Current Allroads more reliable?

[xyz]

Hi all!


I am considering buying an A6 and the Allroad is a bit tempting for various reasons.
I am not in a super need for the air suspension though, but can see that it could be useful at times.


Searching on the internet leaves you with the impression that there is nothing but trouble with the Allroad. Especially the air suspension seems to be a nightmare.


The more I read however, the more it seems like the situation has been dramatically improved on newer versions and the biggest issues are with the C5 based versions or is it just that the car need to be older than some 7 years before the rubber in the air system start stiffening up (or something similar) and things start leaking?

Basically, I cannot find many stories of air suspension problems on C6/C7 based cars.


I do have some similar memories of a Mercedes from the 80s with vacuum based central lock (and a few other vacuum based dependencies). Nothing but trouble once the rubber gets old enough. You can basically just give up having people repair things as parts will need fixing every few months until everything is replaced.


How is the story here on the Allroad?
Is it improved?

As I said, I would only find the air suspension convenient at times.
It is not a strict requirement so if I risk a lot of extra issues a few years down the road, I would probably stay away.


Thanks for any feedback!

[ukgroucho]

I don't think you're getting many responses because "nobody knows".

My gut feel is that the air suspension in newer models will be more reliable but this is just me thinking aloud. My basis
- The C5 was Audi's first derivative (to my knowledge) of air suspension... it also had a lot more travel / movement than the air suspension in C6 / C7s which may (or may not) have some impact.
- You would hope that Audi learned some lessons from their experience with C5 allroads and applied to the engineering of the later air suspension.
- Air suspension has been available across the C6 and C7 A6 range for a while (in addition to the allroad), also on the A7 and A8. I think that on C5 it was allroad only so a relatively small customer base compared to air suspension setups on A6 / A7 / A8s... and relatively few issues visible if you search online. Bigger customer base with less visible issues implies better reliability.

[jbanfie]

I agree with the above, when I ordered my car I had the debate with the dealer about reliability of the air suspension and he said it was all new on the platform and if I remember he said the A8 had it for a while. He reckoned it was better, but as with all these things, only time will tell - just ask BMW owners with that nice new 2.0 diesel engine that came in about 7 years ago and are now throwing timing chains with a 4 to 5 grand fix bill!!!

At least with the air suspension units, they are individual on each corner and probably quite easy to swap out, I think I'll be a bit annoyed if I'm replacing 1 a year for 4 years on the trot though!

[Guest 2]

If you're thinking of keeping your car past the 3 year warranty then you can extend it come 3 years if you wish.

[gianton]

The air suspension on my C6 3.0tdi Allroad is fault free since I got it 7 years ago with 186k kms on the clock. Only issue was with air compressor which was replaced under warranty even after the 3 year official warranty.

BTW, aren't all C7 models equipped with air suspension?

[ukgroucho]

BTW, aren't all C7 models equipped with air suspension?

No. The A6 allroad gets air suspension as standard of course but other A6 models it is an option (except the hybrid and S6 where it is not available). AND you need to have adaptive headlights as an option (bi-xenon or LEDs) ... so it's £2000 for the air suspension plus £600 / £1255 for adaptive xenons (£600 is the 'adaptive' upgrade for S-line / Black editions that have non-adaptive bi-xenons) or £1260 / £2500 for LEDs or LED 'upgrade'.
So realistically anywhere from £2600 to add to an S-line / Black edition (bi-Xenon) to £4500 to add to an SE (LED) - and a few price points in between.

If you want that stuff and a 3.0 TDi then it makes the allroad worth looking at 'cos it comes with extra goodies too.

[retired99]

No. The A6 allroad gets air suspension as standard of course but other A6 models it is an option (except the hybrid and S6 where it is not available). AND you need to have adaptive headlights as an option (bi-xenon or LEDs) ... so it's £2000 for the air suspension plus £600 / £1255 for adaptive xenons (£600 is the 'adaptive' upgrade for S-line / Black editions that have non-adaptive bi-xenons) or £1260 / £2500 for LEDs or LED 'upgrade'.
So realistically anywhere from £2600 to add to an S-line / Black edition (bi-Xenon) to £4500 to add to an SE (LED) - and a few price points in between.

If you want that stuff and a 3.0 TDi then it makes the allroad worth looking at 'cos it comes with extra goodies too.


....and Allroads depreciate less making them potentially a more cost effective purchase.

[fest0r]

If you're thinking of keeping your car past the 3 year warranty then you can extend it come 3 years if you wish.

Is that an AUDI scheme Chris? I thought any extended manufacturer’s warranty had to be added when specing the car for build?

[Guest 2]

Well they only brought the speccing when ordering thing in recently but yes, its an Audi one, ran by Audi themselves. Same cover that the original warranty provided with breakdown, no excess, unlimited claims etc.

[ukgroucho]

I bought one for my old C6 thru my dealer.. same cover as the "Audi policy" but about 40% of the price for 3 years if I recall.

The dealer had gone to a underwriter and got them to spec up the same cover. If you had an issue and could get the car to one of the dealers workshops then they would fix stuff and no money changed hands (they dealt direct with the underwriter). If you could not get to one of their workshops ... maybe you were abroad... then you paid and claimed it back so long as an Audi dealer did the work.

[fest0r]

Great news :biggthump

[jk88]

No. The A6 allroad gets air suspension as standard of course but other A6 models it is an option (except the hybrid and S6 where it is not available).

I belive it's standard on the S6

[ukgroucho]

Oops yup you are right jk... I just scanned teh MY2014 brochure and saw that it was not an option for the S6 - it is standard equipment, although seems to have a more limited travel range (20mm) and no 'lift' option.