Allroad owners
Discussion
I get the impression there's a gathering of Allroad owners here on Pistonheads, especially from the PH C7 buying guide, so I thought I'd start an owners thread to see if it has any "traction" haha.
I sold my A6 Avant to cash in on the used car prices (and due to an imminent move out of London) and got myself an Allroad with the same 272 TDI. It's a Tornado grey 65 reg with 127K miles. So far I've cleaned the leather (inc steering wheel), replaced the rear tyres and tomorrow it's having a gearbox oil change for peace of mind. That'll be it until two front tyres in a couple of months.
Options on it are quite scarce. It's got BOSE, better nav, heated wheel and body coloured wheel arches. I think that's it. Oh it's a Sport so it's got the same seats I'm used to on the A6. Nice to have proper exhaust pipes again!
Show us your Allroad; A4/A6, all welcome!
I sold my A6 Avant to cash in on the used car prices (and due to an imminent move out of London) and got myself an Allroad with the same 272 TDI. It's a Tornado grey 65 reg with 127K miles. So far I've cleaned the leather (inc steering wheel), replaced the rear tyres and tomorrow it's having a gearbox oil change for peace of mind. That'll be it until two front tyres in a couple of months.
Options on it are quite scarce. It's got BOSE, better nav, heated wheel and body coloured wheel arches. I think that's it. Oh it's a Sport so it's got the same seats I'm used to on the A6. Nice to have proper exhaust pipes again!
Show us your Allroad; A4/A6, all welcome!
I'm on my third Allroad, one of each model C5 C6 and C7. I got my last one two years ago, it has now done about 114,000miles. One of the first, a 62 reg, and has an options code S9T "Special vehicle for market launch" which, particularly as it has a colour combination I've not seen before, and an OY plate that a lot of Audis seen in reviews have, makes me think it was a press review or dealer launch car. The mechatronic failed earlier this summer, the cause being the relatively much cheaper valve in the coolant flow to the gearbox had leaked, allowing coolant up inside a wiring harness and into the connections to the mechatronic. Changed at an Audi dealer, it has just failed again! Fortunately being changed under warranty. Apart from that in the 40,000 miles I've done since I got it, a full set of discs, pads and tyres, ABS sensor, aircon pressure sensor and rear suspension track control arms. ![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/cmgH5BsZ.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/yLVqu1zb" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/yLVqu1zb.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/yLVqu1zb" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/yLVqu1zb.jpg)
Ah, this should be a great thread. Allroad owners seem to be decent types.
I'm on my second C7 shape Allroad. The first one I got on a very cheap lease deal (272PS version, 3+23 months at £337 per month for 8k/annum - included metallic paint but I added alcantara sports seats as my one option for a somewhat pricey £30 a month extra). I'd fancied one for a long time but always seemed to be distracted by other cars which I didn't keep long. I wish I'd had a longer lease on the Allroad; it went back the day I returned from my honeymoon so I was distracted when it left.
I always said while I had it that I'd have another at some point, but preferably with more options. Realising this year that I was more likely to end up with a C8 shape which I don't like nearly as much, I jumped on a relatively sensibly priced late C7 with low miles (17k) at a main dealer; I saw it before it was on Auto Trader and I think they'd priced it using an old Glass's guide so it would have been snapped up if I hadn't had it.
Spec isn't as high as I really wanted (comfort seats and beaufort wood trim would have been lovely) but it's a 272 Sport with the same basic colour and trim as I specced my original car (moonlight blue paint, alcantara sports seats). The options on the Sport make it feel less bare, and mine has on top:
- Tech Pack
- Folding mirrors
- 20" wheels
- Audi phone box (pointless)
- full paint finish
to which I added the official Apple Carplay (software installation by the dealer) and a 2nd year on the approved used warranty
While I fancied a BiTDi, I actually like the way the 7-sp S-Tronic suits the car and I do plenty of miles so the better economy of the 272 is a bonus. The 272 doesn't feel slow. So far I'm averaging about 43mpg in the new acquisition (90% motorway miles commuting). Done nearly 6k miles and it's not demanded an Adblue top up yet.
I've ordered a set of the standard 18" Allroad alloys for winter tyre use, but I might actually fit Goodyear Vector All Seasons and use them all year round. One of the joys of the Allroad is the brilliant ride and the 20" wheels are a bit flashy and take the edge off it just a little.
