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Thanks for the photos of your Brilliant Black Allroad. It looks stunning.
In the photos, the wheel arches appear to have a satin finish, somewhat less glossy than the body. Is that the case, or is it simply that they'e at a different angle to the camera?
R
Originally Posted by a6sline06
2013 allroad Prestige with factory body color cladding over the wheel wells
2013 allroad Prestige with factory body color cladding over the wheel wells
Thanks for the photos of your Brilliant Black Allroad. It looks stunning.
In the photos, the wheel arches appear to have a satin finish, somewhat less glossy than the body. Is that the case, or is it simply that they'e at a different angle to the camera?
R
Roger, yes you are correct the wheel arches do have more of a satin finish than a glossy paint finish. It's my understanding that some owners have had the arches repainted with the gloss finish and it looks great. The paint color on this car is often mistaken for Brilliant Black but is actually called Phantom Black Pearl and seems to have some sort of pearl glossy feel to it. It is really noticeable in bright sunlight as the car color appears to have a mix of blacks that sparkle rather than one solid color. One other note. All the gray panels on the car are painted the same as the body color.
I've googled Phantom Black Pearl. It seems to be a very desirable and somewhat uncommon paint - it can shift its appearance somewhat in different light. Very nice indeed.
Just pickup 2014 a monsoon grey AR about a month ago and love it so far. When my wife and I was in the showroom, there was a white glacier pearl with the white cladding which looks really nice from far but I could imagine after few years since the paint is on the cladding, it will probably faint away and looks terrible (IMHO).
I just took my black allroad on a 2000 mile trip and it was a fun, fulfilling drive. Not tiring at all. I use to think that maybe I should trade it for an A7, but after this trip I'm beginning to appreciate the allroad much better.
Pros and Cons of the A7
- It has a more luxurious and cushy ride
- The gas version A7 a bit faster (5.4 sec) vs. the allroad's 6.4 sec, but u eat more gas
- The deisel A7 will probably be around 6.2 sec, about as fast, but 33-34 MPG.
- You pay $22K - $30K more
- The back is actually tighter with the drooping slant
- The trunk is not as big and tall as the allroad
- No Wiper at the back, and so bad visibility during rain and stormy weather.
Pros and Cons of the allroad
- It has a tighter ride than the A7, less cushy but firmer. At certain point, I'm adding Alu Kruez
- The trunk space is bigger
- I like the fact that it has a back wiper - great visibility and safety during rain and bad weather. But just better visibility than the A7.
- Much cheaper than the A7. You're $25K richer, which you can spend on years of road trip.
- The allroad has a higher ground clearance, so you can take it to the mountains and on rougher roads.
- If you get the gas version of the A7, expect to get 23 - 25 MPG highway MPG, and probably 17 MPG city. On the allroad, I just achieved 31 - 32 MPG real-world gas consumption (not computer) and I get 25 MPG city driving. About comparable to a diesel version of the A7. But the diesel A7 is probably $30K more in price.
- Everyone I met thinks the allroad is a really handsome wagon. The A7 gets mixed reviews on the rear look.
I also have a bumper with the same body color - black on black
Those are very informative and helpful observations.
I read in another thread here that reducing the tire pressure by 3 0r 4 pounds softens the right somewhat (though presumably at the cost of a bit of handling precision).
R
Originally Posted by ayap
I just took my black allroad on a 2000 mile trip and it was a fun, fulfilling drive. Not tiring at all. I use to think that maybe I should trade it for an A7, but after this trip I'm beginning to appreciate the allroad much better.
Pros and Cons of the A7
- It has a more luxurious and cushy ride
- The gas version A7 a bit faster (5.4 sec) vs. the allroad's 6.4 sec, but u eat more gas
- The deisel A7 will probably be around 6.2 sec, about as fast, but 33-34 MPG.
- You pay $22K - $30K more
- The back is actually tighter with the drooping slant
- The trunk is not as big and tall as the allroad
- No Wiper at the back, and so bad visibility during rain and stormy weather.
Pros and Cons of the allroad
- It has a tighter ride than the A7, less cushy but firmer. At certain point, I'm adding Alu Kruez
- The trunk space is bigger
- I like the fact that it has a back wiper - great visibility and safety during rain and bad weather. But just better visibility than the A7.
- Much cheaper than the A7. You're $25K richer, which you can spend on years of road trip.
- The allroad has a higher ground clearance, so you can take it to the mountains and on rougher roads.
- If you get the gas version of the A7, expect to get 23 - 25 MPG highway MPG, and probably 17 MPG city. On the allroad, I just achieved 31 - 32 MPG real-world gas consumption (not computer) and I get 25 MPG city driving. About comparable to a diesel version of the A7. But the diesel A7 is probably $30K more in price.
- Everyone I met thinks the allroad is a really handsome wagon. The A7 gets mixed reviews on the rear look.
I also have a bumper with the same body color - black on black
Roger1 .. I lowered the tire pressure 1 or 2 psi below recommended, and the ride is much more comfy and less bumpy. I like it a lot. It does not sacrifice the handling. The most probable downside when tires are a little under-inflated is a lower MPG. But mine did just fine with 30 - 32 MPG on the highway.
Well, the deal's done, the A4 Allroad (premium+) is home, and now sports a full-paint finish, in Glacier White (gloss). Sport package, titanium grey interior, flat-bottom steering wheel, B&O, side assist. A pleasure to drive.
Will be installing 3M Scotchgard Pro film shortly, Canvasback cargo liner, and 17" Rial wheels wearing Michelin X-iceXi3 tires.
Thanks, everyone, for your input.
R
Originally Posted by roger_1
I'm considering buying a slightly used 2014 P+ Allroad in glacier white with grey sports package seats. I welcome everyone's thoughts on a few questions:
1. The car is a previous service loaner? Is that a potential problem?
2. I'd like to have the grey cladding painted body colour - full paint finish. But I've never seen a factory full paint finish A4 Allroad. Can someone here tell me whether the factory full paint finish results in the grey cladding being as smooth as the body, or does the pebble texture remain?
3. Has anyone here seen a glacier white Allroad with grey sports seats? How does it look? I've seen only photos.
4. A contender is the BMW 328i wagon. I'd welcome comments from anyone who's driven both. The roads where I live are not terribly smooth, so I'd like a comfortable (smooth) ride, not harsh or even very 'firm'. From what I've seen, the BMW is quicker, handles a bit better, is more efficient (mpg), but has a smaller cargo volume.
5. I want good cargo area. Has anyone here cross-shopped the A7? - if so, what are your thoughts?
Very nice looking AR -------- like the front euro plate too!!!
Originally Posted by roger_1
Well, the deal's done, the A4 Allroad (premium+) is home, and now sports a full-paint finish, in Glacier White (gloss). Sport package, titanium grey interior, flat-bottom steering wheel, B&O, side assist. A pleasure to drive.
Will be installing 3M Scotchgard Pro film shortly, Canvasback cargo liner, and 17" Rial wheels wearing Michelin X-iceXi3 tires.
08-15-2014, 11:25 AM
