Let's talk engines: 3.2 vs 3.0T

[SlickFix]

Hey fellas,

My wife and I are now seriously shopping for her next vehicle, which is going to be a Q5 of some variety. We've decided to go with either the 3.0T or 3.2 engined Q5. Some questions I have, since I'll be doing most of the repairs and maintenance:

Do either of these engines have a timing belt? I'm going to look at a 2010 3.2 soon which has 77k on the clock. If it's got a timing belt, that may play into what I would offer the seller for it. If they do have a timing belt, what's the recommended mileage for changing it? I changed the timing belt on her B6 A4 at 78k and 130k(water pump was leaking, yay).

With the exception of the power, are there any other compelling reasons to go with the 3.0T over the 3.2? She currently is happy with the dog slow 3.0 in her Avant, so I'm sure the 3.2 would be fine for her. I, of course, would rather have the 3.0T.

Which is the bigger PITA to work on, the 3.0T or 3.2?

Finally, are there any compelling reasons to avoid an older Q5, like say a pre-facelift model from 2009-2011?

Thanks for any and all advice & opinions.

[Tiluleshpingen]

IIRC audi has moved away from belt driven engines .. since the introduction of the 3.2 FSI engines(if not earlier). I have an 08 A5 and its chain driven currently at 108k and no major engine repair has been done.. engine bay is bone dry, although 1 of the valve cover seals is seeping a tad. car still pulls strong. Had to replace 1 of the exhaust clamps in the middle due to rust and 1 flex pipe due to some punk backing into my rear bumper.

[VroomVroom]

That 2010 may have carbon buildup issues.

Having owned both, I'll say that the 3.0 is the sweeter engine, but the real kicker is the 8-speed transmission. It's a great match, and really makes the driving experience so much better than the 3.2/6-speed. If you can drive a '13 to compare, I think you'll feel better making a well informed decision. Good luck...

[TexasDfwS4]

That 2010 may have carbon buildup issues.

Having owned both, I'll say that the 3.0 is the sweeter engine, but the real kicker is the 8-speed transmission. It's a great match, and really makes the driving experience so much better than the 3.2/6-speed. If you can drive a '13 to compare, I think you'll feel better making a well informed decision. Good luck...

+1, the 6 speed is rough

[BG SQ5]

I think the 3.0T is Audi's more tried and true option (5? straight Ward's best engines), but definitely do not overlook the transmission difference. Also, a simple stage 1 tune is a SERIOUS game changer for a 3.0T Q5, which is a nice option to have if you ever find yourself driving it much.

[SlickFix]

Don't laugh, guys, but I test drove Q5's yesterday with 2.0, 3.0 and 3.2 engines...and I couldn't believe how much I liked the lowly 2.0T. It was a 2014 with the 8-speed Tiptronic, and I was astonished at its low speed torque. Sure, the 3.0T kicked butt on my "freeway on-ramp challenge", but the 2.0T was fine for just tooling around town. We don't live in a city with a lot of traffic, so the 3.0T felt like overkill, to be honest.

Also, I thought I read somewhere on here where someone claimed that the 3.0T did not have any turbo lag. Well, I don't know if it's just that's I'm an NA engined kind of guy, but I distinctly felt turbo lag in both the 2.0T and 3.0T.

I must say, though, that we were both impressed with the Q5 overall. We've decided to wait until we can find one with black interior with the Chestnut Brown seats. What a beautiful combination.

[riceboy22]

The 3.0T is actually supercharged, so there definitely shouldn't be an turbo lag.

[Tiluleshpingen]

The 3.0T is actually supercharged, so there definitely shouldn't be an turbo lag.

maybe he drove the new turbo v6 that are available

[q5 dave]

2.0 is fine but I vote for a 3.0T. Next time you road test put it in sport mode and enjoy. Above 2k RPM you'll notice the linear powerband.

maybe he drove the new turbo v6 that are available

Naw he was just driving the severely de-tuned stock 3.0T.

[SlickFix]

The 3.0T is actually supercharged, so there definitely shouldn't be an turbo lag.

Huh, I forgot about it being supercharged. I don't really know how supercharging works, though. Still, it felt just like turbo lag. Stomp on the pedal, slight hesitation, then BOOM! Off to the races.

