SQ5 and venturing off a road
Discussion
i'm looking for a bit of inside info. I'm looking at an SQ5. I don't need it to be able to follow a Land Rover, but where I live will require it to manage a muddy road and the occasional flood. I can't find much about wading depth for the SQ5. Any info? I also realise that the mud aspect will depend as much on tyres as anything else, so has anyone any advice on tyres suitable for some light off-roading? Thanks in advance
Thanks for that reply. Interestingly I've just returned from the local Audi dealership. They were terrible. The "salesman" there (and I use the term out of politeness rather than because it is appropriate) didn't know the answer (fair enough) and then had a look on the web and declared that 170mm IS the wading depth. When I pointed out that this was 330mm less than the standard Q5 and could he find out why, I was just told that was the wading depth and nobody knows why. Certainly not polite, definitely not helpful and I'm not certain how seriously to take him. Are all Audi dealers that bad? 170mm is a shallow puddle! I should have asked him if an owner is allowed to take one out in the rain!
Are there any SQ5 owners on here who could shed some light on the matter, or better still know of a decent dealership in the South West?
Are there any SQ5 owners on here who could shed some light on the matter, or better still know of a decent dealership in the South West?
Tazza said:
I also realise that the mud aspect will depend as much on tyres as anything else, so has anyone any advice on tyres suitable for some light off-roading? Thanks in advance
I drove a Q3 on Audi's 'off road' experience at the Goodwood Festival of speed and noted that they chose to fit their vehicle with Pirelli Scorpion ATR mud tyres.I have an SQ (or my wife does), it sits a little lower than the Q5, 20mm from memory. I would say that the wading depth is fine for most flooded road conditions, somewhere around 300mm but it's not an off roader (I have a Disco 4) and if you really want something to tackle most conditions then I'd look elsewhere if I were you. Otherwise it's a very good all round motor, astonishing performance, ride and quality. Dealers are generally poor in my experience although I've finally found a decent one in Derby, in the SW I have heard encouraging reports about Bath Audi but no personal experience.
Thanks again.. I am thinking of changing my Discovery 4. My wife needed something bigger than her old Freelander, but smaller than a Discovery. She has just bought a Toe-rag and we think it is difficult to justify 2 large cars. If we really were stuck with weather, then the Toerag would be good if not a Discovery. So I need something that will manage similar to the Freelander, but I am not expecting it to be like the Discovery. I've dryven a Macan - nice but stupidly expensive when you spec it to what it should have and it's not available in the next year and a half!! Evoque was nice - not as good as the Macan on road but would wipe the floor with it off. SQ5 looked interesting and there are some nice looking ones used right now! BUT, if it genuinely IS 170mm wading depth, then it is a non-starter. If Audi dealers are all as bad as this, that might be a no-no anyway. I could also just keep the Discovery - bloody good car!
Bit of an update.
After trying to get a bit of sense (again) from the local Audi dealer and failing (again) I called the general Audi customer services. At least they have tried to be helpful, but 2 weeks after getting in touch we are no further on. There seems to be a bit of a conspiracy regarding wading depths of SQ5's! The chap from customer services has had to go to some high powered bod in europe to try and find out and no-one knows! He thinks it may be "some time" before he can tell me anything and is worried that the manufacturer of an (admittedly "alleged") SUV can't say how wet the roads are allowed to be! I'm now intrigued to see what they come up with!
After trying to get a bit of sense (again) from the local Audi dealer and failing (again) I called the general Audi customer services. At least they have tried to be helpful, but 2 weeks after getting in touch we are no further on. There seems to be a bit of a conspiracy regarding wading depths of SQ5's! The chap from customer services has had to go to some high powered bod in europe to try and find out and no-one knows! He thinks it may be "some time" before he can tell me anything and is worried that the manufacturer of an (admittedly "alleged") SUV can't say how wet the roads are allowed to be! I'm now intrigued to see what they come up with!
A final update in case anyone is interested (and I don't assume anyone will be!)
Finally heard back from a very helpful chap at audi customer services (who contrasts 100% with the local South west dealers). Audi will not give a wading depth for the SQ5! The depth quoted (170mm) is in fact the ground clearance. They will not quote a wading depth and no one will say why OR why it is so much lower than the standard Q5. When I asked what would happen if you accidentally hit a deep puddle and it stopped, there is no answer.
The chap I spoke to was very helpful, but as a manufacturer, isn't this a bit rubbish? Compare to Land Rover who want to boast about such things and can answer any number of questions of this sort of thing with ease, it is a bit off putting. When you add in the terrible dealers, it is sad, but I think the money is going elsewhere. Even Porsche and BMW were better!
Audi need to worry if they come out as a dealer a very poor second to Land Rover, who themselves aren't exactly tip top!
Finally heard back from a very helpful chap at audi customer services (who contrasts 100% with the local South west dealers). Audi will not give a wading depth for the SQ5! The depth quoted (170mm) is in fact the ground clearance. They will not quote a wading depth and no one will say why OR why it is so much lower than the standard Q5. When I asked what would happen if you accidentally hit a deep puddle and it stopped, there is no answer.
The chap I spoke to was very helpful, but as a manufacturer, isn't this a bit rubbish? Compare to Land Rover who want to boast about such things and can answer any number of questions of this sort of thing with ease, it is a bit off putting. When you add in the terrible dealers, it is sad, but I think the money is going elsewhere. Even Porsche and BMW were better!
Audi need to worry if they come out as a dealer a very poor second to Land Rover, who themselves aren't exactly tip top!
Edited by Tazza on Friday 31st October 19:59
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