1. Change the driver select mode to comfort 2. Clean out your cabin air filter 3. Do your OWN maintenance, parts are surprisingly very reasonable 4. Common for luxury vehicles but better for SUVs, buy a year or two USED 5. No issues yet after several years but I’ll be careful! Fantastic car overall! Well respected on the road, and quality feeling overall.
Buy 3 year old Pre-owned certified to avoid the initial depreciation & save some money. Don’t buy the upgraded models you’ll never get your money out of all the upgrades and more stuff that may break later. Pre-owned certified will take you through 100k mi under a warranty. Also buy one that came off lease. Most people Pre-paid the maintenance up to 55k mi freebie maintenance. I’ve owned mine (2014 Audi Q5 2.0T Premium Quattro) for a year and love it (zero repairs, zero maintenance, paid 45% of original value and can sell at break even 1 year later). Next year will be my first time paying for an oil change when I hit 65k mi. Find one with dealer serviced maintenance history. Visor clips do break and got mine replaced for free by dealer.
I know your comment was 4 years ago. Just curious, do you still have the SUV and if so is it still running good? Any big ticket repairs? Do you feel it's worth purchasing used? I'm looking into purchasing the same vehicle (2015).
I own a 2017 S-Line Q5 with 20" wheels, a $50K vehicle I bought for $40K as a Certified Audi with only 8500 miles after an 8 month lease. So yeah, 20% off after 8 months is a quick depreciation. Trade in value now 2.5 years later is around $22K, 27K retail with 34K miles, so it has depreciated very quickly. Checking 2016 and 2015 models, it seems like at years 4 and 5 depreciation slows down quite a bit. Pretty much agree with your points, except (2) the fan blower seems to work well for me and heats/cools the car just fine. Like someone said, check your cabin air filter, it may be pretty clogged. And for the (1) jerky start/stop, I agree with you 100%. Acceleration starts slow, then soon surges, like turbo kicking in or something. I've noticed if I switch to Dynamic driving mode, the rpm remains higher, and acceleration is smoother. Braking is also nearly impossible to get a real smooth stop. I've gotten used to it, but it is different from any vehicle I have ever driven. But the car can stop on a dime if you really need it too. A few other negatives about the vehicle you didn't mention: - the rear hatch can only be closed with the button on the hatch door. The hatch release button on the front driver's door and the remote only open the door -- they will not close the door. PITA to have to physically get out of the vehicle and stand at the rear hatch to close it. Granted, 90% of the time I'm by the door when I want to close it, but there are times I would want to close it not being by the door. - the knob for the headlights is easy to hit with your knee and change from Auto to either parking lights or on. The cruise control stick also sometimes moves to the on position from being hit with my left leg. - MMI system has a learning curve. Granted, it was probably designed back in 2006/7, just before the iPhone came out and touch screens became more popular, but sucks to have a 2017 model car with such an antiquated, eccentric method of operation. - no "headlight" indicator in the dash. When the auto headlights come on, the words around the light knob illuminate, which is only effective in pitch black dark. Getting near dusk, or on cloudy days when it is raining and state law requires my headlights be on, I can't tell if my auto lights are on or not because there is no indicator in the dash (like all other vehicles have), and it is too bright in the cabin to tell if the words are illuminated or not. Best way to find out is to turn on navigation and see if the screen is in dark mode or not, but that is an unnecessary step to have to take. - heated seats, but no heated steering wheel? 50K for a luxury car and can't even get a heated wheel. - no remote start. Guess they think they are going green by not making it available. When its cold and I come to the vehicle it sure would be nice to let it warm up a bit before I sit on that cold leather. Other than these things, it is great car, and very fun to drive. When out on rural roads with good visibility I'll kick it up to 3 digits on the speedometer, and feel very confident driving at such speeds. The car's bluetooth works well. If I turn the car off playing audio from my iPhone, when I get back in the car and start it up, once the bluetooth connects it plays my audio right from where I left off. Love that. Dash is very well laid out, gauges and dials well placed and easy to read. The Q5 is just a comfortable car and very fun to drive. I'm thinking of getting rid of it before 60K miles as I don't want all the maintenance costs, and will not be buying another Audi. It was fun while it lasted.
I had 2016 Audi A4 and the visor clip broke, I thought it was me, then I got a 2014 Audi Q5, and that visor clip broke as well. And both Audi’s have “jerky” feeling, until you figure out how to drive em. 🤙🏼
1. Its a sport pack. 2. Change the pollen filter. 3. Get an independent repairer. Lots of aftermarket parts. 4. If you dont want depreciation, buy a ferrari. 5. Hamfists will always break things.
I love my Q5 as well. But all five things you mentioned are absolutely correct. It took me about five years in to break the visor clip. But I did it twice. And again you are absolutely correct about the air conditioning fan. I moved to Vegas and could not figure out why it took so long to cool my car off when I had been in much cheaper rental cars that cooled off passengers in like eight minutes. So I was going to take the car in because I thought something was wrong with the fan. And I hated to turn it up full blast because that burned the gas very quickly.
I also broke a visor clip. But my list is totally different than yours. My list. 1. Sunglasses case is small. 2. Knee of taller people hits on lights switch when entering. 3. Maintenance dealer history was really expensive Q5 had trouble with transmition valve body, oil consumption plus other. 4. Chain and tensioner are known to fail depending on the MY. If they do we will need a complete engine block which will cost more than 6000. Better have latest part numbers which will never fail. 5. Firmware updates of control units are not automatically found by dealer system. One has to read the service bulletins or TPIs (technical product information ) issued by audi for a specific Vin. Then to find the SVM for online update. Their online system Odis-S does not automatically check if a control unit has an update. Having said the above improving a Q5 is possible, retrofitting newer technologies, or adding an android system. Basicly a Q5 is a nice car to play with if you are an enthusiast or have retrofitting skills because everything is possible. The maintenance and repair is not that expensive if you dont service the Q5 at the dealer well only once warranty expires. Using a combination of dealer and aftermarket parts depending on the price you will save a small fortune. Few other comments: Because my Q5 does not have adjustable suspensions or 21" rims I dont have a jerky ride. If you want better A/C for the rear passengers get or upgrade to 3 zone HVAC. This will cost 700 euros plus installation expenses if you purchase most parts from say second hand auction sides. Resale ptice depends on the market demand and supply.
I had a 2012 q5s ..the ride makes a big difference when you get smaller 18’ wheels, I purchased 20’ low profile ones and that when I too noticed the ride had changed,the fan problems are due to the divider flaps need adjustments...all in all I loved mine so much,I went an purchased a 2017 q7....love that one ...has not given me any problems.
I have a 2010 Q5 3.2L. Original owner. The visor clips are still going strong and no jerkiness on the handling. The only vehicles that handles better than the Q5 are the Toyota Camry and the Honda Civic but they are smaller cars. There are worse handling ones too like the Ford Econoline 250 but they are bigger cars Otherwise, you are on point on the other items. Thanks for sharing.
I own a 2016 SQ5 that i purchased on Veterans Day 2020. IDK if the trim line difference eliminates some of the problems, but this list seems like nitpicking. I LOVE THIS CAR! I do feel that slight 'bump' forward when coming off the gas, i think this is a byproduct of the SC boost. The SQ5 is a luxury compact SUV, repairs will be expensive - like any Euro. The key is staying on top of maintenance, this isnt some Camry or Accord you can run into the ground. Mine is about to cross 100k mi, i'm about to replace the control arms and redo my suspension.... about 20k mi past recommended miles. The Q5 line is solid.
For # 2. You might wanna replace the inside the cab filters... It will make a day and night difference. I'm more than positive there's something with the cab filter or the fan/vents.
On my Q5 there is a setting that I changed via my OBDEleven 2 to increase Blower speed to High. Get a Friend who has one or buy one yourself, great to do all kinds of stuff.
I've owned mine for 18 months now, also broke the visor clips. Audi were nice enough even on a 2012 model to supply and deliver replacement ones to me for free
Was that through your dealer? I just replaced mine but am anticipating they will break again in the future, and it cost $25 for replacements. That could add up!
Mike C Yes. Just one that I have it serviced at. Not even the original dealer. Perhaps just a sign of that particular dealers devotion to good customer service
Mike, thanks for your note about the tendency for the visor clips to break when you free the visor from the clip. The Audi dealer wanted a fortune to replace the clip, so I found an aftermarket clip at a fraction of the cost that fit where the OEM one mounted. The aftermarket clip fit perfectly, but the visor rod that engaged the clip "jaws" was too narrow for the visor rod. I used a Dremel tool to open the space between the two rod holders (the "jaws") by grinding away on the inner aspects of the "jaws." This thinned and weakened the clip significantly so I devised a different technique when I wanted to disconnect the visor and swing it over the driver's side window. The technique is this: DON'T just grab the visor and rip it out of the clip. Instead, put your four fingers in back of the visor, toward the windshield, and your thumb on the lower hook of the clip. Then use your thumb to press forward, toward the windshield, on the lower clip while your four fingers pull back in a controlled way on the visor. I haven't broken that Dremel-weakened clip since I started using that technique.
Owner of a 2011 Q5 2.0T . - Burned excessive oil at 60k miles - Audi was aware of the issue they replaced the piston rings, would not aadmit until a class action lawsuite was filed. Timing chain tensioner went bad at 120k miles - Many Q5 owners have had this issue and it cost me a $4k valve job. Audi is aware of the issue, but like most car manufacturers will not do anything until a class action lawsuit. Trust me I even had my car serviced at an Audi dealership and I had to always request if they were aware of what the Audi online forums were posting. I have contacted Audi and all I hear is they hope I stay as a memeber of the Audi family.
