ex-quattro PETE

Same here.

Just for clarification the OE Contis are CrossContact LX Sport which for whatever reason seem to be ranked significantly lower than CrossContact LX20 Eco Plus.

ZCD2.7T

On an unrelated topic, how do you like your Q5 so far? I drove all the versions, and we ended up with the TDi, which I have to admit that I LOVE driving (though it's the wife's DD). The torque is stupendous, and we've averaged 30 mpg with probably 65-70% city driving (!!!).

ex-quattro PETE

It's actually my wife's vehicle. She likes it fine, although the fuel economy is pretty bad. We did not even consider the TDI because she has a 3-mile commute, and such short trips up north here are not good for a diesel engine with DPF, based on all the research I've done. Had this not been the case, we would have probably ended up with a TDI.

Transfer

I have PSS in stock 20" size on my SQ5 and a separate winter set for the cold months. The PSS are great and I like them on my SQ. I also had them on my E90 M3. They are a little louder than a touring tire but nothing that makes me think twice and they easily pass the wife test. For the TDI though I think the AS3 makes way more sense. My wife has them on her X1 and they are fantastic. Dont bother taking them on the snow or ice, but for everything else they cant really be beat.

ZCD2.7T

Yeah, but I suppose that her commute is worst-case-scenario for fuel economy.

I average about 21 mpg in my S4, but my commute is 60/40 hwy/city. Fuel economy would probably be similar if my commute was that short.

Does the 3.0T include automatic stop/start? If so, try engaging that... It noticeably improves city fuel economy on our TDi...

ex-quattro PETE

She gets about 16 mpg on her work commute.

It does have start/stop, but on a 3-mile commute it will not engage anyway because the engine hasn't yet warmed up fully. Besides, there really aren't any meaningful stops on her daily commute where the system would have a chance to engage even if the engine was already fully warmed up.

ZCD2.7T

OIC.

In Chicago rush-hour traffic, start/stop engages all the time. Best part is that I've yet to be "caught out" when traffic starts moving again. The engine is fired and ready to pull in no time once you take your foot off the brake.