2014-15 Q7 Prestige S-Line Worth buying used?

[audifan22]

In the market for a 7 seater for my wife and kids...was about to pull the trigger on a 2015 mdx for around 30k when I noticed I could get a q7 sline prestige for about 5k more.

My 2012 S4 with 100k has been pretty trouble free (hope to not jinx myself)...but I wanted to know how the reliability is on the 14-15 Q7s. What are the most common issues and also largest maintenance expenses.

Is the air suspension leaking or malfunctioning common? Thanks for your thoughts.

[jragan]

Continue to be happy with my 14 S-Line. Only major expenses have been wear and tear items (brakes and tires) both of which were much cheaper at independent shops. (I don’t have air suspension).

[blackfunk]

Unfortunately these boards aren't as popular so by virtue of that you'll have less opinions. Here's mine.

While this SUV will never be misteken for anything that even remotely athletic its still somewhat fun to drive briskly. Last weekend I went apple picking with the family and with three kids and three adults on board I had a blast chasing down a Honda accord - low bar I know but he also didn't weight 5400lb or could tow 6600lbs either. I set the car to dynamic (a must with the air suspension) put the transmisison in sport (currently APR stage 1) and go. When we got back to the freeway at the end of the day enabled the dynamic cruise and get to relax through all the traffic.

What personally I love is the dual nature of this SUV. I also have a 2012 S4 and while I'm only at 47k miles (and a new engine - replaced by Audi under warranty - another story for another time) that car has also proved to be very reliable. The reliability of the overal brand is what made me seek out a Q7. I haven't been an owner long enough to provide much critique outside of what I posted above. Good luck in you search.

[audifan22]

Thanks for the feedback. Love my S4, dont expect the Q7 to be a joy to ride but like the styling of the Sline. Only concern is whether it's too small, since I have 2 kids in car seats.

Can you get the Sline without the prestige or only available as a prestige? Finding them used with low miles is challenging.

[blackfunk]

Both of my kids are still in car seats 6 and 3. The oldest has this (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and sits directly behind me and I'm 5'11 and there's quite a bit of room between - the second row slides fore and aft. You can indeed get the S-Line package without being prestige. For me the only two items that the prestige models have that I find desireable are the black headlinner - which was a seperate line item option and the cooled seats. Not sure if you care about the heated rears seat either. The dynamic headlight I can't honestly tell if they're working and the dynamic cruise which I use very infrequently.

I wouldn't turn down the right low mileage S-Line for a Prestige model.

Just remembered the prestige also has the front camera.

[jragan]

I purposefully got it because I wanted big but not Suburban big. I have twins (now 4) and purchased the Q7S-Line just for them and have had it since a mi Th before they were born. So I have been through infant carriers to rear facing and now into foreword facing. I have had no problems fitting them (I’m 5’6” so not tall but I like some lean to my seat) plus all the accoutrements that come with twins (wagons, double carriers, double strollers, etc). Also no problems on road trips.

Note that car seat selection is important. The best non-infant car seats are the Dionos and one of the best things about them is the low side hip bolsters which means they’re easy to put kids into without raising them so high that you run their heads into the top of the door. Also, when rear-facing, the Dionos have an angle adjuster that can be used to reduce the recline of the seat, therefore making it take up a lot less room front-to-back so the front seats can recline/move back farther.

[audifan22]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Has anyone been able to put a rear facing and a front facing in the second row middle seat and seat next to it...to allow access to the 3rd row?

[blackfunk]

Forget about third row access with a car seat installed. It just ain't happening.

[audifan22]

Uh oh that could be a problem. We want to have a car seat on either passenger side or driver side 2nd row and another in the middle. That way one side is available for 3rd row access.

[jragan]

Uh oh that could be a problem. We want to have a car seat on either passenger side or driver side 2nd row and another in the middle. That way one side is available for 3rd row access.

With car seats in, the Third row is more easily accessed by leaving one side of the third row down and climbing in from the hatch.

[jragan]

Uh oh that could be a problem. We want to have a car seat on either passenger side or driver side 2nd row and another in the middle. That way one side is available for 3rd row access.

Looks like you’ll be getting a Durango R/T or the big Infiniti.

[SQive]

Looks like you’ll be getting a Durango R/T or the big Infiniti.

...or perhaps time to admit defeat and get a minivan.

[audifan22]

Noooo dont like the dodge or infiniti. I'm surprised that there isnt enough room for a car seat in the middle and passenger side.

[jragan]

Noooo dont like the dodge or infiniti. I'm surprised that there isnt enough room for a car seat in the middle and passenger side.

The interior just isn't that wide. More often than not, if we need a 3rd adult in the car, then someone sits in the middle of the 2nd row in-between the kids. It's really been rare that we've needed the 3rd row.

[blackfunk]

For me I knew this was an occasional use third row car so it isn't a big deal for me. Clearly you need a mini van and are in denial lollol.