Sal Aguirre see above I had my piston rings replaced at 60k miles too. Also coils went at 100k, crank case breather at 110k, and engine mounts at 115k. I’m at 165k now otherwise good
There are ways to control your maintenance costs. For example, service specials tend to frequent more often in the winter. I’m in DC area and right now I can find dealer online coupons for $79.99 oil change (normally $129) or 4 wheel alignment for $125 (normally $250). Not to mention to go find a reliable European independent shop to save $$ on special jobs (brake replacement, replace transmission fluid, etc).
I do my own oil changes, tire rotation, spark plugs. VAG.com for maintenance reminder reset. No oil consumption, 2013 with 40,000 miles. Eventually I will experience (high cost?) maintenance issues, but for now it’s reasonable to drive and maintain. I appreciate the refinement over the used Lincoln small/intermediate SUV’s we cross shopped.
Someone mentioned somewhere that driving the first 10K miles helps with the jerkyness. Mine is over 72K miles, but driving it a whole day (50 miles) in sports mode has eliminated my jerkyness. There's no harm in trying.
Good review, thanks. I'm the original owner of a 2015 Q5 Premium w/ sport package. Just turned over 60K miles and love this car! Some comments on some of your points: 1). Very much agree with a lack of smoothness, most noticeably on taking off from a stop. My number one complaint as well. In a previous life I had a job driving vans for folks in wheel chairs and really learned the meaning of driving smoothly. The older folks will quickly let you know how your driving is. Also, up untill this car I only owned standard transmissions and rarely needed clutch work. Actually never. Before this car I bought and drove drove a 2002 SAAB Aero and let it go with >200K miles on it. The clutch never needed service. Point being, I know how to drive a care smoothly and I can't for the life of me get a smooth take-off from a stop, or accelerating after slowing for a turn. WTF?!? Any other twitchiness I can compensate for, but not this. 2.) Be aware that there was a recall for the preheater in my car. I believe it's a resistance type heater that kicks in before the engine warms up. Also I think your point about blower strength doesn't take into account there are rear vents for the back seat passengers. True, it could be stronger but the point about the rear not getting air isn't born out. My #3 would be the overly complicated sound system. Maybe because I'm a chronic fiddler of sound controls I find accessing and changing them to be too distracting. Just give me good old-fashioned knobs...please!
Did you drive the first 10k miles in sport (as per the instruction manual)? A lot of people overlook this step - if you did I recommend doing so now. I bought a used B8 Q5 this year with 40k miles and was quite jittery. Presumed original owner skipped step and drove 10k mikes in S (to calibrate weight distribution and sync transmission), now drives like a totally different vehicle. Hope this helps
@@Guavaprayingmantis Thanks for that tip, but I can't see where in the manual it says that, nor did the salesman mention it to me (a current SCCA driver and very well-versed in the car). You're suggesting that even now that I'm over 70K miles I can still do this?
LOoking at 2017 models, and I"m shocked by 2 things: 1. Lack of USB ports, but still has actual cigarette lighter and ashtray. smh. 2. The center console storage is configured for holding CDs. WTF?
@@ChuckD59 Listen to Black Jesus. Mine has 72K miles but I drove it in sports mode for 50 continuous miles, after reading his post, and the jerkiness is gone.
To me, that demonstrated low fan output even at minimum fan speed suggests a problem. Have you checked that a foam liner or flap hasn't fallen out of position ? Your presentations on your Q5 are very helpful. Thanks again..
Video is on point. I second, or third rather lol, that the visor clips are subpar. Mine broke as well and like you I had never broken one before on any of my previous vehicles
I’ve got a ‘12 Q5 S Line similar to yours. Audi wanted 250$ for an oil change and laughed my way out of there. There is literally nothing special about. Any reputable shop will do it for less than that. The service writer told me there is absolutely no way to turn off the service light. I bought a 10$ scanner on amazon and did it myself. I too broke a clip on the second day of owning mine. Like the other guy said, new tires and alignment will fix the twitchiness. I also agree with the other reader about the navigation. My FX35 had touch screen and was intuitive. The Germans seem to like the knobs to rotate the wrong direction. Last thing, no A2DP!!
I also bought my 2015 Q5 used. I too agree about a few of your list. Those damn visor clips, yup I've replaced them twice already, and yes very pricey to do any maintenance, and repairs. My break pad light came on and was told breaks and rotors will be almost a grand! Speaking of repairs I had to replace my timing belt this year!! A 2015 with 75K... I only owned the car two years! I was extremely disappointed when I was told this. I specifically bought a used high end performance vehicle to avoid some of the problems in other economy cars. This was a $2600. job! One thing I could add to your list is the lack of USB ports!! Here's the bottom line. I live in Vermont, wanted an all wheel drive, high end vehicle that would last me many years. It's amazing in the snow, and I only have new all season tires. I bought it used with only 34K miles on it. I have put a ton of money into it, but (heavy sigh), I love all the bells and whistles, love the navigation, sunroof, acceleration, handling, looks, the sound system, cargo space, bottom line is I LOVE this car! Hopefully the only thing I will need to do is normal maintenance.
I feel you on all of this. Its a love hate relation with the Audi brand! I'd take your Q5 somewhere other than the dealer for future maintenance if they're charging a grand for brakes and rotors too.
I've bought a bunch of those visor clips. You really have to use two fingers to ensure you don't push or pull too hard on the visor when clipping in/out.
I have more repairs on my Audi Q5 than any other car I have owned. Mine is a 2010 bought new. I've had to replace air conditioner/ heater fan (wouldn't blow any air), fuel door wouldn't open and replaced that mechanism. The hood latch malfunctioned and the car told me to add oil. Almost ruined my engine doing that. I have replaced three door locks because they wouldn't lock with remote. Fuel tank housing crack. Coolant leak. This all within 45K miles on the car. Now the shade over the moon roof has loosened on one side which is amazing since I rarely use it and it will cost almost $2K to replace it. And now I have an oil leak $1800 to repair, And only just turned over 70K miles. I should have learned my lesson after owning a new Audi Allroad Same thing. Numerous repairs. And I religiously had my car serviced when they were due. I have written Audi USA with many of my repairs. They did nothing. I fear buying another one. Probably won't.
1. Downsize your wheels/tires to 18" and drive without the roof racks. The car adjusts (compensates) when there is air restriction. 2. There are controls for air flow(distribution) for the back seats.3. Totally agreed on the expensive maintenance/repairs/parts 4. Agreed on reduced resale value. 5. Visor clips.....sore subject ! Dealership's response; "Sun gets to them and dry rots them" ! @15euros a pop..... Any suggestions on fixing the rattling on the sunroof, when is fully closed? Keep up the good work.
My 2011 Q5 is not jerky but i cant get used to the electronic parking brake, my heater blower is fine as are my visor clips, the re sale value in the UK is very good. I love my Q5
This is some of the best cars overall you can buy, enough space, quality is very very good and this car loves winter,its so safe to drive. Never had these bad issues,ventilation works great,clips are strong,drive is comfy enough fore sport SUV and it really is good to drive.
Hey Mike I just bumped into your video. Very helpful and thanks! I want to comment about your #2 point you made and suggest how you can fix it in 3 seconds. I've been complaining about this same problem and was preparing to send it to get it fixed. Guess what, it's actually NOT a problem. At default, when you press the button that allows heat from all the vents, ALMOST NOTHING comes out from the middle vents. only the vents close to the doors bring heat into the car. I was decieved to believe the two images that appear on the screen suggests air should start flowing.....hahaha...PRESS.....and then TURN.... 1. Press the button. 2. Start turning the dial to customize it to how you want it. Please try it. ...And, you're right!! It takes longer for Audis to warm up. Please let me know how it goes. Thanks!
Mike C, I watched every second of the video. Though you turned the knob all the way, you did not do what I suggested. I had the same exact issue, and I believe what I suggested can solve the problem. Just do the following even if you've turned the knob all the way, first thing after starting your car.... 1. Press the button that directs the flow of warm air (As you did in the video, two images will appear on the screen, as in the video) 2. Turn the knob AGAIN IMMEDIATELY after pressing the button. This time you'll see red arrows showing how you want the direction of airflow -- face, face and chest, face, chest and feet etc. In the video, you pressed the button WITHOUT touching the KNOB AGAIN. It's the same with how you adjust the fan's speed.-- You press the fan button, and then you turn the knob to adjust it. Warm air will begin to flow once you turn the knob AFTER pressing the button. AFTER......
Forgot to mention that most of the Q5 have a serious Oil Consumption problem, for anyone that decides to buy one get certified Q5 from Audi mostly the ones that have 2011-2013 but even some of the new models have it where your burning 1 quart of oil every 500-1000 miles. Once your get into the 50k miles range and that’s not normal because most Audi’s usually don’t need a oil change that after 5k miles after an oil change
We just bought a 2013 Q5 Premium Plus for 18k with 102k miles on it for my wife. The car had two owners and looks new. Good car fax. It looks way more expensive than it is and my wife said other drivers give her more room on the road now and seem more polite..lol 2.0T and I'm glad it has the Gen 3 TSI like my '15 1.8 VW Sportwagon. BTW, I have only used reg gas in the Sportwagon and it has never pinged or knocked with the 87 octane. The car runs like new and I do the occasion Italian Tune Up to burn carbon off even though I have never noticed a drop in performance. The oil level hasn't changed at 4k miles into this oil change. Car is at 54k. These are amazing engines! I read that the 3rd Gen TSI was 2010 and newer vehicles. These engine heat up fast which is nice on cold days. My wife's Chevy Orlando that got rear ended took forever to get warm heat..lol. Tranny jerked, had excessive oil consumption( got free piston rebuild), never got the 32mph highway, in spec and tranny blew at 80k miles from defective washer in tranny. Thanks GM. Cheers and loving German motor cars.
steering "vagueness" at highway speeds and steering wheel "casting"( yes like a fishing rod) at low speeds, is a global audi problem. my opinion is its a software issue or maybe a gyroscope sensor. they know about it but appear to be having varying success repairing. mine has an intermittent problem, and when working properly it is the most sure footed drive I have ever experienced.
