Buying a Used Q5: What is "Too Many" Miles?
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 742
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You are right about that; I, however, feel that often the "reliability" of a vehicle covers its other qualities (or lack of them).
Why ask questions about Q5 when he can just get an RX350 or MDX?
I need to drive the RX and Q5 back to back to appreciate the acceleration, precise steering, cornering stability, quietness of Q5 comparing to RX (which is not bad at all either).
If you asked me about reliability of Volvo or LR I would not "defend" those two even that XC90 and LR2 I both drove well but had too many problems
Why ask questions about Q5 when he can just get an RX350 or MDX?
I need to drive the RX and Q5 back to back to appreciate the acceleration, precise steering, cornering stability, quietness of Q5 comparing to RX (which is not bad at all either).
If you asked me about reliability of Volvo or LR I would not "defend" those two even that XC90 and LR2 I both drove well but had too many problems
AudiWorld Newcomer
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 2
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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.
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.
AudiWorld Newcomer
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 2
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Help... I have the opportunity to buy a 2014 Audi Q5, Premium Plus 3.0 TDI. But it has 164K miles. I'm buying it from a friend so I am concerned about buying it (comfortably below blue-book) just to have it die in 30K more miles (for example). He tells me there is no reason I can't get another 100K miles out of it. I'm a neophyte AND don't want to jeopardize the friendship by buying it and then, ka-put. Any input would be appreciated.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,646
Likes: 63
From: Long Island, NY, USA
That is probably the most miles I have heard so far. I have 71,000 miles on my Q5 TDI. Ask the prior owner whether the Emission Fix has been performed. If it hasn't, get it done and you will get a 4 year / 48,000 extended emissions warranty (which covers the long block engine, turbo, fuel system and exhaust system, and anything else that will trigger a MIL error light.
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 467
From: Knoxville, Tennessee
That car has value for those who would delete emissions components and tune the ECU. If I were considering such a car, I would preventively replace the HPFP for $1K before I did anything.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,894
Likes: 55
From: 2014 Q5
"That car has value for those who would delete emissions components and tune the ECU."
Remember, that's a federal violation as well as a violation of most state laws, even for the states that don't do annual inspections to catch it.
164k miles...There's just SO much that's SO expensive that might or might not need service. I think it is already beyond the intended service life of the vehicle, unless it has gotten truly exceptional maintenance and care.
Even if the "book" price has been adjusted for the excess mileage, the way the books all state it should be. That car has about TRIPLE the normal book mileage on it.
Remember, that's a federal violation as well as a violation of most state laws, even for the states that don't do annual inspections to catch it.
164k miles...There's just SO much that's SO expensive that might or might not need service. I think it is already beyond the intended service life of the vehicle, unless it has gotten truly exceptional maintenance and care.
Even if the "book" price has been adjusted for the excess mileage, the way the books all state it should be. That car has about TRIPLE the normal book mileage on it.
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 467
From: Knoxville, Tennessee
On a related note, the whole concept of “useful life” for an automobile is problematic, especially when it is calculated to be under 150K miles. There is no reason why a diesel longblock engine couldn’t last a million miles. All the other bits and pieces and the whole concept of planned obsolescence in cars troubles me.
Bottom line though is I agree with you and don’t plan to keep my diesel Audi much longer than the warranty that runs until 2024 or 128000 miles.
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AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,894
Likes: 55
From: 2014 Q5
doc-
I mentioned the federal regulations because there are some places that are rabid about them. Like in California, where the CHP can pull you over, open the hood, and if they see emissions parts have been changed....your day gets much longer.
In states that favor Darwinian evolution, like Florida, you can mess with anything. No one will ever know. But when you go to sell the car, if the buyer is in another state and it fails emissions because the previous owner tampered with them? Yeah, that could result in liability and expense.
I don't always agree with the laws, I've even jaywalked in front of police officers. But the emissions systems are there because really, no one wants you to take a dump in their living room. Which is what you do when you remove emissions gear *****-nilly, sharing your exhaust with the rest of the world. After they have agreed not to do that.
Cars used to be a lot more fun. Times change. Between total bans in diesel engines in the EU, and "downtown" bans on diesels or simply on older cars...You might want to keep the original parts around so you can restore it before you sell it. Or, at least make sure the buyer knows it has been modded, and sell it "as is".
I mentioned the federal regulations because there are some places that are rabid about them. Like in California, where the CHP can pull you over, open the hood, and if they see emissions parts have been changed....your day gets much longer.
In states that favor Darwinian evolution, like Florida, you can mess with anything. No one will ever know. But when you go to sell the car, if the buyer is in another state and it fails emissions because the previous owner tampered with them? Yeah, that could result in liability and expense.
I don't always agree with the laws, I've even jaywalked in front of police officers. But the emissions systems are there because really, no one wants you to take a dump in their living room. Which is what you do when you remove emissions gear *****-nilly, sharing your exhaust with the rest of the world. After they have agreed not to do that.
Cars used to be a lot more fun. Times change. Between total bans in diesel engines in the EU, and "downtown" bans on diesels or simply on older cars...You might want to keep the original parts around so you can restore it before you sell it. Or, at least make sure the buyer knows it has been modded, and sell it "as is".