The thing I really like about the Allroad is how much less brash it is than an S-line or Black Edition A6 Avant. The air suspension means you can stick it in Dynamic and really throw it about or cruise about in incredible comfort. It'll do a bit of light green laning if you're so inclined (I am less so in my own car than the leased one
) or you can just raise it Allroad height for a better view out. It still handles well like that; when I'm down in Devon or away generally I raise mine up and call it holiday mode. Compared to an F10 5-series Touring, Volvo V90 Cross Country or Merc CLS Shooting Brake it is so much more fun to drive. Nobody really says that; I can only think Allroad owners are quietly smiling and feel no need to tell the world how good it is. Or maybe it's because they're used so much as tools; plenty for sale have very high mileages (which mine will have by the time I change it, I'm sure).
I have to say I'm not particularly fussed about the full paint finish. I think it works well on a black one with the 20" Allroad-specific alloys but I quite like the contrasting wheelarches and sills. Here are my current and previous cars (in that order):
I'm on my second C7 shape Allroad. The first one I got on a very cheap lease deal (272PS version, 3+23 months at £337 per month for 8k/annum - included metallic paint but I added alcantara sports seats as my one option for a somewhat pricey £30 a month extra). I'd fancied one for a long time but always seemed to be distracted by other cars which I didn't keep long. I wish I'd had a longer lease on the Allroad; it went back the day I returned from my honeymoon so I was distracted when it left.
I always said while I had it that I'd have another at some point, but preferably with more options. Realising this year that I was more likely to end up with a C8 shape which I don't like nearly as much, I jumped on a relatively sensibly priced late C7 with low miles (17k) at a main dealer; I saw it before it was on Auto Trader and I think they'd priced it using an old Glass's guide so it would have been snapped up if I hadn't had it.
Spec isn't as high as I really wanted (comfort seats and beaufort wood trim would have been lovely) but it's a 272 Sport with the same basic colour and trim as I specced my original car (moonlight blue paint, alcantara sports seats). The options on the Sport make it feel less bare, and mine has on top:
- Tech Pack
- Folding mirrors
- 20" wheels
- Audi phone box (pointless)
- full paint finish
to which I added the official Apple Carplay (software installation by the dealer) and a 2nd year on the approved used warranty
While I fancied a BiTDi, I actually like the way the 7-sp S-Tronic suits the car and I do plenty of miles so the better economy of the 272 is a bonus. The 272 doesn't feel slow. So far I'm averaging about 43mpg in the new acquisition (90% motorway miles commuting). Done nearly 6k miles and it's not demanded an Adblue top up yet.
I've ordered a set of the standard 18" Allroad alloys for winter tyre use, but I might actually fit Goodyear Vector All Seasons and use them all year round. One of the joys of the Allroad is the brilliant ride and the 20" wheels are a bit flashy and take the edge off it just a little.
The thing I really like about the Allroad is how much less brash it is than an S-line or Black Edition A6 Avant. The air suspension means you can stick it in Dynamic and really throw it about or cruise about in incredible comfort. It'll do a bit of light green laning if you're so inclined (I am less so in my own car than the leased one
) or you can just raise it Allroad height for a better view out. It still handles well like that; when I'm down in Devon or away generally I raise mine up and call it holiday mode. Compared to an F10 5-series Touring, Volvo V90 Cross Country or Merc CLS Shooting Brake it is so much more fun to drive. Nobody really says that; I can only think Allroad owners are quietly smiling and feel no need to tell the world how good it is. Or maybe it's because they're used so much as tools; plenty for sale have very high mileages (which mine will have by the time I change it, I'm sure).I have to say I'm not particularly fussed about the full paint finish. I think it works well on a black one with the 20" Allroad-specific alloys but I quite like the contrasting wheelarches and sills. Here are my current and previous cars (in that order):
Nice cars both.
Before I bought my previous car I saw a 66 reg Bi-TDI at Milton Keynes (saw it online) and it was very nicely specced, although above budget at the time, something around £35K in 2018. It was green with beige leather and had a few options and with a reg starting with OW so possibly an Audi UK car first.
Any more Allroad owners about?
