Looking to buy a C5 Allroad...... what should I know???

[FredWhite&Blue]

Hey guys! I'm currently in the market for a new daily and one of the options I have narrowed it down to is a C5 Allroad. I just so happen to find one locally that appears to be well maintained.

It's a 2003 Allroad with 111,000 miles and an automatic transmission.
The owner says the timing belt, water pump, etc. was all replaced 12k miles ago. Also, the factory air ride has been replaced with coils. Stage 1 APR tune as well.

My question is, what should I look out for when looking to buy one of these cars? Any common issues? Good, bad, or ugly, I'd like to know it all. The more information I have the better I can assess this car and future cars. Also, what kind of real world fuel mileage do you guys get out of your Allroads???

Thanks!


Ad for car in question.......
https://omaha.craigslist.org/cto/5305355875.html

[n8henn]

The biggest things, Turbo's, auto transmissions (torque converter), oil leaks. I wont mention air ride since its already on coils. There is a TON of info/warnings available if you search. My AR gets between 18-19mpg combo highway/city. mostly city.

[julex]

are you a mechanic or at least a heavily trained DYI? HAve a lot of time to burn or a lot money to spend to fix it? If it is a "yes" then go for it, if not, stay far far away from 2.7t platform, especially from tiptronics and ESPECIALLY from allroads and absolutely don't count on it to be your daily even if you can replace air spring in 1h.

Then if you're asking about MPG... then seriously stop your considerations right there. Some might quote crazy MPG values (for this platform it means slightly about 20mpg) but fact is that vast majority get well below 20MPG combined MPG. I know I get about 19 if I totally hyper-mile my car with my 6speed tranny, or 16-17MPG just going to work with suburb and a little of highway mixed in. If I decide to step on it at any time, I definitely end up in 15-16 range on a tank. Car is in perfect condition... On long trips, if I stay ~70mph I can squeeze about 20-21mpg out of the car.

[LINDW4LL]

Automatic transmission is probably the most common failure point along with turbos. Your mileage is relatively low, though.

are you a mechanic or at least a heavily trained DYI? HAve a lot of time to burn or a lot money to spend to fix it? If it is a "yes" then go for it, if not, stay far far away from 2.7t platform, especially from tiptronics and ESPECIALLY from allroads and absolutely don't count on it to be your daily even if you can replace air spring in 1h.

Ridiculous.

[FredWhite&Blue]

are you a mechanic or at least a heavily trained DYI? HAve a lot of time to burn or a lot money to spend to fix it? If it is a "yes" then go for it, if not, stay far far away from 2.7t platform, especially from tiptronics and ESPECIALLY from allroads and absolutely don't count on it to be your daily even if you can replace air spring in 1h.

Then if you're asking about MPG... then seriously stop your considerations right there. Some might quote crazy MPG values (for this platform it means slightly about 20mpg) but fact is that vast majority get well below 20MPG combined MPG. I know I get about 19 if I totally hyper-mile my car with my 6speed tranny, or 16-17MPG just going to work with suburb and a little of highway mixed in. If I decide to step on it at any time, I definitely end up in 15-16 range on a tank. Car is in perfect condition... On long trips, if I stay ~70mph I can squeeze about 20-21mpg out of the car.

I didn't ask for mileage numbers expecting anything great; I was simply curious. I am actually pretty mechanically inclined, but that doesn't mean I want to be under my car working on it more than I'm driving it. So far I've gathered the two biggest things to look out for is the torque converters on these cars have issues and when the turbos go out it can be quite the headache. Anything else???

[Airflite40]

www.allroadfaq.com and specifically this article

http://allroadfaq.com/main/index.php...eral&Itemid=69

[V1nny]

Automatic transmission is probably the most common failure point along with turbos. Your mileage is relatively low, though.


Ridiculous.

