A6 Allroad advice/alternatives

[markirl]

Hi folks,

I did a similar thread last year which resulted in me buying an e60 LCI 530i with a manual gearbox which is a great car. It only falls down on 3 counts:
- My wife hates the seats
- Because of the hard seats, it is a little tiring on long journeys (road noise etc is superb)
- It's direct injection which is great but means it sounds a bit rubbish idling/low revs

I have recently taken a new job which requires a lot of driving and no company vehicle. My wife also uses my car for her business travel too so we find ourselves doing much higher mileage than anticipated recently (will be doing about 30k/year). As both of our jobs are construction related, it also means visiting some pretty remote places and a few times I've found myself pretty close to getting stuck.

My requirements are -
Auto ideally but not a deal breaker
Nothing older than 2007 (unless spectacular deal/car etc)
AWD but ideally not an SUV as I do a reasonable amount of city driving too
Comfortable seats
Low cabin noise at speed
Enjoyable to drive (doesn't need to be a B-road blaster as I have a Boxster for that)
35+MPG at 75mph (this is what the 530i does easily)

This has led me to look at 2007-2009 A6 Allroads, ideally with the 3.0TDI but I'd consider the 2.7. Any advice? Any recommendations on spec?

How reliable are they? I'm not afraid to do a bit of spannering myself, pretty much have done all my maintenance on my vehicles for the last 5 years due to bad experiences with garages so only tyres, tracking and MOT are not done by me!

I'm a BMW guy through and through and have dabbled with pretty much every other major marque but I've never owned an Audi. Will I hate it?

Alternatives I'm considering:
07-09 A6 Avant 2.7/3.0tdi: Similar to Allroad but no air suspension
07-09 A8 3.0tdi: Awesome car but big and not as practical
06-08 XC70: The D5s are legendary and I think they're a great engine and have great seats but I just can't get on with the looks or image

[67Dino]

I’ve had a 2007 Allroad 3.0 Tdi (manual) since new, which has now got 140k on the clock. The main family car so gets a lot of use, and never missed a beat. Couldn’t recommend it more highly to be honest. Comfortable, quick, economical (35-40mpg), practical, and still an elegant design. Plus the Allroad system works a treat, giving you a hand extra 4 inches clearance when going through a field or ford, but otherwise leaves you a regular height estate.

The only things I could fault are that the rear window slopes, so might not take as much in the back as a squarer estate, and it doesn’t have an AUX socket. Maintenance wise, no problems I can think of except tyres are pricey, the rear wiper motor went once, had the clutch done, and the upper brake light I think. Rest is routine stuff. Not bad for 11 years.

Our previous car was the previous Allroad, and we will probably get another one when we replace this one. Says it all really.

[steve-5snwi]

Is something like the L200 too crude ? How about a subaru legacy or the outback version.

I wouldn't dismiss a SUV, a 3.0d X5 would be a good choice.

[ZX10R NIN]

The air suspension isn't supposed to be as reliable as it should be, apart from that they're a decent car, there's always the R Class:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Krikkit]

For me it'd be the XC70 - I know you said you struggle with the looks, but it's really the complete all-rounder.

Not as nice as the others, but have you considered the Octavia Scout?

[anonymous-user]

Serious left field suggestion -

SEAT Altea Freetrack?

Ok, it's an Altea XL jacked up with body panels, but it has haldex AWD, ground clearance, lots of toys (rear screens for e.g.) some are the 2.0 TDI 170 but can be had with the Golf GTI 2.0TFSI. Genuinely a nice steer - I'd say better than any Audi (oddly) and can be bought for peanuts - circa £3k-4k. Loads of space too.

Downsides; well perhaps the looks? And they're quite rare.

[xcseventy]

Running a 2012 XC70 at the moment, 2.4 D4 Auto. Superb motor, very comfortable, so far, unstoppable off road and in the snow with a set of winters.

I had a 2011 Scout for 2 weeks before, but an issue with the 1.8TSI and excessive oil us (all of it in 300 miles) meant that went back to the dealer. The Scout was a nice car, but not quite in the same class as the XC70 in terms of quality and build. That said, it was a bit cheaper.

I considered A4/A6 allroads, but all had too many miles compared to XC70/Scout options.

The Seat is an interesting one, and if you don't care about looks might be a good shout.

