Does it have Sport Diff or not? Worth it?

**flyboys** · 02-09-2019 06:15 PM

So down to 2 Q5's in the quest for Camera Chase Car. 2013 and a 2015. The 15 doesnt have the sport diff as far as i can tell from the menus and window sticker and the 13 I am confused a bit.

If memory serves me on the 13, I saw the diff showing in the menu in the individual section. Had 4 items in it and I didnt know much at the time about the sport diff or I would have taken a picture of the menu to remember.

I was able to get the window sticker of the 13 via the vin and it doesnt clearly show the option. What it does show in the S line package section is Audi adaptive dampening suspension & audi drive select controls.
But no exact mention of the diff itself. Is this the correct package or should I see a line about the diff?

Nobody at the Audi dealership could tell me either way unfortunately. I do know now what to look for underneath so will look for on monday. Mechanic said it looks beefier and there will be wires coming out of it. Hoping someone here can shed some light on before that.

So need opinions, is not having a sport diff a deal killer for the abuse i will put this car under?
Is the non sport diff any less robust then the sport diff? Coming from US cars and trucks, usually cars without posi rears are less robust.

Also is the performance that much better? We will chase everything from slow city driving to hauling ass with race cars.

Thanks

**Weebl** · 02-09-2019 08:22 PM

2018 Sports differential. Biggest difference I see is the thingy on the side which reminds me of a starter, normal diffs don't have it. You could have torque vectoring done by braking also which might be what you are reading into the statements. The actual sports diff may not have appeared until 16-17 but I dont' know.
As for you use:
Non track, it won't matter one way or another unless you are going at it in a curvy section.
I was able to drive a Q5 loaner for a day without the sport diff and there is a very noticeable difference between the two. This was not under hard driving at all on either of the two as they are both under the break in period. I can feel the sport differential helping the car turn in quicker and solidly. Part of that could be because of the suspension being under Dynamic also but I've just started to use the Individual mode and can notice it also.

If chasing race cars you probably were going to have to change things anyway to keep up so I've no idea if it would make a difference to you.

BTW my analysis is worth exactly nothing but it is what I've noticed in the last 45 days.

**stapan** · 02-09-2019 08:26 PM

Sport diff was not an available option on 2009-2017 Q5/SQ5 models.

**stapan** · 02-09-2019 08:28 PM

Also, for what it's worth, with good quality 295 tires and lightweight wheels I have a really hard time getting close to the limits of traction, whether accelerating, turning, or braking. The S4 guys need sport diff because they are not running tires this wide and they get more power spikes with the DSG transmission.

**flyboys** · 02-10-2019 06:29 AM

No man I appreciate all help. Thanks for posting the picture too. Now I really know what Im looking for. Thanks!

**flyboys** · 02-10-2019 06:31 AM

Thanks for the help. Are you 100% sure on that? Dealer and a few others have said different. Thanks

**flyboys** · 02-10-2019 06:33 AM

Originally Posted by stapan

Sport diff was not an available option on 2009-2017 Q5/SQ5 models.

Are you 100% sure on that? A dealership and a few others have said different. Thanks

**Whinny SQ5** · 02-10-2019 07:49 AM

Originally Posted by stapan

Sport diff was not an available option on 2009-2017 Q5/SQ5 models.

Agree. I'm pretty positive the sport diff became available with the new gen (B9) SQ5.

Sent from my SM-G955U1 using Audizine mobile app

**PNW Avant** · 02-10-2019 08:04 AM

There is no sport diff. Look at the brochures I previously linked you to. There are no “secret” options. It’s all there. Your dealer is probably confusing the active suspension with the sport diff. Who knows.

http://www.auto-brochures.com/audi.html

See s4 from 2013: lists sports differential on page 40

http://www.auto-brochures.com/makes/...Sport_2013.pdf

Q5 from 2013. No sport diff.

http://www.auto-brochures.com/makes/...%20Q5_2013.pdf

**DiscoDan** · 02-10-2019 08:12 AM

sport diff became available as an option starting with the B9.

If you ever decide to get a B9 then definitely get the sport diff

**DiscoDan** · 02-10-2019 08:13 AM

Originally Posted by PNW Avant

There is no sport diff. Look at the brochures I previously linked you to. There are no “secret” options. It’s all there. Your dealer is probably confusing the active suspension with the sport diff. Who knows.

http://www.auto-brochures.com/audi.html

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Holy damn this website is awesome!

Bookmarked!

**VroomVroom** · 02-10-2019 08:19 AM

Not that additional reinforcement is needed, but there is no sport differential on the B8.5 platform. Honestly, given the driving parameters you've described in other threads - center of gravity and weight load/distribution - torque vectoring between the rear wheels would be way low on the list of things from which you'd benefit.

If you really need to keep up with speeding vehicles through turns, you might want to consider an S4 or perhaps an A6 or A7 of the same time period.