Audi allroad: Perfect Choice?

[Flocker]

Tell me why an Audi allroad isnt the best choice for my planned 12-15k mile North American tour this May. I am not as interested in "muddin'" and recreational "rock crawlin'", but nearly 2,500 miles of the planned route are completely off-pavement (forest srvc., logging roads in ME, trans-Labrador, parts of Mexico etc.)

1. Sleeps 2 in back
2. 250 hp
3. Adjustable ride height that offers more ground clearance than a Grand Cherokee or stock Disco in level 4.
4. Yoko Geolanders fit perfectly
5. 20 mpg
6. Quiet enough to have a conversation at 100 mph.
7. Quattro (no true low range)
8. plenty of room for a good roof basket and roof mounted full size spare

I mean what am i missing? I own a Series IIa and put 50k miles on an FJ62, but why not choose a quattro platform that uses less gas, cruises better, and has real off-road capability? When will i wish i had a 4 runner with lockers and a snorkel?

 

[Scott Brady]

I have always liked that car. Would be a fun machine for many trips.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

If that is the type of thing you're looking for, I'd strongly suggest a Subaru Forester instead. It has many of the same attributes, but likely more room, and more reliable. Somebody on this site detailed a trip they took on logging roads with a bunch of trucks, as proof-of-concept.

 

[Life_in_4Lo]

terrible choice. the airbag suspension WILL fail/leak/collapse
the 2.7T is underpowered for the weight and the 4.2 is a gas hog. There are trans issues, turbo issues, tb, etc etc etc

 

[upcruiser]

The biggest issue with a Forrester is the lack of length in the back to sleep. A Legacy Outback would be a better option. I am not an expert on Allroads but I do know people that own them who have had expensive issues related to the airbag system used for the front and rear suspensions. That said though, the A6 avant that it is based on is a fantastic vehicle. I have toured on unrestricted autobahn and cruised comfortably at 150mph, rock solid. The twin turbo V 10 RS6 avant is a story for another time. It is my all around favorite car that I have driven, simply amazing.

 

[FurthurOnTheFly]

MMMM.....Allroad. Boy do I miss that car. Don't miss the horrible gas mileage though...or the TPMS system that never worked. BUT we almost re-purchased one two years ago when we ended up with the FJ instead. The airbag system was great, TONS of room (Forester with more room? No way!) and it was fun to drive.

I think it would be just fine on any forest/fire road and maybe even a little worse roadage in the highest suspension setting. Personally, I'd go for it...it is the UBERwagen!!

 

[cwvandy]

Allroad

I have had an Allroad for nearly 6 years (75K miles). No problems whatsoever with turbo, transmission, suspension, etc.---everything has worked perfectly. Average MPG for the life of the car has been 22mpg. Car is driven over dirt roads in and out of my property in eastern Oregon, in the snow, dirt, mud and cross country at ticket-worthy speeds in every western state. Best, most versatile every-day use car I have owned.
I also have a '09 expedition built Tacoma with Icon / ARB suspension upgrades, skid plates, front/rear bumpers, rtt, etc. The two are VERY different beasts, indeed. For the occasional dirt road and use on the highway, you can't beat the Audi. Just remember, Allroad focus, not off-road focus. Just my two cents.

 

[Maddmatt]

Love the All-Road - but for the money it's hard to imagine what you would get into that an Outback wouldn't handle just as well - with plenty of extra cash in your pocket.

That being said - vehicles are an emotional purchase. We all like to pretend that we are making solid decisions based on thorough cost-benefit analysis procedures, but if that were the case most of us would be driving Ford Escort wagons.

Truth is, some people gravitate towards different cars for different reasons, some people park a car and walk way, some people park a car, walk a few steps and then turn around to look at it. I'll admit to being in the latter group. If you've got the cash I can't think of any reason not to go in an Allroad - if I had the cash I would. :smiley_drive:

 

[Life_in_4Lo]

allroads are cool looking. I love Audi's and will probably always have one but will never buy the allroad. It is plagued w/ issues, expensive ones.
It takes a serious commitment to own one.

Realistically, the 4Runner will be much faster, tougher, cheaper, far more reliable and get comparable mpg's - if not better- than the allroad.

*-
and don't get me wrong, the allroad is a beautiful car. That's why I considered it. It is simply way too expensive to upkeep and unreliable.
If you do want to buy, get the 4.2 - more power for the heavy AR, generally more reliable and nearly the same mpg's.
2.7T only if it's tied to the 6spd manual.

 

[MAAlbertson]

take it from someone that owned an allroad until last week

I just sold my allroad....I absolutely loved the car. I bought it for all the same reasons you mention. However, the reality is much different. I replaced it with a Touareg.

It really doesn't have the ground clearance you need. You are basically limited to level two and some level three driving. It does have skid plates but they are made of ABS plastic...the oil pan is made of an alloy and not steel like in a truck...so one hard knock it will crack....not dent like a steel pan. In level three and level four on the ride height there are strict speed limits...level three is something like 30 MPH and level four is like 10 or 15. You don't want to exceed these limits as you will cause damage to the trans as a result of the axle angle. There are a lot of problems with the air bag susp...I had to replace mine, and if they go down on you while you are off road you are in deep dodo...it will drop like a lowrider and there isn't anything you can do about it. Also, approach and departure angles are much different than an SUV.....so you have a great wagon, that is good for very light offroad that gets about 19 to 23 MPG depending on your driving...you might as well buy a diesel pickup...you have more room, more capability and better mileage.

 

[Flocker]

Thanks for all of your thoughtful comments. I understand the value of a tested platform that has been used by hundreds before me, but it just occurred to me as I was riding in a discovery on a thousand mile trip last year that there has to be a better way when in most scenarios, 80% of time is on a passable, if not comfortable road.

 

[carolinasuby]

I would say do something from Subaru. An 07XT wagon would be a great vehicle with plenty of power. I have an 03 LL Bean with the 6 cylinder motor and it runs great. I have spent time in Pisgah Forest on countless forest roads and it handles the terrain great. I have a buddy who owned an Allroad, and he spent a small fortune on the airbag issue. The audi is a beautiful car, but so temper mental. I would place it with the Volvo XC. Another great car in theory, but costs an arm and leg to keep running.

 

[lwg]

I had an Allroad for a while, loved it. I'm a bit of an Audi fan, we eventually replaced the Allroad with an S6 wagon. Audi's are like Land Rover's in my mind. With good maintenance their very reliable. The Honda and Subaru folks always cry about them not being reliable. The Audi has something they seriously lack, style!

The engine is not underpowered like mentioned. 250HP is plenty, the car is very nice. Also you can get the 2.7 in a manual. The C5 class is very big on the inside. I think if you plan your route well it will serve it's purpose perfectly.

One last thing, like all Audi's they don't hold their value very well. It'll be pretty easy to find one for the low teens.

 

[haven]

For many years, I drove all sorts of forest service and BLM roads in a Honda Civic Wagon with 5 inches of ground clearance. So there's no question you can complete your journey in the Allroad as long as you respect the vehicle's limitations.

One limitation is the lack of sidewall in the Allroad's 55 series tires. Reducing tire pressure is a great way to increase traction, but it's also likely to dent your alloy rims.

Traveling with a single vehicle, you won't have help with recovery. You'll have to be extra careful in muddy situations. Logging trucks make very deep ruts!

When you know the general route you plan to take, post questions. Several ExPo members have traveled in eastern Quebec and Labrador, and can offer advice.

 

[Christian P.]

I have always love the look of the Allroad but I would suggest an Outback XT instead:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2006...ewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item1c108f9529