we are thinking about purchasing one next year after we put dough down on a house, i was wondering if i could get some real world reviews from some people i trust???

 

i love my all4! i think it is the best car i have ever owned

what specifically do you want to know?

scott

 

hows your actual gas mileage?

how's it do in the snow, at what speeds?

are there any options you feel are essential?

what can you put on that center rail?

etc

 

hows your actual gas mileage?

last tank all in town driving was 27.1 mpg calculated, mostly using sport button
last tank mixed city/highway driving was 31.2 mpg calculated (sport button in town / cruise on highway)
last tank all highway was 40.1 mpg, 65mph gps (67 indicated) with cruise on, 200 miles out and 200miles back, all on 1 tank

on fillup, the OBC shows over 430 mile to empty

i am burning Mobil 93 octane fuel with NO ETHANOL, when using fuel with 10% ethanol, i lose 5-6 MPG

i ignored the dealer advise to "break it in easy", used full throttle, but limited the rpm to 4500 for first 1200 miles,

after hitting 1200 miles, i went out in the country and ran 200 miles mostly above 4500 rpm, mostly 1st-3rd gears on twisty and hilly back roads, many stops/ full throttle starts due to stop signs

filled up before and after and got 18.4 mpg, the worst i have seen

how's it do in the snow, at what speeds?

i took delievery 3/31/2012, so no snow experience yet, but it is great on wet roads, even with the traction control OFF, it is hard to spin the tires

are there any options you feel are essential?

a good friend owns a transmission shop, he strongly advised against the automatic due to its limited life (80-100K miles) and cost to repair (5-8K$), however, i tend to keep vehicles a long time, last vehicle 1997 GMC sonoma V6 5speed manual 4x4 with 287,000 miles. if you don't keep cars that long, the automatic is very fun to drive (my dad bought an All4 after riding in mine, his has auto/standard suspension/standard wheels (17")) and i have driven both back-to-back over the same roads and it confirms my choice of manual/sport suspension/18" wheels

i tested both standard and sport suspension and ordered the sport suspension

i have the 4 bucket seats, would not consider the rear bench seat, but then i do not have kidos to transport

you MUST get the Xenon Headlamps and Flat Load Floor and heated seats (i got the Cold Weather pkg that includes heated outside mirrors)

i got the Sport pkg to get the 18" wheels, but know that they came with Summer rated tires and i will need to get Winter rated tires/wheels next fall

i did not get the auto climate control, connected, navigation, leather seats, harmon kardon radio, sunroof (adds 80 pounds to the car, all on the top)

i would have liked to get the adaptive headlights (they move right/left as you turn the steering wheel) but did not because they require the automatic windshield wipers

what can you put on that center rail?

i got the 2 piece the center rail, and must say it is a great idea but poorly implemented. the parking brake handle is in the way up front. i have the glasses case mounted up front, under the center arm rest and 2 cup holders in the rear, the phone mount is a fail (not enough room and mounted is too low) and i took it out

etc.

i love my all4! i have had ZERO problems (3 1/2 months and 4000 miles) knock/knock

oh...i got white wheels and have no problem with brake pad dust, mini must have changed pad compound from earlier production dates i have gotten more comments on the white wheels than anything else

i have long legs, have the driver seat 1 click forward from full back and a 6 foot tall adult can sit behind me!

any other questions, just ask!

scott

 

I can't speak much on the gas mileage. My All4 is a bit modified and tends to get pushed a bit hard.

As for the snow, I had a blast last winter (during those days it actually snowed). Had a few feet of snow packed in front of my driveway (from plowing) and my All4 had no problems blasting through it. Never had a problem on the roads. Just make sure you find the right tires and you'll be happy. I certainly wasn't doing 80 down the snowy roads, but I was passing people quite regularly.

I don't think there's any required options. Adaptive headlights are nice, climate control is nice, heated seats is great in the winter. I have the sports suspension, but there's aftermarket stuff you can do there as well. Just kind of depends on what kind of experience you want to have.

The center rail basically is a place to store a pen or something.