[Andy]

I was happily looking around the IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin on Monday when I came across the Harman Kardon booth with various audio installations in high end cars and there to my great suprise, was a 3.0 TDI Q5 in black

After my initial shock, I had a good look round. Unfortunately it wasn't open and they wouldn't open it for me either.
1st Impressions - slightly smaller than expected but I think that's because it's quite streamlined and I'm comparing it with the Q7 monster. It looks really smart. I think it was the standard model as it didn't have the colour coded wheel arches. The inside looked really spacious and it also had a panoramic roof which also looked great and huge.
I came away feeling really glad I've put a deposit down on one of these and can't wait to get it!

I've tried to attach some pictures - apologies, they are not great, but gives you an idea....

 

[Rahoo]

Andy = legend....need I write more.....

 

[Chester520D]

Great work Andy

IMO not a standard, possible spec'd with an offroad styling pack at circa ?2k?? Underbody protection side skirts etc. Looks fantastic.

 

[m3tnn]

Andy,

Your a star

I guess you will be one of the first to post your own Q5 pics !! What spec are you going for ?

 

[Andy]

Thanks everyone!
Chester520D, I hadn't thought of the off-road package but that certainly looks a good call.

As to my own spec, I'm probably going against the grain and going with the petrol engine as it has good performance and the car will only be doing around 10k-12k miles a year so doesn't really warrant the extra expense of the 3 litre diesel.
As for extras, maybe S-Line, not quite certain yet. Panoramic sunroof as it definitely looked great and makes the cabin look very airy. I want the 3rd gen MMI Sat Nav but tbh, I think it's totally overpriced and it doesn't do the one additional thing I need a sat nav to do - warn for speed cameras, so I might just stick with my TomTom. Finally an iPod connection and probably another few extras dependant on price. The fact that it's likely to come with leather as standard has given me a few good pounds to play with for other extras

I'm going to contact my dealer today to see if they have a clue of when in Sept the order info will be released. If I hear anything I'll let you know.

Andy

 

[Rahoo]

Andy

I was thinking of getting the 2.0 tsi as I only do 6k a year, I want the 2.0 tdi but it comes as manual and by the time you have paid for Automatic transmission that the same price of the petrol version, I have a garmin so won't be indulging in the sat nav, , why are audi sat nav's so expensive?

 

[Andy]

The 2.0TFSI for our sort of mileage is definitely IMHO the way to go as you don't get the benefit of the extra diesel fuel economy when diesel is 10p more expensive than petrol on that low mileage - I think to make the diesel beneficial you need to do 20K miles and above.
I suppose factory fit sat navs are expensive because people keep buying them at that price. Yes, it would be nice to have it built in but only if it does everything needed which it doesn't for me. Of course if you don't spec the sat nav you can be sure your dealer will tell you it will be more difficult to sell it in future - how true this is, I don't know.

 

[Rahoo]

well I have a Q7 without sat nav as teh 3.5k for it was a joke, I now find out they can retro fit the sat nav for ?1.5k, so anyone who really wants it can get it. I choose to get Xenons blinds and tints instead which I have been told was a good move as without Xenons it looks terrible for a 40k + car....anyways, I never get lost !!

fingers crossed I get a good trade in as I reckon to spec the petrol witha few bits is going to be around the ?33-35k mark and I'll only get 28k for mine...bugger

 

[Andy]

Yeah, I was banking on around ?36K including a few toys - we'll just have to wait and see.

The dealer has come back with no date for prices but just said 'very soon'

 

[Kaine]

superb!!!! great work Andy

 

[Tractorboy]

Nice Job Andy....
I've not seen that body kit or wheel combo before - special for the show I'm guessing
It does look sweet

 

[Tractorboy]

here's the car you saw Andy ?

http://forums.fourtitude.com/zerothread?id=3932702

First news on an "Off Road Apperance Package"....hmmmm not listed on the French options list....

 

[Andy]

That's the one, although not the exact same car as this looks dark blue and the one I saw was black but the appearance looks the same.

 

[SIMONRICH]

Just got back from Audi Leeds who have Q5 SE with just about every option in the showroom for today only, Silver with Beige interior.
Impressions are that it is for me perfect size, not too big, but enough room inside, driving position O.K. , pity steering wheel does not adjust a little higher, finish in the front is superb, room in the back more than my X5, plastics a little low rent around the back of the centre console.
20" wheels looked the business and panoramic roof a must, but interior must be black, beige looked poor.
Although this was an SE it had LED lights and they looked great,
It was parked next to Freelander and an X3 and it made them both look dated and not in the same league.
Definatly be ordering when tha 2.0 Tdi Auto is released February 2009, now to decide on colour ??

 

[Kaine]

Simon - any pics?

 

[audifan]

Just got back from Audi Leeds who have Q5 SE with just about every option in the showroom for today only, Silver with Beige interior.
Impressions are that it is for me perfect size, not too big, but enough room inside, driving position O.K. , pity steering wheel does not adjust a little higher, finish in the front is superb, room in the back more than my X5, plastics a little low rent around the back of the centre console.
Definatly be ordering when tha 2.0 Tdi Auto is released February 2009, now to decide on colour ??

Simon, did u ask when the Q5 2.0 auto could be pre-ordered? Thanks in advance!

Greets!

 

[SIMONRICH]

Sorry no pics, no room as they had parked it close to a Freelander and an X3.
Dealer says they don't know anything about 2.0Tdi Auto.

 

[gorjant]

It was parked next to Freelander and an X3 and it made them both look dated and not in the same league.

Hmmm...Was that a Freelander 2? Because I am comparing the Q5 with the FL2, still cannot decide on what to get when I will be buying an SUV.

 

[SIMONRICH]

Yes it was a Freelander 2 which looks o.k. outside but when you compare the inside and dashboards there is no comparison, Audi has the usual fit and finish expected, soft touch plastics for dash top ect. and so well layed out. The Freelander is all corners and hard smooth finish plastics which look low rent. The Q5 is very " car " like inside, the Freelander is old school SUV. Admittedly the Q5 is going to be a bit more expensive but you pay's your money and takes your choice, I suppose it depends what you want to use it for, I am sure the Freelander will be superior if you go off-road but the Q5 will be better on.