[dnw]

I really like the look of the Q5 and am seriously considering ordering one. The one thing that is holding me up is engine choice. I have driven the 2.0 TFSI S-tronic petrol and it was fantastic - but the real world mpg reported here of 20mpg is insane and, seriously, who is going to buy a used petrol SUV with that sort of economy in 3 years time?

Then comes the diesel - I have driven a manual and am waiting on my dealer finding an s-tronic to try. I tried it immediately after the petrol and found it disapointing by comparison. The 0-62 time of 10 secs is slower than my 60mpg 118d and generally quite slow by modern standards. I did not have long enough to try the mid range punch, is it any better? perhaps the weight of the thing and initial inertia slows its standing sprint but once its up and running its ok? at least thats what I'm hoping.

What they really need is a modern twin-turbo 2.0 diesel, something along the lines of BMWs 23d engines or Mercs 250CDIs. It would have the performance of the petrol but a sensible mpg and chance of resale! perhaps with the facelift...

I would appreciate comments on the 2.0 TDI performance from people for whom the engine isn't a 'trade up' - i.e. you've had something of similar or better performace before.

thanks!

 

[smo]

I found the 170 to be very nice to drive, it was swift enough off the mark and have plenty of grunt to keep you on the move.

I have no idea why you would even drive the TFSI, its a total waste of space because of the appalling economy. You'll find most Q5's in the UK are the 170 diesels so for the majority they are just right!

 

[Saffa]

which diesel did you test drive? I am also interested to know , i have ordered the 170 bhp 2 litre engine. i currently drive the a3 2 litre sport back 143bhp and it is zippy - Will the Q5 compare or is the weight an issue???

 

[nsm3]

which diesel did you test drive? I am also interested to know , i have ordered the 170 bhp 2 litre engine. i currently drive the a3 2 litre sport back 143bhp and it is zippy - Will the Q5 compare or is the weight an issue???

I am dropping a 140bhp A3 for the 170bhp Q5 (S-tronic) this Saturday.

The Q5 in "D" drive is slightly more sluggish than the A3 when getting off the mark, but I found in the test car that if Sport was selected or the manual paddles are used, the car is quite punchy enough, considering it is a big old lump?

I'm not sure what constantly driving in that mode will do to the fuel consumption though - I am used to getting 48.6mpg (av over 50k miles) from the A3 and will be dissapointed if I can't keep the Q5 around the 41-42 mark?

 

[alimc99]

My wife's previous car was a BMW 330d. In the end we ended up going for a 3.0tdi Q5, however I test drove both an manual and Stronic 2.0tdi Q5 and found the 2ltr Stronic perfectly acceptable wheras the manual felt clunky and unrefined (I also had issues with the seriously offset pedals in the manual).

 

[Hooplescat]

I got rid of a 330 diesel BMW for a manual 2l q5

I have no problem with the manual or the offset pedals. The car is fine from about 2000 rpm as standard, although can be caught reaching for power below that. I have chipped mine and it sharpens response on the pedal, bumps the bhp to closer to 200 and generally livens the car up all round and it is more than acceptable, even after trading in my fast BMW...

The MPG is also great - it is sitting on 34-35 mpg, and has only 600 or so miles on it, so will improve steadily from there - my bmw, even driven carefully, would only return 32-33 even after fully run in

 

[CrustyNoodle]

If you're concerned about get-up and go then go for the 3.0TDI.

Small sample size but this is what Aussies are buying....

 

[Mac]

I really like the look of the Q5 and am seriously considering ordering one. The one thing that is holding me up is engine choice. I have driven the 2.0 TFSI S-tronic petrol and it was fantastic - but the real world mpg reported here of 20mpg is insane and, seriously, who is going to buy a used petrol SUV with that sort of economy in 3 years time?

