Advice on Q7: 3.0T or TDI?

[edyco]

Hey guys,

I am new member here. My name is Edy, from Colorado, originaly from Bosnia.
Anyway, I am on the market fro new vehice. Right now I am driving VW CC (all my life was driving Euro cars).
Need 7 seater and awd since I ski like twice a week.
Original idea was to go with some Toyota Highlander or similar, and then have some toy Euro car with manual on a side. However, since Colorado Springs has roads that are on par with undeveloped third world countries (an I am not trying to overstate that issue) I decided to go with just one vehicle, which means, go back on market for some euro SUV.
I love BMW in line six, however X5 is small for 7 seats, and I believe more in quattro then xDrive.
Mercedes GL? Just does not like Mercedes.
So, that means Q7. I like style, love interior, fact that you can get ZF 8 speed.
I am going for Premium Plus bcs of smaller wheels (probably will downsize to 18s with two sets, one AS one winter bcs of pot holes).
I owned diesels before in Europe, 4 cyl TDI's (VW and Skoda) and once Lancia Lybra 2.4jtd (that was a beast).
Question is:
Is it worth to pay 4-5K more for TDI? I am on market for CPO 2012-2013.
Are there any serious issues with tdi? or 3.0T?
I am prefering TDI, which would come handy on curvy roads at high altitude due to torque.
However, are there any serious issues with it when it comes to maintenance (i change oil myself, brakes and I am familiar with all specs, oils, aftermarket brakes).
What I am not familiar is some particular maintenance issues on this vehicle.
I make around 12-15K a year, mostly driving to mountains.

[new2s5]

I have a 2013 TDI VW Touareg and I love the diesel engine! I get about 30mpg. Plenty of torque. The Touareg is a 5,000lb. tank, but well mannered in freeway driving. OH wait, this is an Audi forum sorry. I'm sure the Q7 is equally as nice in diesel mode.

[edyco]

I have a 2013 TDI VW Touareg and I love the diesel engine! I get about 30mpg. Plenty of torque. The Touareg is a 5,000lb. tank, but well mannered in freeway driving. OH wait, this is an Audi forum sorry. I'm sure the Q7 is equally as nice in diesel mode.

It is a same engine. I drove Touareg tdi like 2 months ago. That is why I am going with Euro SUV, driving dynamics. If I still wanted toy car, I would probably get some japanese SUV (which you have to chase on the road to keep it in one lane).
If I did not need 7 seats I would go with Touareg.
So you get 30mpg HWY? How is city?

[q5 dave]

I would suggest the Q7 TDI. A few months ago I had a 2015 Q7 3.0T as a loaner car, it was great and had enough power but gas mileage wasn't great and as well torque will be awesome in a TDI. The 3.0T is perfect in the q5, but in the 7 it feels slightly underpowered.

[edyco]

I would suggest the Q7 TDI. A few months ago I had a 2015 Q7 3.0T as a loaner car, it was great and had enough power but gas mileage wasn't great and as well torque will be awesome in a TDI. The 3.0T is perfect in the q5, but in the 7 it feels slightly underpowered.

Thanx a lot man. Hard to find here in CO Q7 to try. As I said I tried Touareg, it is great, but Touareg is like 500lbs lighter.
Good to know 3.0T feels underpowered, since that would definitely be obvious driving through CO passes between 9-12,500ft.

[iconoclast]

Advice on Q7: 3.0T or TDI?

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...e-3-0T-amp-MPG

It is a same engine.

but not the same car... different weight, different proportions, different all around. it's like comparing the s5 4.2 & 3.0t to see what it would be like in a Q7.

[spijun]

but not the same car... different weight, different proportions, different all around. it's like comparing the s5 4.2 & 3.0t to see what it would be like in a Q7.

Weight is very similar, and the new Q7 is lighter than Touareg


New Touareg:
Empty weight 2185 kg Total weight 2880 kg
Acceleration 0-100 km / 7.3 s Top speed 225 km / h



New Q7
Empty weight 2070 [7 seater: 2135] kg Total weight 2765kg
Acceleration 0-100 km / h 6.3 [7 seater: 6.5] s Top speed 234 km / h

[iconoclast]

new... is not what's currently on sale or was on sale sincee 2007. compare current.

GROSS WEIGHT 6548 lbs.
CURB WEIGHT 5269 lbs.

That is 503 pound difference and those weight savings are not available in the NAR until next year.

[edyco]

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...e-3-0T-amp-MPG




but not the same car... different weight, different proportions, different all around. it's like comparing the s5 4.2 & 3.0t to see what it would be like in a Q7.