Before I bought my previous car I saw a 66 reg Bi-TDI at Milton Keynes (saw it online) and it was very nicely specced, although above budget at the time, something around £35K in 2018. It was green with beige leather and had a few options and with a reg starting with OW so possibly an Audi UK car first.
Any more Allroad owners about?
An aspiring Allroad owner here! 
I had an a6 Avant for nearly 10 years and it was a brilliant, and comfortable workhorse that travelled many miles all over the UK and Europe. This year it was time for a change, and I quite fancied the idea of 4 wheel drive and a bit of lift, and as the A6 was so good (it was a 2.7tdi manual), I thought a used allroad, in BiTDi form ideally would be a great upgrade, and had a look at a couple. Very nice cars...
I was seduced by the dark world of the SUV though, and ended up buying a 4 yr old Jeep Grand Cherokee, mainly because the the long list of standard options (kids really wanted reclining (never seen), rear heated seats (rare in an A6) for the long journeys), and relatively reliable and priced compared to Range Rover/GL/X5/Touareg equivalents, strong 8 speed gearbox and 3l v6 diesel engine (250bhp), plus to me it's a good looking, reasonably uncommon car. I also thought I would get more boot space to fit all the camping gear for all the UK staycations this summer and extra stuff for the dog and growing kids.
To a point however, I am now regretting my purchase. Somebody at Jeep was telling a few porkies with the boot dimensions, and in reality it is a fair bit shorter than the A6 and the dimensions they claim, as I found, are measured to the ceiling, not the seat heights like everyone else! Also, the Jeep air suspension, although gives you loads of clearance, and good for climbing over rocks and boulders, results in a very bouncy ride, has SUV style cornering, bangs alarmingly on occasion too. MPG even for diesel is pretty pants, engine is tractor-like in refinement (somehow this same VM Motori unit is used in the Maserati Ghibli too), and the automatic first gear is very binary and takes a lot of prodding to get the 2.5 tonne car going. And despite perhaps reliable underpinnings, just the way everything feels flimsy makes me feel this car will not last me (and kids and dog) 10 years in the same way my last Audi did.
So I reckon after the winter, once I've visited plenty of muddy rugby clubs, and possibly had a drive to the Alps and back, I will be on the market for the more subtle refinement of the Audi Allroad. I'll be keeping an eye on this thread with interest....
I had an a6 Avant for nearly 10 years and it was a brilliant, and comfortable workhorse that travelled many miles all over the UK and Europe. This year it was time for a change, and I quite fancied the idea of 4 wheel drive and a bit of lift, and as the A6 was so good (it was a 2.7tdi manual), I thought a used allroad, in BiTDi form ideally would be a great upgrade, and had a look at a couple. Very nice cars...
I was seduced by the dark world of the SUV though, and ended up buying a 4 yr old Jeep Grand Cherokee, mainly because the the long list of standard options (kids really wanted reclining (never seen), rear heated seats (rare in an A6) for the long journeys), and relatively reliable and priced compared to Range Rover/GL/X5/Touareg equivalents, strong 8 speed gearbox and 3l v6 diesel engine (250bhp), plus to me it's a good looking, reasonably uncommon car. I also thought I would get more boot space to fit all the camping gear for all the UK staycations this summer and extra stuff for the dog and growing kids.
To a point however, I am now regretting my purchase. Somebody at Jeep was telling a few porkies with the boot dimensions, and in reality it is a fair bit shorter than the A6 and the dimensions they claim, as I found, are measured to the ceiling, not the seat heights like everyone else! Also, the Jeep air suspension, although gives you loads of clearance, and good for climbing over rocks and boulders, results in a very bouncy ride, has SUV style cornering, bangs alarmingly on occasion too. MPG even for diesel is pretty pants, engine is tractor-like in refinement (somehow this same VM Motori unit is used in the Maserati Ghibli too), and the automatic first gear is very binary and takes a lot of prodding to get the 2.5 tonne car going. And despite perhaps reliable underpinnings, just the way everything feels flimsy makes me feel this car will not last me (and kids and dog) 10 years in the same way my last Audi did.
So I reckon after the winter, once I've visited plenty of muddy rugby clubs, and possibly had a drive to the Alps and back, I will be on the market for the more subtle refinement of the Audi Allroad. I'll be keeping an eye on this thread with interest....
Edited by prand on Friday 29th October 12:07
Not an owner but I've always had a soft spot for these.
