Allroad owners

Author
Discussion

gmackay2

161 posts

196 months

Thursday 11th January
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parxuk said:
Hi and sorry for such a novice question:

I am very much considering an A6 C7 Allroad. Have approx £15k to spend (so appreciate it might be relatively high mileage) and want an auto. Not worried about the extra performance from the BiTDI.

I visited my local used car dealer (whom sold me my last car (Rav4) and who I trust) to ask if he would look out for one for me. He told me he wouldnt touch another Auto Audi as the last 4 he had had caused him nothing but trouble and lost him money (the worst being a £3k bill). The problems all being with the auto (I believe Stronic ?) gearboxes.

Are they really that bad? He sells all types of card and has no vested interest in not trying to sell me something else, he has just had his hands burned too many times to want to do it again and has warned me to do the same.

Are they really that bad?

My heart is set on one, but my head is telling me to do something sensible like buy another Toyota or Honda?

Thanks for your replies.
^^ The biggest issue for the Stronic boxes, is purely down to owners being unaware of the servicing schedule on them. It is not that the gearboxes are bad. In fact, when working as they should, they are very fast changing and also better on fuel too, due to the lack of a torque convertor. If you are looking for an Stronic single turbo Allroad, look for at least one or 2 gearbox services and it should be fine.

The 8spd ZF tiptronic boxes in the BiTDi are stronger, but they also need serviced every 60-80k miles or every 5 years. Again a lot of owners do not adhere to this either. Mine had a full Audi service history and extended Audi warranty until 90k miles by the 2nd owner and it never had a gearbox service when I bought it at 120k! Needless to say I got it done straight away to make sure it was all fine.

Whatever gearbox you decide to go for, just bank on doing a service either by a gearbox specialist or a good VAG specialist garage.

Good luck with the search.

Hugo Stiglitz

37,220 posts

212 months

Saturday 27th January
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Ok i posted a topic up before seeing this one.... so Post lease car I've picked up a 49k 2.0TDCi Mondeo 12 plate. It's, touch wood proven as I'd expect a reliable car..

However the above (^^) has shown itself wanting in on the party. It'd be double the money. Its a 2013/66k 204bhp Allroad 3.0lt tronic box.

My key drivers are main bits and bobs must be reliable, consumables to replace.


Should I??



Edited by Hugo Stiglitz on Saturday 27th January 20:30

PushedDover

5,682 posts

54 months

Saturday 27th January
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Yes

Far over place to be - and end of a line in ultimate versatility with an ICE

gmackay2

161 posts

196 months

Sunday 28th January
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Hugo Stiglitz said:
Ok i posted a topic up before seeing this one.... so Post lease car I've picked up a 49k 2.0TDCi Mondeo 12 plate. It's, touch wood proven as I'd expect a reliable car..

However the above (^^) has shown itself wanting in on the party. It'd be double the money. Its a 2013/66k 204bhp Allroad 3.0lt tronic box.

My key drivers are main bits and bobs must be reliable, consumables to replace.


Should I??



Edited by Hugo Stiglitz on Saturday 27th January 20:30
66k is low mileage for 2013 car, so providing it has good history, then it should be fine. Plenty of mileage left in it and bigger bills should remain at bay, until well north of 100k miles, which is when you start to get into the realms of replacing the more expensive suspension arms and possibly front and rear shocks.

Hugo Stiglitz

37,220 posts

212 months

Tuesday 6th February
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Thank you. What about the air suspension on each corner?

gmackay2

161 posts

196 months

Tuesday 13th February
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Hugo Stiglitz said:
Thank you. What about the air suspension on each corner?
The air suspension system on the C7 platform appears to be a lot more robust than the first gen C5 Allroads. But make no mistake, the complete front strut replacements are not cheap. Aerosus make aftermarket models, but the reviews are not good. I replaced both my passenger side air shocks recently and went with good condition used ones. The age and mileage of the car did not warrant the cost of new ones from Audi! Quite hard to track down used ones though, due to the relatively low numbers that these cars sold in the UK. Eventually found a VAG specialist breaker in the midlands that had some in stock. Fitting them at an Audi specialist was quite reasonable too.
Reasons for doing so, were the left rear had light misting of oil, at last MOT, so was on its way out. Also the left front was original, whereas the drivers side had both been replaced under the extended Audi warranty scheme by the previous owner. Mileage was now over 150k, pretty good going for a front shock assembly! Given the state of our roads. The car rides more controlled now and the damping is smoother, especially in Dynamic setting with the shocks/air springs set to their firmest.

PushedDover

5,682 posts

54 months

Tuesday 13th February
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Sad to say, My AllRoad borked a week ago.

Moving it on the drive, and it just died. Turns over, wont fire.

Managed to push it clear, and then tow to local village garage, but he's not had chance to look in to it. Suspicions are fuelling, fuel pump etc.
Coming up with a bunch of errors on the diagnostics, but could be due to me pulling all the fuses too.

