A6 C5 2.5tdi vs Allroad C5 2.7T - Reliability?!

[joshmateee]

So I am selling my A4 B5 avant... ... but it's just too small for a wagon and need something a bit bigger and more spacious, which is why I am going the A6 / Allroad route, however I am making my mind up on whether to buy an allroad C5 or an A6 C5. Must be manual and quattro, so if you know of any other engine combo's with the manual + quattro then by all means suggest away. I have 2 options:

A. buy an allroad C5 2.7t V6 locally for around $15k .
B. buy an A6 C5 from overseas and import it, I noticed that in UK they sell for around $6000 AUD?! that's insane, here in AUS, they don't even exist in manual... I can arrange an import for an A6 C5 2.5tdi for around $3k give or take, which will still make it cheaper than the allroad.

WHICH IS MORE RELIABLE AND WHICH AM I BETTER OFF GOING WITH?! I have no idea!

I'm hoping to pick the brains and experience from some owners of A6 C5's in the 2.5tdi and also owners of the C5 2.7T OR if you've owned both, even better! (even if you know a lot about them, that'd still be great)

Thanks a tonne,

Josh.

[PaperToast]

TDI FTW
something we cant get here in the states

[estomax]

if you can import a tdi manual wagon OR allroad from the UK you will be set for a long time. everyone here would be jealous as hell :)

allroad is 'wide' body with plastic cladding and air suspension, so it will have more maintenance issues possibly, but you have adjustable suspension and a cooler looking body. a tradeoff you will have to make.

[joshmateee]

TDI FTW
something we cant get here in the states

hahaha thanks for the input! I noticed your signature... '01 allroad, so what do you have? 2.7t or 2.5tdi?

[joshmateee]

if you can import a tdi manual wagon OR allroad from the UK you will be set for a long time. everyone here would be jealous as hell :)

allroad is 'wide' body with plastic cladding and air suspension, so it will have more maintenance issues possibly, but you have adjustable suspension and a cooler looking body. a tradeoff you will have to make.

well here's the thing, I can buy a 2.7t 6spd manual allroad for $13k around the corner from my doorstep... but if i want an A6 avant in the manual I HAVE to buy from overseas and import, so I need to know which engine is the better route and also which is the better car in general. I don't know what to do and I'm currently getting enquiries on my car, once that sells, I need to have a gameplan as to which car I am getting

What engine is your 2003 A6? and would you recommend it over any other / why?

[PaperToast]

hahaha thanks for the input! I noticed your signature... '01 allroad, so what do you have? 2.7t or 2.5tdi?

well, i have the 2.7
wish i had the 2.5 tdi

[joshmateee]

Why is that? Is the 2.7T no good or??


Sent from iPhone

[LINDW4LL]

My point of view; Gas is cheap here in the States, so I'd have no interest in the 2.5TDI. The VAG 4.2 TDI or V10 TDI is a different story, because those are fast and get good mileage.

But in your situation, I'd certainly take the 2.7T.

[joshmateee]

Yeah I've learnt I can't import to aus from UK so my only option is the allroad c5


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[JediJoker7169]

Why is that? Is the 2.7T no good or??

2.7T is an excellent platform with a (relatively) large aftermarket. 2.5TDI wasn't available here in the States, is a torque monster, and is therefore sought after by American enthusiasts. I don't think it's better, necessarily, just desirable to us because unobtanium.

[joshmateee]

thank you for the quality input, definitely makes me feel a little stronger about going for an allroad, just worried about making it look good... people seem to colour code the bumpers to the body but having the paint match on 2 different materials (body panel and plastic bumpers) it's got me weary about a possibly hurdle, appearance aside, the recaro seats and the ridiculous cabin space are certainly inviting.