[plat]

Huh, I forgot about it being supercharged. I don't really know how supercharging works, though. Still, it felt just like turbo lag. Stomp on the pedal, slight hesitation, then BOOM! Off to the races.

I believe the Q5 with the 3.0L TFSI Supercharged engine also has Drive Select. You may have felt something like turbo lag because the setting is probably in COMFORT mode. If so, the engine response will be much subdued compared to say DYNAMIC mode. Thus, the slight pause before the take off. In DYNAMIC mode, the response is rickety split.

One thing you should know about some 2.0L TFSI engines, especially the older ones is that they are prone to timing chain tensioner failure and possibly oil consumption issues. The older engines are more prone to the carbon build-up issue as well. However, if all is well with the 2.0L TFSI engine and if matches with the S-Tronic transmission, it is one spectacular engine.

[q5 dave]

Turbocharging harnesses otherwise wasted heat energy using engine exhaust to drive a compressor that boosts the engine’s intake charge to pump up its power and torque, a supercharger uses an engine-driven compressor to boost intake air.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[auntrout]

I believe the Q5 with the 3.0L TFSI Supercharged engine also has Drive Select. You may have felt something like turbo lag because the setting is probably in COMFORT mode. If so, the engine response will be much subdued compared to say DYNAMIC mode. Thus, the slight pause before the take off. In DYNAMIC mode, the response is rickety split.

One thing you should know about some 2.0L TFSI engines, especially the older ones is that they are prone to timing chain tensioner failure and possibly oil consumption issues. The older engines are more prone to the carbon build-up issue as well. However, if all is well with the 2.0L TFSI engine and if matches with the S-Tronic transmission, it is one spectacular engine.

On my 2017 3.0T I was required to get the Sport Package option in order to get Audi Drive Select.

[riceboy22]

I believe the Q5 with the 3.0L TFSI Supercharged engine also has Drive Select. You may have felt something like turbo lag because the setting is probably in COMFORT mode. If so, the engine response will be much subdued compared to say DYNAMIC mode. Thus, the slight pause before the take off. In DYNAMIC mode, the response is rickety split.

One thing you should know about some 2.0L TFSI engines, especially the older ones is that they are prone to timing chain tensioner failure and possibly oil consumption issues. The older engines are more prone to the carbon build-up issue as well. However, if all is well with the 2.0L TFSI engine and if matches with the S-Tronic transmission, it is one spectacular engine.

+1

You shouldn't feel any noticeable lag on this type of supercharged engine since it's driven off the crankshaft and basically always spinning. I do notice like @plat mentioned that throttle responsiveness seems to be more a function of the transmission mode.

[zcd2.7t]

It's not "turbo lag", but the power doesn't hit hard until revs pass about 2500 rpm...

[AlD]

+2

I came from a 3.2 and now have a 2.0T, which drives much smoother and has great low end tq. It's not the wife's so I added a stage 1 tune just for fun and its awesome! I think 90% of the guys on here have the 3.0T Q5 or an SQ5, great wealth of knowledge by all. If I had the choice again I would definitely get the 3.0T hands down.

[hc_TK]

the 2.0 tfsi might suffer from sylinder seal ring leakage and may cause you hell.
I friend of mine with the 2.0 tfsi had to replace the engine.

I have the 3.2 fsi, nice engine, but no rocket. I like it very much tho.
Havent tried the 3.0 tfsi, but that would be my pick

[base14]

I recently bought a '10 Q5 3.2L, and have driven a '14 stage I tuned Q5 2.0T. There is definitely a difference in low end torque, but the 3.2 is still quick by its own right. I believe the main advantage to the NA is the smoothness of the power delivery. There is no turbo lag or torquey low end, but then again some people like that... Pop that sucker into sport mode gives it some good throttle response as well.

[hc_TK]

I recently bought a '10 Q5 3.2L, and have driven a '14 stage I tuned Q5 2.0T. There is definitely a difference in low end torque, but the 3.2 is still quick by its own right. I believe the main advantage to the NA is the smoothness of the power delivery. There is no turbo lag or torquey low end, but then again some people like that... Pop that sucker into sport mode gives it some good throttle response as well.

and the V6 sound
I have mounted SQ5 muffler on my 3.2 fsi. befor it was dead quite.
Not i got some lovely gear pops and rumble.