First time its put a foot wrong i 65,000 miles, conveniently a month after not renewing the warranty conveniently....

dino_jr

356 posts

177 months

Thursday 15th February
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Hello all

Thinking of viewing this A4... Is there anything particular to look for at 110k miles vs a normal Avant? Most Buyer Guides describe Avant issues / history only... A4 AllRoad's have passive suspension correct, so this effectively just an A4 on stilts?

https://www.lectuscars.co.uk/used/audi-a4-allroad-...

EDIT also for anyone with this 2.0T / 4WD setup, what sort of mpg are you seeing?


Edited by dino_jr on Thursday 15th February 18:21

Lotobear

6,434 posts

129 months

Friday 16th February
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Can't comment on the 2.0T but I had an A4 Allroad diesel that I took to 110k before it was written off (replaced with an A6 Allroad).

Yes, it's just an Avant on stilts - better ride though due to increased suspension travel.

No major issues between 60k and 110k other than new discs and calipers, front suspension arms bushes and had to replace inner driveshafts CV's and one front wheel bearing.

Mine lacked HID lights and the std halogens were terrible - an upgrade to Philips Xtreme made a big improvement.

Overall a decent fairly reliable day to day steed. My diesel A4 Allroad would average around 38 day to day and up to 44 on a run if carefully driven. I was always a bit disappointed with this - my A6 Allroad 245bhp is a much nice car, a lot quicker and better handling and only marginally worse figures than those but comes with a much bigger risk of large repair bills.

gmackay2

161 posts

196 months

Friday 16th February
quotequote all
dino_jr said:
Hello all

Thinking of viewing this A4... Is there anything particular to look for at 110k miles vs a normal Avant? Most Buyer Guides describe Avant issues / history only... A4 AllRoad's have passive suspension correct, so this effectively just an A4 on stilts?

https://www.lectuscars.co.uk/used/audi-a4-allroad-...

EDIT also for anyone with this 2.0T / 4WD setup, what sort of mpg are you seeing?


Edited by dino_jr on Thursday 15th February 18:21
^^^^ That is quite cheap for a B8 Allroad! Pity it only has halogens though. Nice colour etc.
Engine wise it has the Golf GTI engine from the Mk7/7.5 EA888. Which is a pretty reliable engine, providing it has had regular oil changes with decent oil, otherwise it can lead to timing chain issues with the tensioners. Also, I think water pump/ thermostats can leak.
Gearbox - it will have the 7spd DSG box, which requires servicing every 60-70k.

Suspension is passive on that B8. The driving modes will only affect the engine/gearbox/ steering.

Good to see it has 4 matching Bridgestones on it, looks like the parcel shelf is missing though, so I would be asking for a replacement one of those as part of the sale. Also states that the gearbox has been serviced recently too.

prand

5,916 posts

197 months

Friday 16th February
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MisanoPayments said:
I've a 2015 Allroad with 136K on the clock now, but the 272 version. If you test-drive any, make sure you try out the ride height on the highest setting (via the "car" button on the MMI) and if you get any squeaks (usually from the rear) it can be a DIY job to fix/grease up - I think someone on here has done it themselves a couple of pages back, but given the mileage on my car and that it was going in for other stuff last month, I had the rear top mounts and bump stops replaced.

Otherwise, try to get one that has the better nav, which comes with a bigger screen and a touchpad down by the gearstick instead of radio preset buttons. It still surprises me that many later models still came with the lesser nav (even 320s I see on AT), as it really ages the car, but I suppose it doesn't bother everyone!

Have owned for 9,500 miles and 15 months. Previous to this I had a 2017 Avant, also a 272.
I've got an a6 avant with the 320 bitdi, it also has air suspension but only raises up a couple of inches on max not the good 6 inches or so like on the Allroad. It did though have the well known squeak in the rear that was easily fixed reaching under the wheelarch with a screwdriver to move the bumper and cover at the top of the strut and a good load of red rubber grease wiped around the area. 18 months later all good.

One things has been a repeat problem is brake calipers binding. The bitidi calipers are absolutely massive, which may contribute to this issue, but my garage have worked it out now where the issue is, its with the sliders, not pistons, corroding and stopping the brake pads from sliding back amd forth easily.

When I first got the car it was not long I had to replace drivers side bearing as binding heated everything up cooked the grease and wrecked the bearing as well as warping the disc. Not a warrantty fix unfortunately. That got sorted and garage just cleaned out the slider and lubed it up, so i didnt have to shell out on new big expensive calipers. Its been good for 18 months now, then the issue just moved to the passenger side which has been cleaned and lubed up. I gather its a common problem with big Bhp A6/Allroads so pay attention to any strange noises from the front brakes on test drives, catch it early if you can.

I was looking for a Bitdi allroad but this a6 avant came along which seemed to be the best of both worlds with air suspension, as its s-line low on dynamic mode for motorway cruising and you can raise it up over kerbs and a very limited but of off roading over bumps and muddy kids sports field car parks.

