A6 Allroad 1st gen discussion.

[exelero]

Hey. Did anyone on here owned a first gen A6 allroad automatic? I will need an estate and I live on the farm so ground clearance is a bit of extra. Has anyone owned these? Are there any particular say gearbox issues? It would be a 2.5 tdi , I think that’s a good engine some would say bulletproof. These can now be picked up for next to nothing that’s why I’m thinking about it. I have no previous experience in any Audi or VAG cars.

[anonymous-user]

I like them, a colleague owned one. He did have a lot of trouble with it which eventually put him off Audi for life.

IIRC chocolate cams are something that engine suffers from along with air suspension issues, other than that it is the standard A6 problems of that generation and age to contend with.

[shtu]

I know it's not what you asked, but if you can stretch to one the 2nd generation has the far, far better 3.0TDI engine.

[annodomini2]

2.5tdi also has a tendency to eat fuel pumps

[davejones]

I’ve had a 2.5Tdi SE from new, bought in late 2004 it has been very dependable and reliable. We’ve done about 120k miles in it, I replaced the gearbox at about 85k and had a couple of new air shocks and other than a crank sensor, just general annual servicing. It gets used for loads of different tasks including occasional towing duties - I tow a pretty large Brian James Race Transporter with either a Porsche or Volvo Amazon onboard and the allroad takes it all in its stride. I’ve had other newer stuff, including the current allroad biturbo - which is a nice vehicle but no match for the quality of the gen one, even if its loads slower!! And as a tow car the new version was crap. I’ll be very sad to see it go when it finally gives up the ghost - but I’m hoping I can keep it going for a few more years - the air suspension makes the ride excellent. I can thoroughly recommend them.....we have a load of woodland and I have used it on occasions to tow equipment around, its more than a match for the Mitsubishi 4x4s we use.....

[Yertis]

I had a 2.5 manual for about ten years. Mixed opinions really. It only actually let me down once, unfortunately when I was about to take Mum to hospital for a heart operation, so not great timing. But lots of niggly things went wrong – door locks, alarm, speakers, the plenum blocked and the cabin got damp, wishbone bushes and inevitably all of the suspension airbag thingies. It cost a lot to keep up together. On the upside, when everything was working (which was mostly, to be fair), it was incredibly capable. Fast and comfortable, quite economical and with off-road capability that impressed even my L-R owning friends.

I eventually ruined it by replacing the airbags with coil-overs – big mistake. Replaced it with a new A6 Allroad 3.0 BiTurbo which went like the proverbial but I never really bonded with that one in the same way.