[WColeman]

Hi

Hope you can give me some insight into this probably common conundrum. I have just placed an order for a 2.0 Tdi with my dealer. They cant get the order out because of allotment issues until next month, so this gives me time to freely change my order as I see fit.

I currently drive a 2006 B7 2.0 Tdi A4 sedan. The power and acceleration is more than adequate for me, and was just wondering how much this will decrease in the Q5 more in scenarios while driving on the open road, overtaking other cars etc. I drive quite fast with the A4, usually setting the cruise control @ 180km/h. I am from Namibia and we have long open roads, so we usually drive quite fast. Will the 2.0 Tdi Q5 be able to cruise at this speed as well?

The 3.0 Tdi is very expensive here, especially in relation to the 2.0. I can not really justify the extra money just for the thrill of the acceleration in the 3.0, but if 2.0 is sluggish, I will have to consider it.

I have specced the 2.0 with all the extra's the 3.0 come standard with here, and quite a lot more, because I plan to drive it for quite some time still, perhaps the next 6-8 years. So based on the long term nature of this 'relationship', I do not want to feel that I should have rather gotten the 3.0.

 

[fideba]

You should have no problems going to 180 with the 2.0 (I wish we could do 180 over here
My previous car was a BMW 320D, 170HP. I find my Q5 (2.0 TDI) to be a tad slower when accelerating, but ample enough. I have the Audi Drive Select, and when I put the car in dynamic, I suddenly start behaving like my BMW in terms of acceleration power (even better), so that's maybe an option you could consider

 

[Mac]

I agree with the above comments. I have a 2.0 TDI SE with S-Tronic and Drive Select (Damper control) with MMI. When you put the car in dynamic mode the gearbox goes into sport mode and the car's acceleration is fantastic. It is also a very capable and relaxed car to be in at speed.

The 3.0TDI is a great engine, but I do not feel that it represents good value, the 2.0TDI is an excellent engine. I recommend ordering the drive select with damper control and importantly MMI so you can adjust the throttle response as well.

Mac

 

[guyguyke]

180km/h as such is no problem, but if you plan to drive the car frequently and for long distances at high speeds, I would choose the 3,0l. as it would be far less sollicited
a diesel is not made to maintain high revs for long trips, you will also get an higher consumption
my approch : add 500rpm's to the high-limit of the torque value (2750+500=3250), and you will travel to the end of the world
this is however only 160 km/h...

 

[guyguyke]

to Mac :

I agree with you that ADS transforms the way the Q5 delivers his power, but this mainly because ADS modifies the settings of the S-tronic gearbox. On a manual, ADS modifies only the throttle response

 

[q5s]

You can always chip the 170 to 200. It will be more economical, lighter and plenty fast compared to the 3.0l. I gotta say though for high speed motorway driving I would choose something more aerodynamic.

 

[WColeman]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Its much appreciated.

I have had the Audi Drive Select in the back of my head for a while now, but thought it was just another electronic thingie that could go wrong after the maintenance plan has run out. But from what I read it is something that really works, and that you can customize the response from your car to such an extent that you can actually feel it. I will plan out my finances more over the weekend, and will probably end up adding that as well.

Any additional comments is still appreciated though.

 

[fideba]

Keep in mind that, if you want to customize ADS (say, auto suspension, dynamic throttle, comfort steering), you'll need to order NAV also, otherwise you can't configure it through the MMI (basically, you won't have the "individual" button if you don't have NAV)

 

[WColeman]

Keep in mind that, if you want to customize ADS (say, auto suspension, dynamic throttle, comfort steering), you'll need to order NAV also, otherwise you can't configure it through the MMI (basically, you won't have the "individual" button if you don't have NAV)

Thanks for letting me know.

That kind of sucks, but would you ever really need more than the three options available?

 

[Hooplescat]

I have had cars with these kinds of setup before, and I am always disappointed by them.

