding> Start / Stop : System Fault !
<ding> Air Suspension : System Fault
<ding> Brake Servo Restricted
<ding> Audi Adaptive light : System fault
<ding> Parking Brake ! {not on}
<ding> TPMS Tyre Pressure System Fault
<ding>
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ltjq01uscy6q658/23e5c3a1...
In addition all parking sensors are borked, the cameras, and cruise control
Deep Joy.
Tried turning it off and back on again etc. Gave it a look round and hoofed it home while copilot googled.
This morning I finally found the battery and tried to power it all down to reboot, and surprised to see the terminals totally dry connections.
Audi Dealer this morning, in fair play, took it straight in - and have diagnosed it to a faulty ABS sensor or cabling. They say this could be linked to a worn bearing often.
Can't fit it in until 19th !
- bump / resolution *
Lord only knows why - but the causation of all that palaver above was a faulty ABS Sensor. Why an ABS sensor would cause everything else to stop, or through a hissy fit, is surely bad design?
Anyway - one ABS sensor, which has seized itself to the wheel bearing housing, meant the replacement of both.
Happy days on the warranty !
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