I agree with buying the Audi used. I got lucky with a 2014 Audi q5 premium plus under 50,000 miles for only 14,900 Out of all 5 the only thing I agree with is the jerkiness. My fan blows very well along with the back seat fan quality is ok 👍 My visor clamps have held up as well. It's a wonderful car that can get pricey for repairs. I recently had my Cylinders replaced along with a fuel pump and came out at $2,000 still not bad for the luxury of a $50,000 car 🙂 The interior was still in the best shape 👌 I've owned my share of vehicles (they're my weakness) and this Audi is by far the best! Good review thanks 😊
Great review!! I'm thinking to buy a Q5 2010 with 33k miles by $15k USD. Would worth giving a shot? I never have had a premium car before, just saw it and loved how comfortable it feels driving it, but I'm a bit concern about maintenance costs. Not scary though.
I have a 2015 Q5 S-Line. You can adjust the air flow. I don't have a blower problem. I also lowered mine with a stiffer suspension and am on 22 inch wheels now and have been able to reduce body roll. I broke a visor clip too first week of ownership. Replaced it with an ebay knock off that looks identical.
This is the only thing holding me back, I had a Volvo xc90 and it took FOREVER to cool. I live in SC it's 100 degrees from May to October I need AC to cool my car
Mike C - I've not even seen your 'best things' video on the Q5 but as I'm watching this video, I'm shaking my head 'yes' at each point you make. I concur with every point you make. The first week I had my Q5, I broke both visor clips. Like you, never in my 40+ years of driving has that ever happened. Most all of these I can deal with EXCEPT for the fan. Especially when you are in weather extremes. I have a 2013 Q5 S Line and really like it. I've also noticed several recalls for items mostly related to emissions items.
Thanks Mike, although I haven’t experienced your issues, I can add a few things. I have a 2009 Q5 3L TDI .... I find the side mirrors too big and somewhat block the view especially of pedestrians when I’m turning. Another point is the seats, not being ‘sports’ seats, you don’t sit in them but rather ‘on’ them. A bit too old style. As a preference, I prefer a normal spare tyre, not a space saver type.
I own a Q5 for 10 now , 3.0 V6 and I can assure you that I have none of you're problems . Quite funny though...not enough air from blowers ? Well I can assure you that in summer time I feel like in Antarctica with AC On . Long time for heating you said... well ... Audi has an option for a instant heater , and it works pretty good on winter till engine water is arriving at the wright temperature . Car plastics are strong enough, don't know how you're wife succeed to break stuff . It seems that this car it ain't for everyone though. 10 years and still runs smoothly with 290.000 km made . Usually... it ain't the Car ... is the Driver ...
Another practical flaw in my opinion is that the side mirrors are too big. The thick A-pillars and the huge side mirrors create a pretty big blindspot which can easily hide pedestrians, cyclists or even other cars at T-intersections and also roundabouts.
I have a 2012 Audi Q5 and the 1st thing that annoyed me was the Bluetooth being just for talking on the phone and not playing music. Also had the oil consumption problem which fortunately got repaired through warranty. I broke my driver side visor clip as well
i agree with the high maintenance cost of the vehicle. currently at 75000 miles and i have to change my front brakes and rotor every 25000 miles at $785 a pop which is my biggest issue with this car.. i own at least 10 vehicles and 3 of them were Audi. None has gone through that many brake change than the Q5.
It's a trade off. Japanese cars have really spongy brakes but they last forever. Audi has really powerful brakes but they just shred your pads and rotors.
The visor clips are notoriously bad. But they’re cheap to replace. There are 2 other things that I would mention about the Q5: the side mirrors are pretty big, which is not bad in and of itself, but the one on the driver’s side is placed right at eye level of a short person. My wife drives a 2015 Q5 and she’s rather short. The driver’s side mirror blocks most or her view of her left side in the direction of the mirror. When we first got the car, she had a few close calls, specially when turning left, from not being able to see cars turning in the opposite direction because the mirror blocked her completely. To me this is a mayor design flaw. The second flaw is the sunroof. The Q5 has a tendency to develop a rattle in the sunroof, like a plastic piece is lose up there, when it’s closed. If you open it just a little, it doesn’t rattle anymore.
My driver visor clip broke as well within the first couple of years. 2016 TDI. But Audi repaired it at no charge. Only problem I’ve had. Love this car.
One thing to note about maintenance...of course you'll pay more at the dealer. I always find a good European repair shop where I live and they do just as good, if not better than the dealer...and for ~50% less. You also have to remember that Audi/Merc/BMW are usually on the forefront of technology, so you need specially trained people to do repairs. Specialist always command premium wages, so you pay more than going to a Ford dealer where any Joe-Blow can be a tech.
I simply don't understand why a German car costing over $50k would have Shi**y visor clips. Engineers get paid hundred of thousand dollars a year and this is what they come up with. My 1985 Pinto has never broken a visor clip.
Hi Mike C. I'm checking out a 2015 with 115k on the clock. Overall looks pretty good but never owned and Audi before. It also has the 2.0 motor. Anything I should be concerned with?
Jerky? Hmm... never ever feel that... Very smooth driving with 8 speed transmission. Fan? Can be loud but bearable... Maintenance? Oh, yes very expensive... Resale value? Not sure where you are but I just checked 2 weeks ago and the depreciation value is not much. My q5 value is pretty much as close to the price when i bought mine (almost 2 years ago with 15000 miles now) The only thing I hate about it is that the radio... It's on when you start the engine. So annoying...
Here in Canada Audi vehicles hold some of the highest resale values of all autos sold. I've owned 25+ vehicles and the German/import vehicles i've owned have been the most enjoyable to drive and had the best resale. I'm glad you are enjoying your Q5, we are enjoying the heck out of our SQ5. We have plans to tune the vehicle to make more power once warranty is up.
I don't like the position of the controls on the drivers door. When it rains, the controls get saturated. If it freezes, the controls dont work. This happened at the dealer while in for routine maintenance.
completely agree with all your 5 things and for sure the visor clips I had one of my visor clips broken in passenger side and i still had to fix/replace it.
Lmfaoo, just bought a 2013 audi Q5 s-line 3.0, literally the EXACT same vehicle that you have Mike. Didn't even remember watching this vid. Love the car by the way
Broke the visor clips on driver AND passenger side of my 2013 Q5 ... I agree with u. Cheaply made. And the AC does not blow strongly. With all of these recall notices I’m really sceptical of reliability. My timing belt/chain became a problem 2 days after my warranty expired and the dealer is trying to make me pay the cost when a week before that it was in their care for a week being serviced.
K and N filter. Don't put any oil or spray on it and it let's a hell of lot more air through. Plus if your ac is on recycle then the fan is less than if it was on open
I would also point out that Audi originally designed the center vents to be for fresh air from the outside, and the outer vents were used for heating and AC. Not sure if this is still true with this generation of Audi, but certainly of the past models. Iven owned 9 Audis over the years, so I know these cars like the back of my hand.
Rather than give your theory on repair costs just tell us what your repair costs are for any given service/maintenance. Great video as a starter. Just be more specific. Off to a great start.
Their excuse is making the vehicle lighter so that it more fuel efficient, but the difference in weight and fuel between having a spare tire and not having one is almost nothing. They’re just being cheap and get away with it because most Audi owners can afford road side assistance plans so they don’t mind the lack of a spare tire
Ditto on every single point, good feedback. These weak points apply to the A4 also. The sun visor clip issue has been a problem on these cars for years, but Audi has decided not to address it. Guess we just have to keep on buying these clips.
I love my SQ5 and like you this video. One thing if q5 can have 5500 lb towing capacity, than it would be great. 4400lb towing capacity now is a little low.
Hey there Mike C. I own a (2010 Audi Q5 3.2 liter). I just watched your video on the Q5 and you were talking about how your Interior fan motor doesn't blow strong enough, that you would change that to a stronger blower. Well my 2010Audi Q5 fan motor blows really strong. I bought it used about 5 years ago and it's always blown strong. I don't know but maybe it has something to do with the year Audi made the Q5. One being an upgrade from the other? or maybe it's a setting you have to do. I'm a Mechanic/Do it your self kind of person, so i can kind of avoid taking it to a repair shop. I found out last week that the Audi Q5 and other Audi's have a HOOD CABLE ISSUE also. The cable for the hood will stretch and cause it to jump out of the lock under the hood, keeping you from opening the hood. I took my whole hood off and fixed the cable back in lock, but before putting the hood lock back on, i figured out a way to get the hood open if i ever have this problem again. Good luck Mike. I hope you don't have anymore problem with your Audi.
I’m looking at a 2010 q5. Was thinking about getting the 2017 but this is my first one so I’m kinda hesitant to drop the 17k, i feel more comfortable dropping the 7k for the 2010 and in a couple years if i like the 2010 thinking of upgrading. I guess my question is how does the 2010 do once over 100k miles and would you say the 2010 is comparable to the 2017 in reference to saving that 10k
Q5 Piston rings recall had mine replaced at 60k miles. Maintenance is expensive at Audi dealerships, but they do provide loaner car. If you don’t need loaner then find a good mechanic that you trust which will likely be cheaper
I have a Q5. With auto for the climate control set the fan to 9, if you manually adjust the fan strength, it will go to 12. What i don't like with mine.... 1. No usb port on a 2015 model 2. Lane assist bounces you from left to right of the lane 3. Weird small knocking sound from the panoramic moon roof. If you open it then closes it, it kind of stops for a minute or so then comes back. 4. Adaptive cruising not that good when having a car slightly infront of you in the neighbouring lanes, the car will not go at the set speed but will slow down to the speed of the car next to you....
