Should I buy an Audi Wagon?

"Dale Franks" (DaleFranks)
08/22/2015 at 22:27 • Filed to: None

There’s an ‘02 Audi Allroad Quattro 2.7T for sale at a local dealer for under $5K. Looks like it’s had all the major work done on it to ensure it’s road-ready. I think I wanna go take a look at it tomorrow.

The thing is, I dunno much about Audis, so I’m wondering if it’s a good car to buy.

DISCUSSION (36)

jkm7680 > Dale Franks
08/22/2015 at 22:30

Yup, do it. I’m obsessed with those.

Big Bubba Ray > Dale Franks
08/22/2015 at 22:30

You should buy one if you like being broke.

Dale Franks > Big Bubba Ray
08/22/2015 at 22:33

Why broke? I mean, I get that Audis are bit expensive to maintain, but is there something particularly nasty about Audis?

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Dale Franks
08/22/2015 at 22:33

Do you like to be poor? Yes? Excellent, go buy it

Sam > Dale Franks
08/22/2015 at 22:34

If you have another car to drive, and know a good mechanic, and have a lot of extra money.... it’d still be a terrible choice.

Birddog > Dale Franks
08/22/2015 at 22:37

Are you ready to kiss the Devil full on the lips?

If so? Carry on.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Dale Franks
08/22/2015 at 22:40

This is probably the most notorious (obtainable) Audi ever made. They look amazing and I want one, but they are plagued with transmission and suspension problems. This doesn’t mean that all have or will fail, but...

boxrocket > Dale Franks
08/22/2015 at 22:44

No.

Unless you get it from CarMax with a full warranty and no deductible, and have a second car for when it’s in the shop.

Avoid.

Even relatively simple tasks like changing timing chains/belts are fiendishly complex, and involve removing most of the body panels off the front of the car.

mattc993 > Dale Franks
08/22/2015 at 22:44

2004 Allroad 4.2 owner here.

That price seems suspect. I’d guess the 2.7 needs some work. It’s particularly notorious for expensive repairs on the turbos.

It’s a wonderful car, but people really aren’t lying about the repair costs. Not only are the repairs frequent, but they are silly expensive. An accessory belt? That will be $200. Cracked cupholder? $100. Suspension compressor? $1200. Air springs are $500 per corner. Control arm replacement for worn bushings? You’re looking at upwards of $2000 if you want the OEM ones.

I’m only talking parts cost here too, since I’m generally a DIY guy. Double that or more if you want it installed.

Even the damn windshield wipers are hard to find (not carried at your local auto parts store) and will cost you at least $50 per set.

No matter how long the list of things that have been done to it, it will need more. I will promise that without even looking at it.

Lovely cars though, like I said. My 4.2 has a nice bark to it, and when the air suspension is cooperating, it’s like driving a big V8 couch. It leaves me in constant existential crisis over whether it’s worth the incredible task of maintaining it.

Spaceball-Two > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
08/22/2015 at 22:45

Don’t forget electrical gremlins. Audis eat widow regulators for lunch.

whoarder is tellurium > Dale Franks
08/22/2015 at 22:46

They basically need constant attention. Never let an Audi or VW go without inspecting under the hood once n’ a while. Audi/VW share a lot of parts and some are prone to failure over the life of the vehicle. It is just how it is on older cars. If you’re lucky, there will be an upgraded or revised part.

Keep an eye on quality of the fluids in the vehicle. Gotta be VW/Audi european spec fluids for everything. Engine oil is a variable but should be kept synthetic and meet or exceed VW/Audi oil spec.

As for the Allroad, the air suspension is a big, expensive thing to deal with if it breaks. As well, the 2.7T isnt exactly known as the best configuration either but is good left stock.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Spaceball-Two
08/22/2015 at 22:48

Yes if they had an Allroad with an aftermarket suspension, crank windows, push pin locks, and a stick, it would be a German Tercel wagon and I would almost want one. Of course I couldn’t imagine buying a luxury car with no power windows or locks...

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > mattc993
08/22/2015 at 22:49

Fun fact: The second generation 4Runner’s rear windshield wiper blade isn’t available in stores, and Toyota charges $40 for just a single blade.

I know this because someone didn’t want to pay that, so they stole it while I was in Walmart.

whoarder is tellurium > mattc993
08/22/2015 at 22:49

I still cant believe they went to a proprietary wiper blade attachment for a while. My B6 A4 was the same way. $~20ish a blade and only found online or at the dealer.

