Topic: Used Vehicle Review: Audi Q5, 2009-2015

[Autos_Editor]

A healthy Q5 should make a worthy used-crossover buy, with an eye for efficient luxury and performance and all-weather confidence.
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[ChaosphereIX]

a potential buyer should have lots of choice too, I see these everywhere in the suburbs.

[tpl]

Some of the 2.0T engine problems mentioned had gone away by the 2014 model year and 2014 has the 5th injector to alleviate the inlet valve problem that DI engines sometime get.
  I find the Nav system unintuitive. Works ok in civilization but in new developments or new roads of course not.   Upgrading the system is a few HUNDRED $$ and I was told this winter that the 2015-2016 map upgrade is the last one for the current Nav system.  I didn't bother. Mrs tpl can read maps.

The MMI system uses SDHC cards or  cables for a proprietary connection which is in the glove box.  I have 7GB of music on one card which I can refresh on my PC.  No idea why they could not have just used USB as there is a USB connector in a bin behind the shifter.   My Progressive 2.0T version does not have push button start nor a rear view camera. Nor automatic cruise control. But they all have rear parking sensors and the passenger side mirror tilts down when in reverse.

The 2.0T engine ( 220BHP and 258 lbft) is willing in my car.  Audi claim it will tow 4000 lbs with their towing assembly AND software.   Angry Chicken knows about that.  ( I believe the best way to tow is to use the phone and have someone else do it...first world city boy attitude I know)    Out of warranty I would consider the APR stage 1 tune   The engine uses Premium (Costco) and my average is just about 10 l/100  as good as 9 over the summer and as bad as 11.5 in the winter.  Note the engine does NOT have a dipstick...but the dealers stock them. I bought one.


Nothing has gone wrong in my Q5...but then it is only 2 years and 30,000 kms old.    I replaced the exterior mirrors with euro ones that are aspherical and don't dim ( but still heat)   Weathertech make the exactly sized winter mats.   The car has used no oil at all.  Oil changes are at 8000, then 16000 intervals in the manual but I do them every 8000 ( short trips from cold). 

A criticism of the regular 2.0T Q5 is that it is a little under braked for its weight.  I 50% agree.   I suspect that the pads are different in the NA versions to give more bite when cold and at low speeds as well as being long lasting.   Should I still have the car when it needs new brake pads or discs I'll talk to my local Audi specialist Indy about that.


So I think a 2014 Q5 would probably be a good used buy.   Has real Quattro which the 'new' 2017 or 2018 won't have, 12 year rust warranty



FWIW the 2016 is essentially identical to the 2014. The 2017 or more likely badged as 2018 will be completely new and built in a new factory in Mexico.

[ChaosphereIX]

Some of the 2.0T engine problems mentioned had gone away by the 2014 model year

The 2.0T engine ( 220BHP and 258 lbft) is willing in my car...Out of warranty I would consider the APR stage 1 tune

has the HPFP issue been fixed? as well as the FSI carbon buildup issue? Always a nice willing engine when I drove a car with it.

and bless you for mentioning the APR tune, my little enthusiast heart warmed  just a little 

[Solstice2006]

TPL,  are you saying that the 4000lbs is higher than it should be?  Maybe with the 2.0L?  I am thinking about adding a used TDI to my short list for tow vehicle.  As there are very few vehicles that seat 5, it's not a criteria, but just nice.  Q7 is outside the budget. 

[tpl]

Some of the 2.0T engine problems mentioned had gone away by the 2014 model year

The 2.0T engine ( 220BHP and 258 lbft) is willing in my car...Out of warranty I would consider the APR stage 1 tune

has the HPFP issue been fixed? as well as the FSI carbon buildup issue? Always a nice willing engine when I drove a car with it.

and bless you for mentioning the APR tune, my little enthusiast heart warmed  just a little 

I think the HPFP was an earlier version pre 2014  and the Carbon buildup on inlet valves supposedly cured by the 5th injector in the inlet manifold.''

I had APR stage one on my 2000 A4. Transformed the car although it needed Sunoco 94 to run properly in warm weather.

