Gees, after reading many of the recent threads abouth the Q5, I'm getting worried about my recent Q5 order. There has been talk about the "blubbering" transmission and the "notchy" transmission, the excessive oil use by the 2.0, and that the Q5 with the 2.0T is underpowered and is constantly searching for the right gear and also that the 2.0T is noisy. In fact, someone said the 2.0T is so noisy that it makes the B&O sound system useless. I didn't notice any of this on my Q5 2.0T test drive. Is any of this true?I have friends who have a 2011 Q5 2.0T and they love it. Although the wife drives it mostly. I didn't drive a 3.0T.

 

I have had my 2013 2.0T since the end of November and have just over 3000km on it. I love the vehicle and have no regrets. I have not had any issues so far with oil consumption or blubbering, nor do I feel that the Q5 is noisy (mind you I like my music loud and I don't have the B&O). The steering doesn't feel notchy to me, but I wish it felt tighter. I find the engine to be peppy and it accelerates quickly when you need to pass on the highway or when merging on to the highway. The only time I notice the vehicle lagging is from a stop when on an incline (I have not tried using S instead of drive yet).

Matt

 

German vehicles can be quirky, but many of these things even if they're common, should be fairly minor concerns overall and it's just that some people are really observant (and it could say something when those are the things you're noticing rather than "my engine keeps falling out of the car" or something). It may drive one person mad while another doesn't care (or notice). I wouldn't personally be worried, but then again I'm not an owner yet (*insert random fawning over the TDI here*), so don't have experience with "living with it" yet.

From having my 1.8T Passat for 8 years, in there I noticed it getting noisier over time (sound insulation wears out, other parts wear, different tires can be vastly different, etc.), and the engine seemed like it wasn't as happy towards the end as when new. While the 1.8T was great in the beginning, it seemed a little slow towards the end. I would be slightly concerned about that with the 2.0T Q5 (larger engine, but 600 pounds heavier), though the test drive it seemed perfectly adequate; just one of those things where if the 2.0T is only just adequate when new, then the small bit of fade that may set in later could bog it down more than a more powerful engine like the 3.0T. But that's all speculation and me trying to think of some "worst cases" just because I try and be in vehicles for the long haul as opposed to switching every couple of years.

 

get the 3.0t, you won't regret it. i had a 3.2, got a 2.0t, i regretted it. the gas mileage isn't much better in the 2.0t, don't let it sway you.

 

I came from a 265Hp SUV that was lighter than the Q5. I had my doubts about the 2.0 pulling the weight effectively and getting the big Q5 moving when needed.

IN all honesty, this thing is more than capable to do anything i ask it to. Never had one issue with turbo lag or any transmission issues. Yes, it does shift a lot, but that's what an 8 speed is for. The S mode makes a nice difference in the performance, but for the typical commute and traffic, what's the point.

It is a turbo, so you need to be smooth with the pedal. You never should smash the pedal to the floor, you need to be progressive with it. Every Turbo car I've owned was like that.

Still, my wife's jetta has the same engine (MUCH less weight), and that thing has an issue with Turbo lag. Audi did a much better job. Although once the turbo kicks in on the Jetta, the front tires go completely out of control. Q5, not so much :-)

 

You've just listed all the problems members have had with their Q5's, but many have either been resolved in the 2013 (oil consumption) or have been reported by people with a TUNED ECU (blubbering transmission). Additionally, many of these "problems" you listed are based on personal preferences or someone judging an entry level Audi using Porsche standards (road noise, searching for the right gear, underpowered).

I don't think any of these are valid problems that you should be concerned about. Every model will have a problems that affect a small percentage of owners, and every forum will have people who sign up to complain. That's the truth.