All jokes aside even the center seat is kinda tight for adults once there are two car seats installed. My kids are in a chicco next fit and a Graco 4ever all in one and it's a snug fit for my 15yr old nephew whose actually about 120lbs. A full sized man ain't happening and only smaller women can fit comfortably.



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[acoleman]

We currently have two kids (3 & 1) in car seats. One forward facing one rear facing. They are in recaro seats now. Unfortunately they are too wide to fit three across or have access to the rear. We have done like others with either entering through the hatch or having an adult sit in the middle. But we have a third baby on the way and just bought 2 Diono radian car seats that are much skinnier. You have much better access to the rear or middle seat with the skinnier seats.

[audifan22]

We currently have two kids (3 & 1) in car seats. One forward facing one rear facing. They are in recaro seats now. Unfortunately they are too wide to fit three across or have access to the rear. We have done like others with either entering through the hatch or having an adult sit in the middle. But we have a third baby on the way and just bought 2 Diono radian car seats that are much skinnier. You have much better access to the rear or middle seat with the skinnier seats.

This is perplexing to me. There is no way to have 1 rear facing and 1 forward facing car seat side by side in the middle row to allow entry to 3rd row via the empty end seat?

[acoleman]

Yes it is possible with 2 skinny convertible seats like the diono. Not ideal by any means.

[jragan]

Yes it is possible with 2 skinny convertible seats like the diono. Not ideal by any means.

. I have the largest Dionos and I can put the center completely down.

[blackfunk]

I think he means with entry from the side. With two car seats installed with one being in the center it is possible to move one of the 60/40 sides most likely the 40 side but the issue may be the lack of the LATCH system for the middle row in addition to fact the seat needs to clear the car seat bolsters because it needs to fold over then tip up for easy ingress into the rear.

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[audifan22]

Thanks guys...one last question....any issues with reliability of the 3.0TDI instead of the 3.0 supercharger? I understand its slower but I would like the extra mpg and could always add a tune.

[BarryT82]

I’ve owned two of the 3.0 TDI Q5’s and never had an issue. I had a stage 2 tune on one of them and it was a huge improvement. The stock torque is more than enough, but more is always better. With the tune mine was averaging 30 mpg around town and 40 highway.

[SACTOWNB5]

I have a P+ w/a carseat. More than enough room in the rear. I came from a B5S4 which was extremely tight with a rear facing carseat.

The Q7 is not an S4, however, it was one of the best driving larger SUVs I test drove.

How often do you plan on using the 3rd row? The 3rd row in the Q7 is more of a "when you need it" seat instead of "every day" seat. It is really cramped for an adult and I would not recommend for longer trips. Car seats are pretty moveable now and when you require the 3rd row, put the forward facing carseat in the third row and the rear facing in the 2nd row when you need to sit 6+ passengers. Otherwise, if you are only looking for 5 passengers, I would put one carseat in the middle and let the passenger sit in the 2nd row with the kiddos.

Reliability: Only wear and tear so far. So pretty good!

[viking757]

We just got rid of our 2013 Jeep SRT for a Q7 to accommodate our growing family and we love it.

[jadedj]

Bumping this as I'm looking at 2013-14 Q7'as myself (have a 3 year old and 8). Any major issues on the Carfax I should be looking for? Some things I've seen on a few were:

car 1 with 72K miles:
-body electrical wiring repaired (32K miles)
-oil pressure sender/switch replaced (48K)
-radio/sound system checked (49K)

car 2 with 62K miles:
-door latch striker adjusted (14K)

car 3 with 72K mikes:
-antenna replaced (44K)
-sunroof serviced (54K)

Are any of the aforementioned issues a big 'HELLNO' for this car? For instance, if you see "electrical wiring repaired" at 32K miles, is that a sign of worse things to come? Or should I be worried about something like a "sunroof service?" I'm just looking for Q7 owners who know a thing or two to advise me on if there are notoriously big items that would make you say, "Stay away from that car!" I know they all have their little quirks, some are no big deal, some are a huge nuisance - any info would be much appreciated!

[tellyswellz]

Bump. Just got a 15 SLine Prestige and am also interested in hearing people's experiences or any potential issues to be aware of.
Currently have an issue with the rear camera being bad quality and too dark to view at night. Going to have the dealer take a look since we have a 1 year CPO warranty.
Also, if anyone has knowledge of any mods for this platform, it'd be grealy appreciated!

[SQive]

Bump. Just got a 15 SLine Prestige and am also interested in hearing people's experiences or any potential issues to be aware of.
Currently have an issue with the rear camera being bad quality and too dark to view at night. Going to have the dealer take a look since we have a 1 year CPO warranty.
Also, if anyone has knowledge of any mods for this platform, it'd be grealy appreciated!

Switch to LED reverse lights. Much brighter output, which of course helps the camera.

[blackfunk]

Be forewarned though they all will throw a code when put in reverse. I've invested in far too many and the result is always the same. Spoke with the forum LED sponsors and was told that audi may have done something different with these lights which is why no LED exists which won't throw a code.