Hi. Allroad newbie here. I'm looking at an A6 Allroad V6, 2021ish. There are a few available but none list driver assistance features, but when looking at the ad photos, there's often a photo of a dashboard screen that says "driver assist" with options for maximum, individual and basic. What are those options exactly, or would they vary from car to car, based on configuration at sale?

In the Individual menu you can controll settings like

• Speed warning
• Traffic sign speed warning
• Adaptive cruise assist
• Distance warning
• Audi pre sense

At least those are the options available on my Allroad. I'm not familiar with the trim levels in the UK.

 

 

6 minutes ago, smetsth said:

In the Individual menu you can controll settings like

• Speed warning
• Traffic sign speed warning
• Adaptive cruise assist
• Distance warning
• Audi pre sense

At least those are the options available on my Allroad. I'm not familiar with the trim levels in the UK.

 

 

Thanks. Do these cars have active lane centering? I think the other driver assistance features you've listed are part of the "tour" options pack

Be wary of advertisement photos. They are often copied from ads for similar but non identical cars, probably without the advertiser's realisation that features may differ.

Extreme example are TV ads for cars in the UK that usually show top spec LHD European models, with just the tiniest subtitle pointing that out that fact.

15 hours ago, MrPut said:

Thanks. Do these cars have active lane centering? I think the other driver assistance features you've listed are part of the "tour" options pack

I'm not sure what the actual pack is called in the UK. Mine is equipped with the "Platinum Pack" which includes the "Pack assistance Tour" and it has active lane centering.

It's hard to tell from pitures if a car is equpped with it, but when it is available then:

- At the end of the indicator lever there is a small push button do toggle the active lane centering on and off

- In the dashboard when cruise control is enabled and lane centering detected the lanes, it also shows the left/right lane next to that icon in green. When the feature is off no lines are shown. When no lanes are detected the lines are white.

- In the screen you mentioned where you can configure "minimal", "maximal" and "individual" you will find in the upper right corner a gear icon that leads to another screen where you can configure this setting. You also find other settings related to adaptive cruise control there.

9 minutes ago, smetsth said:

I'm not sure what the actual pack is called in the UK. Mine is equipped with the "Platinum Pack" which includes the "Pack assistance Tour" and it has active lane centering.

It's hard to tell from pitures if a car is equpped with it, but when it is available then:

- At the end of the indicator lever there is a small push button do toggle the active lane centering on and off

- In the dashboard when cruise control is enabled and lane centering detected the lanes, it also shows the left/right lane next to that icon in green. When the feature is off no lines are shown. When no lanes are detected the lines are white.

- In the screen you mentioned where you can configure "minimal", "maximal" and "individual" you will find in the upper right corner a gear icon that leads to another screen where you can configure this setting. You also find other settings related to adaptive cruise control there.

Thanks smetsth. That's really useful info. Options are a minefield with German cars!

If you find a car you like, then get seller or garage to photograph the build sticker. Usually found on accompanying paperwork or in rear wheel well. Those codes, list every component fitted, gearbox, engine, etc. You can then manually decode extras with online software.

On a separate note, any opinions on s tonic versus triptronic gearboxes? Apparently the former better for sporty driving and the latter for smoothness and reliability? Should the gearbox be part of my vehicle choice?

Tiptronics are fairly bullet-proof given they can handle 700Nm+ of torque. 8-speed. Audi say sealed for life, but there are ZF service kits, so change around 60-80k miles.

S Tronic, usually 7 speed (an handle up to 600NM of torque) and service interval is every 38k miles which has to be adhered to.

More reading here: https://www.darksidedevelopments.co.uk/dsg-and-auto-gearbox-tuning/?srsltid=AfmBOooOd6CAlddRf1YthtSE41HieGFiAcCiYkZ86OelaXDbe0L0tN7y

Edited February 15Feb 15 by spartacus 68

24 minutes ago, spartacus 68 said:

Tiptronics are fairly bullet-proof given they can handle 700Nm+ of torque. 8-speed. Audi say sealed for life, but there are ZF service kits, so change around 60-80k miles.

S Tronic, usually 7 speed (an handle up to 600NM of torque) and service interval is every 38k miles which has to be adhered to.

More reading here: https://www.darksidedevelopments.co.uk/dsg-and-auto-gearbox-tuning/?srsltid=AfmBOooOd6CAlddRf1YthtSE41HieGFiAcCiYkZ86OelaXDbe0L0tN7y

Triptronic it is then. I think that's what I have on my current bimmer 335d and it's a dream to drive...just too low to swing my fat !Removed! into and need more ground clearance with the bikes on the towbar

If you’re looking at a 21 plate V6 Allroad diesel, then check it’s not been on long service regime from new. First owners who had them could have put 18k miles on them between oil changes for first 3 years. Subsequent owners will pay the price with chain rattle and cam wear.