[estomax]

if you are looking for speed get the 2.7T, if you are looking for all around utility the TDI will be better as well as more unique.

i have the 2.7T 6spd in my car and its quick, but not amazingly fast unless i drop some serious coin in it. in my opinion 13k is a hell of a lot to pay for a car this old but your location kindof forces the prices i think.

as far as the plastic cladding and paint matching, you will have to put in some work to make it paint matched if that is the look you're going for, if you are not interested in doing that and just want to drive the car and not really work on it, go with the tdi avant.

[joshmateee]

great to have insight from an allroad owner! thanks a tonne, the paint matching seems it will be fun, there's 1 on google images that's colour coded black, definitely seems the easiest option to go, but I love the dolphin grey and think I'd want to stick with that, either that or casa white, that'd look nice I think but a b**** to colour match between plastic bumpers and panels, and unfortunateeeeeely can't import the A6 avant into AUS from UK and UK are where they all are, if I did happen to find one in the US, it would be left hand drive and would have to pay the ridiculous cost of converting along with import fees and whatever else, so I don't really have that as an option I don't think ....

[2.5TDi_AR]

I have an allroad with the 2.5 v6 tdi. It's a torquey bastard from the factory. Delete the EGR valve with blanking plates. Clean out the gunk from the inlet manifolds.Drop in a mildly modified hybrid gtb2260 with 66mm compressor. 4bar MAP sensor. Race nozzles (need to ask Scott how he likes his Doktorek nozzles). Custom remap. Ideally gut all 3 cats. Fit a free flow exhaust. 300bhp. And torque that'll rip the woodruff key out. Epic 2.5tdi thread on the interweb. Look for fjtwelve 2.5 tdi v6 threads on TDI Club and VWaudiforum and Adamss24's video of his rolling road session.

When your hoofing it around you'll hate the wallowy suspension and short gearing. Then you'll remove the air suspension and fit coilovers and a regular 01e + diff. You're still carrying 200kgs more than a plain A6 Quattro Sport. So if you can get an A6 2.5tdi Quattro Sport. The best bit is getting 30odd mpg when you're enjoying the torque. And 35+ when you're driving with your mrs.

Oops. You said you couldn't import one. Scott might be able to export one of his rhd A6 2.5's.

[CHRISTOPHÉ]

It's weird you can't import one because I can export my allroad to Australia?
I was looking at relocating due to work and would have taken bot our allroad and polo with us.

[joshmateee]

It's weird you can't import one because I can export my allroad to Australia?
I was looking at relocating due to work and would have taken bot our allroad and polo with us.

Yeah if you have been living in UK for over a year and owned the car for over a year and can prove that it has been yours for the past 12 months then importing to AUS is no problem as they classify it under a "personal import", but if you're just a guy living in AUS who wants a car from UK, then there's absolutely no way to import.

I guess this is why there are no A6 Avant Manuals here in AUS, I don't understand why they wouldn't have them / why they're a banned import :\ the only audi we can import is an RS2 avant.

[joshmateee]

I have an allroad with the 2.5 v6 tdi. It's a torquey bastard from the factory. Delete the EGR valve with blanking plates. Clean out the gunk from the inlet manifolds.Drop in a mildly modified hybrid gtb2260 with 66mm compressor. 4bar MAP sensor. Race nozzles (need to ask Scott how he likes his Doktorek nozzles). Custom remap. Ideally gut all 3 cats. Fit a free flow exhaust. 300bhp. And torque that'll rip the woodruff key out. Epic 2.5tdi thread on the interweb. Look for fjtwelve 2.5 tdi v6 threads on TDI Club and VWaudiforum and Adamss24's video of his rolling road session.

When your hoofing it around you'll hate the wallowy suspension and short gearing. Then you'll remove the air suspension and fit coilovers and a regular 01e + diff. You're still carrying 200kgs more than a plain A6 Quattro Sport. So if you can get an A6 2.5tdi Quattro Sport. The best bit is getting 30odd mpg when you're enjoying the torque. And 35+ when you're driving with your mrs.

Oops. You said you couldn't import one. Scott might be able to export one of his rhd A6 2.5's.

