The guty that posted below mine (owner of A4) seems to think the Allroad is pretty Lux vs. Sport. Well my test drive (2.7T) impressed me. I own a 95 S6 MINT Avant that many would cringe to have and felt the Allroad was 1) FAST, and well composed on bumps. Not too firm but then again handled the turns pretty well. I was shocked at the acceleration and smoothness. I was wondering if any of you Allroad owners have ever ownded an S6 to compare the handling in stock form? My S6 is Fair in the snow compared to older models (Coupe, 90, 4000) due to the length and front end weight. I hate to part with a rare S6Avant but everytime I compare to other cars it seems lacking in handling STOCK. I assume the Allroad is in a similar boat snow wise. I mean Performance snow driving not just going up a steep driveway. I would consider getting one but am concerned about MPG? I drive 20K per year and suspect I would not get over 18MPG on the highway? 80MPH is my average speeed. The Allroad certainly has my attention . The other car I am considering is the B6 A4 so if you have one let me know what you think??

 

37k in one year avg. 20.5 mpg the hole time. and that's not keep the foot out of it.

 

Not much freeway driving, more like a stoplight every mile.

Snow performance is really good, though I'm a tad disappointed that the ar has open F&R differentials with 'Electronic Diff Lock' (uses the braking system to brake the slipping wheel, sending power to the other), rather than a true limited-slip. You'd never make a rally car out of an ar. Although, if you can ignore the sound of the ABS firing like mad, you can still throw wicked donuts in an icy/smowy parking lot.

 

My last "conventional" Audi was a 1995 S6 -- one of my favorite cars EVER. I traded it on a 1997 A8 which I then modded with a full S8 suspension (thanks to Joe Hoppen).

The S6 had the 5spd manual -- the A8 had the odd distinction of being a 5spd tiptronic with the tip gate removed (". . .but for $2750 we can put the gate and the chip in it and it will be a German spec tip. . ." I passed on this one). The S6 was fully optioned out, as was the A8. The A8 was like driving a cloud (hence the need for the S8 suspension). The S6 was hardly isolated from anything and in completely stock form seemed the better or at least the match of anything else (not that I am a stop light drag racer -- uh, well not often anyway). We can fast forward through a 1999 A6 2.8 quattro (I can still hear the dog barking now), a 2000 and a 2001 A6 4.2 sport.

Now, at 19 months, I am in a 2003 allroad 2.7T 6spd with a few inexpensive mods (18" wheels, 402 mod -12mm all around and the PSK sport anti-swaybar and bushing, and sport BPV's).

My allroad is the closest thing to my "memory" of my S6 of all of these cars. I used summer tires year round on the S6, likewise on the allroad (Cincinnati generally has moderate snow and temperatures during January and February and then "we're done!")

The allroad IS NOT an S6 avant (of the current generation) -- I did test drive a left over 2002 version of this great car and from time to time reflect "what if?" The '95 S6, as I recall was not as stiff as the allroad -- and by that I mean the S6 's ride was more harsh than the allroad's. The '03 allroad probably does out handle [while riding better] the '95 S6 due to the allroad's superior stiffness (both in "mostly stock form" -- note the slight mods of my allroad for full-disclosure.)

Remember the less-stiff cars of yore attempted to compensate for their lack of stiffness via harder, harsher and stiffer suspension bits -- which did improve the handling somewhat but at the cost of the fillings in your teeth falling out. I don't miss this aspect of my '95 S6.

Handling is so subjective and so much of a fading and faded memory. I used to think the S6 handled pretty good right out of the box. Now, my allroad feels superior even to my A6 4.2 sport.

The added stiffness of the allroad is apparent in road noise (lower), composure (higher), ability to ride pleasantly (better) on long trips on the frost heaved roads we call Interstate Highways. I don't know, but my only possible memory of the S6 that is factually superior to my allroad is the S6's acceleration (quicker).

Someone probably has factory specs on the 1995 S6 2.2T 20V (I believe) 5spd and the 2003 allroad 2.7T 30V 6spd -- and I am probably remembering wrong.

I have some favorite memories with virtually every Audi I have ever had (with the possible exception of a 1984 4000S which was so underpowered (on the 7 hills of Cincinnati) that I mostly drove in 1st and 2nd gear just to prevent the engine from lugging); but, perhaps I can -- without being too sentimental -- say that my current allroad and my 1995 S6 are probably my most favorite Audis if you'll allow an honorable mention to my 1987 5000CS Quattro in Pearl White Metallic.

This little trip down memory lane may or may not help YOU, but it was a great catharsis for me.

Drive it like you live.

 

but I would see the car around the area. the last time it was on a flat bed. It looked like it had been wraped around a tree. Yes it was underpowered. sure could have used 200+ hp. But I did finish in 4th place at the 86 SCCA Nationals in E Stock. Only mod: Koni shocks, and a ton of BFG tires.

 

I agree with the UR S6 attempt to stiffen or sharpen handling requires a sacrifice in comfort as I removed my Bilsteens recently and went back to stock on it. My S6 is definately slower than a new 2.7T Allroad (no comparison) meaning either my S6 has a turbo leak and is slow or your S6 memory faded on power? My UR S6 is fast but with a huge turbo lag until 2800 RPM's. The Allroad seems to kick in quicker. I have owned many Audi's and want to know how you part with your girlfriends? I am afraid to sell my 91 CQ (Best snow car on earth with low end torque), and a little afraid of parting with my UR S6 Avant. Perhaps I would never look back once I bought a new Allroad or B6 A4?? I dont want to start a collection since I live in a condo with few parking spots. It seems like you find the Allroad to be better in most categories right? You did not mention the MPG? I get 22.0 on my S6 average.

 

Just not big enough. Mileage might be an issue, but if you can stomach the high teens and low 20's, you've got yourself one hell of a bus to cruise around in. Fast, competent, fun and a real sleeper. If you really want to perform in the snow get a set of snow tires for winter (if we keep ours long term that will be my preference) and if you really want it to go around corners add the H-Sports. Other than ride, just drive the wheels off it!

 

Thanks for the comments? what are the Allroad dislikes other than MPG? Any?

 

My gas milage is poor to fair, but not lousy. I would guess that it's 22+ overall, higher on trips.

 

Yea: here's a dislike -- Audi is discontinuing it due to lack of Marketing!