Q7 - best (reliable) years

[jpjmustang]

A quick question - what is the best years to buy for Q7 reliability

Looking for a 8 cyl - because it will be pulling a boat from time to time (5200 lbs)

Have a couple of other audi's - no SUV yet

Thanks in advance for the input

JPJM

[ryanj]

Do not go with the 4.2L! It truly is a terrible engine. Timing chain failure seems to plague all of them no matter the year and "updated parts" used in newer versions. I have towed more than that with the base our base Q7 3.6L through the mountains and while the engine really has to work to do it, it can handle it. Personally I would recommend looking for a 2012 + 3.0t Sline (Sline has bump in power over lower trims) on steel suspension if you are after reliability. If you really need moar power then I would go TDI, but in general they are going to be less reliable / more expensive to repair.

I would also recommend getting one with the factory tow package installed as it includes upgraded cooling to handle the added stress of towing.

[jpjmustang]

Whats the difference in the 3.0T and the 3.6 besides the turbo?

[s4buckeye]

lol, how is a TDI less reliable than a gasser?


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[ryanj]

Whats the difference in the 3.0T and the 3.6 besides the turbo?

3.6 Is found in the older Q7 2007 - 2009 ish it's a vr6 and is not a bad engine, but a bit dated and underpowered compared to the other options. The 3.0t is a supercharged V6 and has proven to be quite reliable other than a few known relatively easy to fix issues (PCV, water pump, thermostat)

The 3.0t is more reliable than the 3.0 tdi in my opinion. As an former vw audi technician (over 10 years) I find this to be true of most VAG gas vs tdi engines . In general TDI is more expensive to fix due to repair times and part cost. The newer TDI's are just more complex and have more systems to fail than the similar gas counterpart mostly due to emissions systems being added on. I am not saying the TDI is terrible by any means, but most likely you will spend more fixing it over the life of the car than the gas version.

[jpjmustang]

Thanks for the input