How about just better visors altogether? They are too small/short (2014). And cupholder position in awful (2014). Given your first issue, I'm surprised it is one of your faves. Sounds pretty serious to me. The way a car drives and feels is significant to me.
Your thoughts on Jerky feeling have nothing to do with tires or wheelbase....tires just transmit more road imperfections...lower the profile more crap you feel....its most likely the suspension, and swaybars.....mushy suspension will have alot of sway back and forth and side to side....sure they are trying to hit a middle ground for comfort but suspension is an easy fix
My wife bought 2014 Q5 2.0T two years ago. In the first week water pump had to replace, then water temp. sensor. After that some kind of valve in the fuel tank had to be replaced also. Next the automatic curtain in the roof ($3500 job). All together around $7000. She is lucky that warranty covered all these repairs. Don't know what to think about this vehicle. The car had 45K miles when she bought it.
What year is this? The heater on our '13 Q5 heats up very fast like our '15 Golf Sportwagon. Both Gen 3 TSI with exhaust manifold bolted to engine so engine gears up quicker.
Have a 2017 Q5 2.0T. Agree with the jerkiness upon acceleration and even braking. I think another contributing factor is the 8 speed gearbox. It sometimes feels like it's kicking down abruptly, and that can match up at odd times with where the turbo boost is. Understandable when you've got a 2-liter 4 cylinder trying to move that much car at a brisk pace, there's more onus on the gearbox to keep the turbo spooled up. Takes a little getting used to, but it's not a killer. I do find the brake pedal to be longer than I'd like though, that's my #1 gripe. We got the car used with only 13K miles on it, and it sometimes feels like I've got to use quite a bit of effort to get the car to stop. My daily driver is a GTI (this is my wife's car), so it's understandable that it won't have the same level of bite that I'm used to, but I've found BMW SUVs are a lot more reassuring when it comes time to stop. We'll have to try and address this with different pads down the road, to see if that helps. Maybe something a little more aggressive from Hawk or EBC.
2:55 My center console has vents in it for the rear passengers..... Doesn’t yours? My friends love our trips up to the mountains in snow because the vents and heated seats heat up quickly and provides quick heat to the rear passengers too. Maybe it’s just REALLY cold where you live lol Also, as far as breaking the visor clips... WEAR SUN SHADES! I can almost guarantee you’re breaking those clips while frantically trying to block the sun. Love the Q5. Love your video!
Yes, there is a vent for rear passengers, but output seems pretty minimal from this one as well. As for the visor clips I am actually fairly cautious opening these and have received countless comments from other owners with the same problem. Fortunately its a pretty easy fix. Either way, I love my Q5
Got my Audi QS5 2015 today. Only 18,000 miles! Like new! Mint. Brand new Pereli all around tires. Spare included. 3 year warrenty. Out the door 38 K. I've always driven luxery sports cars and tires, tires, tires are a big must to get that smooth ride..I didnt get the feeling of the shifting when driving..hope that doesn't change. What I can suggest to ANYONE buying a luxery expensive car is a must to get a warrenty..YES you'll pay more at first but trust me you wont regret it..youll regret it if you dont as these car can be very spendy on maintenance. Anyway. Great video! Thanks
Had a Mazda CX-5 and hated it, I was always servicing it and it was a loud car on the road. I loved my Q5 though and never had and major costs except for new tires (had 19in rims). Must depend on each individual.
Old vid, but i have a 2013 q5 premium. Its 8 yrs old now, with 78k miles. Passenger visor clip broke 6 months ago. Bought 1 on amazon for 11 dollars. Also added an oil dipstick and do most my own maint. Changed all oil changes after 1st, spark plugs, serpantine belt, front brake pads, transmission fluid/filter, cabin and engine air filters, and brake fluid. Only pricy fix was the coolant pump, which turned out to be part of a class action lawsuit against audi. Overall love my Q5. 8 yrs of ownership now. Wont buy a new 1 since they build them in mexico now.
The jerkiness is probably from the DSG transmission and not from the size of wheels or wheelbase. Unfortunately it is common for cars with dual clutch transmission
The Q5 does not use a DSG transmission. It has an 8-speed automatic from ZF. My Q5 had a little jerkiness in the transmission when I bought it with 130k miles. I had the transmission fluid changed and the jerkiness has gone away.
6 months ago I bought a well-cared for 2014 Q5 2.0T Premium Plus. Although I didn't have any real issues with the car, I have decided to go back to my 2016 Mazda 3 manual hatchback for the following reasons: 1) Somewhat jerky transmission- the dealer says there is nothing wrong, and perhaps a fluid change would help, but I just cannot get used to the harsh upshift from 1 to 2 when cold as well as the downshifts. I also do not like the 8 speed system because every acceleration involves lots of short gear changes. 2) Suspension- again, not exactly a flaw, but coming from a smaller car, I am annoyed by the constant "swaying" of the car when going up and down over bumps etc. It feels overly springy. 3) Audio system- Despite having the optional Bang Olufson Sound system, and spending hours trying to adjust the settings, the speakers sound extremely tinny and lack "depth" in the mid tones. I am never able to enjoy listening- always trying to fix the sound. 4) Terrible infotainment- slow, outdated, inefficient navigation, gps sounds like a joke compared to my 2016 mazda. Almost useless compared to a modern system. The worst is the backup camera- by the time it loads, I am halfway done backing out. Also, the video may occasionally freeze while backing up. 5) Dull driving experience- not a fault of the car per se, but it is a comfortable moving box. Acceleration with the 2.0T is just ok, although the turbo helps on the highway. That being said, the car is very comfortable on longer roadtrips. It is also great for snow, rough roads etc. That is, if you don't care about sound.
I was also not impressed by the audio in our '13 Q5 Premium Plus. The Fender Audio in my '15 Golf Sportwagon kicks ass over the Q5s and it's weak sound adjustments. I didn't even see the sub adjustment. I need to play with it more.
lots of dislikes to this video, but undeserved. probably lots of Q5 fans got their feelings hurt. also funny this "worst things" has 6X the views of your "best things" video. my wife is looking at a used Q5 now (we own 2 A4's) and we appreciate the feedback.
1. Change the driver select mode to comfort 2. Clean out your cabin air filter 3. Do your OWN maintenance, parts are surprisingly very reasonable 4. Common for luxury vehicles but better for SUVs, buy a year or two USED 5. No issues yet after several years but I’ll be careful! Fantastic car overall! Well respected on the road, and quality feeling overall.
Dude 😂 nailed it. I own a 2015 Audi Q5 and I ADORE it. It’s not crazy luxury so it’s not crazy expensive, but it’s still hella nice.
@@miipa love that the no.5 can be fixed w/ a short trip to aliexpress. this guy looks clueless...
Buy 3 year old Pre-owned certified to avoid the initial depreciation & save some money. Don’t buy the upgraded models you’ll never get your money out of all the upgrades and more stuff that may break later. Pre-owned certified will take you through 100k mi under a warranty. Also buy one that came off lease. Most people Pre-paid the maintenance up to 55k mi freebie maintenance. I’ve owned mine (2014 Audi Q5 2.0T Premium Quattro) for a year and love it (zero repairs, zero maintenance, paid 45% of original value and can sell at break even 1 year later). Next year will be my first time paying for an oil change when I hit 65k mi. Find one with dealer serviced maintenance history. Visor clips do break and got mine replaced for free by dealer.
Do you still have your Q5 and what is the mileage on it? Thanks!
I know your comment was 4 years ago. Just curious, do you still have the SUV and if so is it still running good? Any big ticket repairs? Do you feel it's worth purchasing used? I'm looking into purchasing the same vehicle (2015).
I own a 2017 S-Line Q5 with 20" wheels, a $50K vehicle I bought for $40K as a Certified Audi with only 8500 miles after an 8 month lease. So yeah, 20% off after 8 months is a quick depreciation. Trade in value now 2.5 years later is around $22K, 27K retail with 34K miles, so it has depreciated very quickly. Checking 2016 and 2015 models, it seems like at years 4 and 5 depreciation slows down quite a bit.
Pretty much agree with your points, except (2) the fan blower seems to work well for me and heats/cools the car just fine. Like someone said, check your cabin air filter, it may be pretty clogged.
And for the (1) jerky start/stop, I agree with you 100%. Acceleration starts slow, then soon surges, like turbo kicking in or something. I've noticed if I switch to Dynamic driving mode, the rpm remains higher, and acceleration is smoother. Braking is also nearly impossible to get a real smooth stop. I've gotten used to it, but it is different from any vehicle I have ever driven. But the car can stop on a dime if you really need it too.
A few other negatives about the vehicle you didn't mention:
- the rear hatch can only be closed with the button on the hatch door. The hatch release button on the front driver's door and the remote only open the door -- they will not close the door. PITA to have to physically get out of the vehicle and stand at the rear hatch to close it. Granted, 90% of the time I'm by the door when I want to close it, but there are times I would want to close it not being by the door.
- the knob for the headlights is easy to hit with your knee and change from Auto to either parking lights or on. The cruise control stick also sometimes moves to the on position from being hit with my left leg.
- MMI system has a learning curve. Granted, it was probably designed back in 2006/7, just before the iPhone came out and touch screens became more popular, but sucks to have a 2017 model car with such an antiquated, eccentric method of operation.
