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[Entwood]

My search for a suitable replacement for the beast is getting nowhere using the  saloon/petrol/rearwheel drive/self leveling/1800kgs kerbweight formula, so I'm considering an Audi Allroad ... main drawback is the fact it runs on ship fuel ..

Notwithstanding that, does anyone know anything about these ?? ie major problems/drawbacks, especially regarding suspension, gearbox and DPF

Ta muchly for any opinions ..

[Doctor Gollum]

The timing gear is at the back of the engine.

No big deal if new with warranty... Not so great if you're looking at anything slightly more used

[Entwood]

As this would be a "private purchase" I'm looking at a policy from "Warranty Direct" that would cover any early failure.. although I know I would have to pay £1200 in 25000 miles time to have it changed.

I can't see any other major bills, and I realise that I will no longer be doing my own work ... I know nowt about oil burners or AWD systems 

[Doctor Gollum]

I wouldn't trust a second hand/third party warranty any more than I would trust Corbyn to run a bath.

[biggriffin]

Find a local indy, and ask the questions.

[henryd]

Try warranty wise which is Quentin Wilsons baby,much better reviews than the company you've mentioned but all of these warranty companies are similar,probably better to throw the money into a pot and add to it  to cover unexpected issues

[TheBoy]

You'll find everything more expensive than what you've been used to, so have a quick look around at brakes/suspension/steering type parts.

I suspect on a vehicle like that, you'll hit all the problems I see with the big black pussy - every reply to any query is "yake it to a dealer".  If you're paying someone else, even if a trusted indie, its gonna bump the bills up.  Obviously, that goes for virtually any car with limited DIY assistance available, and certainly not specific to Audi!

I think you are going to have more success finding a replacement capable of dealing with the pikey van by looking at crossovers and proper offroad type vehicles than a 4 door RWD saloon.

[Entwood]

You'll find everything more expensive than what you've been used to, so have a quick look around at brakes/suspension/steering type parts.

I suspect on a vehicle like that, you'll hit all the problems I see with the big black pussy - every reply to any query is "yake it to a dealer".  If you're paying someone else, even if a trusted indie, its gonna bump the bills up.  Obviously, that goes for virtually any car with limited DIY assistance available, and certainly not specific to Audi!

I think you are going to have more success finding a replacement capable of dealing with the pikey van by looking at crossovers and proper offroad type vehicles than a 4 door RWD saloon.

Yup, certainly looks that way ... but guess what I don't want !!!  There are loads of Kia Sorento's, Misubishi Outlanders, Hyundai Santa Fes, Volvo DC90s etc etc that will all "do the job" ... but I still enjoy driving a car with a bit of handling ability when I don't have the tintent on the back. I've also been looking at BMW 5's, Mercedes S class (C class are too light unless you go AMG spec, E class is a minefield trying to work out what has what !!)

Audi A8 fits all the spec ... except the bank balance !!

[2boxerdogs]

Our friends we holiday with have had an Audi Allroad for several years now tow regularly here & in France have only had to have a radiator replaced , I have ridden in it several times and it seems superb a very capable vehicle & an excellent choice for towing.

[Doctor Gollum]

Mercedes ML will do the job nicely  likewise R Class.

Both give you a petrol option or two as well

[Entwood]

Mercedes ML will do the job nicely  likewise R Class.

Both give you a petrol option or two as well

ML is another SUV ...  

R Class... very few around 

[Andy B]

You'll find everything more expensive than what you've been used to, so have a quick look around at brakes/suspension/steering type parts.

I suspect on a vehicle like that, you'll hit all the problems I see with the big black pussy - every reply to any query is "yake it to a dealer". If you're paying someone else, even if a trusted indie, its gonna bump the bills up.  Obviously, that goes for virtually any car with limited DIY assistance available, and certainly not specific to Audi!

I think you are going to have more success finding a replacement capable of dealing with the pikey van by looking at crossovers and proper offroad type vehicles than a 4 door RWD saloon.

that's what the Merc forum always says .... what are the codes is the usual war cry.

And my ML has proved itself a great towcar on its maiden voyage last week, though (as I already knew from the R320) it doesn't seem to know mpg means 

[Andy B]

Mercedes ML will do the job nicely  likewise R Class.

Both give you a petrol option or two as well

If only I could have justified the R500 to myself (& SWMBO  )

[Andy B]

....
R Class... very few around 

True, but very much worth a look at. The face lift cars go through to 2012 IIRC and if you get the R350 instead of the R320 I had, you won't get stung for the £500+ road tax

bare in mind, they're a BIG car ... not the easiest thing to park in some of the multi-story car parks ... and every one has a different spec

[Auto Addict]

You'll find everything more expensive than what you've been used to, so have a quick look around at brakes/suspension/steering type parts.

I suspect on a vehicle like that, you'll hit all the problems I see with the big black pussy - every reply to any query is "yake it to a dealer".  If you're paying someone else, even if a trusted indie, its gonna bump the bills up.  Obviously, that goes for virtually any car with limited DIY assistance available, and certainly not specific to Audi!

I think you are going to have more success finding a replacement capable of dealing with the pikey van by looking at crossovers and proper offroad type vehicles than a 4 door RWD saloon.

Yup, certainly looks that way ... but guess what I don't want !!!  There are loads of Kia Sorento's, Misubishi Outlanders, Hyundai Santa Fes, Volvo DC90s etc etc that will all "do the job" ... but I still enjoy driving a car with a bit of handling ability when I don't have the tintent on the back. I've also been looking at BMW 5's, Mercedes S class (C class are too light unless you go AMG spec, E class is a minefield trying to work out what has what !!)