I was about to pipe up with "aren't they all diesels?" but a quick scan of AT shows they chucked the 4.2 V8 in it.
This is lovely and very low miles for age, the want is strong!
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110128...
I was about to pipe up with "aren't they all diesels?" but a quick scan of AT shows they chucked the 4.2 V8 in it.
This is lovely and very low miles for age, the want is strong!
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110128...
PurpleTurtle said:
Not an owner but I've always had a soft spot for these.
I was about to pipe up with "aren't they all diesels?" but a quick scan of AT shows they chucked the 4.2 V8 in it.
This is lovely and very low miles for age, the want is strong!
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110128...
Blimey - looking at £13k price but as you say very low miles for the age. Friend had one of that vintage, lots of trouble with air suspension, ended up locking it to a single height converting to coil springs.I was about to pipe up with "aren't they all diesels?" but a quick scan of AT shows they chucked the 4.2 V8 in it.
This is lovely and very low miles for age, the want is strong!
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110128...
They haven't made it public yet, but Audi have discontinued both the A4 Allroad and the A6 Allroad. As an A4 Avant owner this was likely to be my next car so it's disappointing. I had this confirmed by Audi and by a main dealer. It's a damn shame because they fill a nice niche in the market. The only competition was a Volvo V60 Cross Country but I returned mine due to the truly shocking ride comfort, or rather lack of. My A4 Avant made the V60 seem like a tractor in terms of the suspension
Edited by lornemalvo on Saturday 30th October 09:37
lornemalvo said:
They haven't made it public yet, but Audi have discontinued both the A4 Allroad and the A6 Allroad. As an A4 Avant owner this was likely to be my next car so it's disappointing. I had this confirmed by Audi and by a main dealer. It's a damn shame because they fill a nice niche in the market. The only competition was a Volvo V60 Cross Country but I returned mine due to the truly shocking ride comfort, or rather lack of. My A4 Avant made the V60 seem like a tractor in terms of the suspension
That's a shame, and doesn't really make much sense, though perhaps they're just not getting the sales, especially in comparison to the standard avants, and also emphasis is now towards developing the Q and E-tron ranges instead.Edited by lornemalvo on Saturday 30th October 09:37
As above in to my second c7 Allroad now.
The first ran on 19's and the all season tyres were nice and cheap. The gearbox started to make a murmur that made my wallet s
t itself.
I was very tempted by the BiTurbos for a giggle, but seeing as its really used loafing around and I can imagine the 'BiTurbo tax' on the parts such as pads, discs etc would take the fun out of the ownership.
Found another nicer spec that is the Sport, in the dark bronze, cream leather and panoramic so a lovely place inside.
Its been good so far except an annoyance on the camera system : https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... - yet oddly still self parks.
The 20", in All-Season spec are pricey Cayenne jobs, should have kept my 19"s !
Other than that - the biggest drawback on the cars are the dealerships !
The first ran on 19's and the all season tyres were nice and cheap. The gearbox started to make a murmur that made my wallet s
t itself. I was very tempted by the BiTurbos for a giggle, but seeing as its really used loafing around and I can imagine the 'BiTurbo tax' on the parts such as pads, discs etc would take the fun out of the ownership.
Found another nicer spec that is the Sport, in the dark bronze, cream leather and panoramic so a lovely place inside.
Its been good so far except an annoyance on the camera system : https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... - yet oddly still self parks.
The 20", in All-Season spec are pricey Cayenne jobs, should have kept my 19"s !
Other than that - the biggest drawback on the cars are the dealerships !
I've just recently bought a 2013 allroad as my sensible do everything car. Have to say I am loving it so far, living in the Scottish countryside it really is the perfect car for me, it's got the 18" wheels with nice big sidewalls on the tyres which make a huge difference to the ride comfort on what pass for roads around Glasgow, plenty of room for my mountain bike/snowboards etc. Mine only had 58k miles on it when I bought it so hopefully it will last me quite a while.
I plan to use it for winter trips to the Alps if we're ever allowed to do such things again, and it's already been used for a few trips up north. I have to say I am pleasantly surprised with how quick it feels, I have the 275bhp version, but my previous couple of cars were a 997 C4s and before that a C7 RS6 which I had for 4 years and 60k miles. The allroad is obviously not as fast as them but doesn't feel that much slower, and is far more comfy on our crappy roads and uses much less fuel!
