Buyers guide for A4 Allroad

[ad26]

Hello ,

I’m looking to buy a 2010 A4 Allroad.
Can I ask for some advise on buyers guide. And what mods have people done?

 

[spartacus68]

Not overly familiar with 2010 model, but if it's 2.0 TDI, then 168bhp. Later models from 2012 moved to 177bhp. 3 litre V6 TDI models are relatively sought after with 242bhp, so plenty torque. Not sure when Audi Drive Select was introduced. It's on my 2012 car and nice function.

Let's assume it's a 2.0 litre model. Paperwork is everything. At 8 years old, then you're potentially looking at cars in 80-100k miles territory. Sure it's possible to find a car on less miles, but that's average. Timing belt needs to be done every 5 years or 60k miles, along with auxilliary belts, tensioner pulley and waterpump.

The rear diff gear oil if at 100k mile level could use an oil change. Again, that's my preference. If inspecting underneath, then diff should be dry. If it's wet, then there's the chance of leaking drive shaft seals.

Check bodywork closely. Any rust will be evident at this age, so front arches, tailgate and door bases are known spots. The bodywork is galvanised, but it gets expensive to repair.

The Quattro system itself is maintenance free to a point. As mentioned, the rear diff and transmission would benefit from a gear oil change at 100k miles if you plan to keep long term. Check tyres for even tread wear. If you haven't driven a quattro before, then the car can crab at full lock. Change tyres on all 4 corners to avoid over-winding the diff.

Transmission, I can only comment on 6 speed manual. Should be easy to change gear, still tight with no slippage.

Suspension wise, at 100k miles, then probably original shocks all round. The car uses upper and lower control arms, ARB links. All this wears with use, so a sloppy drive, slack in the steering (tie-rods) or tell-tale clunks can be difficult to identify unless you're mechanically minded. Meyle HD (4-year warranty) or Lemforder can bring it back to factory standard. Will need a 4-wheel alignment afterwards. Bear in mind these cars are not overly robust, so cars with tow bars could have been hauling horse boxes every weekend, so rear springs can break.

Service wise, you want receipts and lots of them. Oil changes, then I recommend 10k intervals using fully synthetic oil and filter change. Fuel filter every 20k miles. Air filter every 10-20k miles. Pollen filter every year. Glow plugs, then leave well alone. If you know someone with VCDS, then definitely worth scanning.

This is totally a buyers market as diesels are getting a mauling just now, so if you can get a younger model, that's what I would look at. Specification should include xenon headlights and heated seats as a must. Bose speakers would be nice, as is satellite navigation, leather or alcantara interior, electric folding mirrors or power boot. One word if warning for cars with panoramic sunroofs, they can leak, so you've been warned.

Anyway, best of luck.

 

[ad26]

Thank so much for all this it is the 2.0 tdi with power tailgate and mmi 3G . It does have sunroof through but I’m told it don’t leak... I will keep you posted it I buy one is there a A4 Allroad forum .

Can post fold mirror be fitted and factory dab be fitted?

Any idea on Bluetooth? Do they all have it spec ‘d?

 

[spartacus 68]

The sunroof is known to leak at the cassette, but you might just be lucky. Double check roof lining for tell tale staining. If it's black, then check footwell carpets, should be bone dry.

In terms of upgrades, I know you can retrofit folding mirrors. My car has Bluetooth and DAB radio (2012). There's plenty to choose from on Autotrader, so be prepared to wait for the right car.

 

[todsan]

I'm also in the market for an A4 Allroad. This is a great write up.

On average, how much would the bill be to change water pump / timing belt?

I've had some bad luck with an '05 2.0Tfsi where the chain driven inlet cam failed causing untold damage to the engine, is there any issues like that on the 168hp TDI?

 

[spartacus68]

These are Audi prices for 2 litres, then its £649 for a timing belt and water pump. The timing belt on its own is £495 which is false economy as car is already stripped down, and new G12 or G14 anti-freeze is a bonus. An Audi independent should be cheaper. Don't know specifics of 168bhp model. Key thing with timing belt is new tensioner pulley, but any decent mechanic will check other pulleys for bearings on the way out.

 

[spartacus68]

One other thing I noticed is LED tail lights. My 2012 car has them which takes years off the car, but driving behind another 2012 Allroad tonight and it was conventional filament tail lights. The rear LED turn signals are very bright, safety wise.

