[Nova Invicta]

While were waiting for our cars thought I would kick this off I have the 2.0TFSI S Line on order.
I have choosen this car so it can serve two purposes 1. everyday transport in decent comfort with some sporty flair and in the winter I can get up the hill where I live after snow or ice without worrying (both my previous E-Class and present 5-Series dont like the gradiant in those conditions)
2. Im also purchasing a two berth Coachman touring caravan which is being delivered in Feb/March so wanted a 4X4 but one with car like characteristics yet still fell within the 85% rule and had better than 75KG nose weight

With features like hill-hold & the 7 speed auto and the fact this petrol engine has good torque from 1500rpm & top tow weight of 2000KG it ticked many of the boxes yes its no Land Rover or Landcruiser but neither does it have the CO2 of those cars and the only real competition was either the BMW X3 which is looking dated or the new Volvo XC60 but the CO2 & performance killed that.

 

[Chester520D]

Hi, from what you've outlined I think Q5 is a great choice. Agree with X3 and XC60 comments, intrigued as to why diesel torque did not appeal. I'm guessing lack of auto on the 2.0TDi perhaps, but lots of 'towers' opt for the diesel grunt. Still plenty of pull in petrol though, enjoy.....whenever it arrives

 

[Nova Invicta]

Yes I went with the 2.0 TFSI because the 2.0 TDI is manual only and I wanted auto. If you look at the stats though torque between the two is pretty similar although the petrol is thirstier the 0-62 time of 7.2 sec is a lot better than the 9 plus of the diesel. The Auto diesel is coming in February / March 2009 and supposedly has a CO2 of 179 where as the petrol is 197 which will cost about ? 18.00 more a month at 40% tax on a company car but I assume will be slower still.

 

[Nova Invicta]

Last weekend I went on a caravan club towing training weekend and it was the first time I towed with the Q5. One of the instructors has been teaching for 22 years, has fitted numerous tow bars and said he thought the tow bar on the Q5 was one of the best integrated designs he had seen. The lever is housed in the boot in the near side c pillar and is exposed by removing the inner trim. Before pulling the lever you need to remove the cover under the bumper that is held in place by two knobs you turn 45 degrees, it then pulls away simply stow in the boot. Then pull the lever the LED changes from green to red until you manually pull the tow hook into place where it locks and the LED returns to green. the reverse is used to stow the tow hook. The 13 pin socket is contained within the tow hook well protected. Unfortunately there is not a fixing point for the breakaway cable for braked trailers above 750KG you must loop it around the tow hook back onto itself.
In the dash you also have verification if the tow hook it not engaged properly and for the turn indicators. If you want a tow hook for your Q5 go with the factory fit version it also intergrates with the electronics on the car.
The car itself towed like a dream hardly noticing the caravan.