Its not that they don't work - they do. Its just that after a month of the car being new and fun and exciting, you tend to stick them on a middle setting and just drive without ever really thinking about it again (or is this just me?)

Its like side assist etc etc - how much of a problem do you honestly have with that?

My view was save the pennies, buy the things with tangible benefit (good stereo, glass roof, better seats) and spec the car how you like it, i.e. with big or little wheels and sport or standard suspension - because you wont bother fine tuning anything over the long term life of the car...

Even on a sports car you don't bother with this stuff - on a big comfy tank like the Q5 my feeling was that it is even less relevant...

just a thought!

 

[rgf]

Hooplescat,

just what I have been thinking. After a while, you don't touch it. Without this features, I feel that Audi has done the best overall setting for me. Maybee if you often drive in very different conditions for instance terrain and highway, it could be nice to be able to adjust the stiffness

 

[nsm3]

1

 

[guyguyke]

I agree with you Hooplescat...
my car came with ADS but only steering and motor management (not suspension)
I tested the different settings, but I let ADS now on auto most of the time
the car learns about the way you drive, and this brings consistency in the ride
and the car is always predictable, this is not always so when you frequently change the settings
I see ADS rather as an engineer-dream...
I also understood why ADS only makes the car sportier (I would have liked a soft(er)-rider... but this would have made the car eventually dangerous, and Audi probably preferred to take no risks !))

 

[Guest]

+2 on the ADS.

WColeman, I suspect the way they spec the cars in Namibia is similar to the way they spec them in Australia. In Aus. the V6's (3.2 FSI and 3.0 TDI) are quite a bit more than the 2.0TDI but when you do the sums on specing up a 2.0 TDI to the 3.0 TDI the differences are not quite as great. For us, (we're trying to be a one car family) it was a fairly easy choice from there - the grunt is appreciated every day but ADS and MMI just seemed expensive for what they added.

 

[WColeman]

Thanks again for the inputs guys.

CrustyNoodle

Yep, the difference isnt all that much over here either, but its still over NAD 80,000 extra for the diesel here, same fitted options, which is still quite a lot to pay extra on top of the premium price already. I have read quite a lot of reviews, and its really hard to be able to get a solid grounds for a decision from there. Pity is that I cant get a Q5 to test drive, not even a petrol!

I am going down to Cape Town in May on holiday for a couple of days, so I hope Audi South Africa has some stock cars I can use.

I have even considered the 155kW 2.0T, as it has the same torque as the 2.0 diesel, but I dont really feel like paying for the fuel on petrol cars, I enjoy spirited driving way too much.

Regarding ADS, I might just get it as well, and then have it available if I ever need it. Dont know if that is a good idea. Will it be better to not get it at all and use only the one setting, or be able to switch between different ones on the fly?

 

[Guest]

Actually, you make a good point re. the 2.0TFSI. This might be a better option for cruising at 180k's. The extra fuel costs of the petrol shouldn't be too great if you are doing mostly open road driving.

 

[q5s]

The 2l tfsi is very thirsty don't go there. The current engine lineup is not very interesting. The new engine line up I believe will consist of:
1) 2l tfsi plus electric motor 211+34=245bhp
2) 3l tfsi sc v6 333 or 408bhp depending on state of tune, could be even less I don't know, there is a Q5S and a Q5RS coming I believe
3) 2l tt tdi 200bhp
4) 3l tt tdi 300bhp

All engines susceptible to remaps/chipping/etc. for those who seek the ultimate

 

[WColeman]

Thanks for the heads up q5s

Do you know when this new engine lineup will be available?

 

[q5s]

Sorry no idea. I'm just guessing here but they should release the new engines along with the facelift, although I can't possibly think what they could change looks wise. I know the mmi could do with an update but the exterior/interior is spot on.
I have no idea what's the audi life cycle in terms of months. I think the first one to go is the 3.2l v6. All manufacturers are turning to smaller, cleaner, and more economical forced induction engines.
If I had to buy now I would go ahead but if I could wait I would if you know what I mean.