[tpl]

TPL,  are you saying that the 4000lbs is higher than it should be?  Maybe with the 2.0L?  I am thinking about adding a used TDI to my short list for tow vehicle.  As there are very few vehicles that seat 5, it's not a criteria, but just nice.  Q7 is outside the budget.

The 2.0T Q5 weighs 4000 lbs.  I have never towed but the wisdom seems to be that you should only tow about 1/2 to 2/3 the weight of the vehicle.
The official towing setup modifies the software in the engine management computer and perhaps the body computer ( stability management and f/r power distribution)   I don't know for sure but I believe AC knows.   I DO know that the stability system knows when the roof rack rails are installed to alter those settings for the high CofG.

[Solstice2006]

TPL,  are you saying that the 4000lbs is higher than it should be?  Maybe with the 2.0L?  I am thinking about adding a used TDI to my short list for tow vehicle.  As there are very few vehicles that seat 5, it's not a criteria, but just nice.  Q7 is outside the budget.

The 2.0T Q5 weighs 4000 lbs.  I have never towed but the wisdom seems to be that you should only tow about 1/2 to 2/3 the weight of the vehicle.
The official towing setup modifies the software in the engine management computer and perhaps the body computer ( stability management and f/r power distribution)   I don't know for sure but I believe AC knows.   I DO know that the stability system knows when the roof rack rails are installed to alter those settings for the high CofG.

Well many SUVS are rated for 5000lbs and don't weight that much.  And they certainly can tow more than 3300lbs safely.  And I can easily tow 2800-3000lbs with my Odyssey/Entourage, which are rated for 3500lbs and the vans weigh around 4000lbs. 

But I think the torque of the TDI, would make it that much easier.  In the UK, they are rated an extra 1000lbs.

[tpl]

^^^ I agree.  The TDI for towing.

[tooscoops]

though i'd have a winner with one of these i bought off my lease company for the lot 3 weeks ago... had like one customer look at it. it's nice, but i had higher hopes...

http://www.grimsbychrysler.ca/used/Audi/2012-Audi-Q5-981bdc700a0e0a171a7ccb06ee60cc9a.htm

heh.. just reading the ad... "engineered automobile"? is their any other kind? whoops...

[tpl]

That one is a 'pre face lift' Q5 with the older engine.    The front lights are the clue

[LED]

My father in law's Q5 is coming to the end of its lease in July. It has 47,000km and a buyout price of $18K. I'm seriously considering buying it mostly due to the price. Its a 2012 and it has been maintained exclusively at the dealership throughout the duration of the lease.  At that price point what do you guys think I should do?  Is $18k a good price once you factor in the potential maintenance costs through a period of 5 years? We drive about 15K a year.

regards

[OliverD]

though i'd have a winner with one of these i bought off my lease company for the lot 3 weeks ago... had like one customer look at it. it's nice, but i had higher hopes...

http://www.grimsbychrysler.ca/used/Audi/2012-Audi-Q5-981bdc700a0e0a171a7ccb06ee60cc9a.htm

heh.. just reading the ad... "engineered automobile"? is their any other kind? whoops...

"Former daily rental" might mot be helping.

[tooscoops]

yeah, led, that's a pretty good deal...

and totally oliver... high end stuff just scares people when it's been rented. our in house lease company sells some to a daily rental place... most of the high end stuff is just what he and his family drive, but it's still in the company name, so daily rental it is! i like to be on the cautious side...

[tpl]

My father in law's Q5 is coming to the end of its lease in July. It has 47,000km and a buyout price of $18K. I'm seriously considering buying it mostly due to the price. Its a 2012 and it has been maintained exclusively at the dealership throughout the duration of the lease.  At that price point what do you guys think I should do?  Is $18k a good price once you factor in the potential maintenance costs through a period of 5 years? We drive about 15K a year.

regards

Take a look through the Q5 section on the Audiworld forum.   The 2012 has the 3.2 litre V6 I think ( depending if it is early 2012 or late). There were some oil burning problems with the 3.2, cleared with the 3.0.   The 2.0T is essentially the same as the Golf GTI of that year but mounted longitudinally.

As it has had proper servicing it is likely a good car....I have no idea about whether the price is good or not.