I managed to find a great comfort spec (such as rare rear heated seats), keyless entry, the later nav as mentioned and the magic LED headlights, which all seem quite advanced for a 2015 c7 model. Fantastic to drive, I've done about 15,000 miles, over to France and Italy with family and luggage, since purchasing at about 65k. Hope to keep it for a while yet. Probably replace with the last of the Allroads if I can find one in a few years.


gmackay2

161 posts

196 months

Monday 19th February
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^^^^^^
@Prand

Thanks for the info, I agree the front brakes on the BiTDi models are a bit fragile. Like you, I had to replace the left front caliper because it had seized, not long after owning the car, which also meant new discs and pads too! A very costly exercise event at an independent Audi specialist

I was actually looking for a normal high spec C7 S-Line Avant BiTdi, but couldn't find any at the time, and came across the Allroad model at a good price etc.

Yours looks a good one.cool

PistonBust

91 posts

119 months

Tuesday 20th February
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I'm looking to downsize my 2021 Macan S to a late model A4 TSFI A4 Allroad.

One thing concerns me is whether the plastic wheel arch extenders are causing rust? VW caused no end of trouble putting foam in the wings of the Golf and it concerns me these are just wet dirt traps on the Allroad?

R6tty

286 posts

16 months

Thursday 22nd February
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Good evening everyone.
I have just bought a ridiculously cheap C6 Allroad. Cheap for many reasons; didn't have an MOT for one. But I think the previous owner might have been mis-lead somewhat. Oh. And the VED (it's an '07 3 litre diesel). It's ok. Man-maths was applied!
Just had the ignition/ steering lock failure thing happen. Sorted it for no money at all. I know there's quite a bit on Youtube, and might have been discussed here, but the preventative fix is so easy. Happy to share my experience.

Damp Logs

736 posts

135 months

Thursday 22nd February
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R6tty said:
Good evening everyone.
I have just bought a ridiculously cheap C6 Allroad. Cheap for many reasons; didn't have an MOT for one. But I think the previous owner might have been mis-lead somewhat. Oh. And the VED (it's an '07 3 litre diesel). It's ok. Man-maths was applied!
Just had the ignition/ steering lock failure thing happen. Sorted it for no money at all. I know there's quite a bit on Youtube, and might have been discussed here, but the preventative fix is so easy. Happy to share my experience.
Share away …..

R6tty

286 posts

16 months

Friday 23rd February
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On the C6, the steering lock is actuated electronically. When this fails, you are left with the steering locked and the ignition off. So the car can't be moved. You need to scan for fault codes and remove the one that says 'steering lock' (or similar) 00288 I think. But you can't scan it because the ignition is off. So you have to

turn on the hazzards
foot on brake
pull the high beam.

This will let you scan the codes. The steering lock can be disabled to stop it happening again. Personally I don't see a problem with not having a steering lock. To do this, prise off the fuse cover (open the driver's door, end of the dash), three 8mm bolts and remove the lower panel, or just lower it. On the left of the steering column is the actuator with three wires. Cut the red and black one. MAKE SURE THIS IS DONE WITH THE STEERING UNLOCKED!!

Fortunately mine failed at home, so I was able to deal with it OK. I've only just bought the car, but with hindsight, I would really recommend a bit of pre-emptive work to prevent it happening, which it will eventually.

This may have been covered here, and there are various Youtube videos, but this is the quick version. The pre-emptive wire cuttig takes literally three minutes.

Had the car a couple of weeks and intend to use it as a van. It's a three litre diesel. It's big and adequate. Everything works, which is pleasing. The VED is annoying, but man-maths says it amounts to less than half a pint of beer a day.

PistonBust

91 posts

119 months

Saturday 2nd March
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dino_jr said:
Hello all

Thinking of viewing this A4... Is there anything particular to look for at 110k miles vs a normal Avant? Most Buyer Guides describe Avant issues / history only... A4 AllRoad's have passive suspension correct, so this effectively just an A4 on stilts?

https://www.lectuscars.co.uk/used/audi-a4-allroad-...

EDIT also for anyone with this 2.0T / 4WD setup, what sort of mpg are you seeing?


Edited by dino_jr on Thursday 15th February 18:21
Was the description written by AI? It's so painful to read.

PushedDover

5,682 posts

54 months

Saturday 4th May
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Bumping myself and rusty memory.

I am on the Interweb looking for a solution to : an array of errors

and recalling similar before had happened.
A search and a PH thread post in here came up :


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 !




And it seems I have found myself a solution biggrin - albeit, doesn't 2 year life span for ABS sensor sound bonkers?


Apparently the bearing / sender units.


Edited by PushedDover on Wednesday 8th May 19:02

mersontheperson

706 posts

166 months

Tuesday 7th May
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Here is my 2011 A4 Allroad, 2.0T petrol
55,000 miles, just had the screen updated for Appleplay




Deerfoot

4,908 posts

185 months

Tuesday 7th May
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^ What sort of mpg do you get from that A4?

I've seen a Jap import of the same era Allroad and it looks quite tempting.

I've also seen some 2015 VW Golf Alltrack TSIs (1.8 160bhp, not sold in the UK) up for around the same price that looks OK, again they're Jap imports.