- no "headlight" indicator in the dash. When the auto headlights come on, the words around the light knob illuminate, which is only effective in pitch black dark. Getting near dusk, or on cloudy days when it is raining and state law requires my headlights be on, I can't tell if my auto lights are on or not because there is no indicator in the dash (like all other vehicles have), and it is too bright in the cabin to tell if the words are illuminated or not. Best way to find out is to turn on navigation and see if the screen is in dark mode or not, but that is an unnecessary step to have to take.
- heated seats, but no heated steering wheel? 50K for a luxury car and can't even get a heated wheel.
- no remote start. Guess they think they are going green by not making it available. When its cold and I come to the vehicle it sure would be nice to let it warm up a bit before I sit on that cold leather.
Other than these things, it is great car, and very fun to drive. When out on rural roads with good visibility I'll kick it up to 3 digits on the speedometer, and feel very confident driving at such speeds.
The car's bluetooth works well. If I turn the car off playing audio from my iPhone, when I get back in the car and start it up, once the bluetooth connects it plays my audio right from where I left off. Love that.
Dash is very well laid out, gauges and dials well placed and easy to read.
The Q5 is just a comfortable car and very fun to drive. I'm thinking of getting rid of it before 60K miles as I don't want all the maintenance costs, and will not be buying another Audi. It was fun while it lasted.
I had 2016 Audi A4 and the visor clip broke, I thought it was me, then I got a 2014 Audi Q5, and that visor clip broke as well. And both Audi’s have “jerky” feeling, until you figure out how to drive em. 🤙🏼
I used to have a audi Q5 and the clips did break indeed ... I took it to the dealership and they replaced them for free.
1. Its a sport pack. 2. Change the pollen filter. 3. Get an independent repairer. Lots of aftermarket parts. 4. If you dont want depreciation, buy a ferrari. 5. Hamfists will always break things.
I love my Q5 as well. But all five things you mentioned are absolutely correct. It took me about five years in to break the visor clip. But I did it twice. And again you are absolutely correct about the air conditioning fan. I moved to Vegas and could not figure out why it took so long to cool my car off when I had been in much cheaper rental cars that cooled off passengers in like eight minutes. So I was going to take the car in because I thought something was wrong with the fan. And I hated to turn it up full blast because that burned the gas very quickly.
I also broke a visor clip. But my list is totally different than yours. My list.
1. Sunglasses case is small. 2. Knee of taller people hits on lights switch when entering. 3. Maintenance dealer history was really expensive Q5 had trouble with transmition valve body, oil consumption plus other.
4. Chain and tensioner are known to fail depending on the MY. If they do we will need a complete engine block which will cost more than 6000. Better have latest part numbers which will never fail.
5. Firmware updates of control units are not automatically found by dealer system. One has to read the service bulletins or TPIs (technical product information ) issued by audi for a specific Vin. Then to find the SVM for online update. Their online system Odis-S does not automatically check if a control unit has an update.
Having said the above improving a Q5 is possible, retrofitting newer technologies, or adding an android system. Basicly a Q5 is a nice car to play with if you are an enthusiast or have retrofitting skills because everything is possible.
The maintenance and repair is not that expensive if you dont service the Q5 at the dealer well only once warranty expires. Using a combination of dealer and aftermarket parts depending on the price you will save a small fortune.
Few other comments:
Because my Q5 does not have adjustable suspensions or 21" rims I dont have a jerky ride. If you want better A/C for the rear passengers get or upgrade to 3 zone HVAC. This will cost 700 euros plus installation expenses if you purchase most parts from say second hand auction sides.
Resale ptice depends on the market demand and supply.
Thank you , my wife's panoramic roof leaks other than that she loves the Q5
I really appreciate your unbiased review. Open and honest points to consider when looking for a dependable automobile.
DON'T ever buy an Audi used. You are buying a large headache and maintenance bills second only to Range Rover.
@@jayharvey9239 Used BMWs are nightmares as well. Money pit!
1. Jerky transition, 2. fan blower too weak, 3. expensive repair and maintenance, 4. poor resale value, 5. cheap visor clip
Ken Adams 1. You are moron 2. Look at 1.
Wrong
visor clips break Easy, but easy to replace bought clips in Amazon replace them myself!!
Forgot timing chain tensioner.
We have 2017 Q5. Nice SUV. There aren't that many other SUVs I like over Q5 in the same price range.
I had a 2012 q5s ..the ride makes a big difference when you get smaller 18’ wheels, I purchased 20’ low profile ones and that when I too noticed the ride had changed,the fan problems are due to the divider flaps need adjustments...all in all I loved mine so much,I went an purchased a 2017 q7....love that one ...has not given me any problems.
I have a 2010 Q5 3.2L. Original owner. The visor clips are still going strong and no jerkiness on the handling. The only vehicles that handles better than the Q5 are the Toyota Camry and the Honda Civic but they are smaller cars. There are worse handling ones too like the Ford Econoline 250 but they are bigger cars Otherwise, you are on point on the other items. Thanks for sharing.
I have a 2012 audi q5. I have the same issue with the heat and ac fan blower. My viser clips are still holding up..lol.. Its a great car.. I love it..
I own a 2016 SQ5 that i purchased on Veterans Day 2020. IDK if the trim line difference eliminates some of the problems, but this list seems like nitpicking. I LOVE THIS CAR! I do feel that slight 'bump' forward when coming off the gas, i think this is a byproduct of the SC boost. The SQ5 is a luxury compact SUV, repairs will be expensive - like any Euro. The key is staying on top of maintenance, this isnt some Camry or Accord you can run into the ground. Mine is about to cross 100k mi, i'm about to replace the control arms and redo my suspension.... about 20k mi past recommended miles. The Q5 line is solid.
For # 2.
You might wanna replace the inside the cab filters... It will make a day and night difference. I'm more than positive there's something with the cab filter or the fan/vents.
On my Q5 there is a setting that I changed via my OBDEleven 2 to increase Blower speed to High. Get a Friend who has one or buy one yourself, great to do all kinds of stuff.
I've owned mine for 18 months now, also broke the visor clips. Audi were nice enough even on a 2012 model to supply and deliver replacement ones to me for free
Was that through your dealer? I just replaced mine but am anticipating they will break again in the future, and it cost $25 for replacements. That could add up!
Mike C Yes. Just one that I have it serviced at. Not even the original dealer. Perhaps just a sign of that particular dealers devotion to good customer service
Wow, 10 bbn years loyal to audi, all i got free was soda coffee and expensive repair bills.
I don’t know what you guys are doing I’ve owned my 2010 q5 for 7 years and never broke the visor clips and I use the visor daily.
Have mine for 10 years and never broke the visor clips, how ruff are you people?
Yes my visor clip broke also! I used welcome straps to help stabilize it and you are right about the weak fan. I got a great deal
Mike, thanks for your note about the tendency for the visor clips to break when you free the visor from the clip. The Audi dealer wanted a fortune to replace the clip, so I found an aftermarket clip at a fraction of the cost that fit where the OEM one mounted. The aftermarket clip fit perfectly, but the visor rod that engaged the clip "jaws" was too narrow for the visor rod. I used a Dremel tool to open the space between the two rod holders (the "jaws") by grinding away on the inner aspects of the "jaws." This thinned and weakened the clip significantly so I devised a different technique when I wanted to disconnect the visor and swing it over the driver's side window.
The technique is this: DON'T just grab the visor and rip it out of the clip. Instead, put your four fingers in back of the visor, toward the windshield, and your thumb on the lower hook of the clip. Then use your thumb to press forward, toward the windshield, on the lower clip while your four fingers pull back in a controlled way on the visor. I haven't broken that Dremel-weakened clip since I started using that technique.
Yeah I destroyed both of my clips lol.
Me watching this:
My Audi q5: *shaking*
Owner of a 2011 Q5 2.0T . -
Burned excessive oil at 60k miles - Audi was aware of the issue they replaced the piston rings, would not aadmit until a class action lawsuite was filed.
Timing chain tensioner went bad at 120k miles - Many Q5 owners have had this issue and it cost me a $4k valve job. Audi is aware of the issue, but like most car manufacturers will not do anything until a class action lawsuit. Trust me I even had my car serviced at an Audi dealership and I had to always request if they were aware of what the Audi online forums were posting. I have contacted Audi and all I hear is they hope I stay as a memeber of the Audi family.
Yeah those 2.0's from 2009-2012 sucked bad engine wise. A big Audi design goof that they fixed in 2013
Sal Aguirre read my comment at the top.. class action on the timing chains and tensioners
Sal Aguirre see above I had my piston rings replaced at 60k miles too. Also coils went at 100k, crank case breather at 110k, and engine mounts at 115k. I’m at 165k now otherwise good
Gave me New pistons, Rings and connecting rods and does not use a drop of oil now . Personally I switched to AMSOIL
2014 Q5 TDi. Indestructible engine with tons of power. LOVE IT!
There are ways to control your maintenance costs. For example, service specials tend to frequent more often in the winter. I’m in DC area and right now I can find dealer online coupons for $79.99 oil change (normally $129) or 4 wheel alignment for $125 (normally $250).
Not to mention to go find a reliable European independent shop to save $$ on special jobs (brake replacement, replace transmission fluid, etc).
The luggage rack is noisy over 40 MPH. Otherwise, LOVE the car!! Great review!
Per the manual, take the crossbars off if not using them, for exactly that reason. :)
Take it off
I do my own oil changes, tire rotation, spark plugs. VAG.com for maintenance reminder reset. No oil consumption, 2013 with 40,000 miles.
