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Comments
Then I went on the same route, but used the tiptronic and short shifted between 2k - 2,500 rpms. When I left the gauge read 265 and when I returned it read 255 (10 miles).
I'd like to do some more testing, but this initial result was very positive.
Rich
I agree with you. One thing that I forgot to mention was the position of the fuel gauge needle. When my wife did her drive the needle definitely dropped from where it had been previously (she's a slow driver, too, so the actual driving conditions were fairly similar to mine). However, when I drove the same route the needle stayed in nearly the same position.
Yes, short shifting at such low rpms does take the fun out of driving, but I was doing this strictly for city driving where our average speed for traveling is quite low (at least here in SoCal where traffic is a joke). My wife does most of the driving in the allroad, and all of it is city/street driving.
Even in these slow conditions, the allroad makes driving a very nice experience.
Rich
My point is that there doesn't seem to be much momentum to get posters here on the allroad board -- and in point of fact, I have only had my allroad for 5 weeks -- but I love it, now that the On*star issues are past.
03 allroad 6spd full paint, burgundy pearl, ecru leather -- all options and Pilot A/S 245 x 50 x 17" tires on standard allroad 17" factory wheels. Zoom zoom indeed. 1800 miles on it already!
Too bad there isn't one more level down (perhaps another 1/2 inch).
Here is what I WANT to do, chip with one program (regular from factory settings plus 91 Octane settings) and 2 BPV valves and a K&N air filter. They are trying to talk me into the Bi-Pipe too, saying "if not now later."
What did you do and who did it?
And yes, it would go well with the tires -- I am not looking to race, I am looking for just a wee bit more kick in the bum!
You are right not many posters here. I normally lurk at audiworld.
Last week the self-leveling module went out and the AR was stuck on the 3rd level. After 5 days in the shop, I am again zooming around Atlanta. Although I had an A6 as a loner, I missed driving the AR. Now, if I could just get the wife out of it.
Grand High Poobah
The Fraternal Order of Procrastinators
But I don't think so.
So lurk away participate or whatever -- I'd love to hear why you admire these things!
Grand High Poobah
The Fraternal Order of Procrastinators
I'll be anxious to hear how you like yours, once it becomes available for the '03's. Curious to know what they (APR?) are saying about the bypass valves and bi-pipe? I believe adding these would be strictly for reliabilty as opposed to performance reasons? I was told that the APR bi-pipe would not fit the allroad, as it's a slightly different configuration than the A6 2.7T. They also said that they spent a great deal of money on developing this part for the A6, and maybe just now are breaking even on it, so it was very unlikely that one would be developed for the more limited volume allroad. I assume we're talking about the same part here, and would be interested if you've heard something different.
The 258 pound feet of torque of the normal 2.7T comes on early (1850 RPM's). Hence the mostly accurate statement that there is no turbo lag on a 2.7T (virtually no lag is probably more accurate, but frankly unless I keep my revs below 1650 I would agree, no lag).
Anyhow, when the new mapping of the pressure is applied to this engine with the "stock turbos" the torque really goes up. This is good, very very good.
However, the torque -- this MASSIVE new torque -- comes on at slightly higher RPM's giving the former no lag engine a slight feeling of lag -- and apparently it is more noticable with the factory BPV's than the aftermarket BPV's. Moreover, the BPV's from APR assist in minimizing the turbo lag between shift, when you press the clutch -- remember I have a manual transmission.
So the argument for both of these devices is reliability. The argument for the BPV's adds performance. I have read posts on Audiworld (on the S4 and the TT and the A6 2.7T) that seem to substantiate this.
On a price basis, too, the BPV's are $129 and two are required. I think they, APR, wanted $60 to install them.
Did you verify that the BiPipe will fit the allroad? I was told by APR that A6 spec part is slightly different and that it would not fit the allroad.
Are you sure it's a tire balancing issue? Does the shimmy only make itself present at certain speeds, or at all speeds? I had the infamous 45 mph "wobble" issue until the dealer replaced my Transmission Control Module - this only affects Tiptronic models and 2001's in particular.