Audi introduced this nonsense to reduce fleet cost servicing. You want oil changes every 8-10k miles, and fuel filter every 20k miles. Add a can of Forte diesel fuel conditioner to it before changing.

A6 Allroad comes with air suspension as standard. Also spec electric towbar (I have same in A4 Allroad V6), which is a delight. 

Lastly, get into habit of adding Forte AdBlue anti-crystal to AdBlue top ups. Forums are full of failed level sensors or tank issues. This is an expensive fix if it goes wrong.

44 minutes ago, spartacus 68 said:

A6 Allroad comes with air suspension as standard. Also spec electric towbar (I have same in A4 Allroad V6), which is a delight. 

I was always advised to not buy a secondhand car with a towbar as tow cars would've put more toil on the engine, gearbox and chassis? Better to retrofit towbar on purchase?

 

48 minutes ago, spartacus 68 said:

Lastly, get into habit of adding Forte AdBlue anti-crystal to AdBlue top ups. Forums are full of failed level sensors or tank issues. This is an expensive fix if it goes wrong.

I think this is what's wrong with my Skoda Yeti, that's now gone to my ex. Bullet proof reliability...apart from this stuck adblue sensor!

48 minutes ago, MrPut said:

48 minutes ago, MrPut said:

I was always advised to not buy a secondhand car with a towbar as tow cars would've put more toil on the engine, gearbox and chassis? Better to retrofit towbar on purchase?

Edited February 16Feb 16 by spartacus 68

That’s a really expensive way of doing things. On the A6, it will likely have a rear camera and rear parking sensors which are already calibrated for towing. Adding a new electric towbar would be at least £1500.

I used to have a detachable Westfalia on my last car, but electric towbar is so convenient.

If it’s a V6 with Tiptronic, then the engine and air suspension can handle it.

In fact retro-fitting anything is expensive. Sort out your ‘must haves’ in terms of you wish-list factory options, then start searching. Also be prepared to travel for the right car.

Audi are as tight as a gnat’s chuff with options and moved down the bundle or pack route years ago. 

My last A4 Allroad had bi-xenons, sat nav, leather, panoramic sunroof, and a factory towbar, but the previous owner didn’t pay the £300 or so for heated front seats! The mind boggles!

Personally I could live without head’s up display, lane departure warning, active cruise and 360 degree cameras. Just more tech to go wrong.

If you can get matrix LED headlights then that’s one extra you’ll really feel the benefit off. Standard LED is okay.

Similarly if sound is critical, full B&O, or Bose, whatever their tie-in is, although to be fair the standard set up is fine.

25 minutes ago, spartacus 68 said:

My last A4 Allroad had bi-xenons, sat nav, leather, panoramic sunroof, and a factory towbar, but the previous owner didn’t pay the £300 or so for heated front seats! The mind boggles!

Personally I could live without head’s up display, lane departure warning, active cruise and 360 degree cameras. Just more tech to go wrong.

There's a vorsprung limited edition that comes with most of this. Like unicorns though. Seen 1 A4 Allroad version and that was 3 owners for a '21 plate and with an indie garage. Keen to get an Allroad but has to be a good one. I can wait. My bimmer 335d touring is bulletproof in the meantime... It would be a keeper if only it wasn't so low and had some driver assistance features

On 2/15/2026 at 12:38 PM, MrPut said:

Triptronic it is then. I think that's what I have on my current bimmer 335d and it's a dream to drive...just too low to swing my fat !Removed! into and need more ground clearance with the bikes on the towbar

BMW does a better job at fine tuning the ZF gearbox. The TipTronic paired with a V6 diesel is a bit slow to respond and sometimes clunky on downshifts. But then again, you can’t really compare an Allroad with a 320d. The Allroad is way more comfort oriented.

3 minutes ago, smetsth said:

BMW does a better job at fine tuning the ZF gearbox. The TipTronic paired with a V6 diesel is a bit slow to respond and sometimes clunky on downshifts. But then again, you can’t really compare an Allroad with a 320d. The Allroad is way more comfort oriented.

My 335d x drive is also a V6 diesel, but it's fast, economical and handles great. But, agreed, the Allroad will be more comfortable, and more practical as a family, dog, load hauler and mild off-road car. I'm getting old!