Eventually I will experience (high cost?) maintenance issues, but for now it’s reasonable to drive and maintain. I appreciate the refinement over the used Lincoln small/intermediate SUV’s we cross shopped.
40,000 miles is nothing yet
Someone mentioned somewhere that driving the first 10K miles helps with the jerkyness. Mine is over 72K miles, but driving it a whole day (50 miles) in sports mode has eliminated my jerkyness. There's no harm in trying.
Good review, thanks.
I'm the original owner of a 2015 Q5 Premium w/ sport package. Just turned over 60K miles and love this car!
Some comments on some of your points:
1). Very much agree with a lack of smoothness, most noticeably on taking off from a stop. My number one complaint as well. In a previous life I had a job driving vans for folks in wheel chairs and really learned the meaning of driving smoothly. The older folks will quickly let you know how your driving is. Also, up untill this car I only owned standard transmissions and rarely needed clutch work. Actually never. Before this car I bought and drove drove a 2002 SAAB Aero and let it go with >200K miles on it. The clutch never needed service.
Point being, I know how to drive a care smoothly and I can't for the life of me get a smooth take-off from a stop, or accelerating after slowing for a turn. WTF?!? Any other twitchiness I can compensate for, but not this.
2.) Be aware that there was a recall for the preheater in my car. I believe it's a resistance type heater that kicks in before the engine warms up. Also I think your point about blower strength doesn't take into account there are rear vents for the back seat passengers. True, it could be stronger but the point about the rear not getting air isn't born out.
My #3 would be the overly complicated sound system. Maybe because I'm a chronic fiddler of sound controls I find accessing and changing them to be too distracting. Just give me good old-fashioned knobs...please!
Did you drive the first 10k miles in sport (as per the instruction manual)? A lot of people overlook this step - if you did I recommend doing so now. I bought a used B8 Q5 this year with 40k miles and was quite jittery. Presumed original owner skipped step and drove 10k mikes in S (to calibrate weight distribution and sync transmission), now drives like a totally different vehicle. Hope this helps
@@Guavaprayingmantis Thanks for that tip, but I can't see where in the manual it says that, nor did the salesman mention it to me (a current SCCA driver and very well-versed in the car). You're suggesting that even now that I'm over 70K miles I can still do this?
LOoking at 2017 models, and I"m shocked by 2 things:
1. Lack of USB ports, but still has actual cigarette lighter and ashtray. smh.
2. The center console storage is configured for holding CDs. WTF?
@@ChuckD59 Listen to Black Jesus. Mine has 72K miles but I drove it in sports mode for 50 continuous miles, after reading his post, and the jerkiness is gone.
@@Guavaprayingmantis Thank you. This helped me, even after 72k miles and only 50 miles in sports mode.
To me, that demonstrated low fan output even at minimum fan speed suggests a problem.
Have you checked that a foam liner or flap hasn't fallen out of position ?
Your presentations on your Q5 are very helpful. Thanks again..
Video is on point. I second, or third rather lol, that the visor clips are subpar. Mine broke as well and like you I had never broken one before on any of my previous vehicles
I’ve got a ‘12 Q5 S Line similar to yours. Audi wanted 250$ for an oil change and laughed my way out of there. There is literally nothing special about. Any reputable shop will do it for less than that. The service writer told me there is absolutely no way to turn off the service light. I bought a 10$ scanner on amazon and did it myself. I too broke a clip on the second day of owning mine. Like the other guy said, new tires and alignment will fix the twitchiness. I also agree with the other reader about the navigation. My FX35 had touch screen and was intuitive. The Germans seem to like the knobs to rotate the wrong direction. Last thing, no A2DP!!
Curious to know, what scanner did you buy? It's been serviced but that light just refuses to go off.
I also bought my 2015 Q5 used. I too agree about a few of your list. Those damn visor clips, yup I've replaced them twice already, and yes very pricey to do any maintenance, and repairs. My break pad light came on and was told breaks and rotors will be almost a grand! Speaking of repairs I had to replace my timing belt this year!! A 2015 with 75K... I only owned the car two years! I was extremely disappointed when I was told this. I specifically bought a used high end performance vehicle to avoid some of the problems in other economy cars. This was a $2600. job! One thing I could add to your list is the lack of USB ports!! Here's the bottom line. I live in Vermont, wanted an all wheel drive, high end vehicle that would last me many years. It's amazing in the snow, and I only have new all season tires. I bought it used with only 34K miles on it. I have put a ton of money into it, but (heavy sigh), I love all the bells and whistles, love the navigation, sunroof, acceleration, handling, looks, the sound system, cargo space, bottom line is I LOVE this car! Hopefully the only thing I will need to do is normal maintenance.
I feel you on all of this. Its a love hate relation with the Audi brand! I'd take your Q5 somewhere other than the dealer for future maintenance if they're charging a grand for brakes and rotors too.
Mike C. I just test drove a Q5 and so funny one of the items I remember is that the fan blew, but didn't seem to move much air.
Same
I've bought a bunch of those visor clips. You really have to use two fingers to ensure you don't push or pull too hard on the visor when clipping in/out.
I have more repairs on my Audi Q5 than any other car I have owned. Mine is a 2010 bought new. I've had to replace air conditioner/ heater fan (wouldn't blow any air), fuel door wouldn't open and replaced that mechanism. The hood latch malfunctioned and the car told me to add oil. Almost ruined my engine doing that. I have replaced three door locks because they wouldn't lock with remote. Fuel tank housing crack. Coolant leak. This all within 45K miles on the car. Now the shade over the moon roof has loosened on one side which is amazing since I rarely use it and it will cost almost $2K to replace it. And now I have an oil leak $1800 to repair, And only just turned over 70K miles. I should have learned my lesson after owning a new Audi Allroad Same thing. Numerous repairs. And I religiously had my car serviced when they were due. I have written Audi USA with many of my repairs. They did nothing. I fear buying another one. Probably won't.
1. Downsize your wheels/tires to 18" and drive without the roof racks. The car adjusts (compensates) when there is air restriction.
2. There are controls for air flow(distribution) for the back seats.3. Totally agreed on the expensive maintenance/repairs/parts
4. Agreed on reduced resale value.
5. Visor clips.....sore subject ! Dealership's response; "Sun gets to them and dry rots them" ! @15euros a pop.....
Any suggestions on fixing the rattling on the sunroof, when is fully closed?
Keep up the good work.
I haven't had any issue with the sunroof rattling. I'm usually very bothered by the slightest rattle so that may not be common across all Q5s.
LOVE my AUDI Q5!
Same!
How about now? I’m very curious after 2 years 👌🏾
My 2011 Q5 is not jerky but i cant get used to the electronic parking brake, my heater blower is fine as are my visor clips, the re sale value in the UK is very good. I love my Q5
I own a Q5 S-Line. Agreed with your five points. It's still a good car though.
For sure. Not a perfect car but pretty close
Paul Yeou 74 116
?.- 2ee'
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U need to take it off auto mode for more air to blowing through
This is some of the best cars overall you can buy, enough space, quality is very very good and this car loves winter,its so safe to drive.
Never had these bad issues,ventilation works great,clips are strong,drive is comfy enough fore sport SUV and it really is good to drive.
Thanks for this video, very detailed. The way you present makes me think you're a Teacher because of your thorough summary.
Hey Mike I just bumped into your video. Very helpful and thanks! I want to comment about your #2 point you made and suggest how you can fix it in 3 seconds. I've been complaining about this same problem and was preparing to send it to get it fixed.
Guess what, it's actually NOT a problem. At default, when you press the button that allows heat from all the vents, ALMOST NOTHING comes out from the middle vents. only the vents close to the doors bring heat into the car. I was decieved to believe the two images that appear on the screen suggests air should start flowing.....hahaha...PRESS.....and then TURN....
1. Press the button. 2. Start turning the dial to customize it to how you want it. Please try it.
...And, you're right!! It takes longer for Audis to warm up.
Please let me know how it goes. Thanks!
Koduro - In my video i did have the knob turned up all the way. Even at full blast it just don't seem to put out much air.
Mike C, I watched every second of the video. Though you turned the knob all the way, you did not do what I suggested. I had the same exact issue, and I believe what I suggested can solve the problem. Just do the following even if you've turned the knob all the way, first thing after starting your car....
1. Press the button that directs the flow of warm air (As you did in the video, two images will appear on the screen, as in the video)
2. Turn the knob AGAIN IMMEDIATELY after pressing the button. This time you'll see red arrows showing how you want the direction of airflow -- face, face and chest, face, chest and feet etc.
In the video, you pressed the button WITHOUT touching the KNOB AGAIN.
It's the same with how you adjust the fan's speed.-- You press the fan button, and then you turn the knob to adjust it. Warm air will begin to flow once you turn the knob AFTER pressing the button. AFTER......
Mike C Change your cabin air filter if it hasn't been done, fixed mine, made a huge difference.
Forgot to mention that most of the Q5 have a serious Oil Consumption problem, for anyone that decides to buy one get certified Q5 from
Audi mostly the ones that have 2011-2013 but even some of the new models have it where your burning 1 quart of oil every 500-1000 miles. Once your get into the 50k miles range and that’s not normal because most Audi’s usually don’t need a oil change that after 5k miles after an oil change
We just bought a 2013 Q5 Premium Plus for 18k with 102k miles on it for my wife. The car had two owners and looks new. Good car fax. It looks way more expensive than it is and my wife said other drivers give her more room on the road now and seem more polite..lol
2.0T and I'm glad it has the Gen 3 TSI like my '15 1.8 VW Sportwagon.
BTW, I have only used reg gas in the Sportwagon and it has never pinged or knocked with the 87 octane. The car runs like new and I do the occasion Italian Tune Up to burn carbon off even though I have never noticed a drop in performance. The oil level hasn't changed at 4k miles into this oil change. Car is at 54k.
