Looking at buying 2002 2.7T Allroad, would value your opinions.

[JonCeballos]

Yes, I have googled, and searched the forum for information on these cars but most threads are old Seeing as it is 2021 and this car is 19 years old I'm hoping to get some opinions from people who know these cars well.

The one I'm looking at is 150,000 miles (California Car imported into Canada) and he's asking $4500 CAD and timing belt has been done but it has some modifications and a few issues that he may be downplaying.
In short would you be scared away from a modded allroad of that age? The mods have been done less than 5000km ago apparently and there is only paperwork for the tuning work.

Listing is as follows:
02 Audi Allroad AWD quattro
2.7t
Auto
151k miles (243kms)
California car
19x9" rotiform Nue
20mm spacers
Timing belt has been done (around 40k left on it I believe)
Mods:
K04 turbos
Siemens 630cc injectors
Malone stage 3+ tune
CTS diverter valves
Cat back straight pipe exhaust
Intake
402 mod air suspension
Needs an alignment, has slight power steering leak (which the owner thinks is from a hose), and needs an air ride level sensor or put the air suspension back to stock and it should function properly (owner claims the air ride mod has gone faulty and it sags weird or something). AC does not work (owner thinks it just needs a "refresh").
Asking $4500 CAD comes on the rotiforms, have newer Pirelli's to go with it and stock rims as well.

Given that the car is 19 years old, what sort of maintenance nightmares might I run into? I'm going to view the car tomorrow and I am hoping to line up a pre purchase inspection. The price seems cheap, but if the air ride problems are more nefarious than the owner claims, I assume it can get costly. I have never delt with air ride before. I'm glad the timing belt has been done, but what about head gasket at this age? Thanks for any input you have.

[2.ohhh]

Decent looking condition which is a big plus. Main thing is if you are ready to either wrench or spend money (or both as parts aren't cheap)....have you owned an Audi before? This one has known issues with air ride and A/C, both which can be costly. Also, with the stage 3 tune and K04's...the Tip tranny usually won't hold up too long if it's making the power that it should be.

Honestly, looks like a great car, but will definitely need effort and money to correct even known issues. I'd have cash reserves of what they're asking for the car to cover repairs...

[ShelbyM3]

Looks like a great foundation, but be prepared for costly maintenance unless current owner can prove almost every gasket and fluid has been changed. And air ride is a total pain. Lots of replacements and rebuilds needed there, also. I am currently refreshing an Allroad with 175,000 miles. It’s a labor of love, let’s just say that. Or you gotta have deep pockets to make it dependable. Nothing seems to come easy with the C5 chassis.


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[NWS6]

Take careful note mentioned in the earlier post about the tiptronic transmission.
Simply factor in the cost of converting to the 01E manual transmission, because it will come up soon and it's a common major issue.

[AudiAR01]

If the car is tuned right. The tip tranny WILL NOT LAST. They can not handle power and tq of stage 3. Air ride is absolute nightmare. Unless completely revamped. If it sags over night. It is not from the 402 mod. That does not cause sagging. Leaking bags or air line causes sagging. Or distribution block leaking. I'm not sure what the 4500cad converts to in USD. But to me, with the amount work that already needs done that the owner had told you. Your lookn at another 500-1500 into it. Just to make it back to normal. It looks like a solid setup. But if it was me I'd either buy coil conversion for the suspension or coilovers. And steer away from air. As it's super problematic. Or just keep looking for another ride. I paid 2500 for a 2001 AR in perfect air ride condition. And excellent shape inside n out. With 166k miles two years ago. And also bought a 2003 A6 6 spd with 2.7t with stage 1 tune and a ton of maintenance already done to it, and tons of aftermarket work done to it for 1800 with 199k miles. And I am now dropping money into for stage 3 over the AR. Tip trannys are just plain shit.

2003 A6 2.7T 6spd Stage 1+ (motor pulled for stage 3+ upgrades)

2001 Allroad TIP Stage 1
2006 A3 2.0T 6spd Stage 1

[V1nny]

Agree about transmission and stage 3 tune, put is simple: this auto transmission cannot handle torque of stage 3. So either retune for low tq (why bother with stage 3 on the first place then, or very expensive upgrade should be done to auto transmission)
I would disagree about air somewhat. If you replace entire air setup with Arnott Gen 2, it is decent, and they stay behind their lifetime warranty.
Also very questionable aftermarket headlights.

[AudiAR01]

Agree about transmission and stage 3 tune, put is simple: this auto transmission cannot handle torque of stage 3. So either retune for low tq (why bother with stage 3 on the first place then, or very expensive upgrade should be done to auto transmission)
I would disagree about air somewhat. If you replace entire air setup with Arnott Gen 2, it is decent, and they stay behind their lifetime warranty.
Also very questionable aftermarket headlights.

I agree with the updated bags. But after the bags are replaced then the pump needs rebuilt more than likely. Then the dist block, then an airline goes bad. It just has too many parts that need constant maintenance to upkeep. As it's already a C5 chassis which needs constant maintenance as is. Just having something else to to keep up on. Don't get me wrong I love the air ride feature. But after dealing with numerous air ride failures it gets old. When you can just go coilovers. And still have adjustable ride height. And better handling and control over the bags. Just personal preference over air ride. And I believe those headlights are eBay specials.

2003 A6 2.7T 6spd Stage 1+ (motor pulled for stage 3+ upgrades)

2001 Allroad TIP Stage 1
2006 A3 2.0T 6spd Stage 1

[V1nny]

would love to test drive a properly converted allroad on coilovers. Most of what I heard so far is not perfect.