 

[todsan]

I've decided to get one a little newer which wont need any work done for a wee while. Found a 14 plate 2.0 tdi 177 for £15k down south. Its got 42k miles so I think that's a pretty decent deal. Got the bells and whistles such as heated leather seats, power boot, sat nav, bi-xenon headlights and no sunroof. Do you think that's a reasonable asking price?

 

[spartacus68]

I've decided to get one a little newer which wont need any work done for a wee while. Found a 14 plate 2.0 tdi 177 for £15k down south. Its got 42k miles so I think that's a pretty decent deal. Got the bells and whistles such as heated leather seats, power boot, sat nav, bi-xenon headlights and no sunroof. Do you think that's a reasonable asking price?

The market has changed quite a bit, even in the 2 years I've had mine. You've the Volkswagen cheat software to thank for that and the continued demonisation of diesels, so prices have dropped.

Heated seats were only a £300 option, and if it's Alcantara leather you can actually get away without them. Bi-xenon headlights are a must. I'd have that over anything else. The number of cars on Autotrader with standard halogen headlights is shocking, considering these cars were expensive new. Incidentally the power boot option was standard on 2014 models on. Link here for specification prices for 2014: https://www.sinclairaudi.co.uk/pdfs/brochures/a4-a4allroad-s4.pdf

One thing to consider is the timing belt. It'll be due next year at some point, so if its a dealer selling I'd push for getting it changed and the water pump as part of the sale. If it's a private sale, then haggle on price. You don't say if it's auto or manual? Can't comment on auto-box, but as I tow I prefer 6-speed manual.

Anyway, best of luck.

 

[Relliott6879]

(Very) long time no post, but I'm still lurking, still have the 2014 8V cab I've owned since new and now, due to a change of job and an impending 60-odd mile motorway commute, considering swapping my other car for something more economical. The B8 Allroad appeals, and I've got my eye on a 64 plate 2.0 TDI DSG with just shy of 80k miles on it.

I found this page when trying to find out about recommended service intervals and, looking above, it looks like I need to check for a leaky/weepy rear diff, rusty front wheelarches, door bottom or tailgate and I'll want to see a cambelt and waterpump change in the history, plus I believe the DSG box should be serviced every 40k? The brochure link in spartacus68's post #9 no longer appears to work.

Any other red flags or common issues to look out for would be greatly appreciated.

 

[spartacus 68]

Any other red flags or common issues to look out for would be greatly appreciated.

The B8 Allroad forum is quiet, you’re probably better off sticking to the B8 platform. Same engines, etc.

B8.5 went to 2015 so you might get a late model. Still Euro 5 on 2.0 TDI, so no AdBlue, but just double check that. Draw up your essential specification short-list such and go from there. Audi were tight as a gnat’s chuff.

2.0 TDI 177PS was a solid engine. Timing belt and water pump every 5 years and 60-70k miles. Oil changes every 10k miles, fuel filter every 20k miles. Garrett turbo failed (actuator) on mine prematurely at just 65k miles. If replacing, change oil feed pipe while you’re at it. In my experience these engines do not use oil.

These are old cars now, so you can afford to shop around. Quick scan on Autotrader, say 2012-2015, there’s 43 for sale with one example with just 36k miles for £16k. Damn thing had poverty specification halogen headlights. Bi-Xenon or nothing. There are headlight levelling sensors on passenger side front and rear. Double check rear, you want LED light clusters which appeared around 2012.

Importantly, on older cars, then rear coil spring seats (rubber deteriorates and internal alloy suffers corrosion). Parts are negligible cost-wise and you’re probably looking at £300-400 in labour to swap out unless you‘re spanner handy.

Brakes may suffer from sticky pistons and corroded dust boot sleeves. I rebuilt mine with Budweg kit from Autodoc. Audi don’t even sell rebuild kits.

Satellite navigation will be out of date. Plenty sellers on EBay. Double check MMI interface before you part with cash.

Higher mileage cars, then suspension may be tired. Meyle HD or Lemforder, that’s all I‘d fit.

Rear subframes known to corrode. I had hairline crack in engine cradle (alloy) which was MOT advisory, so again, be rigorous with your checks.

Worth getting yourself VCDS, even 3 user licence. Very handy for scans and fault finding.

Generally paintwork is very good, but as mentioned, front wing edges can rust under plastic trim. I stripped out front and rear inner wheel arches, cleaned thoroughly and treated with Lanoguard. You can revive paint if there’s swirl marks with Menzerna compound and rotary mop If you’re experienced.

Exhaust straight pipe, if not already corroded, then cut off exhaust clamps and fit Mikalor stainless.

Still miss my old Allroad. Still relatively rare and in right colour and factory alloys look the business.