I'm beginning to look around for a winter beater (it's early, I know).

Even though I want an SUV and decent mileage, I need a stickshift ... which apparently is not possible this side of the pond. Were I in Europe, I would already have a TD Prado or D110 but I digress.

So the Allroad kinda fits the bill. Awesome for road trips and carrying bikes or skis, perfect in winter, it's a manual (f*ck yeaaaaaah!), and it will handle gravel roads easily (I would rather it handled real offroad ... but hey)

Or is it? the EPA mpg sets it just as bad as most SUVs, it's the 2.7T and will be high miles (~100k) so I fear the turbos will disintegrate as soon as I sign it off ...

So yeah. Allroad. Thoughts?



I have very very limited interest in the other equivalents (namely Outbacks and Volvo XCs). I'd rather just go real SUV at that point, and screw mileage.

The only use for this car would be a weekly grocery trip, and road trips every so often. No commuting whatsoever. Needs to be dirt cheap since winter will obliterate it within 3 years.

If all else fails, I'll just get one of these.

 

Go big or go home.

 

It's a cool car however keep your eye on the suspension, if memory serves me right it's air attic so with the high miles make sure you check it or else your going to have to pay a lot for it to be fixed.

 

I've got a 6 spd manual allroad, and I LOVE it. I did have to replace my two rear air springs and the compressor. Total cost from Arnott industries (replacement items) and installation was under $1200. Also did the timing chain as it approached 125,000 kms (80,000 miles) as that's a recommended service item.

Haven't had any issues with the car. Tracks straight and true, engine LOVES to rev. It's got more space for luggage than most full SUV's, the height adjustable suspension, all wheel drive and manual transmission, means it's FANTASTIC fun in the winter. Mileage with the 6mt is not bad, you can skip up to a higher gear pretty easily.

I love it. As this is a 6speed, 6cyl, twin turbo, allwheel drive, German car, I like to call my Porsche the 'other' one like that. ;-) But I think you should just get the Veyron. :-)

 

I'm not worried about the air suspension failing, I can hold my own with wrenches well enough to fix whatever air ride could throw at me. I've been interested in P38 Rovers for a while, so Arnott is not an unfamiliar name.

How much do you get on the highway? EPA says ~19mpg (12-13L/100km), which sounds oddly high for an efficient engine in a reasonably sized car.

 

X5 3.0d /thread

 

It's heavy. Not an A6 wagon converted, the steel is thicker I'm sure.

For mileage, I'm getting about 8L/100 on the highway. Close to 30 mpg anyway. Until I get over 140kph average, then I'm down to about 11-12L/100.

City mileage IS between 11-13L/100 though, depending on how hard I'm driving it. Which sucks, but it's way better mileage than any of my other cars.

X5 diesel is nice. On my list as possible replacements, but as I've had no issues with the allroad, that replacement time won't be anytime soon. I don't think the X5 diesels, at least in Canada, come with sticks though.

 

Oh, and the turbo's go way sooner if you chip it. I haven't. Anyway, if/when the turbo's go, it'd be so tempting to just chip and big turbo it....

 

LOL, that video is ridiculous. That thought has occurred to me as well. But if it's a winter beater, there's no real point to POWAAAARRRRR.

8L/100 on the highway is definitely more what I was expecting/hoping for.

I like this car. Can't figure out why, but I do.

 

I think those AllRoads are cool.