[Robin T]

Hi all,

I passed the 10,000 kilometer mark with the SQ5, so time for a new evaluation and feedback.
I'll start negative in order to end positive

Technical/quality problems:
- brake calipers are making quite some noise on secondary roads, the springs inside the calipers seem not strong enough or out of place in order to prevent the calipers from hitting the boundries of their shafts
- Front brakes sometimes squeak and when they do, they squeak LOUD!
- The white central seating of the seats becomes dirty quickly, mostly blue jeans makes the white part of the seats turn blue at the edges; luckily it comes off when rubbing with a damp cloth, but still sensitive to staining
- At dry sunny weather, the panoramic sunroof mechanisms makes a scratching noise when first pushing up, needs oil
- new front windscreen after a stone hit it on the motorway

Negative personal driving experience:
- when slowing down the gearbox is sometimes rough in changing down
- the vertical body roll on road undulation is rather large
- some functions of the MMI are too difficult to find while driving
- the bluetooth phone quality is quite bad
- the steering in dynamic mode is too fake (artificially made heavy whithout improving the 'feel')
- no oil temperature meter available, even on the VW Golf it is standard; I think it should be mandatory on cars like the SQ5

Positive personal driving experience:
- the power
- fuel economy (given the power)
- the gearbox shifting up;
- the SOUND, I leave it on all the time
- the build quality of the interior, noise isolation
- engine noise en vibration isolation
- interior space is very acceptable
- lights, both outside and inside
- panoramic sunroof is perfect, and at full sun still comfortable when closed
- very happy with the ibis white paint, easy to clean (even in the sun) and so far no scratches, looks good quality paint
- sound quality of the standard speakers is certainly good enough for me
- satnav maps are very clear and work fine

I think these are the most important remarks; I'll edit when I think of others

Conclusion:
The SQ5 too me is a great driving machine with a magnificent sound track and a very acceptable fuel economy.
Only the brakes show some issues, otherwise no real problems that make me feel bad.
So, still veeeeeeeeeeeery happy.

all the best

 

[Obsidian]

Robin, thanks for taking the time to write the review. It's really useful to know what you think of the car after a good amount of driving...

Couple of questions:

1) would you still choose the light coloured leather seats or would you change to black?

2) are you arranging for the brakes to be looked at by your dealer?

3) when you say the sound quality is poor on the phone, is that for you or for the person on the other end of the line?

I have to say, although a few little issues, the car sounds amazing and your obviously very happy with it. Can't wait for mine to come but a long wait yet...

Thanks again for taking the time.

 

[missile]

My brakes make a bit of noise too. No problem with my phone installation, quick to link, no drop out and crystal clear. Gearbox on mine is silky smooth, far better than the S tronic. The sat nav can be a bit iffy with crazy routing.

 

[Robin T]

Obsidian, you're welcome, regarding your questions:
1) I still loooooooove the looks of the white/black seats, certainly because they come with the very nice white stitching; because the stains are easily removed I am still happy with the choice; but I must say a found it sorry that the seat ventilation was not available on these seats, only the full black comfort seats had it; might have been a good alternative
2) tuesday the dealer will look at the brakes; but last week I had a friend visiting who ownes a racing team and he said it is most likely normal and inherent to such large calipers
3) people can hardly hear me, I can hear everything perfect; linking is not a problem at all

Missile, keep us posted on how your brakes evolve; it started with small noise in my case, but it grew bigger and has now reached a steady level that is loud enough to be annoying

 

[Sq5john]

Lunar white seat inserts - having been on a Range Rover forum for a year or more - and you can get whole interiors in Cirrus White the hot tip for cleaning the seats of die is baby wipes - and to protect them in the 1st place Gtechniq L1.

 

[merlinv8]

Hi Robin- glad to here your still happy although you have a few issues hopefully they will sort the breaks etc, Good review after 10K you have soon done that, how are you getting on with the fuel ? just wondering if its getting better economy after that mileage although its great anyway>>

As john mentioned above i have just purchased some Gtechniq L! for interior and its so easy to apply probably a must for most people if they can be bothered.

All the best Merlin

 

[missile]

Missile, keep us posted on how your brakes evolve; it started with small noise in my case, but it grew bigger and has now reached a steady level that is loud enough to be annoying

I did not have any noise from brakes on my Q5 after 4 years motoring. At present it is not an issue, but was a bit concerned to read your problem. I know S3 and TTRS owners have been recalled for brake issues and hope we do not experience the same with our SQ5s. People can hear me clearly when using the phone. I did read others having a similar problem to you with their Audi TT. Turned out the microphone is installed in the courtesy light unit and on some vehicles it had been sited for LHD rather than RHD. Might be worth checking?