I have to agree with julex unfortunately. Based on my experience, NOBODY knows how to service 2.7t. Everyone asks for unreasonable amounts of money, and does not fix or able to troubleshoot anything on 2.7t. Tiptronic and suspension is just icing on the cake, that guarantees to turn your life in the nightmare, unless your allroad will be just a toy and you have a corolla or civic as daily driver.

[V1nny]

... Anything else???

short answer, EVERYTHING

[twizz]

Well Fred, It would appear it depends on who you ask lol.

I at least gave you the correct major issues, but it would seem I'm not overly educated on the minor gremlins. I know these cars have a history of being a headache, but I don't see what can't avoided by regular proactive maintenance. Does everything just fail?

I wasn't pleased with my b5 s4 s.7 platform because it was modded beyond all recognition with parts the PO didn't even remember what they came off anymore. It was impossible to upkeep, but I feel a well maintained, freshly over-viewed Allroad with coils removed would be a pretty fair canidate for a daily driver in someone searching for a lower priced luxury(ish) wagon?

Fred is pretty well inclined mechanically, but like he said the point is to enjoy the car. There are other things we need to spend time wrenching on. Aside from turbos, torque converters, and TB... what else creates MAJOR headaches? everything else is relatively small comparatively I would think?

-t

[V1nny]

if car was on stage 1 for a while, and did not use top quality oil, or changed frequently enough, turbos could be on a way out. Transmission probably needs to be serviced, but still, especially with extra torque stage 1 provides, it may fail at any time. Most of these suspension conversions are not done right, so at least drive over some potholes and listen to the clicks and how suspension behaves. Control arms and links in suspension are numerous and expensive. Scan car with VCDS for the error codes that would not manifest itself with any obvious problems yet. Boost leaks are permanent nightmare, at least for me. Maybe last revision of Diverter valves.. Too many potential issues to list.

[naudlee]

The C5 Allroad is the most maintenance needy Audi ever built... you've been warned.

[carmudgeon]

What you need is an S6, say a silver one that just had its front control arms replaced.......

[twizz]

Here's the link to the Car in question.

https://omaha.craigslist.org/cto/5305355875.html

It was purchased, and resold by a local Audi Specialist shop from what I gather, but alot of the maintenance had or has already been done by a reputable local German Automotive Specialist Shop. My only sincere concerns with the car are, has it provided the current owner with any headaches, and how long the car has had the tune on it.

-t

[spoolinrs6]

i had an 05 allroad 6 speed stock was a beauty. that thing is tank! just keep updated on the maintenance work. i suggest you do a 402 mod if you want itll make it look better.

[n8henn]

Damn! I'm inclined to say the car sound pretty well sorted. I'm kinda biased though, mines a FBP cobalt as well. lol!

[twizz]

FBP?

[n8henn]

Factory body paint.

[Jesse_Boyer]

Factory body paint.

Full body paint unless I'm mistaken

[n8henn]

I guess it could be either. It references the painted flares as well as bumpers (minus the inserts) from the factory.

[twizz]

Ahhhh, yes that really completes an allroad for me. I don't dislike the flares, but body matched everything is a definite plus

[4rings2turbos]

In my experience with 3 2.7T ownerships, 2 BEL 1 APB, the 2.7T is really reliable if you keep up on maintenance. If you don't it can be really unreliable. Same goes for the allroad altogether (2 current allroads owned).

Do a search though, tons of general info. Feel free to post back when you have specific questions though or are having trouble finding an answer in search.

[tewnick]

No heated seats???? That's a deal breaker.... Just kidding looks like a nice car. I have had my 2.7t since 2008 and have enjoyed it the whole time. I did have to do the Torque converter on my 01. But other than that it has been very reliable with 160,000 on the clock on stock turbos.

[ryanhmusic]

I'm not sure where else to post this but this just turned up on my local craigslist. Figured it may help someone -- looks like it might make a good parts car or candidate for 6MT swap...

http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/cto/5371373543.html