Picked it up today (Pics!)
 

Alright. Chronicled my story on this forum a bit already! But to summarize, ordered Aug 15, the car arrived at the port Oct 7 (I went down and snuck some photos of the Cougar Ace), and picked up from the dealer tonight, Oct 11. Talk about an unbearable two months! Certainly summoned some of my most intense OCD tendencies... This is primarily my wife's car. I commute by bike or transit, so don't usually have a separate car of my own. But if I am very well behaved, I may get to drive it occasionally :)

We traded in our red/black 2008 A3 2.0T DSG. Fantastic car, but the cuteness of the compact size and stiff ride diminished a bit over the three years we had it. I am sure it will be a fun little hauler for the next owner. Actually, I'm surprised how many A3's I see around town nowadays -- especially TDIs. I was under the impression Americans hated premium hatches? It wasn't uncommon to pull up to another red A3 at a stoplight. Anyway, at the end of that story, I am proud to report that I actually received a very fair trade-in value.

Received the "Go" light from the dealer about 10am this morning, and was able to meet up with my wife and head over there around 5pm. After a re-inspection of our trade-in, and about an hours worth of paperwork, finally held the "keys" to the new Q5, configured as follows:

2012 Audi Q5
2.0T
8-speed automatic
Ibis White, Black leather
Premium Plus
Bang & Olufsen stereo
Advanced Key
AudiCare

We intentionally ordered w/o navigation; I didn't feel it was a very good deal. Although, now that I've backed it out of tight spots a few times, I do wish I had a rearview camera -- I am investigating the possibility of a cleanly integrated aftermarket solution. Also on the docket is powder-coating the wheels black or gunmetal. I had been reading a bit about the STaSIS APR tune, but now that I've logged a couple hours behind the wheel, I am actually quite happy with the power as is. Handling is excellent. Stopping is excellent. I am in the process of adjusting to the *high* seating position. This is the first tall car that I've had.

What do I love? Beyond the driving dynamics... the striking black/white combination, and the panoramic moonroof. I am coming around to the design of the wheels. And I thought the power liftgate was a gimmick, but it is somewhat neat.

Finally.. A friend of mine asked if I wanted to go take some pictures this evening. Serendipity! My first opportunity to drive it in traffic. Pics as follows! Now, in some of the shots the lighting was *very* challenging, and doesn't convey the stark white of the car due to many lighting sources of many different colors. The profile view in front of the cafe is most representative of how the color looks in person.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6234/...f96622e2_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6179/...fff0b363_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6108/...5ea94ee8_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6109/...b5f5fce9_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6168/...6298ac3e_b.jpg

Very nice. Congratulations!

I have the same car in black w gray interior. No nave for me, Garmin all the way. Lux and useful at the same time.
A3s are sporty and useful at the same time which is why they caught on.

Were the pictures taken from downtown Houston? Hehe, in front of Sambuca? :) Congrats!

Congrats!! We have the same color combo in a 2011 - in fact I traded in a 2001 X5 with the same color combo which for the X5 it was hard to find a black interior in a white vehicle. Sorry, not a big fan of tan.

Only thing I regret not waiting on a 2012 for the Advance key option, but otherwise I am very happy with our ride.

Congrats. I ordered the same model (different color), 2.0t PP without Nav. The Garmin I'm using receives free lifetime map and traffic updates so it always up-to-date. Spending almost $3k on Nav with outdated map isn't practically to me. But the backup camera seems a nice feature.

Congratulations, and nice pics, too! My wife lves her Q5 and I enjoy driving it as well.

Good to hear you liked your A3. We ordered an A3 Quattro about 3weeks ago. It will be my DD so I'm going through similar antiocipation, awaiting it's arrival.

Enjot your new Q5!

Pictures look Great. You will love yours, I know my wife and I love ours.

Yup! I didn't try to hide it. I could have cropped out the Texas flags. :)

Beautiful.... congrats!

Thanks everyone. I am going to take some better photos on Monday, in more balanced lighting.

I too didn't think the factory NAV was worth the extra cost but regretted not having the rear camera since the rear glass is so tiny. So I got the aftermarket rear camera and NAV installed. The great thing is that it's nicely integrated into the existing system. Makes for a rather clean install. People that sat in the car couldn't even tell it's an aftermarket system till I started poking at the screen.