I've also heard poor reviews on the stock tires, both the Goodyears and Pirellis. Have you had your original set on since new? If so they should be pretty worn by now and maybe a new set of tires would resolve the issue. Most who have tried the Michelin Pilot A/S's have been very happy with them - expensive but apparently worth the investment.
You might want to post your problem on the allroad discussion forum at AudiWorld.com - good luck in resolving this issue.
My ONLY complaint is I would love to have a bit stiffer suspension and perhaps bigger tires/wheels (18 x 245 x 45 perhaps). The ride on my 01 A6 4.2 w/sport package was "no harsher" but it would "hunker down" more in the twisties.
Yea and one more thing, even though I have had zero problemo with the brakes, well -- it is pretty easy to tell and say that the brakes AT BEST are a B+ while the rest of the car is an A.
And I keep reading and hearing on audiworld, that most of us think there will be no new allroad -- that is this is it. 2004 or 05 will be the end.
More's the pity.
I have read your posts regarding tires. Is that the simple answer?
I have never driven my car (now with 3,000 miles on it) with the stock tires, so that certainly could be an issue.
The loudest Audi I ever had in this regard was a 2001 A6 4.2 with Pirelli 6000's -- I kept them for 8,000 miles and put Yokohama AVS db's on the car and the problem went away (for about 18000 miles, when I changed tires again to a sportier tires, Falken Azenis(SP?)).
On the other hand, one of my coworkers has a Toyota Avalon and it is THE quietest CAR of any kind I have EVER been it -- it is eerie, it is so silent. But it rides and handles like a sofa.
Living in Atlanta, the only weather issuses are rain and (occasionaly)ice so the stock Pirellis have been functioning well. I plan to upgrade the wheels and tires at ~15-18K miles.
I don't know of anyone who's tried this, and I'm not sure I would want to mess with it, drilling holes in the roof, etc. If I were really desperate, as in I couldn't live without a TV, I would buy a portable DVD player or a small combination TV/VCR and plug it into the rear accessory outlet.
Seriously, in looking at the roof in my allroad on the way home tonight, I don't think a roof-mounted screen would work, unless you were to find one without a sunroof. Even then, I would be hesitant to do this mod unless you could find some custom installer that would guarantee it could come out without doing any permanent damage. If it were that important to me I'd look at a different model where you could get it as a factory-installed option - MDX, FX45, GX470, etc.
To luebbering - Good luck with your decision. ;-)
And let's get back to the subject of the Audi Allroad. Thanks!
Revka
Hatchbacks & Wagons Host
I leave it in automatic mode most of the time, which in everyday driving is level 2. Others prefer manually setting it on level 1 and leaving it there for everyday use, but I find that level 2 provides a little smoother ride on the bumpy roads that we have around here. When in automatic mode, on the highway after reaching and maintaining higher speeds for a minute or two, it drops to level 1, then reverts to level 2 when you exit or slow down. I don't usually notice the change when this happens, unless I happen to be looking at the display. I use level 4 only very occasionally when driving slowly over very rough roads, in deep snow or when launching/loading my boat.
All in all it's a very versatile system, and it looks like more vehicles (RX330, VW Tourag, etc.) will be incorporating some version of it in the future. Based on reports and pictures from people at AudiWorld.com, it also offers surprising true offroad capability if you're inclined to go that route.
I drive in position 2 on the freeways and generally hit the down button to position 1 as I exit the freeway.
I've had a mod done on mine, by the dealer, which lowers the car over the factory settings by 12mm (about .5 inch), also I plus zero'd my tires to 245 x 50 x 17"s on the factory wheels. The car handles very well, has V8 like acceleration and is chock full of luxury touches (I have literally all options on the thing). I had the dealer paint the fenders and bumbers body color -- this car is fantastic.