The only thing that lets it down slightly are the current tyres, they are Continental SportContact 5's and I feel they are lacking in grip a bit in the wet. It could just be the fact that they are about half the width of my other cars though, maybe I just need to get used to them!
I plan to use it for winter trips to the Alps if we're ever allowed to do such things again, and it's already been used for a few trips up north. I have to say I am pleasantly surprised with how quick it feels, I have the 275bhp version, but my previous couple of cars were a 997 C4s and before that a C7 RS6 which I had for 4 years and 60k miles. The allroad is obviously not as fast as them but doesn't feel that much slower, and is far more comfy on our crappy roads and uses much less fuel!
The only thing that lets it down slightly are the current tyres, they are Continental SportContact 5's and I feel they are lacking in grip a bit in the wet. It could just be the fact that they are about half the width of my other cars though, maybe I just need to get used to them!
There seems to be a limited range of tyres available to fit the standard 18" wheels on the C7 Allroad. No doubt due to the tall sidewalls. I am getting a set for winter but will probably put all season tyres on and use them all year (I like the ride quality on them too) - there are plenty of all season tyres available in the correct size, if that's useful.
Jobbo said:
There seems to be a limited range of tyres available to fit the standard 18" wheels on the C7 Allroad. No doubt due to the tall sidewalls. I am getting a set for winter but will probably put all season tyres on and use them all year (I like the ride quality on them too) - there are plenty of all season tyres available in the correct size, if that's useful.
Thanks, that’s my plan too I think. I’ve read good things about the Michelin Crossclimate 2 tyres but they are currently unavailable in the correct size unfortunately. I've just joined the Allroad club, though at much closer to the bottom end of the market than the rest of you...
I am enjoying it so far, however I think timing chain replacement will have to be done in the not too distant future, which I understand to be a bit of a beast of a job.
Does anyone have recommendations for the best UK owners forum for these cars?
I am enjoying it so far, however I think timing chain replacement will have to be done in the not too distant future, which I understand to be a bit of a beast of a job.
Does anyone have recommendations for the best UK owners forum for these cars?
deadtom said:
I've just joined the Allroad club, though at much closer to the bottom end of the market than the rest of you...
I am enjoying it so far, however I think timing chain replacement will have to be done in the not too distant future, which I understand to be a bit of a beast of a job.
Does anyone have recommendations for the best UK owners forum for these cars?
Nice one. my A6 Avant was of similar vintage, and I certainly miss having the comfort and space in the boot.I am enjoying it so far, however I think timing chain replacement will have to be done in the not too distant future, which I understand to be a bit of a beast of a job.
Does anyone have recommendations for the best UK owners forum for these cars?
MisanoPayments said:
Nice car! Looking at its MOT history, you're only about 25 or 30K miles ahead of me and nice also to see the contrasting interior.
Thanks! If cared for it sounds like these engines are regularly good for well over 200k miles, so I hope it's got a few years of good service left in it beyond the current 150k
I am a big fan of dark exterior, light interior colours, although this car is a relatively basic spec having only half leather seats, which are not heated.
It does have the power tailgate though, which is a novelty!
It'll be mainly used for a my 90 mile motorway schlep to work 2 or 3 times per week as well as going off on adventures with dog / mountain bike at the weekends and for cross country jaunts from Yorkshire to Dorset to see family.
Now I just need this sense of impending financial ruin to subside and I'll be all set!
My big lump…
Odd spec I think…
Valcone leather
Giant wheels
Body colour plastic bits
Power tailgate
Sat nav - was that extra?
It replaced my e39 M5 ( don’t it still makes me sad ) because this fella got too big for it…
He’s a bit bigger now and fills the boot a bit better.
Just did a round trip to Münster to drop my daughter at Uni. Absolutely effortless cruise there and back.
Love it.
Odd spec I think…
Valcone leather
Giant wheels
Body colour plastic bits
Power tailgate
Sat nav - was that extra?
It replaced my e39 M5 ( don’t it still makes me sad ) because this fella got too big for it…
He’s a bit bigger now and fills the boot a bit better.
Just did a round trip to Münster to drop my daughter at Uni. Absolutely effortless cruise there and back.
Love it.
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