A6 Allroad or XC70
Author
Discussion

jamesbilluk

Original Poster:

4,142 posts

203 months

Thursday 23rd August 2018
quotequote all
Hi all,

I'm looking for a comfortable estate with a good cargo carrying capacity for job, so started to look at the Allroads or the XC70, I'm leaning more towards the XC, but really do like the look of the Audis. Can the air suspension be trouble with these? I'm looking at the 2006 shape, but really do like the rugged look of the 2004 as well.

James.

Resolutionary

1,457 posts

191 months

Thursday 23rd August 2018
quotequote all
If you're referring to the C5 Allroad, then yes they can and do have air suspension problems - but as with everything, there is no standard time or condition. Mine ran perfectly up until the 115k miles at which point some twazzock rear ended it, and even then the failure was the perch and not the bag.

You can get kits to replace bags independently, and also compressor refurbishment kits very cheaply which replace worn / poorly designed inner workings.

I genuinely believe the first gen (C5) Allroad had, and still has, a massive amount of road presence. They can be had cheaply in diesel form and the 2.7TT like mine was a very well suited engine to the bulk. There are some rare 4.2 V8s about as well. Newer iterations are much more sleek but the lack of petrol engines always put me off.

If you look at any, make sure the four level settings work - it should take about a minute to get from lowest to highest. If there is any sagging on one side / corner, or any front or back lean, there's a problem (they have self-leveling arms). The compressor does make a noise when active and also when leveling out again at traffic lights or at rest.

Edited to add: I have no knowledge of the XC70 but I like them too - the Allroad is still the cross-over king as far as I'm concerned (biased I know!)

jamesbilluk

Original Poster:

4,142 posts

203 months

Thursday 23rd August 2018
quotequote all
Many thanks for the reply, very helpful smile

Thats the one, the C5, I much prefer the looks of it compared to the next generation one, and the interior too

There doesn't seem to be many for sale which is a shame, will carry on looking though, I've found 2 XC70s locally which I may pop and have a look at.



alfie2244

11,292 posts

208 months

Thursday 23rd August 2018
quotequote all
I have had both and would have either again as not really much to choose between them IMO.

Audi maybe a bit better looking (Badge) but I did have problems with the suspension also. The extra lift was handy for a bit more than bootfair offroading / deeper snow but I took both across fairly steep hilly fields / muddy tracks without any real issues. I also towed a trailer and trackcar many miles and again no real preference (2300KG capacity IIRC)

Not sure this helps.

TiminYorkshire

569 posts

239 months

Thursday 23rd August 2018
quotequote all
Resolutionary said:
If you're referring to the C5 Allroad, then yes they can and do have air suspension problems - but as with everything, there is no standard time or condition. Mine ran perfectly up until the 115k miles at which point some twazzock rear ended it, and even then the failure was the perch and not the bag.

You can get kits to replace bags independently, and also compressor refurbishment kits very cheaply which replace worn / poorly designed inner workings.

I genuinely believe the first gen (C5) Allroad had, and still has, a massive amount of road presence. They can be had cheaply in diesel form and the 2.7TT like mine was a very well suited engine to the bulk. There are some rare 4.2 V8s about as well. Newer iterations are much more sleek but the lack of petrol engines always put me off.

If you look at any, make sure the four level settings work - it should take about a minute to get from lowest to highest. If there is any sagging on one side / corner, or any front or back lean, there's a problem (they have self-leveling arms). The compressor does make a noise when active and also when leveling out again at traffic lights or at rest.

Edited to add: I have no knowledge of the XC70 but I like them too - the Allroad is still the cross-over king as far as I'm concerned (biased I know!)
What real world fuel consumption do you get from the 2.7tt? And is it a manual or auto?

jamesbilluk

Original Poster:

4,142 posts

203 months

Thursday 23rd August 2018
quotequote all
alfie2244 said:
I have had both and would have either again as not really much to choose between them IMO.

Audi maybe a bit better looking (Badge) but I did have problems with the suspension also. The extra lift was handy for a bit more than bootfair offroading / deeper snow but I took both across fairly steep hilly fields / muddy tracks without any real issues. I also towed a trailer and trackcar many miles and again no real preference (2300KG capacity IIRC)

Not sure this helps.
Many thanks smile The air suspension would be useful for that, also, I have 2 large flight cases to lift in, it would be great to drop the car down to make them easier to lift in.

