Sport Diff Question

[hooligan74]

Hey, guys!

Throwing this out there, specifically for folks who have owned driven B9s both with and without the sport diff - how much of a "have to have" is it?

I'm not a track rat - just the occasional "spirited" backroad bombing and maybe a handful of auto-x per year, just for fun. If I get an SQ5 without it, will I truly be missing out?

[034Motorsport]

Yes, you will be missing out if you're doing any sort of HPDE such as autox. The rotation you can get out of a stock SQ5 is pretty great - and even better when paired with our sway bar kit :)

The rear sport differential typically gets paired with the air suspension as well.

-Sean@034

[hooligan74]

Thanks, Sean!

[Oettinger]

Another question that I have is that how do I know that I have a Sport Differential on my 2021 SQ5? I understand in Canada it is a standalone option.

[034Motorsport]

Another question that I have is that how do I know that I have a Sport Differential on my 2021 SQ5? I understand in Canada it is a standalone option.

It should come up in individual on your drive select, or you can look under your car to tell. The sports diff has a few external tubes and wiring attached.

-Sean@034

[Oettinger]

Perfect! Thanks Sean. I will check out both later today.

It should come up in individual on your drive select, or you can look under your car to tell. The sports diff has a few external tubes and wiring attached.

-Sean@034

[GoCougs1234]

The Sport Diff is noticeable in (very) spirited driving but then again how often does one do that with 4,600 lb SUV? I'd still say go for it.

But also, at least in the USA, the sport diff is packaged with air suspension, which is mandatory IMO, due to Johnny Highwater ride without it.

[Oettinger]

That is what I thought too. Mine has air suspension but I wasn't sure if it had the sport differential. I more curious as I bought mine used and based on what I read, I figured that I had it but it doesn't seem like it.

The Sport Diff is noticeable in (very) spirited driving but then again how often does one do that with 4,600 lb SUV? I'd still say go for it.

But also, at least in the USA, the sport diff is packaged with air suspension, which is mandatory IMO, due to Johnny Highwater ride without it.

[GoCougs1234]

The Sport Diff is wide (to house the clutch pack and planetary gear set for each axle):



The non Spot Diff is much narrower (no clutch pack and planetary gear sets):

[rcprato]

@Hooligan74 are you looking to purchase a new SQ5 or are you looking to find a used SQ5 that checks off your list of must haves and hopefully your want to have options?

I drive a 18 SQ5 Premium Plus without Sport Differential and Air Suspension package, have owned since August 2020 and currently has 60K miles. This is my daily driver and have done some spirited driving including 3 laps around Watkins Glen raceway, this was after changing out the OEM springs with ABT H.A.S kit and car is down about 2" from where it was when it left the factory with much improved handling and better ride IMO. The rest of the car is stock and a great driving SUV.

If I was looking for another used SQ5 and found one that had the Sport Differential and Air Suspension package and was really clean and well taken care of I would consider it but on the flip side if I found used SQ5 that was really clean and well taken care of without the Sport Differential and Air Suspension package it wouldn't stop me from buying it.

Just my 2 cents

[Local]

I bought a brand new covid special 2022 Premium plus SQ5 without sports diff and air suspension.

I got it for an incredible price after the buyer that configured it backed out. Originally I was super worried about not getting the sports diff and had a real case of FOMO.

Now that I have the ABT HAS, 034 sway bars and strut tower brace my car handles amazingly. Sure I'd like to have the sports diff but I believe my suspension setup is way better than the air suspension.

YMMV.

[esssssss]

2018 P+ checking in. I too have the ABT HAS installed, sway bars, and some other goodies. If I could do it again, I would get the sport package just for the air ride so I could run a CETE module. Besides, I don’t think I’d actually see any benefit from the Sport Diff.


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[hooligan74]

@Hooligan74 are you looking to purchase a new SQ5 or are you looking to find a used SQ5 that checks off your list of must haves and hopefully your want to have options?

I drive a 18 SQ5 Premium Plus without Sport Differential and Air Suspension package, have owned since August 2020 and currently has 60K miles. This is my daily driver and have done some spirited driving including 3 laps around Watkins Glen raceway, this was after changing out the OEM springs with ABT H.A.S kit and car is down about 2" from where it was when it left the factory with much improved handling and better ride IMO. The rest of the car is stock and a great driving SUV.

If I was looking for another used SQ5 and found one that had the Sport Differential and Air Suspension package and was really clean and well taken care of I would consider it but on the flip side if I found used SQ5 that was really clean and well taken care of without the Sport Differential and Air Suspension package it wouldn't stop me from buying it.

Just my 2 cents

Thanks! Yes, looking at going the CPO route, not new. I think I'm filing the sport diff under the "want to have, not have to have" category. As much as my inner boy racer would like me to believe otherwise, I leaning toward the fact that I won't miss it 99% of the time I'm behind the wheel.

[hooligan74]

I bought a brand new covid special 2022 Premium plus SQ5 without sports diff and air suspension.

I got it for an incredible price after the buyer that configured it backed out. Originally I was super worried about not getting the sports diff and had a real case of FOMO.

Now that I have the ABT HAS, 034 sway bars and strut tower brace my car handles amazingly. Sure I'd like to have the sports diff but I believe my suspension setup is way better than the air suspension.

YMMV.

2018 P+ checking in. I too have the ABT HAS installed, sway bars, and some other goodies. If I could do it again, I would get the sport package just for the air ride so I could run a CETE module. Besides, I don’t think I’d actually see any benefit from the Sport Diff.


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Thanks, guys!

[rcprato]

If you end up with non-air suspension the ABT H.A.S kit is a MUST! Factory springs put you in 4x4 mode look

[JMURiz]

"want to have, not have to have" is a good way to put it. I've only felt it on the street one time, when making a quick left turn to beat traffic coming towards me. It was surprisingly cool to have the big truck turn in so well.

[hooligan74]

If you end up with non-air suspension the ABT H.A.S kit is a MUST! Factory springs put you in 4x4 mode look

For certain - either the ABT kit or coilovers, if I end up without air suspension.

[Jeheh]

For certain - either the ABT kit or coilovers, if I end up without air suspension.

I have the sport diff and no air suspension. I put on the ABT Has kit - thanks Mops - and it sits perfectly now (same 45mm drop as dynamic mode). The ride is a bit stiff with 21” (bad roads here), even in comfort. I personally don’t mind, and Ive read ABT is more comfortable than KW or H&R. I really hated the floaty drive before and hated the look. It was a weird sensation to climb into the car to the point I regretted my purchase.

Well worth the investment, and no concerns long term about potential issues with the air suspension. IMO, not sure the sport diff is worth it unless you lower it, there’s so much lean when you’re higher up I wouldn’t push it into corners. I have spacers on the stock wheels to correct the offset and I’m very happy with the look and feel.


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[hooligan74]

I have the sport diff and no air suspension. I put on the ABT Has kit - thanks Mops - and it sits perfectly now (same 45mm drop as dynamic mode). The ride is a bit stiff with 21” (bad roads here), even in comfort. I personally don’t mind, and Ive read ABT is more comfortable than KW or H&R. I really hated the floaty drive before and hated the look. It was a weird sensation to climb into the car to the point I regretted my purchase.

Well worth the investment, and no concerns long term about potential issues with the air suspension. IMO, not sure the sport diff is worth it unless you lower it, there’s so much lean when you’re higher up I wouldn’t push it into corners. I have spacers on the stock wheels to correct the offset and I’m very happy with the look and feel.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine Forum

I appreciate the feedback!