[Guest]

Ok here we go.

Collected my new Q5 S-line 2.0 Tdi S-tronic on sept 9th from my local Audi dealer on Tyneside. the car was prepared well, but should have been ready a few days earlier. They blamed the DVLA for the reg transfer. Anyway it meant that i only had the car for 36 hours before i had to drive it to the South of France, spend 10 days there then drive it home again. All told 2800 miles to get to know the new beast!

The seats although firm, are superb, this was the main reason i got rid of my Merc. I just could not get comfy. The economy has turned out ok, 36 mpg average, cruising at between 80 & 90 on the Autoroute. BTW 80 mph is 2000 revs, & herein lies the cars biggest problem, it is massively overgeared. It labours in 7th and really needs a prod to get it to kick down, after which it goes well, but as soon as you lift off even slightly, it changes up again. In the UK at 70 mph, its struggling at 1400 revs. Put it into sport & it locks out 7th, but kicks down too soon. Arggghhhh !!!

Now the cars other major issue. The ride quality is appaling. My car has 20" wheels and bucks & jolts over EVERY little imperfection in the road. It also tugs & tramlines. I really dont know how Audi could get this so wrong. I had a A4 3.0 Tdi S-line quattro before my Merc, and whilst it could never be described as soft, the ride was streets ahead of the Q5.

Does anyone know if the S-line on 19" wheels is Much better, as i might buy a set if it makes a huge difference. Or even swap someone !

Paul

 

[Kaine]

Paul - thanks for the post.

Only recently I made the concious decision to forget the 'large' alloy options on my cars - I upgraded from 19's to 20's on my RRS and it effectively ruined the car for me - did a run down to the South of France and decided ended up deciding to swap the car (extreme I know, but cars are my only weakness).

The trade off is getting the right look - big alloys/thin rubber always looks better, however some cars pull off smaller alloys well - the Q5 being one of them imo

Kaine

 

[stevepen]

My s-line 19" seem fine. A drove a demonstrator on 20" and did seem to jolt over uneven surfaces.

The s-tronic must be geared differently from the manual. My manual is doing 2200rpm at 70MPH in 6th.

 

[Guest]

Kaine, you are quite right. i also dont usually go for big wheels, but my Last Audi & my Merc both had 18" wheels with 40 series tyres, so i thought the Q5 would be ok on 45`s.

Anyway, i love the car so changing wheels is a better option than changing the car ! at this stage anyway.

Paul - thanks for the post.

Only recently I made the concious decision to forget the 'large' alloy options on my cars - I upgraded from 19's to 20's on my RRS and it effectively ruined the car for me - did a run down to the South of France and decided ended up deciding to swap the car (extreme I know, but cars are my only weakness).

The trade off is getting the right look - big alloys/thin rubber always looks better, however some cars pull off smaller alloys well - the Q5 being one of them imo

Kaine

 

[Guest]

I have had my 3.0 TDI S-Line with standard 19" rims since the 1st Sept. The ride is firm but I dont have any issue with it other than getting strange sensation on the horrible concrete surface of the M25. I previously had a VW Touran Sport and the two have a simliar ride. Personally I prefer a car with a firmer suspension that goes around corners than one that doesnt!

BTW my Q5 is truly fabulous. This car has exceeded my expectations in evey way with the 3.0 TDI giving exceptional performance and economy. Incredible!

 

[Rahoo]

19" are still quite hardh (not as harsh as 2-" I used on a demo) but just wish I had got Aduit drive select that would have sorted out the ride...

 

[Guest]

I'm new here, so may I take this opportunity to hello to all forum members!

I am planning on buying a new Q5 Sline 2.0tdi this week, I have a test drive booked for wednesday and hope to
be able to strike a deal.

I really like the look of the 20" wheels, but with all this talk of back breaking ride on the 20's compared with 19's is making
me wonder?

I find it hard to believe that a 1inch rim can make that much difference to the overall ride quality? Is it the lower
profile tyre that makes the difference?

I currently own a TT with 18" turbines, can anyone offer a comparison on the ride quality?

When I hear forum members talking about selling brand a brand new car because of the adverse affect the ride quality is having on their back I start to worry, surely there must be a health issue, not a car problem?

Is the ride of a Q5 truly that awful compared with all cars or is it just a more sporty ride compared with other SUV's in the same class?

My better half has a mini cooper and that has the firmest suspension I have experienced bar a Lotus Elise I have driven, Is the Q5 worse that this?

I guess I will find out for myself on Wednesday, I just find it hard to believe Audi are manufacturing a car that if some of what I have read is to be believed are producing a car with the ride quality of Fred Flinstones car?!

Cheers,

Pete

 

[Guest]

Hi all,

I am also new here and have ordered a 2.0 S-line due for build week 44. I am concerned about the suspension. I like a firm ride having had BMW M series previously. I have currently kept the stock 19 inch S line wheels but would appreciate anyone with experience giving me their opinion on whether I should add the 'Damper Select' option to my order.

 

[Rahoo]

if you like a firm ride then the 19" on the s-line are fine, thats what I had, you just feel all the bumps in the road, after coming from the Q7 I was used to a nice soft ride, after 6 months with the 19" sline you kinds of get used to it, its just those damn speed bumps always surprise me !

 

[Guest]

Thanks Rahoo for the response. I will stick with the standard S line suspension.

Does anyone on the forum have experience of towing a horse box with the Q5?

 

[Guest]

When I went out earlier in my TT I took a special interest in the ride of my car and noticed that yes it does crash over potholes and you can feel every ridge in the road, but I suppose that's just what i'm used to and it's a "price you pay" for driving a "sporty" car? I bet the Q5 will still seem a lot softer than most of the other cars i've owned. I suppose everything is relative. if I was coming from a Merc with wallowing suspension I suppose the Q5 would feel "harsh"?

 

[Kaine]

When I hear forum members talking about selling brand a brand new car because of the adverse affect the ride quality is having on their back I start to worry, surely there must be a health issue, not a car problem?

Hi Pete - welcome to the forum.

I was exagerating slightly - the ride quality was not the only reason - the RRS is also pretty small inside and generally uncomfortable for me - combined with the ride quality and suspension knock made me switch back to a Touareg - plus as I said, cars are my only illness

Kaine

 

[Rahoo]

Kaine (also known as "Obama") for his Changing car policy !!

 

[Kaine]

Kaine (also known as "Obama") for his Changing car policy !!

not anymore - had the Touareg now for over 12 months

 

[Rahoo]

so you must be changing it soon then ?!

 

[Kaine]