Would like to purchase 2002 Audi Allroad

[spring]

I am considering purchasing a 2002 Audi Allroad with 80 000KM (private sale).

I don't know a lot about the warranty or purchasing extended warranties but I was advised to not purchase unless I could get an extended warranty that would cover electronics.

Has anyone had much trouble with the electronics on a 2002?
Should I be concerned about mechanical with 80,000 KM?
Can someone point me to a resouce where I can read more about extended warranties (I'm in Toronto, Canada).

Thanks!

[Verscheure]

The allroad is a superior car. If things break down it is never the elektronics. The only thing that is possible to break down is the air suspension. Sheck it for leaks, If the car is parked and locked. It should raise itself to level 3 and stay there for at least a week (if let untoched) then you know the car is ok
kind regards Bas Verscheure

[audiburg]

oh dear..... My allroad has done 90,000. My tansmission started to play up again so had to pull it out. These wonderfully designed Audi's make it impossible to get to the exhaust heatshield bolts so had to drop the motor with the trans. Adding further to their wonderful design charateristics, you have to remove the front body work (all but the fenders) to get the engine out. Turns out trans has snapped teeth on the drum which was no doubt caused by over pressure from a failed valve body, so a new one of those needed too. Whilst all was out, could see the rear cam seal covers leaking so replacing those (and front ones while at it) and those "infamous" oil return hose gaskest from the turbo that always leak. Then, of course, why wouldnt I do the timing belt whilst this whole thing is apart in a zillion pieces. If you see where these Audi lunatics have buried the thermostat you would undersatnd why I am doing this as well - plus the water pump cos that aint much better placed either. Oh, and has anyone seen how hard it is to get to the starter motor and alternator? So, yes, you guessed it, got these reman'd whilst I'm at it. With so many other little things so stupidly designed from a servicability aspect, I changed them too - "O" rings, gaskets etc. I think the allroad (maybe other Audis too) is the german revenge to the western world. So to you and anyone else out there considering buying an Audi allroad, I give them this important advice:.......................................DON' T!

[Verscheure]

If I would had read your article I mayby would not buy one. On the other hand there are more then 90.000 allrroads sold. Far more than audi expected. On the forum we read about allroads that malfunction maybe 100 pieces in all. Remember that leaves 89900 allroads that run near perfect like mine. I have to add that I am driving a 2.5 liter V6 diesel which is far more relaiable. The way you describe it you must be a fully educated car mechanic! If you can do this work. I hope you can put things together as well as you can take them apart.
Try to enjoy the car wenn its is in one piece again. By the way I also own an english enginered car a jaguar XKE (or e-type as it is called in europe) Everethting brakes down, everthing is put together by mondaymorning workers, all parts are marginaly put together ....
BUT...

It looks like a Beatifull Brasilian women and drives like nothing else on this planet. If you hit the trotle the rorrrr of the engine makes you totaly forget all the work en money you put into it

Hopefully you will have (partly) the same feeling with your allroad. kind regards Bas Verscheure

[audiburg]

Dear Bas...... Firstly, let me clarify on your "failure statistics". If there are 90,000 allroads sold and 100 problems reported here, how does that mean there are 89,900 allroads running perfectly? If every mum, dad, and poor soul that owns and drives an allroad were part of this forum and forced to post with existing forum members, the statisics would be quite clear. Probably move the decimal point one step to the left on your number and you might have the answer! Please dont misunderstand me, I think the allroad drives and performs beautifully when it is working and from a technological point of view it is excellent - but from a design serviceability? I wouldnt say a Brazilian but one of those gorgeous Thai starlets - You seem them on the streets; stunningly beautiful, soft skin, breasts to die for - but when you lift her skirt, you realise she is a he and....... eeeek! NOT a pleasant surprise!

Interestingly, you refernce your E-type. I am a collector of classic Rolls-Royces and currently own 16 of them. No-one knows the trials and tribulations of "breaking down cars" as I do. The electrical system alone was designed by "the Prince of darkness" - Lucas. The difference is, a Rolls-Royce you drive on Sundays, look at it in your garage and sit in the backseat when you need reassuring "life isnt so bad". The Audi is my wife's car that is for daily use - shopping, running to the store, picking up the kids from school. When my 5 year old son says to me; "daddy? when we go in mummy's car we always end up dwiving weally slowly" (as it limps home from its dramas) "can I go wiv you next time so its doesnt take so long?"........... And, the punch line to my 5 year old's comments?...... I drive a Range Rover!! What more can I say?

[jaffadog]

Have a 2002 All Road 2.7t. The thing is wonderful when it is working. Which is unfortunately not very often.Has done 95,000kms
Just had new transmission, front diffs and cv joints done. Had to fix the the turbos. replaced the air suspension a number of times. Basically it can't get from one service to the next without some expensive bit needing fixing. I am now buying a Subaru.

[audiburg]

Hi Jaffadog. I am 100% in agreemnt with you and I think all other allroad drivers should take heed. For those of you who have been lucky so far - don't think I am speaking "sour grapes". Your turn will come. These cars are fantastic when they are working but when they are not and when you need to fix them - they are true pieces of crap!

Before all you "supporters" start throwing rocks at me, think about this; what car manufacturer designs an exhaust system that has star bolts accessible only from above the pipe (under the firewall). Why is this such a big deal? The star bolts obviouusly rust. If they were bolts that rusted, you would simply "juice them up" and then undo them. Can't do that with star bolts!

So, you say, whats the big deal over a couple of bolts. Ok, it goes like this; if you cant take the bolts out, then you cant get the exhaust off, if you cant the get the exhaust off, you cant get the transmission out. We needed to get the transmission out! So what did we have to do to get it out? Engine had to come out. To get that out, we had to drop the front suspension. We also had to remove the front of the car - radiator, radiator support. Oh, and to get those off you have to first remove the headlamps, bumper, grille, the whole kit and kaboodle. So, to overhaul a transmission, we have a car that has nothing in front of the firewall but 2 fenders and a hood up in the air. Is that good designing? ... Yeah. Just incredible. "Incredible" being the operative word. Let me add, the Audi book time for a thermostat is 10 hours, the book time for a water pump is about 12 hours.... it goes on almost the same for the starter motor, alternator and A/C compressor.

If I ddint have soo much money into this car I would be off buying something else. The car is now back in for service because the turbos have shat themselves.

"The all new Audi allroad..... a never ending story" ......... of high cost, no transport and and idiotic reliability.