2013 Q7 TDi Prestige vs 2015 Q7 3.0T Prestige S-line

[davepjr71]

Because my A7 is totaled I've been looking at Q7's as a replacement. I called my insurance and was surprised the 2013 was a little more expensive. Was there any safety changes made between the model years that could account for the older model being a little more expensive even though Audi didn't make any major changes?

[Audibot]

TDI model was more expensive option for any of the models that had it. Aside from engine, transmission, and exhaust system, cars should be the same essentially the same. One plus would be the dieselgate warranty on the TDI vs the 3.0T.

What are your priorities for the Q7? Lots/occasional towing? Mileage? Get-up and go?

[davepjr71]

TDI model was more expensive option for any of the models that had it. Aside from engine, transmission, and exhaust system, cars should be the same essentially the same. One plus would be the dieselgate warranty on the TDI vs the 3.0T.

What are your priorities for the Q7? Lots/occasional towing? Mileage? Get-up and go?

There would be occasional towing . I know the TDI gets much better highway mpg. The get up and go I'm interested in. I see there are tunes for the TDI ECM and for the TCM as well as some delete mods available. Thank you.

[TheMysticWizard]

Drove both, picked the TDI, though that's what I was leaning toward going into it anyway.

Torque and Fuel mileage won me over in my search.

If you're planning on towing something big, I'd imagine TDI is what you'd want.

ECM/TCM tuning can get back what was taken away with the "TDI-Fix" and then some.

I ordered a TCM from Germany for about $200 and had it tuned back to pre-fix parameters for another $200.
That way if it ever needs to go to the dealer I put my original TCM back in and let them do their thing.

I had tried Malone Tuning Stage 2 for the ECM but it wouldn't play so well with my TCM software so I ended up sending it back. The power increase was amazing tho.

[termite]

I drove both as well and opted for a 2012 S-Line 3.0T. While I like diesels, and the highway cruising is great, there is just not the punch or sound of the gas version. I just did a Unitronic stage 2+ and am fairly astounded by the improvement. The Q is now just marginally slower in real world performance than the ML63 that I sold a year ago. On a significant grade near my house, punching the throttle is really eye opening....does not handle quite as well as the AMG or the Cayenne Turbo before that, but it now truly goes quick.

[davepjr71]

Drove both, picked the TDI, though that's what I was leaning toward going into it anyway.

Torque and Fuel mileage won me over in my search.

If you're planning on towing something big, I'd imagine TDI is what you'd want.

ECM/TCM tuning can get back what was taken away with the "TDI-Fix" and then some.

I ordered a TCM from Germany for about $200 and had it tuned back to pre-fix parameters for another $200.
That way if it ever needs to go to the dealer I put my original TCM back in and let them do their thing.

I had tried Malone Tuning Stage 2 for the ECM but it wouldn't play so well with my TCM software so I ended up sending it back. The power increase was amazing tho.

Thanks for the feedback. From my understanding there is a guy that does TCM tuning to go along with the Malone ECM tuning. I believe he's on here and that he works with Malone. I know from the Tourig forum he's having back surgery soon.

[davepjr71]

I drove both as well and opted for a 2012 S-Line 3.0T. While I like diesels, and the highway cruising is great, there is just not the punch or sound of the gas version. I just did a Unitronic stage 2+ and am fairly astounded by the improvement. The Q is now just marginally slower in real world performance than the ML63 that I sold a year ago. On a significant grade near my house, punching the throttle is really eye opening....does not handle quite as well as the AMG or the Cayenne Turbo before that, but it now truly goes quick.

How is your fuel economy after? I'm sure it is hard to tell with driving style. That's the only hang up with going with the 3.0T. I know that my A7 listed 28 hwy and I often got over 30, at 65mph or more, with 1 time in the 40's (around 80 mph) when traveling with a caravan of pickup trucks.

[ICU2]

How is your fuel economy after? I'm sure it is hard to tell with driving style. That's the only hang up with going with the 3.0T. I know that my A7 listed 28 hwy and I often got over 30, at 65mph or more, with 1 time in the 40's (around 80 mph) when traveling with a caravan of pickup trucks.

Had my Q7 since mid 2015 & best Hwy mpg has been 20.7 (avg 75-80 mph, just checked all my Fuelly data) otherwise 17-19 MPG & city has been 13-16 mpg consistently. A lot of factors depend on but the MPG but the city MPG has been pretty constant. Always use BP or Phillips top tier 93, all maintenance per AUDI & @ suggested intervals, stock & NOT driven hard or @ the “enthusiasts” level. The “fun” car is the RS5. Oddly, just got a MPG of 12.8 & it’s actually worse than the MPG on my 05 F250 Diesel King Ranch (13-15 mpg). I often wish we’d waited & gone w/the TDI but the timing wouldn’t have worked out. Reliability has been Excellent. The only thing I’ve had to replace/repair is a battery (which by the way is under the drivers front seat) & a window switch on the passenger door. Mileage is right at 375?? and some change.