These are amazing engines!
I read that the 3rd Gen TSI was 2010 and newer vehicles.
These engine heat up fast which is nice on cold days. My wife's Chevy Orlando that got rear ended took forever to get warm heat..lol.
Tranny jerked, had excessive oil consumption( got free piston rebuild), never got the 32mph highway, in spec and tranny blew at 80k miles from defective washer in tranny. Thanks GM.
Cheers and loving German motor cars.
You can remove the trunk cover and slide it folded right behind the back seat, vertically. I just found out in the manual!
steering "vagueness" at highway speeds and steering wheel "casting"( yes like a fishing rod) at low speeds, is a global audi problem. my opinion is its a software issue or maybe a gyroscope sensor. they know about it but appear to be having varying success repairing. mine has an intermittent problem, and when working properly it is the most sure footed drive I have ever experienced.
I agree with buying the Audi used. I got lucky with a 2014 Audi q5 premium plus under 50,000 miles for only 14,900 Out of all 5 the only thing I agree with is the jerkiness. My fan blows very well along with the back seat fan quality is ok 👍 My visor clamps have held up as well. It's a wonderful car that can get pricey for repairs. I recently had my Cylinders replaced along with a fuel pump and came out at $2,000 still not bad for the luxury of a $50,000 car 🙂 The interior was still in the best shape 👌 I've owned my share of vehicles (they're my weakness) and this Audi is by far the best! Good review thanks 😊
Great review!! I'm thinking to buy a Q5 2010 with 33k miles by $15k USD. Would worth giving a shot? I never have had a premium car before, just saw it and loved how comfortable it feels driving it, but I'm a bit concern about maintenance costs. Not scary though.
it's good deal. did you buy it?
I have a 2015 Q5 S-Line. You can adjust the air flow. I don't have a blower problem. I also lowered mine with a stiffer suspension and am on 22 inch wheels now and have been able to reduce body roll. I broke a visor clip too first week of ownership. Replaced it with an ebay knock off that looks identical.
I have one and I think your cabin air filter is clogged , My Q5 blows and it roars
D.Richard Newman lol 😂
This is the only thing holding me back, I had a Volvo xc90 and it took FOREVER to cool. I live in SC it's 100 degrees from May to October I need AC to cool my car
@@cristintownsend9504 I live in Florida and my SQ5's AC cools my car pretty well, no complaint at all on that.
@@easynickname09 I bought one and I'm in SC and it cools perfectly
Mike C - I've not even seen your 'best things' video on the Q5 but as I'm watching this video, I'm shaking my head 'yes' at each point you make. I concur with every point you make. The first week I had my Q5, I broke both visor clips. Like you, never in my 40+ years of driving has that ever happened. Most all of these I can deal with EXCEPT for the fan. Especially when you are in weather extremes.
I have a 2013 Q5 S Line and really like it. I've also noticed several recalls for items mostly related to emissions items.
I'm glad you concur. I've had several comments on my critique of the fan and started to wonder if it was just mine with the lack of power.
Thanks Mike, although I haven’t experienced your issues, I can add a few things. I have a 2009 Q5 3L TDI .... I find the side mirrors too big and somewhat block the view especially of pedestrians when I’m turning. Another point is the seats, not being ‘sports’ seats, you don’t sit in them but rather ‘on’ them. A bit too old style. As a preference, I prefer a normal spare tyre, not a space saver type.
I'm with you on the spare tire!
I own a Q5 for 10 now , 3.0 V6 and I can assure you that I have none of you're problems . Quite funny though...not enough air from blowers ? Well I can assure you that in summer time I feel like in Antarctica with AC On . Long time for heating you said... well ... Audi has an option for a instant heater , and it works pretty good on winter till engine water is arriving at the wright temperature . Car plastics are strong enough, don't know how you're wife succeed to break stuff . It seems that this car it ain't for everyone though. 10 years and still runs smoothly with 290.000 km made . Usually... it ain't the Car ... is the Driver ...
No Lies here...just bought one and all you said was correct
Another practical flaw in my opinion is that the side mirrors are too big. The thick A-pillars and the huge side mirrors create a pretty big blindspot which can easily hide pedestrians, cyclists or even other cars at T-intersections and also roundabouts.
My 2015 Audi Q5, Premium Plus visor clips also failed with normal use but were replaced while on warranty.
I have a 2012 Audi Q5 and the 1st thing that annoyed me was the Bluetooth being just for talking on the phone and not playing music. Also had the oil consumption problem which fortunately got repaired through warranty. I broke my driver side visor clip as well
i agree with the high maintenance cost of the vehicle. currently at 75000 miles and i have to change my front brakes and rotor every 25000 miles at $785 a pop which is my biggest issue with this car.. i own at least 10 vehicles and 3 of them were Audi. None has gone through that many brake change than the Q5.
It's a trade off. Japanese cars have really spongy brakes but they last forever. Audi has really powerful brakes but they just shred your pads and rotors.
The only negative thing about the Q5 is that the mirrors are huge and create such a blind stop for objects when turning corners. Lol
Manny10EDLS I’ve almost hit so many pedestrians.... I take EXTRA time looking for people
I totally agree. way to BIG.
The visor clips are notoriously bad. But they’re cheap to replace. There are 2 other things that I would mention about the Q5: the side mirrors are pretty big, which is not bad in and of itself, but the one on the driver’s side is placed right at eye level of a short person. My wife drives a 2015 Q5 and she’s rather short. The driver’s side mirror blocks most or her view of her left side in the direction of the mirror. When we first got the car, she had a few close calls, specially when turning left, from not being able to see cars turning in the opposite direction because the mirror blocked her completely. To me this is a mayor design flaw. The second flaw is the sunroof. The Q5 has a tendency to develop a rattle in the sunroof, like a plastic piece is lose up there, when it’s closed. If you open it just a little, it doesn’t rattle anymore.
My driver visor clip broke as well within the first couple of years. 2016 TDI. But Audi repaired it at no charge. Only problem I’ve had. Love this car.
One thing to note about maintenance...of course you'll pay more at the dealer. I always find a good European repair shop where I live and they do just as good, if not better than the dealer...and for ~50% less. You also have to remember that Audi/Merc/BMW are usually on the forefront of technology, so you need specially trained people to do repairs. Specialist always command premium wages, so you pay more than going to a Ford dealer where any Joe-Blow can be a tech.
I simply don't understand why a German car costing over $50k would have Shi**y visor clips. Engineers get paid hundred of thousand dollars a year and this is what they come up with. My 1985 Pinto has never broken a visor clip.
Hi Mike C. I'm checking out a 2015 with 115k on the clock. Overall looks pretty good but never owned and Audi before. It also has the 2.0 motor. Anything I should be concerned with?
How much are they asking?
I’m still gonna get a Q5 it’s my favorite dream car and idc if it’s trashy I still want one
Same, please keep me updated ... I’m looking into the Q5S ...😖 should I be concerned 😧
I rented one for a week and the feeling was like driving a Toyota rav4 I have a 2009 Q7 and it really drives nice and soft even at 178k miles.
Jerky? Hmm... never ever feel that... Very smooth driving with 8 speed transmission.
Fan? Can be loud but bearable...
Maintenance? Oh, yes very expensive...
Resale value? Not sure where you are but I just checked 2 weeks ago and the depreciation value is not much. My q5 value is pretty much as close to the price when i bought mine (almost 2 years ago with 15000 miles now) The only thing I hate about it is that the radio... It's on when you start the engine. So annoying...
Here in Canada Audi vehicles hold some of the highest resale values of all autos sold. I've owned 25+ vehicles and the German/import vehicles i've owned have been the most enjoyable to drive and had the best resale. I'm glad you are enjoying your Q5, we are enjoying the heck out of our SQ5. We have plans to tune the vehicle to make more power once warranty is up.
More power sounds reasonable : ) The SQ5 is a beautiful car!
I don't like the position of the controls on the drivers door. When it rains, the controls get saturated. If it freezes, the controls dont work. This happened at the dealer while in for routine maintenance.
completely agree with all your 5 things and for sure the visor clips I had one of my visor clips broken in passenger side and i still had to fix/replace it.
Lmfaoo, just bought a 2013 audi Q5 s-line 3.0, literally the EXACT same vehicle that you have Mike. Didn't even remember watching this vid. Love the car by the way
What about now is it reliable?
Broke the visor clips on driver AND passenger side of my 2013 Q5 ... I agree with u. Cheaply made. And the AC does not blow strongly. With all of these recall notices I’m really sceptical of reliability. My timing belt/chain became a problem 2 days after my warranty expired and the dealer is trying to make me pay the cost when a week before that it was in their care for a week being serviced.
same issue with visor clips. I broke both in the winter time. Also, transmission is very jerky too.
I had a bad fan blower but I removed the cabin filter and got a high flow one. Nearly blows me away now
Dailystruggle link?
K and N filter. Don't put any oil or spray on it and it let's a hell of lot more air through. Plus if your ac is on recycle then the fan is less than if it was on open
Do they make specific Audi cabin filters? Or did you mod one. I thought they were just intake filters.
It's a K and N cabin air filter I put the link in. It's specificly for a range of Audi models
I would also point out that Audi originally designed the center vents to be for fresh air from the outside, and the outer vents were used for heating and AC. Not sure if this is still true with this generation of Audi, but certainly of the past models. Iven owned 9 Audis over the years, so I know these cars like the back of my hand.
Rather than give your theory on repair costs just tell us what your repair costs are for any given service/maintenance. Great video as a starter. Just be more specific. Off to a great start.
