allroad: reliability? problems?

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Feb 13, 2001 | 10:01 AM

AeroSmith

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From: Saint Petersburg, FL

allroad: reliability? problems?

Greetings Audi fans.

I currently drive a mint condition 1997 Saab 9000 Aero 5spd. Yesterday I test drove a silver allroad with the 5spd automatic/tiptronic. Quite frankly I fell in love with the car. It would be downright perfect for the island in Maine where my wife and I have a summer place. Though if I bought one I would definately opt for the 6 spd.

My current car is driving great and hasn't given me any serious problems. I sure would hate to trade it in for something that's going to give me a lot of headaches or generally be unreliable.

Can y'all please give me some sense of the allroad's reliability? What problems can I expect? Finally, is it really rugged enough for all roads? The island in Maine is an automobile destroyer.

Many thanks,

Josh "Aero" Smith
St. Petersburg, FL

Feb 13, 2001 | 08:54 PM

Ollie

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Re: allroad: reliability? problems?

After 3000 miles no problems, but with such a low mileage it's too soon to evaluate real reliability. Had a good experience with previous Audi A6 though.

Re: rugged enough? - I wouldn't take my $49K vehicle to the automobile destroyer island. Not that the the car couldn't take it but I probably couldn't.

Feb 14, 2001 | 10:51 AM

AeroSmith

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From: Saint Petersburg, FL

Re: allroad: reliability? problems?

Thanks for the response. Yeah, I hate to take a $49k car to the island too.

But the good news is that my wife's Saab 9000 CSE automatic survived three months there. It only needed a new exhaust pipe, a front end alignment and two new tires at the end of the summer. If we could have raised the 9000 up to allroad clearance levels at least the pipe would have been saved.

The allroad really seems like the perfect vehicle for our whole Maine summer. First there's the 1,700 mile drive to get there from here. Definately want a sport waggon for that highway cruise(kid, wife, dog, two cats). And once we're on the island, with it's dirt tracks and paved roads strewn with potholes we'll want an SUV. And I'm betting the allraod will be a real hoot on some of those dirt tracks!

Looks like the dealer found me a couple of silver 6spds up in Georgia. I could be taking the plunge today. Here's hoping she's not a lemmon.

Josh
St. Pete., FL

Feb 14, 2001 | 04:56 PM

hkallroad

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Re: allroad: reliability? problems?

Owned 4 Audi so far, never have any major problems. Can see about the Merc and the Bimmer before them...

Feb 14, 2001 | 08:42 PM

Darice

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Re: allroad: reliability? problems?

I just sold my 1994 Saab Aero, 98k miles. It was fine until the last year or so. The car then stranded me three times. First time it was the direct ignition cassette (which was covered under the drive train warranty), then the fuel pump, then the fuel pump relay. In between the latter two, we noticed a slightly different hum in the engine which led to a new transmission. I've learned my lesson - I'll never let a car go off warranty again. I put a deposit on an Allroad last spring and took delivery in December. Audi's fit and finish is head and shoulders above Saab. Handling is superb, and there's never a feeling of carrying a big wagon around behind you. So far, it's been terrific in snow and ice. Only one minor adjustment was needed to the wipers.

To put the car in perspective, my husband drives an M3 and we also have a Boxster. The Allroad is as much fun to drive as those two and is much more versatile. This is my first Audi and I love it.

Feb 15, 2001 | 04:52 AM

AeroSmith

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From: Saint Petersburg, FL

Re: allroad: wipers, a common problem?

This is the second time I've read about the allroad's wipers having problems. What exactly is the problem? Should I have my dealer adjust them before I take delivery? Is adjustment all that's necessary?

Thanks for your help,

Josh Smith

Feb 15, 2001 | 05:17 PM

srs

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From: Oregon Coast

Only if the dealer prep. person "forgets"...

It happened to me. The best explanation I got is that the wipers are set parallel to each other (very low on the windshield) for transport/delivery. One item on the dealer prep. sheet is to reset them (basically, move the driver side wiper up a little-so it sits kind of like in my sig. photo., below). If this isn't done the inside corners smash together and the whole thing can lock up (not good).

Certainly easy enough to check at delivery time - just turn the wipers on low and then to high for a couple of seconds and you will know if they are OK.