MSQ5

Good choice in shopping for the V6.


I think the differences in handling on purely stock Q5s may largely depend on choice of tires. I'm running the 20" Bridgestone summer tire OEM package which provide a lot of lateral grip. They are probably better in the twisties than a turbo 4 with all seasons. Bear in mind this is a 4,000 pound plus vehicle with a higher center of gravity than A-series cars.


There are probably things that can be done with the suspension to firm it up more if that is really a concern, like Bilstein shocks, larger diameter anti-sway bars, and chassis braces. But, then you loose the ride. It's not a racecar.

Bob Petruska

It's the increased weight of the V6 over the front wheels, the Law of Physics, nothing else!

MSQ5

So you are saying that a 2.0T with basic low quality high aspect ratio all season tires on 18 inch rims will handle better than a 3.0T with extreme performance summer tires on low aspect ratio 20" tires?


I'd like to see some data on that. As important as weight may be, it is NOT all about weight.

MurrayA4

Audi doesn't equip it's vehicles with "low quality high aspect ratio all season tires".They're all pretty decent and yes 18" tires/wheels can easily outperform 20" whatevers.
I race my Alfa GTV6 and as soon as I arrive at the track I throw on some 15" wheels cause I'm there to win.Big heavy low profile wheels/tires are there for cosmetics only for those who like that look.If you want real confirmation of this theory go look at formula 1 and see what they use.And yes weight over the front end can have an amazing impact on "turn in" characteristics particularly on rough roads.Keep in mind that I drive a 3.0L Tdi with a lump over the front end that weighs a lot more than a 2.0L so I don't have a dog in this fight !

shokhead

I don't really use a F1 car to help out my street car much.

Bob Petruska

No, I'm saying that the same tire brand/model/size on both the 2.0T and 3.0T you will notice the lighter front end handling performance.

I was able to have both vehicles for a weekend to determine which I wanted. Sure the 3.0T had more grunt, but I keeps going back to the 2.0T because it just handled better to my style of driving.

shokhead

Then the 2.0 was right for you. Me, power baby!

towhitch

According to this logic, around the twisties, an SQ5 better watch out for that 2.0t w/ base rims coming up from behind!!!

Back to being serious, I doubt the demographics who buy a new Q5 are doing so for the neighborhood Fast and Furious street races. Certainly not to toss around a high-up CUV to even notice the difference in front end weight due to the engine.

Now, immediately available engine power and refinement, anyone can notice much more readily.

shokhead

Yep!

MSQ5

The OEM 2.0T 18" tires are 235/60R-18 Conti CrossContact LX Sport all season TOURING tires with a tread wear rating of 480 (hard).


The OEM 3.0T 20" summer tire option is the 255/45R-20 Bridgestone Dueler H/P Sport which is a street/sport summer tire with a tread wear rating of 300.


I think I have a pretty good idea which tire will corner better, even if the wheels are heavier (unknown, given that the 5 spoke 20" OEM wheels are very open).


I'm not saying that the 250 lb or so weight penalty does not matter. It does, especially over the front tires. But the difference in tires and the added power will likely produce much faster lap times.


My fun car is a 3,100 pound modified '08 Mazdaspeed 3 with very sticky 18" Yokohama AD08R extreme performance summer tires under Bilstein struts and shocks and very stiff anti-sway bars and up about 100 whp over stock. I understand how weight (including unsprung weight) affects handling, especially over the front wheels.