Then comes the diesel - I have driven a manual and am waiting on my dealer finding an s-tronic to try. I tried it immediately after the petrol and found it disapointing by comparison. The 0-62 time of 10 secs is slower than my 60mpg 118d and generally quite slow by modern standards. I did not have long enough to try the mid range punch, is it any better? perhaps the weight of the thing and initial inertia slows its standing sprint but once its up and running its ok? at least thats what I'm hoping.

What they really need is a modern twin-turbo 2.0 diesel, something along the lines of BMWs 23d engines or Mercs 250CDIs. It would have the performance of the petrol but a sensible mpg and chance of resale! perhaps with the facelift...

I would appreciate comments on the 2.0 TDI performance from people for whom the engine isn't a 'trade up' - i.e. you've had something of similar or better performace before.

thanks!

My previous car was a BMW 325 coupe with a 2.5 litre petrol engine. I took delivery of my 2.0TDI with S-Tronic box on the 1st March and I can honestly say that the 2 litre diesel engine is excellent. The torque profile means that the power is delivered relatively effortlessly from 1500 rpm and when the gear box is in sport mode the acceleration is excellent. Overall when you consider the flexibility of the diesel and the lower running costs, I would not have any other engine, in fact I decided against the 3.0TDI as I did not feel that it was worth the significant cost in terms of initial outlay and running costs.

I chose the auto option as I found it to be an altogether better motorway cruiser than the manual version and did not have the offset clutch pedal to deal with. This is my first automatic and I would strongly recommend this gearbox and engine combination.

Mac

 

[Swany]

I bought the 3.0TDI and i must say it is excellent, fabulous power mixed with good economy. Average 30mpg around town and 40mpg when on a run. The 3.0tdi is just a fantastic engine. It is also very quiet

 

[Saffa]

I got rid of a 330 diesel BMW for a manual 2l q5

I have no problem with the manual or the offset pedals. The car is fine from about 2000 rpm as standard, although can be caught reaching for power below that. I have chipped mine and it sharpens response on the pedal, bumps the bhp to closer to 200 and generally livens the car up all round and it is more than acceptable, even after trading in my fast BMW...

The MPG is also great - it is sitting on 34-35 mpg, and has only 600 or so miles on it, so will improve steadily from there - my bmw, even driven carefully, would only return 32-33 even after fully run in

Very interested in the chipping of the q5 - what type of costs are involved ? Also can it be picked up when the car is serviced and does it affect the warranty. I am seriously thinking of doing this!!! Any suggestions of companies...? My manual 2l tdi 170 bhp sline with 20 inch wheels etx due in Sept
Thanks

 

[dnw]

Thanks for all the replies- keep 'em coming! I'm going to chase my dealer for the s-tronic test drive as I loved that box in the TFSI.

 

[Hooplescat]

Saffa

I went with the Diesel Express tuning chip, as I had used one on my BMW and it had caused no problems at all.

Google them - they are a good company, the chip is ?395 (or a little cheaper if you order from ebay and make an offer) and good quality with simple fitting. It takes about 2 minutes to fit (lift engine cover, plug in!) no wiring, cutting etc. Audi obviously don't authorise them, but you just unplug them when the car goes in for service.

A lot of the aftermarket chips are cheap and nasty, and are all about max power - the chip express one has variable power settings, but I never look to go crazy - I just leave them on the factory setting which is a balance of power and economy, and it works great - also meant to be fully compatible with DP Filters that the Q5 has.

On my BMW I had it one setting higher than factory setting - no soot, no rev roughness, just all good smooth improvements - you can also have them reprogrammed each time you change cars for about ?100 a throw. have a look at the website - there is one other guy on here who has used the same chip.

 

[shunter]

Can anyone enlighten me on a subject that has been bothering me for a while? I have read a number of comments about chipping, all positive. The chip manufacturer?s sites imply that these devices provide more power with no loss of economy or other ill effects. I have a scepticism that you don't get something for nothing. Why is it if it is so easy to get 15% more power with no lost of economy, don't Audi and other manufacturers for that matter improve their own engines. What is the down side: CO2 emissions, other emissions, reliability, engine life? If there is no down side then why are these manufactures shipping sub optimal engines?