 

[Bonzoboy]

Hi Robin- great to get your feed back on the car, i see your putting a few miles on it but then again that's what it's there for.

My 3.0 tdi + doesn't have any brake noise, but seems to have a a lot of brake pedal travel what's the SQ like for that?

Also I asked in another thread (auxiliary heaters) are you happy with the silver/ black seats, I can see from this post you most certainly are.

May change to them I've still got time.

Cheers

 

[Robin T]

Thanks for the tips all

Merlinv8, the fuel economy improved a little after 5000 miles, but not much, it is great given the bhp of the car; on average I run between 35 and 40 mpg

Regarding the brakes, the front calipers are specific to the SQ5 and do not exist on any other Q5, so there is a chance that a problem might arise there that is not known for other Q5 so far.
I'll let you all know what they say on tuesday when they'll look at it

Best

 

[merlinv8]

Hi Robin that's great fuel economy now its loosened up a bit after 5000 miles. hope you sort the brakes !

 

[Robin T]

Update on the brakes:

The mechanics say it should be the discs that suffer some sort of minor tolerance due to wrong/bad attachment
They told me that Audi once had similar problems with A8 discs and they produced the same noise and symptoms as my car

Next week thursday the discs will be replaced and we'll see if it helps

anyhow, I remain scepticle as I rather think the calipers are the problem;

to be continued..

 

[Obsidian]

Update on the brakes:

The mechanics say it should be the discs that suffer some sort of minor tolerance due to wrong/bad attachment
They told me that Audi once had similar problems with A8 discs and they produced the same noise and symptoms as my car

Next week thursday the discs will be replaced and we'll see if it helps

anyhow, I remain scepticle as I rather think the calipers are the problem;

to be continued..

Progress I guess Robin. Probably cheaper to start with the discs and Audi always start cheap and work upwards in cost. Look forward to hearing if they cure the problem. Hopefully it won't become an ongoing problem for you as constantly having to return to the dealer does get boring (I used to own an Alfa; I virtually lived at the dealers!).

 

[adamabz]

What type of noise are you getting? Will turn down the radio and have a listen.

 

[Robin T]

What type of noise are you getting? Will turn down the radio and have a listen.

Noise is difficult to describe, but it is like a 'toggle' at lower speeds on small road impurities like sewer covers, cobble stones... as soon as I hit the brake (even slightly) the noise stops immediately and returns when I release the brake pedal again

 

[Robin T]

Today they managed to solve the problem with the brakes.

It apears the front brake discs start showing small cracks that lead to a certain freedom of movement that causes a rattling sound.

So, not the calipers, but the discs were the problem.

 

[Wilf]

Mine has got a strange noise when going over small bumps etc. At what mileage did you notice the noise Robin, can you remember. Mine has only covered 800 miles now. I also have a noise from the steering when doing a slow manoeuvre!

 

[Robin T]

Hi Wilf, in my case it started after about 1000 miles, so most likely you'll have the same issue. When the noise is mostly at lower speed (about 25 - 35 mph) going over little road impurities, that will be the same problem I had, the discs.

I have the same noise and very slight tremor in my steering wheel when manoeuvring; didn't find it to be a problem or annoying yet, but I keep an eye on it.
(it is not happening when I put the steering in 'dynamic' mode or 'auto' mode; I only notice it when it is in 'comfort' mode)

 

[csimy]

Lunar white seat inserts - having been on a Range Rover forum for a year or more - and you can get whole interiors in Cirrus White the hot tip for cleaning the seats of die is baby wipes - and to protect them in the 1st place Gtechniq L1.

I also have Lunar silver in my seats. I visited www.Polishedbliss.co.uk in person. They are a detailing company that have a very good reputation. They advised me to clean and protect on a monthly basis. Also most leather seats inc Audi is now covered with a clear paint, this allows Jean transfer to be removed. If its not removed regularly it can become permanently stained. I was advised to use a microfibre cloth with Auto Finesse Hide cleanser. Then protect with Raceglaze leather balm. I am very impressed with how clean it keeps it, smells great too. I am very fussy about my cars and always take the detailing approach rather than the valeting way.

 

[José]

So I spent the day in Belgium today (2.30am left my house and just got back in the door!).

Dissapointingly despite looking really hard I didn't see you around Robin!!

I figured the number of miles you do I would have a pretty good chance of seeing you on the road

 

[merlinv8]

Lol what with a fuel tanker in tow !