
Originally Posted by
SQ5/2018
This is why people design and manufacture new products.
To extract as much profit as possible from you.
In my opinion Audi is on a bit of an "ebb flow" in terms of interior and component quality at the moment. Clearly to extract more profit. Happens all the time.
One of many examples: Golf Mk2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Perceived quality was highest with 4, 5, 6. Welcome to 7, which is objectively the better car yet has taken a step back in terms of certain tangibles and intangibles that some people value and perceive as part of the overall value prop. I've personally owned a Mk2, 3, 4 and 7 GTIs (among 30ish other assorted enthusiast cars, >50% VAG) and have experienced it myself. I loved the driving dynamics of my Mk7 but was pretty disappointed w/the quality. There *seems* to be correlation between built in Mexico and elsewhere (Mk2 in US, Mk2 in Mexico, Mk 5,6 in Germany, Mk7 in Mexico) but that could be a random coincidence. Some would call me a "dash stroker".
Thinking that Audi is altruistically working to build a net higher quality, net improved product in every regard in every generation is a bit... romantic. The bean counters are pushing the engineers, supply chain managers, etc, to cut costs aggressively to achieve the optimal all up profit. If they compromise quality too far, then they'll learn and adjust with the next gen or they will lose market share.
I say this without any sarcasm: the B9 Q5 is a great rig and highly competitive in today's market. Enjoy.
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