The 2.5tdi sounds like a good option, however, I made some calls and was told I simply can't get one imported but you suggesting someone else exporting... how would that work? The owner of the car would have to be the collector after it's been inspected and quarantined and whatever else they do, he then would have to register it in his name (which is when they want proof of owning the car overseas for over 12 months).... so I still see that not working at all?

Also, you suggest removing the air suspension and fitting coilovers? Is this air suspension that bad and a definite no brainer to replace with coilovers? I've heard the air susp. can empty your wallet pretty quick...

[8520]

Allroad owner here. Owning a b5 you know some of the wear items already, coil packs, control arms, etc. The allroad adds the 2.7t which is known to have the turbos go bad (typically only once you start modding it) and the air suspension go bad. The air suspension, at least over here, is a fairly easy fix as the static a6 parts swap over easily.

As for reliability, you'll likely never be left stranded by a 2.7t car, but there are definitely items that need to be maintained.

As for the two tone, I've never been a fan, which is why I shaved my bumpers and had them body matched, along with my rs6 door blades. Unfortunately the paint match isn't perfect, but it's okay -

I guess this is why there are no A6 Avant Manuals here in AUS, I don't understand why they wouldn't have them / why they're a banned import :\ the only audi we can import is an RS2 avant.

Oh for fucks sake!

[joshmateee]

Allroad owner here. Owning a b5 you know some of the wear items already, coil packs, control arms, etc. The allroad adds the 2.7t which is known to have the turbos go bad (typically only once you start moddi....

Ahhhh love the colour matched bumpers, those flares standard? they're pretty beefy, and what exactly do you mean "shaved the bumpers"... I am not exactly the most car intelligent person, I am a graphic designer so excuse my very little understanding of the car world,

Please do post more pics!! You've gotta show more of that beautiful allroad

[adamss24]

I have an allroad with the 2.5 v6 tdi. It's a torquey bastard from the factory. Delete the EGR valve with blanking plates. Clean out the gunk from the inlet manifolds.Drop in a mildly modified hybrid gtb2260 with 66mm compressor. 4bar MAP sensor. Race nozzles (need to ask Scott how he likes his Doktorek nozzles). Custom remap. Ideally gut all 3 cats. Fit a free flow exhaust. 300bhp. And torque that'll rip the woodruff key out. Epic 2.5tdi thread on the interweb. Look for fjtwelve 2.5 tdi v6 threads on TDI Club and VWaudiforum and Adamss24's video of his rolling road session.

When your hoofing it around you'll hate the wallowy suspension and short gearing. Then you'll remove the air suspension and fit coilovers and a regular 01e + diff. You're still carrying 200kgs more than a plain A6 Quattro Sport. So if you can get an A6 2.5tdi Quattro Sport. The best bit is getting 30odd mpg when you're enjoying the torque. And 35+ when you're driving with your mrs.

Oops. You said you couldn't import one. Scott might be able to export one of his rhd A6 2.5's.

As Alex mentioned above, i would go for the v6 tdi anytime, few grand spent on it will make it run on a par with a stage 2 2.7TT and return twice the mpg ! Basic mods will bring it to 300Bhp and 600-700Nm of torque, that will move mountains !

Had a 2.7TT allroad a few weeks ago, standard 250Bhp with the rare low range manual gearbox and 7 seater conversion, low mileage as well. I did not like it one bit and it was very heavy on fuel- managed to do 30Mpg on a motorway run so not too bad in the end !

With the early v6 tdi you need to watch for worn cams, later B series are much more reliable but are also crippled with emission regulations. I would take a a6 over an allroad anytime if handling is your quest, the allroad looks just that bit better with the wider arches though...

Mine has a hybrid gtb2260vk turbo (as fitted to the euro 3.0Tdi) with a custom 10 blades titanium compressor wheel, bosio race 683 injector nozzles, EGR delete, gutted cats, and a custom remap and it will pee all over sports cars ! Gearing is too short and it will do over 4000rpms at 140Mph, however mine is de-restricted and it will go to 5000rpm's easily.