I have been looking at the Audi Allroad and the XC70. I had a '95 850 wagon, got 200K out of it and loved the ergonomics of it. I currently drive a Saab 9-5, but it's getting old and at this point I really want to get an AWD model so I can still get out in the winter. I knocked the Scubaru out pretty quick, so I am kind of left with the Audi or the Volvo.

I know that there are issues with both - it seems there are a lot of complaints about the excessive repair costs of the XC70, but I know that there was a model change after many of those posts. So which product, considering other issues are equall (which I know they are not) has the better reliability and repair costs?

I have a clunker V70R with AWD. My wife has an 2001 Audi A4 Q 2.8L. I like her awd system better. But I cannot work on her car. There is absolutely no room in the engine bay. When the A4 needed a new engine coolant temp sensor, it was 2.5hours of dealer book time! When the 1998 R needed the same thing, I did it in about 45 minutes (I'm slow).

My car gets better gas mileage and is much easier to maintain.

The new model V70 has Haldex awd, which is very good. And DIY is still possible. The Allroad has twin turbos, which creates a lot of heat in the engine compartment, and the milage is not that good. But is does have better features than the Volvo.

Your choice,

Klaus
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The 164 has a new home, all I am left with are a 95 854T and a 98 V70R :)

Do you do all your own maintenance? If no, you may want to check if there are good Volvo or Audi shops in your town and base your choice on access to repairs. Audis have the reputation of being shockingly expensive to maintain as the years go by, so a good mechanic can help you a lot.

I can't vote for the Allroad. The one I drove was not as nice as the price tag would suggest. Didn't seem so fast, even compared to my lower powered, older 850. I wasn't so impressed, but I am a little biased. That friend bought off the lease they had, and paid enough for 2 good used v70's. Some think it's very nice and my mechanic likes the Audis(not sure which one he likes, or why)Another friend had an older Audi lemon. How much extra luxury are you willing to pay for? XC seems more practical and able to hold more (seems to, no proof). Besides, the Allroad looks like a sneaker.
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'97 855na, Mobil 1, K&N, various IPD's and eBay's

Well, the Allroad has 4 heated seats and window shades. And you are right about cargo space, I wonder why the rear door is slanted forward?

I just got my A4 back from the dealer today. Both cam seals failed. $1010 in labor!!! That's 9 hours! At least on the 5 cylinder engines I can see the cam seals and replace them myself. I don't have to take the front of the car off.

But replacing the breather system was only 1 hour, a lot cheaper than Volvo.

Klaus
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The 164 has a new home, all I am left with are a 95 854T and a 98 V70R :)