Other options:
- Skoda Yeti (maybe too SUV, but a good option, again, if you can get over looks)
- Saab 93x (rare?)
- Passat Alltrack (May as well get a scout?)
- Insignia Country (Rare, pointless?)
- New Dacia Duster (I was VERY tempted)
- Outback (New ones don't looks that great, poor auto and diesel doesn't get good reviews - Older ones looked better though (pre 2008))

Edited by xcseventy on Friday 16th February 11:21

[Brads67]

Bought an XC70 2 days ago. Love it so far.
Pulled my new caravan in yesterdays mad winds with no issue at all.

Very comfy, frugal and pretty refined.

[markirl]

67Dino said:

I’ve had a 2007 Allroad 3.0 Tdi (manual) since new, which has now got 140k on the clock. The main family car so gets a lot of use, and never missed a beat. Couldn’t recommend it more highly to be honest. Comfortable, quick, economical (35-40mpg), practical, and still an elegant design. Plus the Allroad system works a treat, giving you a hand extra 4 inches clearance when going through a field or ford, but otherwise leaves you a regular height estate.

The only things I could fault are that the rear window slopes, so might not take as much in the back as a squarer estate, and it doesn’t have an AUX socket. Maintenance wise, no problems I can think of except tyres are pricey, the rear wiper motor went once, had the clutch done, and the upper brake light I think. Rest is routine stuff. Not bad for 11 years.

Our previous car was the previous Allroad, and we will probably get another one when we replace this one. Says it all really.

Thanks for the post! That's a seriously god run - 11 years without any real issues.
What options did you tick that you wouldn't live without? High MMI, heated leather and parking sensors are on the list so far.
Any way around the lack of AUX?

L200: I'd prefer not to get a pickup to be honest. I always liked the Subaru Outback but they're bit dated now.

You're right about the X5 but I only like the 08-on version and they're a little out of my price range at the moment I think.

R-class is a great left field suggestion but I'm not a fan! I haven't read any horror stories about the air suspension, is there anything I should know?

Octavia and Altea have been considered and discounted due to the fact that I'm a tart and neither do anything for me. It's important for me to find what I drive desirable and not just a tool, I think this is my stumbling block but then again this is Pistonheads!

The Yeti is a really really cool car and a great suggestion. I should consider one (massive fan of the Talbot Rancho growing up) but they seem like poor value compared to an Allroad/XC70.

The XC70 is still on the radar and I think I need to drive one. I assume I should be considering the 07-on model?
Any other SUVs apart from the X5 that I should consider? What are Touregs like?

[ZX10R NIN]

I meant the air suspension on the Allroad sorry for the confusion.

The R Class seem to be very reliable just a bit juicy due to the 4wd.

[markirl]

Is the A6 Allroads suspension meant to be scary? Any links?

[67Dino]

markirl said:

Thanks for the post! That's a seriously god run - 11 years without any real issues.
What options did you tick that you wouldn't live without? High MMI, heated leather and parking sensors are on the list so far.
Any way around the lack of AUX?

We’ve got the wood veneer inside which looks classy although is quite rare. It’s manual, and I do like the gearbox. Heated seats are good too. Rest I think was standard. AUX is easily solved with one of those lighter socket devices that connects to your iphone and broadcasts FM so you can pick it up on the radio.

Full disclosure: remember a minor issue with the suspension has emerged recently, and intermittently goes to lowest setting at back when park. No harm done, and fine when you restart. Garage checked and says all is fine, and probably just occurs when switched off on tow setting (we sometimes tow a horsebox).

Not much to complain about for 150k miles (I checked) though, and IMHO well worth the extra vs cheaper alternatives. Plus the drive and handling makes most 4x4s feel like boats in comparison (esp the Volvo, which I thought v soft and wallowy).

[67Dino]

67Dino said:

markirl said:

Thanks for the post! That's a seriously god run - 11 years without any real issues.
What options did you tick that you wouldn't live without? High MMI, heated leather and parking sensors are on the list so far.
Any way around the lack of AUX?

We’ve got the wood veneer inside which looks classy although is quite rare. It’s manual, and I do like the gearbox. Learher and heated seats are good too. Think we did got for the higher MMi, as SatNav and Bose audio etc is excellent. AUX is easily solved with one of those lighter socket devices that connects to your iphone and broadcasts FM so you can pick it up on the radio.

