tchfunkta3381

Hello everyone. This is my first post on these forums. I am an Audi noob. Up until this point I have only drooled on Audi from a far, but I am thinking of buying a used '01-'04 Allroad. Why Allroad? I am starting a buisness and need something to pull a small trailer & food cart(under 1,250lbs) under 15 miles to work everyday. I am starting a family, could always use more room. Also, I live in OR and need the AWD. So I said, V6, AWD & roomy ... Allroad.

Am I wrong in choosing an AR? Is this like pulling a horse trailer with a Caddy? I am open to suggestion, but do not want a truck or a Baja(Subaru). Is the weight from the trailer gonna kill an AR? Also, the trailer hitch issue. I know the factory model is the one you want with the most towing capacity ... are there any alternatives?

Any help would be great. Again, I am an Audi noob, so please be as specific as possible.

Thanks,
Jacob

03AR2rescu

Plus it should have no problem pulling 1250 lbs. You may have trouble finding a hitch though, they seem to be in short supply, at least for < 2003.

SKIroad'r

The car is very expensive to maintain, so factor that into your calculations. Also, unless you can find one with a hitch already installed, they are almost impossible to find. There is one aftermarket option, but it doesn't "hide away" like the OEM version.

the weight won't kill that car at all. Just keep in mind that it has alot of sophisicated electronics, turbos (on the 2.7T) and the air suspension any or all of which could fail.

There really isn't any other car like it in my option and I love the versatility of it.

paulroad

While Audis are very safe cars. The allroad, is perhaps even safer due to the use of heavier gauge steel than normal cars.

However, the allroad, with its wonderfull adjustable suspension, the turbos, auto tranny, etc, has been known to be an expensive car to own. If you find one, make sure you can get an aftermarket service policy for it. Unless you are a good DIY repair guy.

In my opinion, using this to pull your food cart, might be a problem if one air spring went and its tied up in the shop or the tranny (known problem) went and it became a costly part to fix.

Most of us have weighed these costs with the joy of owning and driving the car and we accept it. Can you do this knowing how you need to use the allroad?

tchfunkta3381

Thanks for the input. So from what I have seen, turbos, air suspension & pulling trailers do not mix. So could I go with an A6 wagon, no turbo? Is the difference in the ground clearence in the A6 and the AR gonna kick my in the trailer? What other options can you great car people suggest? VW Passat 4motion V6?

The upkeep cost are not a concern. I know that you have to pay a price for owning a top notch piece of machinery. I am wanting to know if the car is gonna be able to handle the work load. I am not saying set money on fire or anything close to that, but I am looking for specific needs from a wagon and they might not be reachable, but I do not want a truck.

Thanks again for all your comments thus far, but anymore info would be greatly appreciated,
Jacob

BlueDog

All-in-all the allroad is (IMHO) an awesome vehicle. All the versatility of an SUV with being an SUV. Very comfortable, very safe and very fun to drive. I think there are two major weaknesses. One is the airspring suspension, which is one of the best features of the car. I consider it a weakness because its not extremely rare that an airspring will fail. I recently purchase parts to repair one of mine and found a "good deal" at $420 for the spring + $30 for the install kit. The other weakness is the turbos on the 2.7t motor. Although turbo failure don't seem to be as common as with the S4 guys (maybe more mature driving style of AR owners vs S4 owners?) Chipping and hard driving can lead to premature failure, however I've got 72k on mine and have tracked it once and enjoy "spirited" driving without a failure.

As far as towing goes, as others have said the hitch can be VERY hard to find. I think someone recently ran down the costs to install one they found was around $800. There are many people on this forum that do tow with their ARs, form track cars to boats. BUT (and this is a VERY BIG BUT), I don't think it would make a good vehicle to tow everyday.

Considering you are starting a family and starting your own business, one that sounds like it depends on your vehicle everyday, I'm not so sure I'd dive into an allroad. You never want to use your daily driver for you daily business vehicle either. I would suggest if you need to tow for your business, look into getting an F150. Very good tow vehicle. Also, if you are using it as a business vehicle you can write its costs off in relation to business expenses. (Even getting lettering done for it is considered as advertising.)

For the family, perhaps an A4 Avant with the 1.8t? The 1.8 motor is a GREAT and solid motor. Audi has produced it for quite a long time before replacing it recently with the 2.0.

Good luck with your decision and your new business venture!

tchfunkta3381

Thanks again. I just do not want a truck. Too high off the ground, not enough person room unless you get a 4 door, then your talking about a large truck ... my partner has a 4 door 4wd '07 f150. I drove it last night and it is just too big, bulky and guzzles gas. I can not get 2 cars right now. I have around 25k cash to spend on 1.

Any other suggestions? I know now that my dreams of having an AR are crushed, but I want what will be right for me, my family and my buisness ... but I do not want a truck.

Thanks again,
Jacob

RMcQ

<img src="http://www.mcqfamily.com/allroad/turbo_swap/no-front-clip.JPG">

SKIroad'r

plenty of power to tow, simple natuarlly asirated engine, reasonable cost of ownership and al the utility oyu are looking for and comes AWD. Can prob lease and write off since it has biz use.

If you don't care for the looks, maybe one of the newer crossover type of cars makes sense, part SUV, part wagon, part minivan -- like a Chrysler Pacifica.

skidmark

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