Allroad Vs A6 Quattro

[lostandfound]

I'm looking to get a 4x4 estate soon for under 5K so a 2000-2002 Allroad came up. Looking at diesel manual only.

What sort of things should I look out for with the air suspension? I've heard problems can be expensive...

For this price, would I just be better off looking at A6 Quattros? I do intend to take it up to the Alps every now and then but I'm starting to think the Allroad might be more trouble than it's worth...

[Yertis]

lostandfound said:

I'm looking to get a 4x4 estate soon for under 5K so a 2000-2002 Allroad came up. Looking at diesel manual only.

What sort of things should I look out for with the air suspension? I've heard problems can be expensive...

For this price, would I just be better off looking at A6 Quattros? I do intend to take it up to the Alps every now and then but I'm starting to think the Allroad might be more trouble than it's worth...

Speaking as the owner of an AllRoad, get the A6, I wish I had. To all practical purposes an A6 quattro is just as good in tricky-going, unless you need to go to crazy off-road places. (Although I've not had any problems with mine, I rarely use the uppy-downy suspension and the fuel consumption is crap).

[Gruber]

lostandfound said:

I'm looking to get a 4x4 estate soon for under 5K so a 2000-2002 Allroad came up. Looking at diesel manual only.

What sort of things should I look out for with the air suspension? I've heard problems can be expensive...

For this price, would I just be better off looking at A6 Quattros? I do intend to take it up to the Alps every now and then but I'm starting to think the Allroad might be more trouble than it's worth...

If you don't really need the fancy air suspension, I'd leave it well alone and go for the ordinary A6.

If you do go down the Allroad route, then I'd be checking the service history to see whether it has had the suspension bags and / or compressor changed. And, of course, making sure the suspension works! There's a button on the dash to make it go up and down manually, and it should also work automatically as you increase speed.

My Allroad was the 2.5tdi Auto. It was thirsty. Dunno how much better the manuals are. The ordinary A6 will be lighter and more economical.

And if you go for a diesel (whether Allroad or not) make sure it isn't due a cambelt change... buttock-clenchingly expensive.

[frosted]

If you can avoid the 2.5 tdi please do , it's not a bad engine just not peticulsry good at anything . I had a 2.4 v6 auto it was a joy to drive and the mpg is not far off the 2.5 tdi

[frosted]

A passat would be better value , there are few awd if fancy going that way

[lostandfound]

May as well open up the floor to suggestions...

Ok, the main requirements are:
Estate
Diesel
4WD

Optional but preferable leather seats, I'm expecting a fair bit of mud/sand in the car....

[Antony Moxey]

The 2.5tdi allroad has a more powerful engine than a standard A6 2.5tdi - or at least my 02 plate did - and of course it looks a whole lot better than a standard A6 too.

[astroarcadia]

Legacy or Forester.

[andy43]

If it's 100% got to be diesel, then you're kind of stuck with Audi or Volvo within your budget.
A 5k Allroad may just be a liability. An XC70 or V70 AWD diesel may have worn the miles better - there's some crazy-mile Volvos out there still demanding strong money.
Otherwise... Subaru as above

[lostandfound]

andy43 said:

If it's 100% got to be diesel, then you're kind of stuck with Audi or Volvo within your budget.
A 5k Allroad may just be a liability. An XC70 or V70 AWD diesel may have worn the miles better - there's some crazy-mile Volvos out there still demanding strong money.
Otherwise... Subaru as above

I think you're right, for the budget, the Allroad might be a bridge too far. I've seen some V70s come up on eBay with close to 200K on the clock! I've just got of the phone from a number of dealers who are advertising on Autotrader, so far they've all sold, I feel like JR Hartley.

[frosted]

You can't really go wring with volvo wagon , especially the r design ones , they actually may not be named r design the ones with a subtle go faster bodykit

[Mars]

New Legacy (did you set a budget? - I forgot to check before hitting "reply") diesel.

[Luke.]

Subaru Outback? Beats the Audi into a cocked hat.