I did not try Touareg to see how Q7 drives. I was trying Touareg bcs I was contemplating to get one. I am just saying it is a same engine and transmission, so kind of now what to expect when it comes to engine noise etc.
Thanx for the link, but more interested if there are any issues that surfaced out with either of these engines in recent years, or some other issues (emission system etc).

[IinsureU]

Love my Q5 TDI, the only other I would have considered was the SQ5, but mileage was more important than a speeding ticket.

[somedude]

I would not put too much thought into the 3.0T being under powered. If you decided you needed more power Unitronic or pretty much any of the tuners can set you up with a pulley and a tune and bring you right around 450 hp instead of the stock 330. I have never driven a 3.0TDI, but I did own a 04 touareg V10 TDI and I loved that truck. The power and fuel economy was fantastic. On the highway I would see 22-24 at real world speeds. When I set the cruise at 65 I got 26 one time. Towing a 6000 lb trailer I got in the mid 19's. My one comment on ride quality is the heavy wheels and massive brakes definitely had a effect on bumpy roads compared to regular V8 touareg. Speaking of 4.2 which they are surprisingly powerful. I have never driven a turbo cheyenne but it is something I have been considering if I can find one cheap. The mercedes ML rides 10 times better than the touareg. as much as I loved my V10 I always have to look at AMG's offerings and do some thinking.

I wonder if a porsche panamera would not be up your alley? They are pretty large so you have plenty of room, great AWD system all of the power train options are great also have air ride so you can get decent ground clearance, but they are expensive. The looks are a love or hate thing but they look so nice in person and so out of proportion in pics.

[edyco]

For me hp in SUV really does not make any sense. 240 or 340 or 440hp, I could not care less about it. I would care about if I was buying BMW 1 series which was my initial intention together with some cheaper SUV. But torque is a big deal, since it is 5500 lbs car. My question was whether 3.0T has enough power and whether any big reliability issues (although all my life I am driving Euro cars, so know what to expect to certain extent).
But as some said, 3.0T feels underpowered which I think is lack of torque for such a heavy vehicle. So I will just go with TDI, since I would get 406 torque with no tune, and better fuel economy.
I am still interesting if anyone has any advices on maintenance issues etc.

[iconoclast]

I did not try Touareg to see how Q7 drives. I was trying Touareg bcs I was contemplating to get one. I am just saying it is a same engine and transmission, so kind of now what to expect when it comes to engine noise etc.
Thanx for the link, but more interested if there are any issues that surfaced out with either of these engines in recent years, or some other issues (emission system etc).

there are a few issues for both. the 2010-2012 3.0t have a pending recal for SOME vehicles with a leaking fuel issue and on the TDI several have experienced glowplug and fuel pump issues some turbo issues etc.

[sickspeed]

if you want 7 seats and good fuel economy, your options are pretty limited to the MB GL, Q7 TDI, and maybe the new Volvo XC90. The diesel cars can be a bit more maintenance intensive but are a bit better than their gas counterparts in overall value and performance. 2011 was the first year of the facelifted Q7 with the diesel fitted to the ZF-sourced 8-speed auto transmission so you might consider a 2011 as well. I have a 2011 Q7 TDI.

[edyco]

if you want 7 seats and good fuel economy, your options are pretty limited to the MB GL, Q7 TDI, and maybe the new Volvo XC90. The diesel cars can be a bit more maintenance intensive but are a bit better than their gas counterparts in overall value and performance. 2011 was the first year of the facelifted Q7 with the diesel fitted to the ZF-sourced 8-speed auto transmission so you might consider a 2011 as well. I have a 2011 Q7 TDI.

Did you have any issues? I owned a lot of diesels (both Di, PD and CR) before moving to the U.S., all of them 4 cyl and one was 5 cyl. I am not familiar with any issues with Q7 so that is why I am asking here. Is there anything to be aware once I hit the dealerships etc?

[edyco]

OK, so I manage to find Q7 TDI 2012 here in Colorado and try it.
It is OK. I was thinking between X5 or Q7, both diesels. tried X5 few months ago, and it is a blast to drive. Sharp steering, better on road then many "sport" cars, huge torque.
I was skeptical of torque/weigh ratio in Q7, but found it OK. Not underpowered (tried Q7 with 3.0T, not S-line, horrible power/weight ratio).
I am leaning more to Q7, although I am huge fan of BMW inline 6 engines. Why?
1. Oil dipstick (I am DIY guy, and cannot imagine car without oil dipstick).
2. Coolant temp gauge. It is hard to emphasize how important that is when I drive on 12,000ft passes here in CO.
3. Spare tire. Enough said.
4. Interior is simply better.
5. Quattro. Enough said.
5. Sound system is much better (Bose, not BO).

If you have any more advices, I would be thankful.