Audi Allroad 2.5 TDI 180bhp 2002

[MARLBOROLITES]

I read so much about others folks’ cars I thought I’d share my latest acquisition with you.

Whilst I really, really liked my daily driver Mk1 Octavia VRs I was tiring of its razor sharp ride on the poor excuses we have for roads around here. I…. specifically my derriere…..longed for something more comfortable and compliant! So I sold her on and bought a 2002 180 bhp Audi Allroad. She’s a 6 speed manual finished in metallic grey. She has a pretty new MoT, is sitting on 164,000 miles and has a bunch of receipts going back to her birthday, including recent evidence of air suspension replacement.
She’s in bloody marvellous condition both inside and out.

I quickly compiled a to do list:

Check steering geometry - she wandered like a drunk trying to find home
Check diff and gearbox mounts – audible clunk when changing gear
A/C wasn’t coming on…or is that off? ECON light on A/C off – ECON light off A/C on – anyhow, ECON light was permanently on
Replace climatronic unit - buttons completely worn so complete guesswork on which button does what!
Replace Symphony 2 - led display defective
Replace master window switch - rears weren’t working
Replace electric mirror switch - badly worn
Replace B pillar alarm switch – broken
Replace headlamp switch panel – badly worn
Restore headlights – glass is quite opaque
Restore aluminium roof rails – looked bloody awful, covered in milky residue
Rubber boot liner – to protect the mint carpet
Rubber tailored mats – ditto above
Damn good clean - inside and out!!

My mechanic quickly cured the wandering and clunking – 2 new ball joints and track rod ends. I bought second hand climatronic unit, Symphony 2, master window panel switch, electric mirror switch and alarm switch for the grand total of £54! Chuffed indeed! Whilst the led display on the replacement Symphony 2 is quite perfect the unit itself is proper scabby. The unit that originally came with the car is perfect, aside from a migraine inducing led display. You know where I’m going with this……. So, when I’m feeling sufficiently brave I intend swapping the led displays! Now I’ve fixed loads of mobile phones so I’m not put off by fiddly, precise electronic repairs. Just hope I’m capable of this one! I’ve not found a decent light switch/panel yet through, although I did, in error, buy the replacement plastics surround and knob - for a left hand drive. What a flipping do-nut am I! The boot liner was £20 delivered but I’m still looking for some heavy duty interior mats. I’ve refinished the aluminium roof bars using a Meguiars fine cutting paste. It needs a lot of elbow grease but I’m very pleased with the results. I used the same paste to polish the opaqueness from the headlamp lenses with really pleasing results.

She’s a great motorway cruiser and delivers circa 40 mpg at 65. Not so great in stop and start traffic but Rommel would look quite at home with his head out of the window in this thing. It’s built like a bloody tank. I love the engine sound. Under acceleration it’s reminiscent of a 5-cyl Audi Coupe GT a friend of mine once had. That lovely warble. I’ve been reading about how removing the soot box / cat is something worth doing and completely legal apparently. My trusted mechanic mentioned some injectors were damp so I’m hoping the reason for the odd puff of grey smoke is injector related.

My plan is to keep her for 2 to 3 years doing the odd preventative maintenance job to avoid bigger future bills. Talking of which, timing belt, tensioner and water pump due in 10,000 miles……

If anyone has any experience of running one of these 2.5tdis I’d welcome your advice on things to look out for. Here’s some pictures of her…..

[MARLBOROLITES]

[MARLBOROLITES]

[shalmaneser]

looks like a wonderful motorway mile muncher!

[dandam]

I have an a6 of similar age, though a non allroad 2.5tdi quattro sport, just ticked over 169k today.

They all wear on the headlight switch and practically impossible to get replacements. Lots of eBay / amazon sellers show the picture upside down so it looks like it should fit a rhd car but they won’t. Best you can hope for is that you can find a good second hand unit unit somewhere.

[MARLBOROLITES]

With the wandering cured she is indeed a fine cruiser. Keeping her in a straight line beforehand required the skills of a Jedi!

I've contacted a few ebayers breaking C5 A6s for that offending light switch panel. £30 seems to be the going rate. Which, for what it is, seems stooopid 'spensive! That's supply and demand for you!

I fitted an EGR blank plate yesterday... What a difference that's made. Definitely more perkier and a lot less smokey. And for the total cost of £3.00. I like satisfying and cheap improvements.

I'm going to fit a tuning module I picked up cheaply on eBay next. Just to see if it improves driveability and economy. It's a Chip Express module so pretty well known.

I like this budget motoring. I prefer driving the Audi to my Kodiaq!

[MARLBOROLITES]

Success on the light switch replacement! I found one on eBay in great condition for £10! Replacing the scabby one has made a helluva difference. Switchgear is all sorted now.

The Chip Express box has improved the driving experience no end. Far more torque and power...with no adverse impact on economy. I am a very happy chappie.

I'm less happy at the complete ass I've made of myself attempting to change a fog bulb. I managed to break the tailgate panel which I needed to remove to gain access to the bulb holdee. I thought this panel was a 2 piece but in fact was a single panel....but is now a 2 piece haha after some hamfistedness. Plastic welding needed now. And a complete waste of time cos the bulb I thought needed replacing was a simple reflective panel. Bloody gutted!

I'm not sure the vague steering has been sorted completely. After a few motorway trips I think she's still keen to wander a little. I'm wondering whether new tyres might cure the vagueness. I'd appreciate any thoughts. I'm tempted to go down the complete front suspension rebuild....but that won't come cheaply.