I'm starting the research step of purchasing a new car. I've been around Audi's a bunch (5kqt & a8) and I know what's involved with maintenance. Since I live in Colorado and spend a lot of time driving to ski areas, trailheads and driving in the mountains, a turbo charged engine and quattro is a must have. My question is, other than the size of the car, the adjustable ride height, what are the other differences b/t the allroad 2.7T and the S4 Avant 2.7T? Should I even consider a the Avant, or can someone absolutely say the allroad should be my only choice...

Thanks..
Pete

78 VW Bus, 2.0L FI
93 Pathfinder, 3.0L V6

Its a size thing. You can make a 6spd 2.7T ar drive almost as sporty as an S4 avant. the rear seat accomodations and wagon on the avant are really limiting, I have found. I really wanted to go the S4 route -- its just too small to me. AND if you have any real chance of driving thru some bad conditions -- dirt roads/light off-roading/deep unplowed snow -- being able to raise your ride height is very useful. surprise: ar wins!!!

I personally prefer the S4, as it is a much more responsive car to drive (no mods in either equation, 6speed in the S, tip in the allroad) - although it is certainly smaller, which can be challenging with 2 kids and assorted luggage, etc. I actually am leaning toward melding the two into an s6 avant, but losing the 6-speed is not something I relish. In the mountains I would think the 2.7t is the ticket, it all comes down to your sport/practicality intersects on the ol' x/y axis.

Oh, to further muddy the waters, I get much better mileage with the S, even though I probably drive a bit more enthusiastically than the ar...

If you are used to Audi maintenance I would think for what you are wanting to use it for..hauling people AND stuff the ar is your vehicle...every time I think I can go without the adjustable suspension I use it again, bad weather, bad roads, heavier load for a short period...no question the S4 would be more fun to drive but in the drive fun/practicality quotient here I am with that pancake bunny math again:) ar wins by a bigger nose:) I promise I won't quit my day job.

You also have LOTS of ar enthusiasts in your area to help with issues and with which dealers/indies to frequent. Good luck.

comparing apples and cantalopes. the tip on the 2.7t (not the 4.2) is a sluggish, unreponsive mess of a transmission that muddles the reflexes and feel of an otherwise great car. I had it and never stopped hating it. try comparing a 6sp with a 6spd and you'll see they are a lot closer than you think

So you didn't like the 2.7T with the tip? That's the combo I'm most interested in. I've been driving a 156 HP automatic SUV. The lack of power in the mountains really sucks. I'm fine with the idea of getting the tiptronic. Back when I had my Mustang GT, an automatic would never have cut it. Assuming I'm not buying for performance, but for the 250HP, will I really be unimpressed with the Tip.??

it gets confused on repeated start/stop/traffic light slow down followed by accel. I accepted it and simply drove less aggressively. S mode didnt do squat. there are chips for the tranny. Feh. Now that I have a 4.2 the car is totally different. The confused trnny becomes a willing partner and s-mode is rocket sled right now accel/and engine braking. Maybe its that my 4.2 is an 05 and the 2.7t was an 03... think long and hard before you get a 2.7t with tip especially since the 6spd is a gem

The power is fine. From a stop the tip suffers from a not to subtle throttle lag. Test drive one to try it out. It's something you learn to live with it. Since I had my torque converter and tranny replaced the lag is much less noticeable.

If you get a tip get a warranty to cover the dreaded 17125 torque converter problem, I wish I had..

Learn to live with a clutch!

pocket rocket (and how practical are they, really?) off a dead stop...way better with the turbo than any other auto, even those with the same hp...but it depends on what kind of driving you do...sometimes when I need to go from a stop I need to go now and this car ALWAYS goes...I did have the torque converter redone and almost all other parts short of the transmission itself but the other issue is that the 2.7 with TIP does get better gas mileage...yes the stick would be better but I can't drive a stick due to the type of driving I do, distractions and old knees:)

Drive them both if you can and see what you think...you can also beef up the turbo down the road if you choose to...read all about that in the archives before you decide...there is so much info here as to be almost overwhelming, but better than going into this blind.

I'm not sure what was wrong with your 2.7T with a TIP not feeling a difference in "sport" but in mine I can feel a huge difference, I stopped using it when I was cruising around town because at 35mph (most city speed limit) its at 2000 rpm, and its right at 2000 rpm that I'm getting boost, so as I'm stradling 2000 rpm I get that herky jerky (like when you were learning how to drive a stick shift) motion. My point... in my 2.7T TIP there is a noticable difference in "sport".

miles of interstate. The country road had so many curves, switchbacks, and sweeper, I thought I saw the ars rear end. The H-sports are miraculous. I did have some bobbing from front to rear, however it was minor. I am HYPED and can't wait to do it again. If given the choice of a new S4 avant or allroad, I'd go ar. The ar is really underated.

often it takes more work to drive it aggressively than my previous '98 A4 2.8 5 speed. The tip can be driven hard, but is best done in tiptronic mode.

Deciding at the last minute that you want to take off is a futile exercise if you just stab the gas. You need to learn to work the throttle to keep the tranny from getting confused.

When you get it right, it is quite rewarding. There are times I miss the stick from my A4, but there are plenty others when I'm quite happy to be letting the car do the work.

because mine just goes from a stop in either auto or tiptronic mode..I don't think there were changes in the tranny or other to make that so, but why the difference, unless mine is just a hot '01:) and if so then someone should buy from me because it's special:)

I have an 01 S4 sedan and the wife drives an 03 2.7 tip ar. I agree with most of the previous comments (tip in her car is just plain awful, adj susp is cool/fun in the snow, more room = good for kids, etc.) but I have to ask how do I get a lumbering fat pig riding on some goofy airbags to even handle at all, let alone like an S4??? Are H-Sports that great?

Honestly, the suspension on my old 83 Caprice Classic wagon was better than the ar sans H-Sports. The Allroad weighs about 100lbs more than the S6 and RS6. I driven the S6. The handling is ok for a 4000lb vehicle. IMHO, Audi dropped the ball on the suspension. H-Sports are a great improvement. With the right coilovers and a chip, the ar could pull off a 8:35 nurburgring lap time. :-)

amazing job of transforming the allroad.