I replaced a 2001 A6 4.2 with the allroad -- I do not feel like I took even a tiny step back in any respect.
I think a set of 18" wheels shod with 245 x 45 x 18" summer tires would add just that special something too!
To everyone - It would be nice to see some more vehicle updates in here. So who's next? ;-)
For those interested, you could list your total miles to date, mpg (city/highway), driving habits, additional accessories/mods, maintenance issues, trips/cargo experiences, and overall impression (pro/cons) of your vehicle... compared to when you first purchased.
Also, like Mark has been doing, report back every 3-5 k miles to update again. Thanks for your participation!
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
Anyway other than winter tires (soon to come off), the factory-designed tow hitch and the APR chip, the car is pretty much stock. In summer I use it to tow my 2000 lb. fishing rig, and it does an admirable job carrying all my gear and pulling the boat which we take on our summer vacation and for long weekends out of the city. It's been an ideal family vehicle in that respect, plus it's entertaining to drive when I'm on my own (unlike the previous truck-based SUV we used to have). The interior build quality is top-notch - no rattles and the leather and wood so far shows no wear whatsoever. I like the fact that the car is pretty rare and you don't see many others, and after two years it still attracts lots of looks and "thumbs-up" gestures from total strangers.
My only complaint - and it's a trivial one - is that some of my home-made MP3 CD's don't always work, like they do in my wife's 5 year-old A4. This could be related to a software "upgrade" on my computer because I didn't seem to have this problem when making my first 50 or so CD's. Now it's kind of sporatic - go figure.
I'll probably purchase an extended warranty when the car approaches 50,000 miles because the way it looks now I'll want to keep the car for several more years. I've changed the oil (Mobil 1 0W-30) more often than officially recommended, about every 3000 miles, just in case I decide to keep it for up to 100,000 miles. No doubt that with our Minnesota winters, the chip and the occasional towing, keeping the engine filled with clean oil is a good thing.
I really have no idea what my gas mileage is because I've literally never measured it, figuring there's not much you can do about it anyway...but I suspect it's in the high teens as most of the time I drive on suburban roads with stop lights and moderate traffic. On the highway at a steady rate of speed (65-70) the computer indicates 22-25 mpg. If you are looking for an economical vehicle, this is not it due to the weight and twin turbo engine, but my sense is that it's about on a par with most car-based SUV's.
Best of luck to fellow allroad owners!
Now, however, if you want to give the dealer $500, you can order a V8 allroad -- but you can't get one with a 6spd manual. The V8 allroad, if this is important to you, will be beaten in its 0-60 times by a 6spd 2.7T.
Now, all options/features that are availble on the V8 cannot be had on the 2.7T -- but get this:
1. power assisted tilt and telescopic steering column -- V8 allroad only.
2. factory 18" wheels and tires, can be ordered on V8 but are available, aftermarket, from the dealer (and they are an Audi part)
3. from the factory, you can order "full paint" -- from the dealer the cost (for me at least) was $1,600 and it was done before I picked up the car.
I do not know the price difference but it is probably at least $4,000 more for the V8. Now, for me I would have had one in a hearbeat IF a stick shift would have been an option.
And, if you maxed out a 2.7T with the new tip tranny and put the chip (see above) in it -- it would be virtually identical to the V8 in performance, or at least close enough to not be an issue.
I think the allroad has a limited future.
This is one of Audis best vehicles and, frankly, it has failed (I assume they really didn't want the car to be THIS rare, that is) in the marketplace.
Perhaps the new VW Toureg or the rumored PikesPeak or whatever, will come along and do things better. But for the time being, a well equipped allroad is "just under" $50,000 and IMO is the swiss army knife of cars.
With all due respect, I say to the allroad V8 "why bother?"
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
actually If I could choose any Audi, it would have to be the UrQuattro.....ha ha ha
Also, I've never had a turbo and I'm curious if you still have let the the car idle to cool down after a long freeway run?
I will probably wait for the 4.2 V8.
Thanks for you help.
Mike