Currently own a Q5 TDI. I have always liked the look (exterior) of the Cayenne. I am debating upgrading... Drove one - the drive was hands down better than the Q5. The interior was nice... but didn't have a panorama roof (not that I use mine often - but it's nice). and I really like the RNS-e I have in my Q5.

I was expecting to love it... I only liked it - marginally more. I'm ball parking a roughly $10k difference ... which I don't think is worth it.

 

How random. I test drove one yesterday. Was wondering if the BAT hype was worth it. Drove one that wasn't perfect but got a good feeling of what the Cayenne Diesel is about. Sport mode is definitely more aggressive than Dynamic Mode in the Q5. Suspension in that sport mode was really stiff! The Bose stereo was no where near as nice as the B&O in the Q5. The smaller side mirror of the Cayenne was nice, but the rear view mirror shape sucks. The seats in the Cayenne were nicer but not really that different. The GTS seats are much more aggressive seats but not available in the diesel. The touch screen infotainment center was nice but the sheer quantity of buttons in the center console is a bit much. I like the dial of the Q5 better. The off-road mode of the Cayenne is nice but it adds complexity to the driveline with the inclusion of the transfer case (which is a known weak point of those trucks)

Thinking about getting one but now I'm thinking it isn't worth it, even if the resale value is higher. Took my Q5 for a spirited drive and just don't see how the bigger Cayenne could keep up. Plus I got 30+ mpg while that Cayenne gets 27 or 28 on that same drive.

Learned a lot from my deep dive on the Cayenne Diesel. Have some good info if anyone needs anything. 2015 and 2016 are facelift modes, harder to find but have a few nicer features like soft close doors. Otherwise not much different than 2013 and 2014 models.

 

Cayenne can bore score

 

What other differences are there - for me - the biggest must have - is ventilated seats. I WISH the Q5 had them... My Tundra has them. Wife's Q7 has them. Florida sun... summers... suck...

I am thinking more about the Cayenne - I have 1,500 miles til I hit 120k in the Q5 - makes more sense to spend the money to delete and tune the Q5 then get a Cayenne. I'd have a pretty damn reliable car in the Q5 without all the extra crap to break.

 

Can't imagine why the TDI would be any different in the Caynne vs Audi? You mean the gasser engines - bore scoring?

 

You can get ventilated seats in the Q5. You just can't get sport seats that are ventilated.

120k is kind of a meaningless number. The extended warranty was nice but how many of us actually used it? The TDI is a reliable engine so I would expect 200k without a problem. I've got a few trucks with over 200k in the garage. No mods, just stay on top of maintenance and fix any leaks and cracked hoses. I've got a stockpile of control arms for when they go.

Tune yes. Delete, hard no.

 

the cayenne’s block is Alusil, the Q5’s block is cast iron. The reason it would concern me is because if it happens, bore scoring means your engine is toast…

 

Why would you not delete? That's the main source of a lot of the issues/failure points

 

#1 It's disgusting and people who roll coal need their head checked
#2 I've owned emissions modified and vintage cars. It's gross and not worth the minor change in performance. It's even worse with diesel.
#3 The issues/failure points should be regarded with a grain of salt. The only vehicles that I've had issues/failures with are the ones that I modified. When I leave my cars stock minus a simple tune and an exhaust I have nearly zero problems. Remember that people online are a small fraction of actual owners. The issues/failures they report online may make it seem like it's a major problem when it's just normal batches of cars with issues.
#4 modern diesels are amazing and don't need to be tinkered with. I trust auto manufacturers to understand their system more than I do. I get that people tinker and then other people want to try it also but it's a fools errand and a waste of money unless you are building a race car. Even that is a huge waste of money.

 

#5 say goodbye to the resale value of your car/truck. You will only be able to sell it to other people who don't care about emissions. At the time of you modifying the vehicle your mentality is "I'll keep this car forever I love it" and that rarely ever lasts. "I'll keep the stock parts and swap them back when I sell it" and you likely won't.

(as a Craigslist and FB marketplace addict I see this stuff all the time)