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Buying an Audi with adaptive air suspension - should I buy the Avant or the Allroad?

I'm about to change my 2007 Audi A6 Avant Quattro 3.0 TDI SE for the new model. As some roads are often poorly surfaced these days it has been suggested that adaptive air suspension would provide a smoother, more comfortable ride.

The air suspension option has to be purchasedon the Avant together with an uprated headlight system (bi-xenon or full LED) which makes the OTR price about the same as the A6 Allroad, which includes air suspension as standard. Would there be any difference in smoothness/comfort between these two models assuming the standard spec tyres are fitted (17-inch A6, 18-inch Allroad).

Asked on 12 August 2012 by AL, Horsham

Answered by Honest John
Air suspension gives a better ride, but it's more prone to go expensively wrong. 17-inch wheels will give a better ride than 18-inch or larger, because there is more tyre sidewall between the rims and the road. You make a good point about the Allroad. It makes more sense to get that, especially if you don't then have to buy the expensive and blinding headlight system. The downside is the 18-inch wheels.

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