Q7 TDI or TFSI?

[Stewy]

Hey Guys,

Looking at getting out of my F150 Platinum and into a Q7 S-Line (in Ibis White of course) for my daily driver. I'm torn between the 3.0TDI and the 3.0TFSI. I do a mix of city and highway, about 50/50. I log some heavy kms with my job, seeing between 40-45k per year on this vehicle. Any general comments or suggestions? Thanks guys!

[rayray]

Hey Guys,

Looking at getting out of my F150 Platinum and into a Q7 S-Line (in Ibis White of course) for my daily driver. I'm torn between the 3.0TDI and the 3.0TFSI. I do a mix of city and highway, about 50/50. I log some heavy kms with my job, seeing between 40-45k per year on this vehicle. Any general comments or suggestions? Thanks guys!

With that type of mileage, you would probably save a little in the long run by going with the TDI. It will provide the low end torque similar to your current daily, but with the increased mileage range.

[spijun]

For the much mileage, I vote for TDI

[Stewy]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Keep them coming. I realize I should have put this in the Q7 specific forum, sorry!

[Catherine.marie]

TDI! Hands down.

[Cottonmouth]

TDI

[gclapp]

TDI

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[ehernandezrn]

TDI

[Tiggaman]

If you want some great off the line performance, get the TDI! That torque is amazing! Probably my 1 and only regret with my purchase of the TFSI

[Jmarch10]

I'm in a 2014 TDI and love it. Great torque with an 8 speed gear box to match giving it excellent mileage and plenty of power. TDI or bust.

[ebi718]

Does the TDI really only make more sense if you drive a LOT of miles a year? ( I do under 12K miles a year). I mean only then would the cost savings (and increased mpg) add up..is this correct? I test drove a '14 Q7 (TFSI) S-line package today, and the sales guy was trying to sway me away from the TDI.

[rayray]

Does the TDI really only make more sense if you drive a LOT of miles a year? ( I do under 12K miles a year). I mean only then would the cost savings (and increased mpg) add up..is this correct? I test drove a '14 Q7 (TFSI) S-line package today, and the sales guy was trying to sway me away from the TDI.

In a nutshell, yes it makes more sense.

Let examine just a little.... My A6 with a curb weight of 3858 lbs gets a combined 22mpgs. My '10 Q7 TDI has a curb weight of 5512 lbs with a combined 21mpgs. The '14 weight is the same with combined 23.5mpgs. It's already known that the diesel is more efficient than the gasoline version.

Over time it would make fiscal sense to go with the TDI over the gasoline version.

I'm curious; what was the salesman's reasoning for swaying you away from the TDI?

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[Jwheeler]

I'm curious; what was the salesman's reasoning for swaying you away from the TDI?

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They probably had one in stock. That is likely the real reason. I am a little different than the rest of the group. I went with the 333hp gas model for my wife and really like it. She doesn't drive a lot. We have now had it for a year and I think it has 7k on it. Couldn't justify the added cost of the tdi for just a couple extra mpg.


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[ebi718]

Thanks Rayray for feedback. The reasoning was that I drove under 12k mile a year. (actually did 8k in the A7 I just turned in). So even with the price differential (tfsi vs tdi) of about ~5k, I am thinking that (over time), it does make [fiscal] sense as well. I will go take the tdi for a spin to get a feel of the handling too, and then decide. Thanks.

Ps: I also think they're trying to offload '14 inventory; I will probably use that as a haggling point :).

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[Qua22ro]

I drove both gas and tdi and purchased the tdi and love it. Also went with a vw touareg tdi for the wife and love that as well. The off the lone grunt from huge torque is waaay more fun than a little horsepower. It makes all the difference in getting this beast around town with a huge smile on my face. Everyday. The efficiency and range is actually really useful on longer trips.

[Buckwheat2088]

What's everyone getting mileage per tank in the TDI? MPG in my 3.6 isn't great and on our last road trip to NY I was only getting 21-22 MPG, with the highest mi/per tank at 550 mi.

[gclapp]

26.5 mpg over about 2k miles across Utah, Nevada, and Oregon. Most highway miles 85 smooth mph.

[rayray]

I got 640+ miles on one tank with my '10 6-speed... avg. about 26mpg at 70mph. I was wonderful to fill up only twice for my trip from TX to NC and I waited until the tank to hit 1/8 before refueled to get a better estimate.

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[KT88]

Is there a consensus regarding the hwy driving experience, passing ability, 60-90 times, etc. and other performance differences between the two? Fuel efficiency aside, does one "drive" better than the other?

[rayray]

Is there a consensus regarding the hwy driving experience, passing ability, 60-90 times, etc. and other performance differences between the two? Fuel efficiency aside, does one "drive" better than the other?

Claiming I just drove a total of 2600 miles from TX to NC and back to TX, highway driving is wonderful! I had absolutely no issue passing slow pokes. I maintained a great average of about 70mph getting close to 26.5mpg. I have driven both versions of the 3.0T and the TDI; they all are great engines for the Q7, but if you're looking for the all around maximum efficiency, TDI wins hands down.

[KT88]

Thanks! While all-round efficiency is good, I'm concerned with all-round driveability on the highway. Seems more prefer the TDI, but I'm just not sure.

[rayray]

The TDI rules the highway. Call me bias, but the only points to it really "clicking" that you are driving a TDI is the diesel whine (a lovely sound BTW!), you can ride for hundreds of miles without filling up and actually filling up and scaring people at the station (HEY!!! That's diesel!!!)....it will happen. Other than those, they drive, ride and over take with ease. With that said, it looks like you are ready for a test drive, friend. Drive both and you will see.


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[not2fast]

I am bringing up this old thread.

Looking at used MKI Q7's. I currently have a 2007 with V8 that has been treating me well. I like the comfort and the motor is a gem, but could use a little more power.

I see that a 3.0T with APR Stage 2 will give me about 375hp and 400ftlbs of torque which would drop the 0-60 times into low 6's. I looked at some reviews of the TDI's and they are mid to high 8's. That seems pretty sluggish.
The comments here that don't support that.

It will be my third vehicle and used for 80% for running errands of up to 20 miles, towing boat 15%, and road trips 5% for a total of about 8k a year.

[blackfunk]

Get the 3.0T and you'll have no regrets. Currently stage 1 and I love it. I've never driven a TDI myself so I'm not too familiar with the torque character but stage 1 is 354lb/ft so its no slouch. The obvious advantage would be fuel economy which is between obscene and atrocious on the 3.0T, but that doesn't seem to be one of your concerns.