X5 or Allroad?
 

I've been tossing this question around for about a month now. The allroad was very smooth and impressive as was the X5. In the end, I think we will begin our search for an '04 X5 4.4. The X is more roomy width wise and shorter than the allroad by about 5 inches yet provides the carrying capacity we need. Length is an issue as well as my wife will be driving it and we live in SF which is known for its lack of parking spaces. We plan to use it for occasional trips to San Diego, drives up to our cabin in the mountians which sometimes gets snow and frost, and a rare tow of our jet ski. The allroad can do most of these except tow which is a reason for choosing the X with the 4.4. We also own an M5 and 325 so we are very familiar with BMW's and what can go wrong as well as the great driving experience they provide. I appeciate all the information this forum has as it has aided greatly in our decision to purchase an X5. You should check out the Audi forum, some information but ask a question and you will wait days for any response! Thanks

which Audi forum? I am on Audizine from time to time. Good forum.

X5 takes the prize for towing capacity and interior roominess - especially headroom and front seat width - lots of room between occupants, where the Allroad is a bit cramped. In many ways I would pick a Volvo V70R over an Allroad, unless you are worried about ground clearance for snow driving. That said - I do most of my snow trips in my S4 with snow tires and it does excellent. Quattro is simply the best AWD system going other than maybe Subie for the snow. Beats BMW, MBZ and Volvo which rely more on electronics where Quattro is a more mechanical system with front and rear torsen diffs. I would not trade it for snow traction. I really love both my Audi and my X5, so truly you couldn't go wrong either way. If you did end up Allroad I would say stick with the 4.2L V8 over the more problematic 2.7 turbo motor. Drivetrain should be rock solid. Electronics could be an issue - the adjustable suspension on that car really worries me. X5 and Allroad are similar length, but Allroad has a longer rear cargo area if that matters to you. MPG, ride quality, driving dynamics, power, handling, etc. will be pretty equal between a X5 4.4i sport and Allroad 4.2.

But at the end of the day if towing matters, the choice is really simple. X5 is your only choice!!

I used to live in SF with an x5. Pretty easy to park; it's a short vehicle for its class.

Agree with comments around the 2.7t engine. It's a joy to drive but a timebomb to own. I do think audi has the best awd system out for actual wet / cold driving.

I actually think the x5 would be the reliable of the two

I ditched an allroad 2.7T to get my X5 4.4, and honestly, there is no comparison between the rides. One is a car, the other is not. While the allroad is a nice ride, in fact it's a very nice ride, all things being equal, get the X. As noted above, the turbo engine is a problem long term, the suspension is surely a oney pit, and the X5 4.4 will get better mpg (why the turbo v6 gets such bad mileage amazes me). I have owned 6 Audis over the years (I own one now and love it), but the X5 is the better ride. Though the allroad will probably be cheaper to get into.

oh - and the X5 has better cup holders than the Allroad too. If that matters to you. I find that is a don't care for my daily ride, but becomes important when family road trips come into play. X5 is just an awesome road trip vehicle.

Yea. I saw the cup holders on the allroad and they are just that...SMALL cupholders and none in the rear! They looked pretty weak and didn't look like they would even hold an insulated mug. And if they did, probably not well. I'm getting older so cupholders and creature comforts are higher on the list. As for AWD, I don't need it very often in CA, only when we go up to the Sierras or if there is snow or frost at our cabin. I know the airbag suspension system is problematic in the allroad after about 75k miles, but would change it for an adjustable coilover system and change the settings if I anticipated any need for more ground clearance. But this won't be an issue since we've decided on an X5.

Thanks for your response. I was searching AudiForums and it is useless. No action on the allroad section at all. Actually, your post had more useful information than 95% of all the posts.

I only go to Audizine, and the S4 section is very active with some knowlegdable people and a reasonable ratio of BS to decent data.

I haven't owned an Allroad, but I did consider them at one time before deciding on the S4.

I think all things considered, you will be very happy with the V8 X5.

Hey I have an A6 2.7t MT6 and love it!!! Also have X5 love it!!! but Audizine is the more informative site and if you look under the a6 section that is where the allroads will be since they are the a6 plat form. Just my 0.2 :stickpoke

I've been checking it out today. It seems you have to do a lot of reading to get any real meat that will help you decide if the allroad is for you. Too many models (on the same platform) melted together make it very difficult to focus in on a specific model, it's merits and it's shortcomings. Still, it's all good reading if one has the time.