[alski]

Am about to place order but can't decide between SE and S-Line. To be honest the SE would be fine but there's a bit of heart over head going on. Also, if I were to get SE would def spec with the Black Headlining and change the alloys, so on my spec the S-Line works out additional ?1.5k. I'm kind of thinking that after 3/4 years I ought to get at least ?1k of that back in terms of residual value - any thoughts ?

 

[El Jadius]

As the S-Line is only ?2,150 RRP more than the SE and you're spending ?1,500 anyway surely its a no-brainer to go for the S-Line or are you able to negotiate a bigger discount on the SE?

 

[Hooplescat]

so for the extra ?600 or so you get the sport seats, the better looking front and rear bumpers, the trim improvements and most of all the xenon and LED lights - well worth the extra money I would say...

 

[Secret Squirrel]

On any car the options you purchase have little impact on the residuals, it is the base specification that is important. So, if you purchase an SE and spec'd it up to the exact same spec as an S-Line, the S-Line would always give you a higher residual, even though physically it would be the same car.

For the actual difference in residual values between an SE and an S-Line a dealer should be able to give you a comparison.

Always go for the highest base spec, if you want to maximise the residual value. Most options have little baring on re-sale value.

Squirrel

 

[Mike L]

Hi Guys,

We went for the SE for 2 main reasons.
I wanted the 20" alloys and the ride quality is softer on an SE than it is on a S-Line. The S-line has firmer more sporty suspension (even with dynamic drive) but we prefered the smoother riding SE (I must be getting old

). We like the speed (hence the 3.0TDi), but aren't so worried about "on the limit" handling, but i guess it's a personal choice.
The other reason was that Audi wouldn't supply our car in garnet red with the Cardamom leather interior on an S-Line. We like light coloured interiors and ultimately this was the over riding reason. (maybe this has changed now ???)
We plan to hold on to the car for a good few years... 5 at least, so trade in prices shouldn't differ too much by then.... fingers crossed

Either way, the Q5 is living up to my expectations and it's ability in the recent deep snow has been pretty decent.... 5"to 6" of powder snow wasn't a problem, even on the standard tyres.

Cheers,

Mike.

 

[Guest]

Hi Guys,

We went for the SE for 2 main reasons.
I wanted the 20" alloys and the ride quality is softer on an SE than it is on a S-Line. The S-line has firmer more sporty suspension (even with dynamic drive) but we prefered the smoother riding SE (I must be getting old

). We like the speed (hence the 3.0TDi), but aren't so worried about "on the limit" handling, but i guess it's a personal choice.
The other reason was that Audi wouldn't supply our car in garnet red with the Cardamom leather interior on an S-Line. We like light coloured interiors and ultimately this was the over riding reason. (maybe this has changed now ???)
We plan to hold on to the car for a good few years... 5 at least, so trade in prices shouldn't differ too much by then.... fingers crossed

Either way, the Q5 is living up to my expectations and it's ability in the recent deep snow has been pretty decent.... 5"to 6" of powder snow wasn't a problem, even on the standard tyres.

Cheers,

Mike.

What sort of MPG are you getting in the 3.0TDI

 

[Mike L]

Hi Swany,

Overall consumption is sitting at 28.1 mpg and i've done about 4,500 miles.
I believe this average is slowly increasing as the engine runs in so i'm hoping for the magic 30mpg.
Our mileage is Mon-Fri = rush hour city driving, Sat & Sun mixture of town drives and a cruise round the coutryside.
Occasional motorway use (75-80) but not a huge amount. I like my power, so admit to the odd "foot down" moment, but generally i drive fairly easily.

Compared to our previous car, i'm really pleased with the mpg and performance. We had a Lexus RX300 and was getting an average of just over 19mpg with a similar driving routine.

Cheers,

Mike.

 

[Guest]

I have a 3.0tdi s-line. Am getting on average in the first 2000 miles 32.8mpg. On a long run I have got 39.7mpg but this was driving quite stady averaging 65-70. The fuel consumption is far better than my old discovery 2.7tdi which was lucky to get 26mpg.

 

[louis]

Hi
I have the 2.0 tdi sline and I thought id put the cars details in one of those sites that buys cars for cash,im always interested in car residuls and found that they would offer only ?600 less than i purchased it for which is fantastic.Im not interested at all in selling what is the best car I have owned but its always nice to know.With the price given its obvious a mark up will be added which means a similar car to buy used would work out more expensive than a new one.
Plus i have only seen one similar car on the road making the Q5 a rare site.

 

[loobola]

This is how it was with my RS4 when I bought that. Audi are very good at keeping a decent lead time on the in demand cars and thus maintaining the 2nd hand value of these cars. I bought my RS4 ?1k below its list price but it was 4 months old and 2nd hand (off Audi). Needless to say a year later and the prices were off maybe 15-20%.

In time when the supply catches up with demand the 2nd hand market will come off significantly. But for now with strong demand and 6 month lead times the second hand market will stay strong for another 3-6 months yet I feel. Its an interesting argument to say right now I can but a 1 year old Q7 (now) at the same price as a new Q5 (6 month wait). Am sure there are some that will go for the Q7. Personally its too big for me in London but there is an argument to say its better value for money right now.

(I'm just about to put my order in for my Q5 tomorrow).

 

[alski]

I've been offered dealers demo for about ?1k below list for 6 month old car with 8,500 miles. Alternatively I can order new car from broker at circa 9% discount, wait 5 months and have a brand new car with full 3 yrs warrantyand be the first owner etc..

Seems to me the sensible thing to do is to have patience and wait for the new car !

Still can't decide whether to go SE or S-Line however.

 

[loobola]

I've been offered dealers demo for about ?1k below list for 6 month old car with 8,500 miles. Alternatively I can order new car from broker at circa 9% discount, wait 5 months and have a brand new car with full 3 yrs warrantyand be the first owner etc..

Seems to me the sensible thing to do is to have patience and wait for the new car !

Still can't decide whether to go SE or S-Line however.

I was the same. Bolton Audi had a nice Q5 that I liked in white although it had a few things missing I would have liked such as sun roof etc. The list price of that car would have been around ?42-43k and they were offering it at around ?41k and thats as low as they'd go. Apparently they sold the car for over ?41k. Seems people still prepared to pay up to avoid the wait as new you could buy that car at ?43k * 91% = ?39k albeit with a 5-6 month wait. So someone paid up several thousand over its value new without taking in to account 6 months less warranty and risk factor of 1 previous owner (although probably a small risk).

I suspect when my car arrives in 5 or 6 months time there will be more second hand ones and around and thus the market will have cooled on them, but it would never really be to my spec. So at this point I buying new still makes sense.

PS Bolton Audi also had a stock car to sell. Its there in the showroom unregistered waiting for Mar registration. May be worth calling them. Its a 3.0 litre TDI Black sun roof and fairly well equipped. However because of the demand they won't discount this car significantly. They indicated they may have knocked a bit off but i had the impression it was small, maybe 1-2%. So if people want a car now then they are worth a call. He apparently said there were 5 other such cars in stock and unsold in the UK so worth phoning around....

 

[alski]

So on my final spec the S-Line worked out ?1,200 more - mostly as I was adding 19" alloys and black headlining to my SE spec.

My guess is that in 3 yrs the ?2.5k increased cost for an S-Line should easily get me the extra ?1,200 back so S-Line it is for me.