Hello everyone, after some time exploring the forums and reading about these cars, i decided to jump in and start asking questions.

First of all, i have never owned an Audi before, so looking forward to that.
I'm interested to buy used Q5 or SQ5 3.0 TDI, 2015/2016.
Huge number of these cars have over 200k-300k and pricing in Germany where i plan to buy is from 16-25k euro depending on year/kilometers/type. I would say my budget is up to 18-19k.
Now to the actual questions, i have wandered around and read about Q5 and SQ5 differences, other than HP and styling of course. I'm not that interested in 313HP vs 258HP as I am about the looks and extras of SQ5 compared to Q5.
For example B&O sound system is not present on all Q5s but a standard on SQ5?
Keyless start is not standard on any Q5/SQ5.

SQ5 has also harder ride compared to Q5, is it by a large margin? I prefer a bit of a comfort. I like the looks of bigger wheels but i would probably reduce from 21" on SQ5 to 19/21" with some meat as roads here are terrible.
I know that Q5 s-line can have a lot of goodies available in SQ5 but these are not easy to find. Also big one is the ZF transmission on SQ5 while Q5 gets the S-tronic which is DSG if im not wrong - many more failures on these compared to ZF.

As far for the engine, i understood they are pretty much the same maintenance wise, other than the BiTurbo setup on SQ5.
SQ5 will have bigger costs related to suspension components / tyres / brakes only??
Is the ZF maintenance different to STronic one? i guess around 200k kilometers i would expect fluid to be changed at least twice.

I also noticed that in Germany service books show that oil changes were done after many kilometers over what i would call the limit which is 15k.
So what would be your advices to look after for potential buyer of an SQ5 with 180-250k km? I know it's a lot but i would look for examples with good service history.
Out of the issues i found common, apart from regular EGR/DPF problems is that injector seals can be worn causing some problems. I think some of the cars i see are EU6 regularion, meaning AdBlue. Is that a usual problem?
Next one would be panoramic roof which is present in most SQ5s and some Q5s. I honestly don't like it that much, and i read that it squeaks/rattles on bad roads.
I have VCDS myself so i would bring it anyway for first inspection to see some apparent problems - i can look for fault codes ofc but also injector deviations, dpf life etc.

How long the timing chain should hold on these engines, with proper maintenance? On some BMW N47/N57 right around 200k they usually go for replacement, if not broken earlier. In 3.0tdi they are more durable if im not wrong.

Sorry for the long post, feel free to drop any opinon, it would be welcome. I might find some deals and post them for reference.

 

I have a 2015 Q5 TDI not an SQ5, with 192,000 km, bought it in 2018 as a CPO from Audi dealer. Diesel gate warranty was an incentive as it covered a lot on the vehicle. No major issues so far, a few emmision sensors and a recall for DPF covered under the diesel gate warranty.
The ZF 8 speed has no issues, I have had the fluid and filter replaced at 108,000 km and 185,000 km and plan to do again in another 80,000 km.
Oil changed initially at 15,000 km a few times after purchase but since that cycle at no more than 10,000 kms. Fuel filter changed about every 25-30,000 km.
If you can find a vehicle with this service history it would be a good starting point.
There has always been some timing chain rattle at some but not all engine starts but rattle goes away quickly as oil pressure builds.

I think emmision problems will affect this vehicle going forward as the major issue.

 

thanks for the reply! So you have ZF8? Everywhere I looked i saw that only SQ5s came with ZF8, other 3.0tdi were Stronic 7 speed. Maybe in NA it's different to Europe.
Was there an issue with oil pump at some 3.0tdi engines where oil pressure was not very good at idle, which some software remap rectified?
In Bosnia, we can easily do the emissions equipment delete (dpf, egr, adblue) as the registrations and technical examinations don't check these, so i'm not too concerned about them.
For sure i will be looking for a well serviced car.

 

On the US market, the SQ5 is equipped with a 3.0TFSI 354HP gasoline engine, unlike the EU where it is equipped with a diesel engine.
If you want more information about SQ5 3.0TDI, you have to search on some EU forum

SQ5 3.0TDI in EU exist 313-340HP

By the way, S-tronic does not exist in the North American market

 

All SQ5s in North America have the ZF 8-speed Tiptronic, which is the better transmission than the 7-speed S-Tronic. 2.0T Q5s have the S-Tronic as do some other configurations, but none of the SQs.

Avoid the 2.0T petrol engine and the S-Tronic transmission - all the other other engines and transmissions are fine.

I have a 2012 3.2 v6 Premium Plus Q5 S-line with 145k miles on it that's my daughers and am picking up a 2015 SQ5 with 90k on it Monday.for my son.

 

The 3.0T engine will have the same issues as the 2.0T but generally speaking later. Since there are far more 2.0T engines produced vs the 3.0T in the Q5 the problems seem magnified on the 2.0T. The upside to the 2.0T is that everything is much easier to do.

The 3.0T timing chain does not stretch as fast but it does stretch and is much more difficult to do. The 3.0T can also suffer from oil consumption as it uses the same ring package as the 2.0T. Since this engine is far more common in the Q7 it can be helpful to look there:

https://www.audiworld.com/forums/q7-...-year-3024173/

15K KM oil changes is too high but then again this is what all the OEMs say to do and most owners just follow the instructions. Of course you can help yourself out but changing more frequently and it's very easy on these engines using an extractor. Good luck..!

 

He is interested in a model with a TDI engine, 3.0TDI with 258HP or TDI biturbo with 313 to 340HP

 

The TDIs can have the same issues just less data points. That is the problem with the gasoline direct injection engines, they get the oil filthy like a diesel engine does. Diesel engines also use the same oil control ring as the GDIs that are known to clog with carbon.

 

I don't agree with you about the problems, of course everyone has the right to their opinion.
Unlike the US market, on EU market use 60% diesel engine in the Q5
The most common problem with the 3.0TDI engine is the DPF filter and the EGR valve

 

If you own one or have in depth experience on the platform I will defer to you. I am familiar with the EU market, my wife is German.... The VW TDI we drove back from Denmark needed a quart of oil on the way and when I got home it was almost time for another.....