“Some things are meant to happen;” that’s exactly how I feel about Guillaume’s B9 Allroad feature. After rescheduling multiple times due to inconsistent weather forecast and the Christmas holiday, we finally met up right after the New Year and made the photoshoot happen. Luck was on our side as we had just the right amount of sun light during the photo session in La Canada. Traffic on the Angeles Crest also opened-up as we were heading up to the next photo location.
If you have been following Avantturous from the beginning, then you might have already known that I have a thing or two for Audi Allroads. I always thought that Audi got it right with the B8 Allroad, and they perfected it with the B9 Allroad. When I first came across Guillaume’s B9 Allroad, I knew right away that I needed to feature his wagon on this blog. What’s not to like from his wagon? The car has color-matched plastic claddings from the factory (the way every one of them should’ve came from the factory – change my mind), it has a usable yet aggressive ride height, and it sits on a set of bronze Volk Racing ZE40 wrapped in meaty Michelin rubber. The “perfect daily driver” is what I would describe Guillaume’s Allroad.
Did I mention luck? Right after we parted ways, it started drizzling around Pasadena/La Canada area. I messaged Guillaume and told him that maybe we needed to push that luck once more in Vegas! Perhaps followed by a second photoshoot; especially after the planned upgrades for the B9 Allroad later this year!
Introduce Yourself:
Guillaume – from the greater Los Angeles area, working in logistics as a Project Manager.
WHY A WAGON?
I had always wanted a “performance type” or fun to drive car, however I always needed the practicality of space in my car. I spend a lot of time going to the mountains and beach, so I do a lot of canyon driving. The cars I had before did a great job hauling stuff, but they felt like a boat when driving in the canyons. I was somewhat familiar with the cool sports wagons they had in Europe but didn’t get the idea there was such a thing in the states. Shortly after the B8 got a facelift to the B8.5 I saw a lowered Allroad driving down PCH one day and at that point it clicked. Looked more into it and soon enough I was in my first wagon – a B8 Allroad (2014). Someone hit me last year and that one ended up getting totaled, so it was time to find another car so here I am in a 2018 B9 Allroad.
Did you consider a different WAGON instead of this one?
I was really considering just getting back into another B8 since I’d had so much experience. 2022 was a shitty time to buy a car and I was familiar with some of the issues I’d likely have to deal with, especially considering that many B8’s at the time had higher mileage. I also already had all the parts ready to turn it into what I wanted again but I decided to follow a new experience and decided to give the B9 a shot.
What was your original objective with your car and has that objective changed?
My original objective was to make the car capable and fun to drive, essentially, a ripping daily. That objective has not changed, I just have a bit more work to do.
What style would you say best describes your car?
Not sure: I’m not sure I’m swaying too hard anywhere – I guess sports wagon?
Who assisted in the planning/building/modding of your car?
I’ve gotten a good amount of work done by Pacific German. My friend Andrew (@dropbydrew) has also been helping me out a ton with this B9 which I’m super grateful for. @PartsByTopher has also helped me with sourcing some of the tricky parts from Europe like the Avant roof rails. Really thankful for everyone’s help.
What do you feel makes your car unique/special in your eyes?
Well, I guess for starters that it’s a wagon. We don’t have the most popular body style in the states, but I can’t understand why. But unique to mine, I’m not sure… maybe the German car Japanese wheel combo you see a few out there but I haven’t seen another Allroad with the same wheels?
What is your favorite part/feature/function of the car?
The suspension: I’m on Bilstein B16 PSS10s and in my opinion they do a great job transforming the car. I was familiar with the kit since I’d had them on my B8 so when I got this car, it was a no brainer. The car is much more nimble and fun to drive and the cornering grip makes it feel like a different car entirely.
If you could pick one thing you aren’t satisfied with about your car, what would it be?
The seats, find them a little uncomfortable and dull altogether. Have been looking to get some S4 seats in this car like I had in my B8 but the B9 platform seems to be much more challenging for seats both in terms of finding inventory and getting them in. Really looking to get the cockpit dialed in and those are a key piece.
What has been the biggest obstacle you’ve faced while building this car?
Besides the money side, I guess the seats I already mentioned. Some parts are a bit difficult to find but conversely, that’s actually what I really like about the platform I’m on. We share practically everything with A4 which can take parts from the big brother cars like S4/S5/RS5. So, you can actually get a lot of upgrades and fitment and function are perfect.
What one word best describes your car?
Work in progress.
What is your final goal with this car?Just to keep going down the path I’m on and turn this into more of a sports wagon. I’ve already got a few other mods already purchased that just need install. In the end, I guess just get this thing as close to an S4 wagon as I can. I’ve got some power upgrades and brakes planned for later this year, and a steering wheel I should have on in a week or two. We’ll see what happens.
