FosterDdog

Just a couple of questions for the AR crowd as I'm looking to upgrade from my 01' A4 to an AR due to addition of a second German Shepherd. I looked at a used 01 yesterday at the local dealer, Diablo, and was pretty impressed by it's deceptive quickness. not so impressed by the stock handling.

Ok, questions:

1. I have the factory sport suspension on my A4 and I'm wondering how the addition of H-bar changes the nature of how the AR handles?

2. Silly one. If you remove the headrests from the rear seats do they fold down completely flat? Two 90 lbs German Shepherds would like to stick their heads out the back windows.

3. Any significant changes from 2001 to 2002

4. Does the tip-chip play well with APR chips? or is there a better alternative?

5. What is the best source for a used allroad in the bay area? auction?

6. Anything that I need to specifically check on an inspection before I buy?

Thanks,

Rich
Pleasant Hill, CA

gragravar

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/55347/stu_ar.jpg"></center><p>rather than another dog. I definately like the allroad more than the old A4 avant.

my dog likes it too (except for the toe thing, see info later in this thread)

1) H-sports prevent all the body roll in the corners. Haven driven them both ways, this is a highly worthwhile change. I am installing mine this evenging, I can't wait.

2) I never got the floor completely flat. It is close, but not completely flat. Should be enough for the dogs to be OK though. The 107 lb german shepard/akita mix approves.

3) I think 01-02 lost the heated stearing wheel, not sure of what else.

4) don't have a chip, so can't really say. Should also say I don't remember anyone posting problems.

5) I leave that to the bay area guys

and
6) turbo issues are the biggest problem you want to avoid. also look for a steering wheel wobble at about 50-60mph.

finally, get a bath mat you can put over the latch while loading and unloading the dogs, see the link for more info.<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/allroad/msgs/77734.phtml">dog toe warning</a></li></ul>

glidar

<i>
1. I have the factory sport suspension on my A4 and I'm wondering how the addition of H-bar changes the nature of how the AR handles?
</i>

I don't have H-bars yet but plan to get them. Still, the dynamics of the air-bag suspension will always be rather lacking compared to what you're used to. There are no options for stiffening the shocks or springs themselves. Some AR owners have wondered if the shocks can be revalved, but no one has pursued it to a solution.

<i>
2. Silly one. If you remove the headrests from the rear seats do they fold down completely flat? Two 90 lbs German Shepherds would like to stick their heads out the back windows.
</i>

Not completely flat. My SO's Malemute gets annoyed at the remaining slope, even though it's only a few degrees. I've been meaning to put a dog bed back there just to give her a little more stability. A more drastic solution is to remove the rear seat bottoms, but they aren't designed for that. It's not necessary to actually remove the head rests to get the seats as flat as they'll go -- just extend them so they don't bump into the seat bottoms.

<i>
3. Any significant changes from 2001 to 2002
</i>

There are some changes. Depends on what's significant to you. I don't remember them all offhand. One that comes to mind is that 2002 and later has the wiring harness for a trailer hitch built in -- 2001 doesn't.

<i>
4. Does the tip-chip play well with APR chips? or is there a better alternative?
</i>

Can't help here.

<i>
5. What is the best source for a used allroad in the bay area? auction?
</i>

Or here.

<i>
6. Anything that I need to specifically check on
an inspection before I buy?
</i>

Search the forum for common complaints. Check the ECU to see if it's already been modded. Check for wheel vibration and any tendency to pull to right or left. Run the suspension up and down to make sure it works. Run the steering lock-to-lock to check for worn tie-rods. There's plenty more, I'm sure.

glidar

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/55347/stu_bandage.jpg"></center><p>that the AR is noticably shorter than an SUV -- tall dogs have to duck their heads. And then there's the dog hair on the headliner...

How's the pooch handling being a toe short of a full paw?

gragravar

he is fully healed and back to being himself again. I'll try to get a picture posted at some point.

thanks for asking.

and again thanks to everyone on the board for their support when that happened.

gragravar

does a good job at removing hair from the headliner.

moto-one

1. I have the factory sport suspension on my A4 and I'm wondering how the addition of H-bar changes the nature of how the AR handles?

The H-Sport Bars make a would of difference, one of best mods esp if you go with 18in wheels.

2. Silly one. If you remove the headrests from the rear seats do they fold down completely flat? Two 90 lbs German Shepherds would like to stick their heads out the back windows.

All you realy have to do is extend them out a bit and you get almost but not quit flat. But with to 90lbser back there the floor should be almost flat.

3. Any significant changes from 2001 to 2002

The wireing harness, be sides the trailer wireing, the rear CD changer wireing is there and make installing the changer and or a Phatnois player simple.

4. Does the tip-chip play well with APR chips? or is there a better alternative?

I didn't tip chip with my APR, but to be honest I didn't engage the chip that often, and after having it removed to have the ecm replaced, never put it back in. But it does make it move out when turned on.

5. What is the best source for a used allroad in the bay area? auction?

Here on the site, I not a big fan of auction cars it seem that if a dealer dosent want it from the costomer then it may be a lemon law return.

6. Anything that I need to specifically check on an inspection before I buy?

Car Fax for damage reports, and have the dealer run a service history report, and make sure that all recall fixes have been done (not that there are) and just to see what has and has not been done.

Thanks,

Rich
Pleasant Hill, CA

Your Welcome
Mark

Dr.quattro

H-sports make the car more like an A4 with sports suspension, if not tighter than the A4. Though airbags are limited.

The avant I had (A4) was pretty modded. The allroad, hands down is the better car. Especially if you have an 01. 03 had some cool changes with the A4, but the allroad will impress you quickly. Send me an email, as I too, bought my allroad from Diablo and I live in Walnut Creek.

If you want to really spend some time with the allroad, drop me a line and we can hook up and talk more in detail about the allroad.

kkrzeminski

Needed the wagon and more space, got rid of a x-country. The A4 is light, quick and a blast to drive. The Allroad is what an Audi is, the A4 seemed like a Jetta afterwards. H-sport is my only mod and it adds the steering response and stability that I gave up. The torque is amazing for such a heavy car. Definitely more stable at higher speeds. All in all, unless you track your car you'll never get even close to what the car can do, even in stock form, it comes down to how good a driver you are. I just love driving next to a Explorer or Trailblazer, downshifting and leaving them in the dust. And with a couple of mods, there is not much that can stay with you.