Worst product move ever.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > jkm7680
08/22/2015 at 22:50

And after you steal it, he will drop the charges on you after your many heartbroken posts when he realizes you saved him money.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > mattc993
08/22/2015 at 22:52

Damn

Spaceball-Two > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
08/22/2015 at 22:53

I know you’ve been eyeing them but STAY AWAY. You just bought a house. You don’t need another project. And honestly. The house projects are cheaper.

Spaceball-Two > whoarder is tellurium
08/22/2015 at 22:56

My B6 A4 just had a full tune and the chain guide / tensioners, etc. $1800 out the door. I’m done with it. Just. Fucking. Done.

Big Bubba Ray > Dale Franks
08/22/2015 at 22:57

Dude, they’re insane to maintain. My friend has one that is in the shop literally every month. Its an insanely fun car, but the repair bills could sink you. Audis are expensive to fix.

No matter what some people around here say, Audi’s are unreliable as shit and you shouldn’t buy one unless you have the momey to keep it running. My dad had an ‘01 A6 that he bought brand new. It was the most unreliable piece of shit I’ve ever driven.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Audi’s, but they’re terrible to own out of warranty.

Dale Franks > mattc993
08/22/2015 at 22:57

Ah. That’s helpful. Thanks.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Spaceball-Two
08/22/2015 at 22:58

Yeah at least with old Toyotas you can pretty much ignore problems for years and it’ll still run and drive.

whoarder is tellurium > Spaceball-Two
08/22/2015 at 23:00

Oh, did the guide rail(s) wear out or did the hydraulic adjuster fail? What mileage?

I did that job twice on my B5 A4 2.8 btw. Front end came off 3 times too.

/wrists

Aero > Dale Franks
08/22/2015 at 23:01

I had a 2.7T Allroad for a while. Great to drive, horrible to maintain.

Turbo replacement? Remove engine.

Timing belt due? Remove entire front end.

Air suspension having issues? Open a new line of credit.

Automatic transmission loses reverse? Drive it forward off a cliff.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Spaceball-Two
08/22/2015 at 23:01

You want my Mercury Sable? It probably even burns less oil!

Noah - Now with more boost. > Dale Franks
08/22/2015 at 23:05

The aristocrat’s Subaru Outback. I wish these were good cars! ...Google is handy for this kind of question. “What is 2+2?” “What color is the sky?” “should I buy one of the most unreliable cars off all time?”

Twinpowermeansoneturbo > Dale Franks
08/22/2015 at 23:06

The least reliable Audi... in the world.

46and2aheadofme > Dale Franks
08/22/2015 at 23:08

This is just my personal experience/opinion, take it with a grain of salt:

I worked for a German auto repair shop for a couple summers and we would flip a coin when an Audi came in, loser had to work on it. They are well- (over-) engineered but not very intuitive to repair. Personally, I will probably never own one as a DD without a warranty. And (at least anecdotally) Allroads are known as the worst audis as far as reliability goes.

Spaceball-Two > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
08/22/2015 at 23:09

Pretty easy to fix too.

Spaceball-Two > whoarder is tellurium
08/22/2015 at 23:10

Guide rails. I’m at about 140k. Just had a kid and it doesn’t “baby” all that well so it’s time to part with it. I love the car but I just can’t deal with the headaches.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/22/2015 at 23:14

Ok, make that every goddamn Toyota from 1997 and on has weird rear wipers that are proprietary. It's hella annoying, because you will know no one has changed it in the past decade and a half of service. Including the matrix I drive and the parents sienna.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist)
08/22/2015 at 23:16

That bare metal scraping my back window was the most annoying way to find out someone had stolen my shit.

dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter > Dale Franks
08/22/2015 at 23:53

Let me just start by saying that I love me some Audi/VeeDubs. But the allroad is likely not a good first VAG car. The air suspension goes bad and is expensive to get fixed (think thousands). The 2.7 isn’t a bad engine, but the 2.0t is a really good engine. The audi A4 wagon can be had for not too much, and doesn’t have the air suspension and has half the camshafts and half the turbos.

1111111111111111111111 > Dale Franks
08/23/2015 at 00:43

Lol. No.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Dale Franks
08/23/2015 at 05:52

just DON’T

i work at an Audi dealer , DON’T do it!

LongbowMkII > Dale Franks
08/23/2015 at 07:00

Kinja'd!!!

Thermostat.

Tohru > Dale Franks
10/01/2015 at 12:41

Doug DeMuro says it’s an unreliable car. He daily drives a Range Rover, and says the Allroad is more unreliable.