 

[Saffa]

Saffa

I went with the Diesel Express tuning chip, as I had used one on my BMW and it had caused no problems at all.

Google them - they are a good company, the chip is ?395 (or a little cheaper if you order from ebay and make an offer) and good quality with simple fitting. It takes about 2 minutes to fit (lift engine cover, plug in!) no wiring, cutting etc. Audi obviously don't authorise them, but you just unplug them when the car goes in for service.

A lot of the aftermarket chips are cheap and nasty, and are all about max power - the chip express one has variable power settings, but I never look to go crazy - I just leave them on the factory setting which is a balance of power and economy, and it works great - also meant to be fully compatible with DP Filters that the Q5 has.

On my BMW I had it one setting higher than factory setting - no soot, no rev roughness, just all good smooth improvements - you can also have them reprogrammed each time you change cars for about ?100 a throw. have a look at the website - there is one other guy on here who has used the same chip.

Cheers mate, thanks for the advice, will try my q5 and see then look to chip

 

[Saffa]

Can anyone enlighten me on a subject that has been bothering me for a while? I have read a number of comments about chipping, all positive. The chip manufacturer?s sites imply that these devices provide more power with no loss of economy or other ill effects. I have a scepticism that you don't get something for nothing. Why is it if it is so easy to get 15% more power with no lost of economy, don't Audi and other manufacturers for that matter improve their own engines. What is the down side: CO2 emissions, other emissions, reliability, engine life? If there is no down side then why are these manufactures shipping sub optimal engines?

Hi Mate, what hooplescat said is good, check out the website:www.chipexpress.com and see the reviews etc. I also think someone posted the reason why the factories dont improve the settings....

 

[WColeman]

I also think someone posted the reason why the factories dont improve the settings....

Did they post it on here? I would also like to know, but have tried to look for it. Might be overlooking it though.

 

[nsm3]

Did they post it on here? I would also like to know, but have tried to look for it. Might be overlooking it though.

It goes along the lines of;

Why did the manufacturer not offer tuning in the first place?

Put simply, your vehicle's intended performance is restricted because car manufacturers have to allow for models variants that often use the same engine mechanicals with adjusted power figures. As well as this many countries around the world relate their tax levels to the power output of a vehicle.

 

[WColeman]

Is there absolutely no way for Audi to notice that you are using a chip between service intervals and only removing it for services?

The extra power would be very nice, but here in Namibia we get a 5year/100000km maintenance plan as standard. I would not want to jeopardize that.

I am thinking of getting it for my A4 though. But doesnt the increased power and torque increase wear and tear on your engine/chassis/suspension?

 

[smo]

The detectability to audi depends on the chip.

Plug in boxes modify the signals on the ay to the ECU, this can cause errors to be recorded in the ECU as signal malfunctions from sensors, they can in extreme cases cause engine management lights to come on and limp home modes to be enabled. All of these could allow Audi to work out you had a chip fitted but unless its actually there it would be hard to prove.

A proper remap is a better way of doing it, it is safer and better for the engine and some are audi approved.

On the point above about "shipping under powered engines" its a lot to do with the quality of fuel across the regions the vehicle is sold, its common in all manufacturers as a highly tuned engine wont like the crap fuel available in some countries so they apply a single catch-all map that will work happily on all grades.

 

[shunter]

On the point above about "shipping under powered engines". I still find it difficult to believe that manufactures are constrained to ship engines turned to the lowest common denominator for: fuel, tax reasons, market constraints. Managing multiple ecm maps can not be that difficult/expensive compared to the benefit, no more than all the other software configurations for accessories.

I suspect that it more to due with reliability and engine life. Running an engine at its peak performance must push up the warranty claims or get the car a bad reputation over it longer term. So a good option if you intend to swap the car after three years, otherwise....