This is the XC I've seen in Birmingham
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

And just found this allroad in Ludlow, The description seems very honest which is good -
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-A6-Allroad-2004/17...

Fastchas

2,764 posts

141 months

Thursday 23rd August 2018
quotequote all
I've heard nothing but problems with the Audi's air suspension.

alfie2244

11,292 posts

208 months

Thursday 23rd August 2018
quotequote all
Both mine were manual not auto.. I would consider both of those but probably only as a 2nd car if I didn't need to have my Pajero acting as a mobile dog kennel.

jamesbilluk

Original Poster:

4,142 posts

203 months

Thursday 23rd August 2018
quotequote all
alfie2244 said:
Both mine were manual not auto.. I would consider both of those but probably only as a 2nd car if I didn't need to have my Pajero acting as a mobile dog kennel.
Yeah, it will be a second car, I seem to be using the Evora as a daily at the moment, this will be used to carry the dog, and for taking the flight cases for the job at weekends (then more in the winter..) we buy any car are offering a great price for the Tiguan I have, and paying off the finance too, They pay the difference back to me.

Resolutionary

1,457 posts

191 months

Thursday 23rd August 2018
quotequote all
TiminYorkshire said:
What real world fuel consumption do you get from the 2.7tt? And is it a manual or auto?
Realistically you're looking at high teens to early 20s on a run. It really did pick up well for a car of it's size. I had plans for the engine but an accident saw to the end of that. Mine was auto tiptronic with low range box.

Fastchas said:
I've heard nothing but problems with the Audi's air suspension.
I have owned one, and had no problems in the two years I had it. In fact, I bought the compressor refurb kit and a specialist told me not to bother as it was working a treat.

jamesbilluk said:
And just found this allroad in Ludlow, The description seems very honest which is good -
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-A6-Allroad-2004/17...
That does look an honest example and it's had lots of stuff done, gearbox and bags included. You should at least view it - at the price it's got to be worth a punt!

Edited by Resolutionary on Thursday 23 August 16:38

geeks

10,836 posts

159 months

Thursday 23rd August 2018
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I am pretty sure the Audi was the first "car" to complete the Land Rover off road test course or something like that anyway.

jamesbilluk

Original Poster:

4,142 posts

203 months

Thursday 23rd August 2018
quotequote all
Resolutionary said:
That does look an honest example and it's had lots of stuff done, gearbox and bags included. You should at least view it - at the price it's got to be worth a punt!

Edited by Resolutionary on Thursday 23 August 16:38
I may well do! Im off to go and see that black XC70 as well. I even got side tracked looking at Toureag’s, then veered off to the V10 ones....

jamesbilluk

Original Poster:

4,142 posts

203 months

Thursday 23rd August 2018
quotequote all
Another nice looking Allroad here, one owner as well.

https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-A6-Allroad-Quattro-4...

Just wondering, with the 2.5, what sort of mileage do they usually get from a tank of diesel?

Resolutionary

1,457 posts

191 months

Thursday 23rd August 2018
quotequote all
jamesbilluk said:
Another nice looking Allroad here, one owner as well.

https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-A6-Allroad-Quattro-4...

Just wondering, with the 2.5, what sort of mileage do they usually get from a tank of diesel?
Not much past 30 on a long run, more like mid twenties as an average. Those early 2.5s weren't the most economical and only had about 180hp on tap - they do lift their skirt when pressing on though.

jamesbilluk

Original Poster:

4,142 posts

203 months

Thursday 23rd August 2018
quotequote all
That’s not too bad, considering the size of the car, not too bad if it’s a cheaper buy as well..

How many miles would you usually get on a tank of fuel?

Resolutionary

1,457 posts

191 months

Tuesday 28th August 2018
quotequote all
jamesbilluk said:
That’s not too bad, considering the size of the car, not too bad if it’s a cheaper buy as well..

How many miles would you usually get on a tank of fuel?
I'm not too sure with the diesels - my 2.7TT used to get around 300 per tank but I did often find my right foot quite heavy.