[arjun90]

A lot of folks recommended me to go with the TDI version of the Q7 in the past. Audi should bring the TDI back for all of their SUV's

[Quattro 4 Life]

A lot of folks recommended me to go with the TDI version of the Q7 in the past. Audi should bring the TDI back for all of their SUV's

If only, I doubt we’ll see it as VAG introduces more electric vehicles.

[davepjr71]

Ended up going with the 2015 gaser. Looking forward to being part of the community. Thanks to all of you.

[Cboogie]

I know this is an old thread, but in similar situation totaled my A8L and looking at the Q7 TDI.
Curious when you were shopping are there any diesel related maintenance question that i should ask?

[a4lownslow]

I know this is an old thread, but in similar situation totaled my A8L and looking at the Q7 TDI.
Curious when you were shopping are there any diesel related maintenance question that i should ask?

Diesels are great options. They’re all under the 4 year/48k mile extended warranty (check each specific vehicle to see how much of the warranty remains) which covers just about any component that can cause a check engine light so they are pretty safe options right now. Really just general maintenance.. oil change every 10k, fuel filter every 20k. Tires, brakes, etc


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[Cboogie]

Thanks for the reply. Good to know about the warranty. I had not saw that anywhere or may have missed it.

I know less is good as in miles, is there any difference between the 2009 - 2013 versions.

[Audibot]

Agreed that diesels are great! If I remember right, the Q7 and Touareg share a diesel engine but it's different than the A6/A7/Q5 engine.

Here's my list of things :

1. Maintenance history, especially oil changes and fuel filter. The injection pump has such precision tolerances that even minuscule amounts of dirt/debris can damage it. Fluid changes as well (brake fluid, coolant, trans if >100k miles)
2. Wear and tear items. Brake discs/pads, control arm bushings, engine mounts, suspension, tires
3. If from a private owner, I'd inquire about their driving habits, regen cycles, if they use an additives, how often they have to fill the AdBlue, etc.
4. How much time/miles are left on the warranty.

[Cboogie]

Thanks Very helpful. I'll keep these in mind.

[Pau Hana]

Drove both, picked the TDI, though that's what I was leaning toward going into it anyway.

Torque and Fuel mileage won me over in my search.

If you're planning on towing something big, I'd imagine TDI is what you'd want.

ECM/TCM tuning can get back what was taken away with the "TDI-Fix" and then some.

I ordered a TCM from Germany for about $200 and had it tuned back to pre-fix parameters for another $200.
That way if it ever needs to go to the dealer I put my original TCM back in and let them do their thing.

I had tried Malone Tuning Stage 2 for the ECM but it wouldn't play so well with my TCM software so I ended up sending it back. The power increase was amazing tho.

Where did you order the TCM from from Germany?

[Pothole]

Thanks for the reply. Good to know about the warranty. I had not saw that anywhere or may have missed it.

I know less is good as in miles, is there any difference between the 2009 - 2013 versions.

2013 and up got the second generation 3.0 TDI, more power and better millage according to Audi.

[Zolli]

I also went with the TDI. 2011 Prestige S-Line, awesome. It was my towing needs, plus also the low-rpm torque available, relatively inexpensive diesel costs in AZ, and 47 months of dieselgate warranty that helped make the decision. The DEF / AdBlue wants a refill twice in the 6 months I’ve owned it, which is kind of annoying.

I had a “what the hell” moment and bought a container of Hot Shot’s Secret Diesel Extreme and poured in 10oz IIRC in January this year. I’ve been tracking the mpg, and here’s what I’ve logged so far:

18.5 mpg 90% city (~45mph tops, too many stop lights - this is a heavy hippo to stop and start)
23.7 mpg (80% hwy at 80mph generally)
29.2 mpg (100% hwy at 70mph usually - and that was loaded with a family of four and luggage but a flat drive; few elevation changes)
22.3 mpg hwy (mountains this time)
20.4 mpg (75% city)
18.7 mpg (100% city)
20.7 mpg (50% city)
16.5 mpg (95% city, this time I was doing a little towing...oh and I drag raced a bison (kidding))

Unfortunately I didn’t log the mpg stats before the Hot Shot. 17/20 is what the sales sticker said. Obviously Audi is to be completely trusted on those figures...cough cough.

To boost the mpg efficiency, here’s what I’ve learned. In the city, plan a route if you can that will allow the fewest likely stops. When you stop, brake early, lightly, and consistently (heard about the cost of brake pads and rotors??). Start with the foot off the gas to let the idle power pull you from the stand still, then let on the gas with consistent pressure. On the highway, I’ve noticed the highest mpg numbers were achieved when I kept my speed between 60-70 mph. It went down again at 70-80 mph. My average trip mpg for highway trips that I kept it at 65 mph was between 38-44mpg.

Not easy to sustain that 65mph target though, when you have hungry and grouchy kids/wife in the car with you. I did the calculations for what it cost to go 80mph on I-8 and get to California 2 hours quicker than at 65mph: it was $10. MONEY WELL SPENT!

[lml999]

If you go with the diesel, only use Tier 1 fuel -- Exxon, Shell, etc., from high volume stations.

And add Diesel Service (or Diesel Service Winterizer) with each fill up.

Your fuel system will thank you.