Audi A8 fits all the spec ... except the bank balance !!

You can't fit a towbar on an AMG spec.

[Entwood]

You'll find everything more expensive than what you've been used to, so have a quick look around at brakes/suspension/steering type parts.

I suspect on a vehicle like that, you'll hit all the problems I see with the big black pussy - every reply to any query is "yake it to a dealer".  If you're paying someone else, even if a trusted indie, its gonna bump the bills up.  Obviously, that goes for virtually any car with limited DIY assistance available, and certainly not specific to Audi!

I think you are going to have more success finding a replacement capable of dealing with the pikey van by looking at crossovers and proper offroad type vehicles than a 4 door RWD saloon.

Yup, certainly looks that way ... but guess what I don't want !!!  There are loads of Kia Sorento's, Misubishi Outlanders, Hyundai Santa Fes, Volvo DC90s etc etc that will all "do the job" ... but I still enjoy driving a car with a bit of handling ability when I don't have the tintent on the back. I've also been looking at BMW 5's, Mercedes S class (C class are too light unless you go AMG spec, E class is a minefield trying to work out what has what !!)

Audi A8 fits all the spec ... except the bank balance !!

You can't fit a towbar on an AMG spec.

I can't afford an AMG spec !! 

[henryd]

You'll find everything more expensive than what you've been used to, so have a quick look around at brakes/suspension/steering type parts.

I suspect on a vehicle like that, you'll hit all the problems I see with the big black pussy - every reply to any query is "yake it to a dealer".  If you're paying someone else, even if a trusted indie, its gonna bump the bills up.  Obviously, that goes for virtually any car with limited DIY assistance available, and certainly not specific to Audi!

I think you are going to have more success finding a replacement capable of dealing with the pikey van by looking at crossovers and proper offroad type vehicles than a 4 door RWD saloon.

Yup, certainly looks that way ... but guess what I don't want !!!  There are loads of Kia Sorento's, Misubishi Outlanders, Hyundai Santa Fes, Volvo DC90s etc etc that will all "do the job" ... but I still enjoy driving a car with a bit of handling ability when I don't have the tintent on the back. I've also been looking at BMW 5's, Mercedes S class (C class are too light unless you go AMG spec, E class is a minefield trying to work out what has what !!)

Audi A8 fits all the spec ... except the bank balance !!

A modern Suv is in a different league to where they were 10-15 years ago handling wise,my 15 year old Touareg handles well and drives like a big Passat,newer ones are even better and a world apart from my old Disco 2,The Vw is the most stable towing platform I've ever owned although at 2.5T empty it should be pretty good I suppose.

[aaronjb]

Audi A8 fits all the spec ... except the bank balance !!

Ex-Omega owning friend bought a 2004 Audi S8 recently for under £4k; alright it's a tiny bit tatty outside (age related scuffs here and there) but the engine appears to be indestructible, the autobox is perfect, it has all of it's original power on-tap (and feels like more) and handles like a car half its size, beautiful to drive.

So .. just how small is that budget?

[edit] Did I mention it has double glazing and is the quietest car I've ever been in on the inside, aside from the lovely V8 noise when you give it a boot load?

[Doctor Gollum]

I suspect part of the idea is to go significantly newer than the Omega

Plenty of decent, suitable, cars for a given budget...

https://www.1ownercarguy.com/mobile/mdetails.aspx?vid=15323092 for example... Granted, not significantly newer than the Omega, but ideal for european tours and plenty of space for a decent size lpg tank. Or two...

[Doctor Gollum]

R Class: Budget vs newest...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201812173313327

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201903246220909 needs a towbar, but otherwise 

ML budget vs newest...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201903065615967 again, needs towbar.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201901294395888 again, needs towbar.

Or if the caravan doesn't have quite enough space...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201903125828888

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201902195100909

 

[Andy B]

R Class: Budget vs newest...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201812173313327 ....

Which being a R350 is the later engine in the preface lift body ....

NB that Mercedes Artico is NOT leather .... just pretend leather ie vinyl ... and isn't particularly hard wearing

[Doctor Gollum]

All examples picked at a glance for age/mileage/price

[Keith ABS]

 Have you thought about the Volvo XC90 or the smaller version?

[Sir Tigger KC]

I bet the Audi A6 Allroad is a damn good car! 

[Viral_Jim]

Volvo S80 4.4 V8 should cover all your requirements, other than being rwd. If you land one with the self leveling option.

 

[Doctor Gollum]

Volvo S80 4.4 V8 should cover all your requirements, other than being rwd. If you land one with the self leveling option.

Be lucky to get a choice of colour let alone options...

[Viral_Jim]

I know. I'm hoping if I mention them in enough threads someone will buy one so I don't have to.

Been trying to convince my father for a while now.

That said, the only one on AT is the same colour as the OP's avatar. So there's hope yet 

[Doctor Gollum]

Get the house built and px the Korean lorry

[Sir Tigger KC]

Here you go Nige!  I think this should tick all your boxes! 

It's not an Audi, but that hasn't stopped anyone else.    

So stick a tow bar on it and I reckon it should drag the burger wagon along nicely. 

It should go and handle quite well solo as well!   

[Doctor Gollum]

What is it?

[Sir Tigger KC]

What is it?

Clicky on the above linky and yee shall see! 

[BazaJT]

Bloke who owns the local "corner shop"has recently swapped his Range Rover for a 4 door Bentley with the w12 engine looks very nice for a posh VW.