Full disclosure: remember a minor issue with the suspension has emerged recently, and intermittently goes to lowest setting at back when park. No harm done, and fine when you restart. Garage checked and says all is fine, and probably just occurs when switched off on tow setting (we sometimes tow a horsebox).

Not much to complain about for 150k miles (I checked) though, and IMHO well worth the extra vs cheaper alternatives. Plus the drive and handling makes most 4x4s feel like boats in comparison (esp the Volvo, which I thought v soft and wallowy).

[xcseventy]

XC70 wise go for the D4(161bhp) or D5 (212bhp). More refined and from what I have read, considered more reliable that the 185bhp and 202bhp models. Plus lower tax and higher mpg. So you'll be looking at 2010 onwards (I think)

[markirl]

A bit of research shows that the A8 only has 30mm lower ground clearance than the A6 Allroad so it's definitely on the list too, only main downside being the size of it for parking!

[OldGermanHeaps]

markirl said:

Is the A6 Allroads suspension meant to be scary? Any links?

Older c5 allroads had troublesome suspension, c6 is redesigned and much improved.
My mrs has a 3.0 2007 and we both love it to bits. It has been reliable, and with a remap can really move. Suspension on comfort mode is great for our fked roads, its actually faster and more stable getting a wriggle on down a back road than the c6 s line I had before, the only downside to the allroad is for some reason most of them came with the se seats and steering wheel, when you look for s line heated seats and the 3 spoke wheel and mmi high before you know it you have ruled out 80% of the advertised ones.
They look cracking if you stick on an rs6 boot lip and colour code the arches and bumper lips.
Bose stereo is almost great, just needs an additional sub to round out the bottom end. Dab retrofit is cheap and easy so dont discount cars without.
We both felt the 2.7 slightly lacking for the type of car it is, the 3.0 is deffo more effortless but your expectations may vary.
If it was to get written off tomorrow we wouldn't hesitate to buy another. I'm actually considering a second one to use for my work as the mrs is getting fed up with me borrowing hers and leaving her my peugeot or merc.

Edited by OldGermanHeaps on Monday 19th February 22:49

[markirl]

So the hunt continues. I'm definitely changing my car but I don't like to rush these things!

Current contenders:
- 06/07 A6 Allroad - Not a huge amount available near me. Still like them though.
- 07-10 A8 - Quite a few of these popping up locally now which means a good time to buy. Considering the 4.2V8 just for the sake of it really.
- 07-08 Toureg - Quite like the facelift and same engine as the above 3.0 tdi models. 2.5 is a consideration too but I think I don't think I'd be a fan.
- 04-06 L322 FFRR 3.0tdi - Most likely the most ruinous car here if I get a bad one.
- 07-08 L322 FFRR 3.6TDV8 - A little bit less ruinous potentially however a lot more to get into

I'm still leaning towards the A8 at the moment, but the Toureg is the wildcard, they seem great value. Any opinions?

[Burnzyb]

D3 A8 is a wonderful Car, air suspension so you can have some of the adjustability of an Allroad to help you in slightly sticky situations, great in the snow, remember having mine sideways down the road, needs to be a big road as it’s a massive car, to put it in perspective along side my mates landcruiser I’m sure mine was longer

Your misses will not hate the A8 seats, most comfy seats I’ve ever sat in, make sure it’s specced with the comfort seats, not tried the sport seats though, spec is a minefield, things I wish I didn’t have to retrofit where auto lights, bluetooth and DAB, adaptive cruise and cornering lights where wanted as well but hardly specced in the 3.0tdi, you also have the 6.0 w12 Petrol option if your feeling brave, B&O soundsystem was an expensive option but made a massive difference, tweeters popping out the dash is pretty cool too, bose is as low as I would go, some of the diesels where specced with just an Audi system but most likely not very good.

Double glazing and the vintage your looking at will be the facelift where a lot of the car was sorted out, it also had better soundproofing to compete with the new S-class at the time, I only got rid of mine as I wanted something I could properly tinker with and it was so nice that I hated parking it anywhere as a daily as I got paranoid all the time, I currently have my weekend toy now and a poo box car for everyday uses and it suites my needs perfectly, shame as I miss that Car still for it’s luxury, you’ll feel as fresh as a daisy after a long trip in the A8.

[markirl]

Thanks for the reply, I think I'm pretty much set on a facelift A8 now!