Topic: Test Drive: 2013 Audi Q5 2.0T

[Soram6275]

I drove both XC60 3.2 and Q5 2.0T. Where I noticed the difference most was over bumpy pavement: the Volvo's suspension crashes into the cabin while the Audi's feels more gentler and refined.

Also, the much higher resale value of the Q5 will translate into lower lease rates, etc.  The Scandinavians always had a horrible resale for some reason - and they're great cars so I don't understand it.  I am personally not a fan of the Q5 styling although it is a great car.  I would get the GLK at that price point or an X3, but that's just me.  Styling is very subjective.  Any one of those - you can't go wrong.

[Solstice2006]

Is 10 cents per liter that big of a deal that you would buy a car that you like less??

in the last three months i've watched the price of premium vs regular and it has fluctuate between 10 and 20 cents. 
I wouldn't buy a car I like less BUT I can compare somewhat similar vehicles that have somewhat the same features and still have something that requires regular fuel.

example:

Volvo XC70 vs Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited


no prius for me
 

i need cargo space, some towing capacity and something with decent power for travelling with a loaded vehicle.  (camping gear, people, mountain bikes, etc)

Foboader is probably referring to me, as I always complain about premium fuel.  Like you mentioned, especially in naturally aspirated engines, that are in the premium segment.  Especially when it's a car under $35k, and in my budget, but then a similar car, that doesn't take premium.  Like you said, the car would have to be that much better.  It's an old issue. But one that will come up often...

[ipolski]

^^ Is 10 cents per liter that big of a deal that you would buy a car that you like less??

It's usually closer to 15 (115.9 vs 130.9 right now at Shell).  The big mystery is why the diff is only 20c per gallon in the US?

And heck no, that should not stop anybody from buying a car they love.

[CAS]

In Ontario, the difference is 13-14cents per litre but that wouldn't stop me from purchasing a car that uses premium.  I just can't understand why the difference is so variable from province to province and in the US.

[vols1]

Loved the white one at the Toronto auto show.  Burned once by Audi's reliability when I had an A4. Not sure I could ever go back. A nice vehicle though.

[Snowman]

Dont get me wrong, all things equal, Id rather put in the baby duck 87 instead of the 93 Don Perignon. Saving money is good, but Ive never understood the panic and fervor some have when a vehicle is premium only.

93      we have Krug Grande Cuvee Champagne Brut 94 here.

[PJ]

^^ Is 10 cents per liter that big of a deal that you would buy a car that you like less??

It's usually closer to 15 (115.9 vs 130.9 right now at Shell).  The big mystery is why the diff is only 20c per gallon in the US?

And heck no, that should not stop anybody from buying a car they love.

The difference is around 15 to 16 cents a litre around and Vancouver and while it wouldn't stop me from buying the car I love it would be a big factor when choosing between two cars I like. 

And for those who think ... it' only a few cents, why worry?  Do some math.

By the mpgs reported on the Q5 I would burn about 60 - 70 litres at week.  At 15 or 16 cents a litre it would cost me roughly an extra $500  a year to use premium.  If you keep the car for 10 years you will spend an extra $5000.   That's a big deal.

[blotter]

The difference is around 15 to 16 cents a litre around and Vancouver and while it wouldn't stop me from buying the car I love it would be a big factor when choosing between two cars I like. 

And for those who think ... it' only a few cents, why worry?  Do some math.

By the mpgs reported on the Q5 I would burn about 60 - 70 litres at week.  At 15 or 16 cents a litre it would cost me roughly an extra $500  a year to use premium.  If you keep the car for 10 years you will spend an extra $5000.   That's a big deal.

that's exactly my point.
which brings me back to, if it's not a turbo engine - why require premium?
i'm sure they would sell more vehicles...

i remember when i purchased my 2009 RAV 4 (V6)
the V6 i at the time was nearly the same engine in one of the Lexus vehicles (can't remember)
same HP / Torque... perhaps the gear ratios where not the same (i admit i'm no gear head)
but i asked the sales guy if the engine are virtually the same why does the Toyota only use regular while the Lexus "requires" premium fuel?
he had no answer to that...

[whaddaiknow]

All this BS about premium.

Point 1

Go to Ultramar on Thursdays. Premium is only about 8 cents over regular and same price as 89.
Honest to goodness, I actually get better mileage on the Ultramar premium than the Shell V-Power or PetroCanada 94. I've tried several full tanks back to back to back, and saw no reason to pay a hefty premium for Shell's fuel.

Point 2

BMW 320i does not require premium.
BMW X3 28i now only required mid-grade 89. I was told that yesterday by the BMW dealer.

[tortoise]

Do some math.

By the mpgs reported on the Q5 I would burn about 60 - 70 litres at week.  At 15 or 16 cents a litre it would cost me roughly an extra $500  a year to use premium.  If you keep the car for 10 years you will spend an extra $5000.   That's a big deal.

Sure 5k is a bunch of money.  But at 65 litres a week you'd have spent $44,000 in fuel over the 10 years.  That 5k becomes a drop in the bucket.   If you're worried about $500 in annual running costs what why would you be buying a Turbo Audi CUV?  Makes no sense.