Honestly, I can't park a car now without that camera. Working in combo with the side mirror dropping, I can parallel park with ease. Sedans (like the A4) I find to be particularly hard because I can't tell how long the car is and struggle with tight spots. Mainly because all the cars I've owned (other than the A4) have been hatchback or SUV. Only concern is the parking sensors - I got rear ended a few months ago (before it was even my car lol) and the first thing I thought was "OH NO THE SENSORS ARE LIKE $1500 A PIECE!" No issue tho, wasn't too hard a hit. However it was an A8 W12 that hit me, she wasn't too happy lets put it at that. (I'd post a picture but it's on my iPad lol I'll post it later).

FOUND IT

Congrats on Your Q5 - pics looks like Audi commercial!
More, more, more!

Very nice! Congratulations and thanks for the pics!

Congrats. Those pix are awesome! Enjoy. My Q5 is on order and the anticipation in killing me!

This may sound cheesy and bias, but does anyone feel that the Q5 just looks right in the sense that both the exterior/interior are well-balanced? Its neither under-done nor over-done? I've seen the newer Audi designs, particular the DRL's which are now those solid-type lines which I'm not a fan of, and ultimately decided to get the 2012 Q5 because of talks of the 2013 model undergoing changes which I'm assuming would have those solid line DRL's.

This may sound cheesy and bias, but does anyone ELSE feel that the Q5 just looks right in the sense that both the exterior/interior are well-balanced? Its neither under-done nor over-done?

Corrected: This may sound cheesy and bias, but does anyone *ELSE* feel that the Q5 just looks right in the sense that both the exterior/interior are well-balanced? Its neither under-done nor over-done?

You said it! Love mine like the day I first got it, just keeps getting better :)

I gotta ask what kind of camera did you use and what were the settings, because I thought the pictures at night were excellent. What did you have your camera settings at, I always struggle at night to take clear crisp pictures at night.

I used a Nikon D700, and the following lenses and settings. It's pretty easy to get good shots at night -- just use a stable tripod, and I generally dial in +2 exposure compensation because the meter tends to fixate on the bright point sources of light.

1. Wide shot with high rise buildings in the background
17mm, ISO 200, f/8, 8.0 seconds, tripod

2. Profile shot in front of the cafe
105mm, ISO 200, f/2.8, 0.5 seconds, tripod

3. Vertical 3/4ths shot in front of cafe
105mm, ISO 200, f/8, 3.0 seconds, tripod

4. Wide 3/4ths shot in front of cafe
17mm, ISO 200, f/4, 0.7 seconds, tripod

5. Vertical 3/4ths shot with high rise buildings in the background
17mm, ISO 3200, f/2.8, 1/30th second, no tripod

Those are great photos. I look forward to being able to post mine. Although, my camera skills aren't as sharp.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6095/...93e62d0c_z.jpg

I am going to do some daytime photos Monday afternoon...

ouch!

wow excellent photos! They really enhance the Q! These photos should be in the brochure.

Great pics! Great backgrounds too. Thanks for sharing your camera settings as well. Congrats!

woolie, your first pic is my wallpaper now. May I have the same pic in original resolution?

I'm out of town for a couple days... which means I always go out shooting in the evenings. :)

I came across another white Q5 parked in a really great spot. This is not my car, but looks almost identical, except it's a 3.2. Anyway, thought you guys might enjoy the shots.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6052/...1baaccc5_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6170/...d7a18337_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6097/...138768d7_b.jpg

I am still planning to take some more of my Q5 on Monday/Tuesday.

Note: if you want full resolution versions, send me a PM that includes your email address. My Flickr account is currently expired (deciding if I'm going to renew it...) and that restricts the sizes it will let people download.

wow..nice shots. Love the backdrop on top pic but the bottom one is fantastic- Thanks for sharing!

Woolie, how do you take pics like this? Is it hard?

Beautiful Q btw!

Sorry I saw your post after.

Amazing pictures! I have the same exact Q5. I'm heading on up to take some pictures of the fall foliage with my Q5. I just wish I had a fancy Nikon camera like you. Thanks for posting!

awesome pics....r u in TX?

Nearly 10 months later (wow!!!) I am back to report that the Audi Q5 has been the perfect car. Absolutely zero complaints.

It isn't as zippy as our A3, or accelerate as aggressively, but for a car of its size has excellent handling and performance. The only thing I miss is the DSG transmission.

Stuff we love:

B&O sound system
Panoramic moon roof
Just the right size, just the right height
Not difficult to park
Looks great

Not so great:
Nothing?
Brakes could have a little more bite.

Only downside is a white car needs attention -- we have an "unlimited monthly" plan from a local hand-wash place. It looks as good as the day we picked it up.