davparf

I am looking for a used 2009-2010 Q5 and I am seeing good buys out there for 18K -22K. Mileage can be as high as 85,000. The models I am seeing are 3.2 Quattro models.

Are there any concerns with mileage or this year? Is this a good vehicle in terms of dependability and reliability? Anything I need to worry about? I've always purchased used cars (specifically Lexus) with higher miles (70,000) and have had little issues. Just not sure about Audi Q5.

Any advice or comments would be helpful!

Dave

ex-quattro PETE

Read up on carbon deposit issues on the 3.2 engine.

Let's just say that there is a big difference in reliability between a used Lexus and a used Audi, and that's why Audi doesn't hold value as well as Lexus. I would not want to own one of these without an extended warranty.

Bad Andy

As I have posted, I have 170,000 on my 2010 Q5 (3.2L engine). Have had no problems, and no carbon deposits. I still love the car like the day I drove it off the lot.

Obviously every car is different, but in my experience, I wouldn't hesitate to buy another and keep it a long time.

ELEVENS

Too many miles for the 3.2L engine is 120,000. That's when Audi stops covering the well documented (and previously denied by Audi) "carbon buildup in the secondary exhaust ports" problem

Acapulco

I had a 2010 3.2 with 95,042 miles when I traded in. I did it because I wanted the 3.0 TDI for its fuel economy and torque. I never had a problem with carbon build up and my car was in top condition. Sure, I changed oil/filter every 5k miles. Whoever bought it was/is a lucky individual .

Bruce B

I haven't heard of any direct injected engine that does not have at least some carbon issues...
As far as Audi reliability, they have made HUGE strides in the past 8 to 10 years... We routinely saw late model Q5's in my shop with north of 150,000 miles that were in awesome condition. That is something I can't say about the previous model Allroad for example...
My advise is that the number of miles on a vehicle is far less important than the actual condition of the car. I am sure that these vehicles are capable of very high mileage numbers...even with marginal care. I've seen it first hand.

m1964

Hi, ex-quattro PETE,

Do you own both an Audi and a Lexus?

While the Q5 had a couple of problems in the 1st year of our ownership (DLR module and water pump), it was pretty much trouble-free vehicle since then. Ours has 52K miles (6 y. o) and still drives almost like new and definitely beats Lexus in terms of drive ability and driver's enjoyment.
My RX350 also was in the shop a couple of times (minor problems), however, the leather on driver's seats look like sh&t afer only 4 years (Audi's seats look like new), and the suspension in the RX loosened up significantly only after 4 years.
Oh, it's got RATTLES coming from everywhere.
My opinion:
Q5 is a driver's vehicle,
RX is a good method of transportation from point A to point B.

PS
NO carbon build up in our Q.(yet?) - in anycase it is covered for that By Audi to 120K miles

ex-quattro PETE

No. I'm just going by actual user statistics, such as true delta...

Q5 vs. RX Reliability

In any case, it's not the first 5 years that I'd be concerned about, but the next 5 or 10. The OP is looking to buy one that's 5-6 years old, and presumably wants to keep it for some time, but maybe I'm wrong.

m1964

There are things as cornering stability, smoothness of acceleration/braking, noise level, etc., where the Q5 shines and RX350 does not.
Reliability is only one of the factors when considering a new vehicle, but when buying used the initial reliability is less important than how the vehicle was cared for ...

ex-quattro PETE

No question, but the OP specifically asked about reliability.