'18 Q3 2.0T buy or pass?

[eWock]

Looking at a CPO <50k miles anything to consider as this will be the family car.
Been looking around and it seems like a relatively solid car and can't really find that much information on real life owners pros and cons.
Thanks in advance!

Wife and I are enjoying the ride. Now I want to mod and change some things.

[Tone-Dogg]

Not sure what they are asking price wise, but my wife had the 2016 Q3P+ since new and then ordered a 2020 Q3P+ she loved the 2016 for all that it offers, but if you can get into the next generation, do it. Significant differences.
Being blunt the 2016 was a glorified Golf, the next Gen, Audi brought luxury along side the latest and greatest tech.
Truly 2 completely different cars.
If you have any further questions lmk, I have service records on both and fwiw, my wife likes here 2020 so much and in light of covid keeping miles low, we are buying it out of the lease.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[S4'ed]

The Gen-1 Q3 (2015 to 2018) is a solid car, good quality and safe.
Downsides are the average acceleration and tight interior / cargo area.
I have a 2015 Q3 that we now have 65,000 miles on, and we are very happy with it.

I think the new Q3 is certainly more modern looking, in and out, and certainly more spacious, and newer tech, but the interior quality of materials seems a bit of a step down from the old Q3.

[777stentQ3]

The Gen-1 Q3 (2015 to 2018) is a solid car, good quality and safe.
Downsides are the average acceleration and tight interior / cargo area.
I have a 2015 Q3 that we now have 65,000 miles on, and we are very happy with it.

I think the new Q3 is certainly more modern looking, in and out, and certainly more spacious, and newer tech, but the interior quality of materials seems a bit of a step down from the old Q3.

I agree. We have a 2015 prestige and wife loves it. 50,000 completely trouble free miles .0 trips to dealership for issues. I drove a 2021. 2021 Interior seems a bit more "plasticy". Tech is way better though. The '18 is no where near a glorified GOLf... Geez, C'mon.

[eWock]

Pulled the trigger and the short time has been nice.
Now going to turn the thread from should I to how do I…find ‘performance’ parts that explicitly fit this model? Like an intake system and not just a filter upgrade for example. And also I read that most just tint the pano sunroof for more heat protection. I’m looking at something to help/protect with the heat coming through and warming my head and the cabin.

[S4'ed]

Performance mods to consider:

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...light=sway+bar

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...light=sway+bar

Forget about an intake, you won't make any more power. Get an APR Stage-1 ECU tune:
https://www.goapr.com/products/softw...-20T-EA888-1-T

[eWock]

I’m in CA so I don’t think ECU tunes are going to be allowed because…well…CA Smog rules.

[S4'ed]

I don't think they (CA smog inspections) can detect ECU tunes.

[amusa]

I bought a 18 CPO S-Line Prem Plus Quattro w/ Conv and MMI package the other day. It only had 20k miles. For my wife it's perfect vehicle but for me it's to small and it's like driving a car instead of a SUV. Maybe I'm so use to driving my GLE. The cargo space on the Q3 can fit a full size stroller (UppaBaby Vista) and maybe 3-4 bags of groceries (very tight fit). My wife loves the Q3. If you want something little bigger I get the Q5 instead.

[itsmatt33]

check out my q3 build thread. it will give you some inspo.

[findalex]

The most common complaint I've read online for gen 2 is the 8 speed transmission from Aisin. It apaprently has problems shifting both in lower gears and higher gears. Based on what I've read, it seems the transmission isn't tuned for very light throttle. Maybe it's because the MPG is already low compared to BMW with their DCT transmission.

The 8 speed in the gen 2 Q3 is a traditional torque converter from Aisin. The 6 speed from gen 1 is also Aisin, and that's been out so long, they've pretty much worked out all the kinks. Same with the engines. The gen 1 Q3 engine is real old school EA888 Gen 1. EA888 Gen 3 engine in the Q3 has been out a few years, but it's got the usual VW/Audi growing pains.

I'm also looking for a Q3. If I can get a reasonably priced 2022 Q3, I would consider that. After 5 VW/Audi cars in the last 20+ years, I stay awy from new generation cars until at least the 4th year, or the facelift. There's no inventory now, so the dealers are more greedy than usual. The used car pricing are going UP 10%+ a year, instead of depreciating. It's a crazy time.

[S4'ed]

I agree, it takes VW/Audi about 4 or 5 years of production to get the bugs out of a new model, then in year 6 or 7 they replace it and start all over again, with a new design, and new bugs.....