I really like the Q5.  Audi once again nailed the styling,  I see it aging very well compared to the X3.

[Fobroader]

^^ Is 10 cents per liter that big of a deal that you would buy a car that you like less??

It's usually closer to 15 (115.9 vs 130.9 right now at Shell).  The big mystery is why the diff is only 20c per gallon in the US?

And heck no, that should not stop anybody from buying a car they love.

The difference is around 15 to 16 cents a litre around and Vancouver and while it wouldn't stop me from buying the car I love it would be a big factor when choosing between two cars I like. 

And for those who think ... it' only a few cents, why worry?  Do some math.

By the mpgs reported on the Q5 I would burn about 60 - 70 litres at week.  At 15 or 16 cents a litre it would cost me roughly an extra $500  a year to use premium.  If you keep the car for 10 years you will spend an extra $5000.   That's a big deal.

If $500 a year is the make/break point....your not looking at a $40K+ vehicle, if $500/year is a huge deal, probably a second hand Sunfire would be pushing it.

[Northernridge]

People who won't buy a FGC because it requires premium fuel were never going to buy one anyhow.

[Fobroader]

People who won't buy a FGC because it requires premium fuel were never going to buy one anyhow.

 

[PJ]

^^ Is 10 cents per liter that big of a deal that you would buy a car that you like less??

It's usually closer to 15 (115.9 vs 130.9 right now at Shell).  The big mystery is why the diff is only 20c per gallon in the US?

And heck no, that should not stop anybody from buying a car they love.

The difference is around 15 to 16 cents a litre around and Vancouver and while it wouldn't stop me from buying the car I love it would be a big factor when choosing between two cars I like. 

And for those who think ... it' only a few cents, why worry?  Do some math.

By the mpgs reported on the Q5 I would burn about 60 - 70 litres at week.  At 15 or 16 cents a litre it would cost me roughly an extra $500  a year to use premium.  If you keep the car for 10 years you will spend an extra $5000.   That's a big deal.

If $500 a year is the make/break point....your not looking at a $40K+ vehicle, if $500/year is a huge deal, probably a second hand Sunfire would be pushing it.

Nothing to do with make or break.  Just keeping an eye on where the money goes.  Lot's of people would say "oh that's just $500 and that's just a thousand" and then they can't understand why they live cheque to cheque even though they make a lot of money. 

It all adds up.  Cut out the meaningless costs and you have more money for what matters.

[Noto]

Doesnt premium fuel burn more cleanly though?? Like more complete?

...only if the engine is optimized for it.  There are no sensors to determine what octane rating is in the tank.  Either way, you'll never make up the price gap.

However - as already mentioned, the price gap is a subjective worthwhile expenditure for those who prefer the cars that require it.

Let's also not forget that smaller displacement turbo engines are "purported" to use less fuel than their similarly-powered, higher cylinder count options.  Fuel savings may make up for the turbo difference.

My mother's Lexus RX400h 'recommends' premium.  Is there a basis for it?  I'm still not sure.  Sales guys will say yes, gearheads will say no, and one who follows the manufacturer's recommendations would say "yes, sir!"  IMHO, when you buy (not lease) an expensive vehicle and plan to drive it into the ground, you follow what the manufacturer recommends.

[ipolski]

Doesnt premium fuel burn more cleanly though?? Like more complete?

...only if the engine is optimized for it.  There are no sensors to determine what octane rating is in the tank.  Either way, you'll never make up the price gap.

However - as already mentioned, the price gap is a subjective worthwhile expenditure for those who prefer the cars that require it.

Let's also not forget that smaller displacement turbo engines are "purported" to use less fuel than their similarly-powered, higher cylinder count options.  Fuel savings may make up for the turbo difference.

My mother's Lexus RX400h 'recommends' premium.  Is there a basis for it?  I'm still not sure.  Sales guys will say yes, gearheads will say no, and one who follows the manufacturer's recommendations would say "yes, sir!"  IMHO, when you buy (not lease) an expensive vehicle and plan to drive it into the ground, you follow what the manufacturer recommends.

True, however there are knock sensors that will adjust (retard) timing if the fuel ignites too quickly (ie to low octane value).  This will decrease the rated engine power by ~3-4%.

[Fobroader]

I know that my Altima was really sensitive to fuel, it ran like crap on regular or any Husky fuel.

[blotter]

how's this to add to the debate...............

does anyone know how the fuel is all at the pumps?
if you pull in and fill up with premium, but the guy before you had regular...
is 100% of your fuel going into the tank premium?  how much in that hose is still regular.
where is the separation, at the pump, the tanks in the ground?

if you get 20L of fuel, is 20L premium?   or do you get 3L regular and 17L premium?

[Noto]

My unscientific speculation is that the amount in the hose is probable near negligible - certainly far from 3L...and I'd be shocked if it were even 1 L.

Some stations do have separate lines for every grade of fuel, so it's probably not perfect, but it's likely not significant when you consider a difference of 4-6 octane over __ Litres.

[Jaeger]

Audi makes the best looking cars of any mainstream manufacturer.  And the best looking *uvs.