Any try Q7 in deep, soft, sand?
 

I'm a big Audi fan (previous owner of '88 5000, and '97 A4Q) currently shopping for luxury SUVs to replace our XTerra. We need a 3rd row seat and the abillity to take the vehicle on the beaches down on Cape Cod, MA. The particular beach we drive on has very soft, deep, sand that does not pack. Airing down the tires to 15 PSI is mandatory by the town.

I'm concerned that any vehicles without true locking differentials will get bogged down and sink. I know the Q7 has an EDL feature but if I'm not mistaken, it's really not a diff lock but rather a system that uses the ABS system to brake spinning wheels.

We are also considering the Land Rover LR3 (yes, I know about the crappy reliability) and the Toyota Land Cruiser.

Any personal experience with the Q7 on deep soft sand would be helpful.

Not me. but...
 

there was a post just a few days ago from someone who had gotten stuck in the sand and struggled to get free

The torsen based quattro system isn't that great in sand. Get a Toureag for that. On
 

a side note, VW is releasing the same 3.0TDI from the Q7 into the Treg within a couple months. Perfect car without all the crappiness of a LR3. The T-Reg has become a very solid car, and now Vdub is giving us free maintenance...

I believe Paul3.2A4avant had this exact issue with his Q7.......sold it because
 

he spends a lot of time at the beach. I believe he went with a more dedicated SUV with a locking center diff.

the torsen based quattro system is GREAT in the sand, if you couple it with a locking rear diff.
 

that said, I believe the Toureg has a lockable torsen center diff(?) and a locking rear.

Yup, the T-Reg and the Cayenne have all the hard core offroad toys