Q5 TDI

[S5Pilot]

I’ve been debating an SQ5 or a TDI as a daily driver. I currently have a summer car (S5) that has been highly modded. It looks like there’s a good stream of 16 Q5 TDIs on the market brand new in the mid 40s. What is the general consensus on these or should I stay away? My fear of an SQ5 is I will want to mod it and do a pulley, tune, exhaust etc... when I already have my summer car.

I’m looking for decent gas mileage and something fun to drive in the winter that can haul so the Q5 TDI or SQ5 fits the bill. Just curious what people here think of the TDI and if you own one please chime in on your experience!



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[mikess4]

Love my 2014 Q5 TDI S line Glacier White with sport package, black optics, 20” Peelers. All the torque you can ask for, 0-60 in 5.8 seconds and when I fill up the tank, it says 560 mi to empty. So upset that Audi no longer has TDI’s coming to the states.


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[BarryT82]

If you purchase a TDI you’ll want to purchase a tune as well. I have a stage 2 tune and it gets great fuel economy and has a lot of power. The auto insurance on an SQ5 was $30 more per month when I checked.

[EYE4SPEED]

I had both and a tuned TDI (especially post fix) would be my preference.

I recently traded the SQ for a Cayenne diesel. You can’t beat the diesel for a daily.

The SQ required quite a bit more fueling with the same heavy foot.




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[BarryT82]

If you get a TDI try to find an S-Line with adaptive cruise and drive select.

[Swipple]

If you purchase a TDI you’ll want to purchase a tune as well. I have a stage 2 tune and it gets great fuel economy and has a lot of power. The auto insurance on an SQ5 was $30 more per month when I checked.

Barry,

What tune did you go with, I am looking at malone for my 2015 TDI.

[BarryT82]

Barry,

What tune did you go with, I am looking at malone for my 2015 TDI.

I have the JR Auto Tuning stage 2 tune. I think that they’re both comparable from what I’ve seen and read.

[Pittdawg]

I agree with most of what has already been said here. Basically, the TDI is a quick, smaller type of SUV that gets great mileage while the SQ5 is a blazing fast smaller SUV that gets okay mileage. Just depends on what you prioritize.

[Swipple]

TY!!

[SQive]

I agree with most of what has already been said here. Basically, the TDI is a quick, smaller type of SUV that gets great mileage while the SQ5 is a blazing fast smaller SUV that gets okay mileage. Just depends on what you prioritize.

That about sums it up. When I was looking for a replacement mid-sized SUV, I had been disappointed by everything I had seen/driven so far. I had never had an Audi before, and when I first test drove the Q5, I thought, "meh." The salesman said "You wanna try this one?" pointing to an SQ5. They were new and I didn't even know they existed. I immediately noticed the 21" wheels and sportier attire. I said "Sure." O - M - G! I wouldn't have driven a new car that hard, but he insisted, and by God, he sold one. My search was over. I placed my order when we got back to the dealership. It's smaller and more than my original budget, but DAYUM! It's the funnest SUV I've ever driven by far. When it got totaled, I couldn't wait for another special order, so I went out and found another, newer one. Just turned 51K, APR stage-2, and the only issue was the oil-level sensor. I love my SQ5!

[S5Pilot]

I agree with most of what has already been said here. Basically, the TDI is a quick, smaller type of SUV that gets great mileage while the SQ5 is a blazing fast smaller SUV that gets okay mileage. Just depends on what you prioritize.

Which engine is deemed more reliable? I read on consumer reports that the 3.0 Diesel is an expensive one to fix if anything goes wrong.

[Mythdoc]

Which engine is deemed more reliable? I read on consumer reports that the 3.0 Diesel is an expensive one to fix if anything goes wrong.

Most of the expensive stuff is covered under the 10 year emissions and engine warranty negotiated under dieselgate.

[TheDude]

Bringing this one back...

Whats the consensus???....Im trying to decide between A 2016 TDI Sline 74k miles. Or a 2014 SQ5 65k miles.....When its all said and done I would pay about the same for either.....

I drive a lot for work around 18k miles a year so im leaning towards the better gas mileage, but the SQ5 with alcantara, carbon trim, 21" wheels, sportier exhaust is very tempting..

[pickle.rs]

Most of the expensive stuff is covered under the 10 year emissions and engine warranty negotiated under dieselgate.

Yup. Why i picked up a TDI this month. If you read the fine print, anything the OBD system picks up will also get covered under warranty. Which is A LOT of components.

[casablancab5]

My wife and I bought one last night. My dad works for Audi and has always sworn the TDI was best all around and most reliable. She had a TDI golf that was totaled and wanted something a bit bigger and awd. It was an easy choice. It wasn't easy to find a lowish mileage one for a decent price, but all said and done we paid 24k for a p+ with 46k miles. Now we have a 15 moonlight S4 and a 15 moonlight Q5 TDI. I think I'm more excited than she is!

[Pittdawg]

I recently posted this in another thread. Can't beat the MPGs! It's hard to read b/c of the flash but I averaged over 31 mpgs from L.A. to Palm Springs which included some traffic and spirited lane passing.

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[SQive]

Bringing this one back...

Whats the consensus???....Im trying to decide between A 2016 TDI Sline 74k miles. Or a 2014 SQ5 65k miles.....When its all said and done I would pay about the same for either.....

I drive a lot for work around 18k miles a year so im leaning towards the better gas mileage, but the SQ5 with alcantara, carbon trim, 21" wheels, sportier exhaust is very tempting..

All The Dude ever wanted was something fun to drive,
So he followed his friends' advice and got an SQ5!

[tigabalm]

I don't know, it might be an unpopular opinion, but I feel like a TDI with the right packages/options + tune/mods can balance great mileage and sportiness to challenge an SQ5 (granted apples to apples, a tuned SQ, will smash the TDI). I've had my TDI for half a year now and it's been great for what I've needed and the warranty adds peace of mind as well. I was worried about the maintenance and added care of the TDI (this is my first diesel), but it's been buttery smooth so far. Also the torque, dat torque!

In any case, like others have said previously, really comes down to what your preferences are. Can't really go wrong either way.

Or there's always the SQ5 TDI option

[SQive]

Or there's always the SQ5 TDI option

Not always, RoW only.

[tigabalm]

Not always, RoW only.

Ahh, that's true. I wonder how hard it is to get one into the states (if possible at all)? Plan is to pick one up here and take it back with me before I move back.

[SQive]

Ahh, that's true. I wonder how hard it is to get one into the states (if possible at all)? Plan is to pick one up here and take it back with me before I move back.

I've heard it's very expensive an damn-near impossible. Besides, you might want to avoid any empirial entanglements.

[no thx]

I owned an b8.5 s4 and currently own a Q5 3.0 TDI so i think i am sort of qualified to make a comparison. I personally believe that the diesel is absolutely the engine to get in a Q.
it does everything either really well or exceptionally. If you do a lot of highway miles, you'll want the TDI no questions asked. I know in a lot of places diesel is a buck to buck and half cheaper than premium which at 20+$/tank is not insignificant. i like to think in terms of sandwiches and thats like 4 sandwiches right there.

After a delete and tune I didn't think even once about whether i should have picked an SQ5 over the TDI. Even without the tune its a fantastic car, but im spoiled by the torque and fuel economy. I do a ton of highway miles and i get high 700s low 800s to a tank.

[bmoores]

Yup. Why i picked up a TDI this month. If you read the fine print, anything the OBD system picks up will also get covered under warranty. Which is A LOT of components.

Wonder if they'll fix my AC under warranty which is starting to struggle?