New to me 2019 SQ5 - Questions / Advice

[ryan.manwich]

First time Audi owner with a few questions, and was looking for thoughts. Own a 2019 B9 SQ5 in Canada with 58k on it. It was new to me in May 2023. I plan on keeping the car for a long time. Car has run perfect, and Carfax showed well taken care of. Appears to have been a low mileage lease back. A bit about the car so far, and how I drive...

I currently just have an IE intake/Turbo inlet on it, but exploring the thought of an intercooler than a stage 1 ECU/stage 2 TCU tune. I also baby the car before the oil hits 90 deg C, so don't bag it until I see the oil has warmed up appropriately.

On to the questions...

- Warranty expires November 2023. Is it beneficial to look at Audi After Care to extend warranty? I know the difference between Audi Care (Maintenance) and Audi After Care (Warranty). I do realize that tuning negates warranty, but just wondering thoughts.

- is there benefit to extending my Audi Care (Maintenance) past the next service. Currently it's carried to my next service next year, however I've been advised I could extend for 90k/105k/120k for $1445 CAD. Dealer told me that it would be about 40% cost savings. Or would it be cheaper to just take to an independent Audi mechanic for those services?

- regarding tuning as per above, I live in an area that only has 91 Octane, unfortunately nothing higher. Ethanol is not an option where I live either. What would be best tune for that? The more I research, I think 034 is the best fit, not only specs, but for reliability too.

Thanks in advance

[Hostile]

Don't bother extending your warranty if you are going to get tuned.

Figure out what services will be performed for that extended care maintenance and then call you local indie shop and get estimates for those services so you can compare against what the dealer is offering you.

A 91 tune from 034 or IE would be fine. Get either one with their stage 2 TCU tune.

[TheContrarian]

I would skip the IE tune which has a really mixed (to put it charitably) track record as of late. I tuned with Unitronic which is cheaper than either IE or 034 because its the same price in CAD as USD.

I would skip all the warranty and prepaid services.

[Gunnarrrrr]

Audi care still breaks down to being several hundred dollars for each oil change. Don't bother, take it to a shop if you can't change your own oil. None of the big expensive jobs are going to be included, so don't get too excited.

and no, don't get an extended warranty. in no situation are you going to wish you had it. Plus its void from a tune anyway. Get the service manual and learn to wrench, or find a good local mechanic. get an intercooler and the 034 stage 1 tune and stage 2 tcu and enjoy the car, you'll love it. Lots of great chassis upgrades available too, you'll be able to figure out what you need once you start cranking the power up.

[ryan.manwich]

Thanks for all the advice guys!

I was leaning towards what Gunnarr was saying too. Leading to another question. The period between suggested oil changes seems long to me. I end up filling a quart of oil every 7000km. I do understand that they do burn through a bit of oil, so that's not too concerning. My question is, and I do realize that it's subjective, but how often do you all do oil changes on your SQ5s? I do drive it pretty spirited once the oil warms up, so I want to just make sure. I'm thinking changing the oil every 7500km, exactly in between the suggested 15000km oil change frequency.

I have also found some sites for oil kits, but wondering if anybody had a suggested site to order online in Canada. I am capable of doing it myself. Other maintenance things... maybe not, but I'd bring to a local Euro mechanic here then.

[DiscoDan]

Thanks for all the advice guys!

I was leaning towards what Gunnarr was saying too. Leading to another question. The period between suggested oil changes seems long to me. I end up filling a quart of oil every 7000km. I do understand that they do burn through a bit of oil, so that's not too concerning. My question is, and I do realize that it's subjective, but how often do you all do oil changes on your SQ5s? I do drive it pretty spirited once the oil warms up, so I want to just make sure. I'm thinking changing the oil every 7500km, exactly in between the suggested 15000km oil change frequency.

I have also found some sites for oil kits, but wondering if anybody had a suggested site to order online in Canada. I am capable of doing it myself. Other maintenance things... maybe not, but I'd bring to a local Euro mechanic here then.

5k miles (not km you silly Canadian) -OR- 1 year on the current oil - whichever comes first

[Gunnarrrrr]

Thanks for all the advice guys!

I was leaning towards what Gunnarr was saying too. Leading to another question. The period between suggested oil changes seems long to me. I end up filling a quart of oil every 7000km. I do understand that they do burn through a bit of oil, so that's not too concerning. My question is, and I do realize that it's subjective, but how often do you all do oil changes on your SQ5s? I do drive it pretty spirited once the oil warms up, so I want to just make sure. I'm thinking changing the oil every 7500km, exactly in between the suggested 15000km oil change frequency.

I have also found some sites for oil kits, but wondering if anybody had a suggested site to order online in Canada. I am capable of doing it myself. Other maintenance things... maybe not, but I'd bring to a local Euro mechanic here then.

Here's the part numbers you need. There's not only no better alternative than the OEM oil, there's also nothing cheaper than the OEM oil. I just did a change today on mine, $90 USD trip to the dealership, including nearly 10% sales tax.

06M198405F Filter
n91167901 Drain Plug
n0138495 Drain Plug Seal
GE600201QDSP Oil (x8)

Drain Plug is 22 ft/lbs with a T45 socket, Oil Filter Cap is 18 ft/lbs with a 32mm socket

5k is ideal.

service manual if you have any other oil change related questions.
key's TEnum3YD-06gGeSYplci_LdTprUFGYooZ3gPndfc0xg

[GoCougs1234]

Oil change interval on the B9/B9.5 SQ5 is 10,000 miles. Anything sooner is wasted money. Some tuners specify 5,000 mile intervals, likely IMO an indication they're running too rich.

I chose APR (currently stage 1 91 octane) because 1) Plus warranty, 2) phone support (other tuners are email), 3) emissions legit. Full weight SQ5 w/Sport Package, trailer hitch and sunroof, and I'm getting 0-60 in 4.0s and 1/4 mile in 12.35s @ 110 mph which I've not seen equaled by a stage 1 tune (and this with a weak-ish launch due to A/S tires).

Audi Care is financially advantageous if you get your vehicle serviced at the dealer - the expensive service is at 40,000 miles (new plugs). I opted for this - it paid off as I only get service/repairs at the dealer.

It's a German car so an extended warranty will always pay, provided you own the vehicle after 50-60,000 miles. I opted for one (via the dealer network) but negotiated a free brake job (up to $6k) at the end of the warranty period (just had it done). Yes, a tune will void power/drive train claims, but there's plenty else to go wrong - HVAC, infotainment, air suspension, steering rack.

[4 Boxers]

After tuning other cars in the past, I didn't trust the factory recommendations for oil changes. Used oil analysis was helpful to help me sort what sort of interval I needed. I'm sure there are many that can do this, but I was pleased with Blackstone laboratories out of Fort Wayne.

[TheContrarian]

Oil change interval on the B9/B9.5 SQ5 is 10,000 miles. Anything sooner is wasted money.

If there's a place to save money on your modified german luxury car, it's with extended oil changes with the thin oil they recommend for fuel economy.