For my entire driving experience (22 years), I've always owned bargain basement used cars. My costing criteria used to be "is this likely to pass the next MOT without needing unreasonably expensive repairs?".
The upside to that is that I've become pretty good at estimating the quality of used cars and also doing some basic-to-intermediate level maintenance on them myself.

Few years ago, my life changed such that I am driving, several times per year, to Isle of Skye and back to Oxford.
My Astra just doesn't cut it anymore (wind noise, ac compressor gone, seats hurt).
I need something hushed (listening to music for 10 hours is tiring) and comfortable.

Also, roads in Skye aren't always the best. I am not doing any off-roading but lost an undertray and a bumper lip already 😄
I have nothing against an SUV but I always thought that, because of how desirable they are, they are more expensive?
Plus, I guess an A4 Allroad is going to be nicer to drive overall? I don't do anything "fun" on the road at all but it's nice to know I haven't compromised on stability and road-feedback.

How are these A4 Allroads for reliability and maintenance costs?

Any and all discussion greatly appreciated - thanks!

Beware of air suspension problems. The bags and level sensors seem to be fragile going by what I read on these forums.

I’m on my second A4 Allroad and can recommend. They’re not that common, and are generally well built.

B8 cars were produced from (2008-2012), with B8.5 facelift (2013-2015), and B9 (2016-2024).

First things first, these cars have multi-link suspension, which is coil springs and alloy arms. If you want air suspension, then you’ll need to go down the A6 Allroad route. Generally suspension is fine until around 100k miles, but some are hydra-bushes, so check the servicing.

They do have increased ride height, and body cladding on arches, although I’ve seen models where the plastic panels are painted.

I used to have a 2012 B8 A4 Allroad with 2.0TDI (177PS) with 6-speed manual, that would have been Euro 5.

I now have a 3.0TDI (272PS), Euro 6 of course, plus it has bullet-proof Tiptronic 8-speed transmission. It’s very comfortable to drive, fast when you need to be, and because it can lay down 600Nm of torque with permanent 4x4, then it’s happy hauling a loaded trailer too.

The B8 was a good introduction, but if you’re going for diesel, then it will be Euro 6, which means it meets clean air zones in cities. To do this it has AdBlue, DPF, EGR and catalytic converters. If these go wrong it’s expensive. On every AdBlue top up, I add Forte anti-crystal to reduce likelihood of issues.

I think the B9 is reliable. I do my own servicing, so change the oil every 5k miles, but generally, no more than 10k miles.

On current 2.0 TDIs, I think they are 190PS, and will likely be paired with S Tronic 7 speed auto box. The transmission needs serviced every 38k miles religiously.

The 2.0 TFSI cars are rarer, but use Haldex system if I’m not mistaken (Quattro with ultra technology), so 4WD engages if it loses traction. That needs serviced every 20-30k miles. Power wise I think 252PS (up to 2021) with 2024 models achieving 261PS (badged as 45TFSI, plus it’s mild hybrid (something else to go wrong in my book).

Work out what extras you want. Audi went down pack or bundle routes years ago, but they can be tight.

Retro-fitting anything is expensive, so draw up a shortlist of things you can’t live without and go from there.

If your budget allows, then Vorsprung includes everything such as 360 degree cameras, matrix headlights, lane assist, but these cars will be £40k price bracket.

My advice, avoid any car on a long service regime (up to 18k miles between oil changes), or you’ll pick up the bill for engine issues down the line.

On 2.0 diesels, they will be cambelt, so 5 years or 60k miles, and renew water pump too. 3.0 litre diesels are chain driven.

 

 

8 hours ago, spartacus 68 said:

I’m on my second A4 Allroad and can recommend. They’re not that common, and are generally well built.

B8 cars were produced from (2008-2012), with B8.5 facelift (2013-2015), and B9 (2016-2024).

First things first, these cars have multi-link suspension, which is coil springs and alloy arms. If you want air suspension, then you’ll need to go down the A6 Allroad route. Generally suspension is fine until around 100k miles, but some are hydra-bushes, so check the servicing.

They do have increased ride height, and body cladding on arches, although I’ve seen models where the plastic panels are painted.

I used to have a 2012 B8 A4 Allroad with 2.0TDI (177PS) with 6-speed manual, that would have been Euro 5.

I now have a 3.0TDI (272PS), Euro 6 of course, plus it has bullet-proof Tiptronic 8-speed transmission. It’s very comfortable to drive, fast when you need to be, and because it can lay down 600Nm of torque with permanent 4x4, then it’s happy hauling a loaded trailer too.

The B8 was a good introduction, but if you’re going for diesel, then it will be Euro 6, which means it meets clean air zones in cities. To do this it has AdBlue, DPF, EGR and catalytic converters. If these go wrong it’s expensive. On every AdBlue top up, I add Forte anti-crystal to reduce likelihood of issues.

I think the B9 is reliable. I do my own servicing, so change the oil every 5k miles, but generally, no more than 10k miles.

On current 2.0 TDIs, I think they are 190PS, and will likely be paired with S Tronic 7 speed auto box. The transmission needs serviced every 38k miles religiously.

The 2.0 TFSI cars are rarer, but use Haldex system if I’m not mistaken (Quattro with ultra technology), so 4WD engages if it loses traction. That needs serviced every 20-30k miles. Power wise I think 252PS (up to 2021) with 2024 models achieving 261PS (badged as 45TFSI, plus it’s mild hybrid (something else to go wrong in my book).

Work out what extras you want. Audi went down pack or bundle routes years ago, but they can be tight.

Retro-fitting anything is expensive, so draw up a shortlist of things you can’t live without and go from there.

If your budget allows, then Vorsprung includes everything such as 360 degree cameras, matrix headlights, lane assist, but these cars will be £40k price bracket.

My advice, avoid any car on a long service regime (up to 18k miles between oil changes), or you’ll pick up the bill for engine issues down the line.

On 2.0 diesels, they will be cambelt, so 5 years or 60k miles, and renew water pump too. 3.0 litre diesels are chain driven.

 

 

This is fantastic advice 👍

I had an original Allroad 2003 with the 2.5 diesel engine . We loved it . Towed caravan and trailers , very capable in the snow and was like driving down the road sitting on your living room sofa . It was a real all rounder . It was a great car . Problems were air bags , I eventually replaced them all and learned how to work on air suspension system myself . It wasn’t that complicated when you got your head around it. engine eventually died at 165k injection module so I sold it for spares and I still miss it . If the new ones are as good I would be going for the 3.0 tdi A6 Allroad rather than the A4 version based on my experience . I’d love another one .