 

I have had my 2013 2.0T Q5 since late October and have about 2500 miles on it. I think it is a terrific vehicle! In general, I like having extra horsepower (one of my other cars is a Corvette) but frankly the 2.0T is more than adequate. I have not found any times when it did not do the job. Here in the Boston area you have to accelerate quickly to get into traffic and it has been a pleasant surprise how peppy it is. The ONLY thing is: it sounds like a 4 cylinder! But, I don't think it is loud at all. When you really get on it it makes some noise, but my friends BMW 328ix normally aspirated 6 cylinder does too. Sometimes when it idles I forget to shut it off because it is so quiet. It is very quiet at 75 MPH on the highway. Besides I did not get this car for track days or to street race.

I have had no issues with the car. I think the steering has a very slight, slight boost delay on center on straight interstate roads but I have easily adjusted to that. It does not even qualify as a nit.

This is my first Audi and I am enjoying the Q5 immensely. It has exceeded my expectations. I have the B&O stereo and it is great. All the media/nav/phone/radio/internet controls I have found very easy to operate. It is very comfortable around town or on the highway, and the handling is terrific on the mountain roads I go over on the way to Vermont. Very secure feeling and, again, plenty of juice on the steep upgrades.

I think you will find the 2.0T more than adequate and save you some money on purchase price and gas costs.

 

123Audi4me... this is our 3rd week with our 2013 2.0T Q5. Granted I may not have had as much time with my car as the other commentary, but I will put in my two cents not the less.

We have been driving in Sport Mode, and will continue to do so until 1,000 miles. With that being said, it is very peppy (as mentioned by another). It has quick acceleration. Yet, with the quick acceleration and the 8-Speed Trans, it does shift often... maybe that is where the comments originate from? Needless to say, this sensation will reduce in regular Drive Mode and a lighter foot.

We are driving in Sport Mode for 1,000 miles in order to keep RPM's higher to let the engine seat properly (following owners manual suggestions and not above 4,000 RPM, while giving range). This should decrease the oil consumption aspect, but may not eliminate entirely. There are many differing thoughts about this, so in no way am I saying this way is right and others wrong, it's just my plan of attack. *Just a side note, if you plan on doing this, give yourself plenty of time to brake, as the brakes also have a "break-in" period and will not be 100% capacity right out of the gate.*

We have not noticed road noise. When we compared to the other luxury cross-overs / SUV's driven, it did not stand out as being loud. We have the B&O sounds system, and could not be happier.

We too did not drive a 3.0T version. So I cannot give input on comparing the two. I could only imagine that there are some good threads on comparing the two, and some opinions on the matter.

All in all, we could not be happier with the 2.0T Q5.

 

I posted the thread about 2.0t being noisy. To clarify its only noisy when accelerating at a good clip. More of a droan as the car up shifts and the RPMs drop. At level speed and coasting the engine is very quiet. I dont know if 3.0t is any better as I didnt drive. With all that said I would buy the q5 again without hesitation. Its quite fast and the build quality is superb. With 2600 miles I have had no issues with steering.

 

I think it's a great engine. And peppy, even before my tune.

Like the last 2 posters have said...

If in Drive, with the 8 spd tranny, it shifts quickly (esp in gears 2-4) trying to get the car in as low as rpms as possible as quickly as possible. If you have a lead foot off the line, this seems jumpy. If you drive casually, it is smooth as can be. Conversely, if you drive in Sport it holds the gears out more, and feels more like a manual tranny, but will have higher rpms and worse gas mileage. Driving in Manual solves all if it, is the most fun, but is probably the worst of fuel.

In the 7-8 gear range, when in Drive on the interstate and climbing a hill, it really depends on several factors whether it kicks down into 7. Driving in Sport remedies this, as does manual. You can drive all day long on the interstate in 7 and be just fine, even at top, top speeds. I dare say going really fast, 7 gives you a lot more control than 8 does.

I think it's really just a function of the 8-spd tip and nothing more.

I love the 2.0T, so I wouldn't worry abou. The things you are worrying about, unless you really just want the 3.0T.