PROBLEM 6:
INFLATABLE SPACE SAVER spare wheel. Completely unacceptable. Stranded me in the middle of nowhere once when pump didn’t work
Their excuse is making the vehicle lighter so that it more fuel efficient, but the difference in weight and fuel between having a spare tire and not having one is almost nothing. They’re just being cheap and get away with it because most Audi owners can afford road side assistance plans so they don’t mind the lack of a spare tire
Ditto on every single point, good feedback. These weak points apply to the A4 also.
The sun visor clip issue has been a problem on these cars for years, but Audi has decided not to address it. Guess we just have to keep on buying these clips.
I love my SQ5 and like you this video. One thing if q5 can have 5500 lb towing capacity, than it would be great. 4400lb towing capacity now is a little low.
I have an A4 and have same issue with the visor clips...
Hi great video for beginners 🎉.
However visitor clips are common problems in all VW vehicles se the same for CEAT commonly known as cheap parts
You are right about the visor clips Broke both of them
Hey there Mike C. I own a (2010 Audi Q5 3.2 liter). I just watched your video on the Q5 and you were talking about how your Interior fan motor doesn't blow strong enough, that you would change that to a stronger blower. Well my 2010Audi Q5 fan motor blows really strong. I bought it used about 5 years ago and it's always blown strong. I don't know but maybe it has something to do with the year Audi made the Q5. One being an upgrade from the other? or maybe it's a setting you have to do. I'm a Mechanic/Do it your self kind of person, so i can kind of avoid taking it to a repair shop. I found out last week that the Audi Q5 and other Audi's have a HOOD CABLE ISSUE also. The cable for the hood will stretch and cause it to jump out of the lock under the hood, keeping you from opening the hood. I took my whole hood off and fixed the cable back in lock, but before putting the hood lock back on, i figured out a way to get the hood open if i ever have this problem again. Good luck Mike. I hope you don't have anymore problem with your Audi.
I’m looking at a 2010 q5. Was thinking about getting the 2017 but this is my first one so I’m kinda hesitant to drop the 17k, i feel more comfortable dropping the 7k for the 2010 and in a couple years if i like the 2010 thinking of upgrading. I guess my question is how does the 2010 do once over 100k miles and would you say the 2010 is comparable to the 2017 in reference to saving that 10k
Q5 Piston rings recall had mine replaced at 60k miles. Maintenance is expensive at Audi dealerships, but they do provide loaner car. If you don’t need loaner then find a good mechanic that you trust which will likely be cheaper
Yes, I love the awesome loaners! Always makes me want to upgrade though...
I have a Q5.
With auto for the climate control set the fan to 9, if you manually adjust the fan strength, it will go to 12.
What i don't like with mine....
1. No usb port on a 2015 model
2. Lane assist bounces you from left to right of the lane
3. Weird small knocking sound from the panoramic moon roof. If you open it then closes it, it kind of stops for a minute or so then comes back.
4. Adaptive cruising not that good when having a car slightly infront of you in the neighbouring lanes, the car will not go at the set speed but will slow down to the speed of the car next to you....
you should change the cabin air filter to get better air flow from the vents
How about just better visors altogether? They are too small/short (2014). And cupholder position in awful (2014). Given your first issue, I'm surprised it is one of your faves. Sounds pretty serious to me. The way a car drives and feels is significant to me.
Your thoughts on Jerky feeling have nothing to do with tires or wheelbase....tires just transmit more road imperfections...lower the profile more crap you feel....its most likely the suspension, and swaybars.....mushy suspension will have alot of sway back and forth and side to side....sure they are trying to hit a middle ground for comfort but suspension is an easy fix
My wife bought 2014 Q5 2.0T two years ago. In the first week water pump had to replace, then water temp. sensor. After that some kind of valve in the fuel tank had to be replaced also. Next the automatic curtain in the roof ($3500 job). All together around $7000. She is lucky that warranty covered all these repairs. Don't know what to think about this vehicle. The car had 45K miles when she bought it.
What year is this?
The heater on our '13 Q5 heats up very fast like our '15 Golf Sportwagon.
Both Gen 3 TSI with exhaust manifold bolted to engine so engine gears up quicker.
My car's visor clip on passenger side broke too and I was blaming myself for pulling it too hard on a rough day 😅😂
As you can see from the comments there's no need to blame yourself!
Prem Gas and 22-23mpg is my complaint.
Just saw 2019 sticker at $57k. The suv is not worth that. By used
Have a 2017 Q5 2.0T. Agree with the jerkiness upon acceleration and even braking. I think another contributing factor is the 8 speed gearbox. It sometimes feels like it's kicking down abruptly, and that can match up at odd times with where the turbo boost is. Understandable when you've got a 2-liter 4 cylinder trying to move that much car at a brisk pace, there's more onus on the gearbox to keep the turbo spooled up. Takes a little getting used to, but it's not a killer.
I do find the brake pedal to be longer than I'd like though, that's my #1 gripe. We got the car used with only 13K miles on it, and it sometimes feels like I've got to use quite a bit of effort to get the car to stop. My daily driver is a GTI (this is my wife's car), so it's understandable that it won't have the same level of bite that I'm used to, but I've found BMW SUVs are a lot more reassuring when it comes time to stop. We'll have to try and address this with different pads down the road, to see if that helps. Maybe something a little more aggressive from Hawk or EBC.
2:55 My center console has vents in it for the rear passengers..... Doesn’t yours?
My friends love our trips up to the mountains in snow because the vents and heated seats heat up quickly and provides quick heat to the rear passengers too. Maybe it’s just REALLY cold where you live lol
Also, as far as breaking the visor clips... WEAR SUN SHADES! I can almost guarantee you’re breaking those clips while frantically trying to block the sun. Love the Q5. Love your video!
Yes, there is a vent for rear passengers, but output seems pretty minimal from this one as well. As for the visor clips I am actually fairly cautious opening these and have received countless comments from other owners with the same problem. Fortunately its a pretty easy fix. Either way, I love my Q5
Got my Audi QS5 2015 today. Only 18,000 miles! Like new! Mint. Brand new Pereli all around tires. Spare included. 3 year warrenty. Out the door 38 K.
I've always driven luxery sports cars and tires, tires, tires are a big must to get that smooth ride..I didnt get the feeling of the shifting when driving..hope that doesn't change. What I can suggest to ANYONE buying a luxery expensive car is a must to get a warrenty..YES you'll pay more at first but trust me you wont regret it..youll regret it if you dont as these car can be very spendy on maintenance. Anyway. Great video! Thanks
Sweet! Sounds like a pretty good deal too!
I recognized these problems too. Went out and bought a Mazda CX-5 instead. Was so much better than this Audi. Much quieter and more comfortable too.
You fuel consumption though in the CX-5 is much poorer.
Had a Mazda CX-5 and hated it, I was always servicing it and it was a loud car on the road. I loved my Q5 though and never had and major costs except for new tires (had 19in rims). Must depend on each individual.
Old vid, but i have a 2013 q5 premium. Its 8 yrs old now, with 78k miles. Passenger visor clip broke 6 months ago. Bought 1 on amazon for 11 dollars. Also added an oil dipstick and do most my own maint. Changed all oil changes after 1st, spark plugs, serpantine belt, front brake pads, transmission fluid/filter, cabin and engine air filters, and brake fluid. Only pricy fix was the coolant pump, which turned out to be part of a class action lawsuit against audi. Overall love my Q5. 8 yrs of ownership now. Wont buy a new 1 since they build them in mexico now.
The jerkiness is probably from the DSG transmission and not from the size of wheels or wheelbase. Unfortunately it is common for cars with dual clutch transmission
The Q5 does not use a DSG transmission. It has an 8-speed automatic from ZF. My Q5 had a little jerkiness in the transmission when I bought it with 130k miles. I had the transmission fluid changed and the jerkiness has gone away.
6 months ago I bought a well-cared for 2014 Q5 2.0T Premium Plus. Although I didn't have any real issues with the car, I have decided to go back to my 2016 Mazda 3 manual hatchback for the following reasons:
1) Somewhat jerky transmission- the dealer says there is nothing wrong, and perhaps a fluid change would help, but I just cannot get used to the harsh upshift from 1 to 2 when cold as well as the downshifts. I also do not like the 8 speed system because every acceleration involves lots of short gear changes.
2) Suspension- again, not exactly a flaw, but coming from a smaller car, I am annoyed by the constant "swaying" of the car when going up and down over bumps etc. It feels overly springy.
3) Audio system- Despite having the optional Bang Olufson Sound system, and spending hours trying to adjust the settings, the speakers sound extremely tinny and lack "depth" in the mid tones. I am never able to enjoy listening- always trying to fix the sound.
4) Terrible infotainment- slow, outdated, inefficient navigation, gps sounds like a joke compared to my 2016 mazda. Almost useless compared to a modern system. The worst is the backup camera- by the time it loads, I am halfway done backing out. Also, the video may occasionally freeze while backing up.
5) Dull driving experience- not a fault of the car per se, but it is a comfortable moving box. Acceleration with the 2.0T is just ok, although the turbo helps on the highway.
That being said, the car is very comfortable on longer roadtrips. It is also great for snow, rough roads etc. That is, if you don't care about sound.
I was also not impressed by the audio in our '13 Q5 Premium Plus.
The Fender Audio in my '15 Golf Sportwagon kicks ass over the Q5s and it's weak sound adjustments.
I didn't even see the sub adjustment.
I need to play with it more.
lots of dislikes to this video, but undeserved. probably lots of Q5 fans got their feelings hurt. also funny this "worst things" has 6X the views of your "best things" video.
my wife is looking at a used Q5 now (we own 2 A4's) and we appreciate the feedback.