Q7 4.2 or 3.0

[yellowstreak]

A quick query for anyone who has driven both of the above. Does the slightly larger engine make a big difference in this car? I'm no expecting the 4.2 to be a sports car, but so far I have only tested the 3.0 version and it felt a bit overwhelmed by he mass of the car.

[yellowstreak]

Thanks - prices of nearly new Q7s seem to have dropped in anticipation of the new version coming out next year.

[yellowstreak]

Many thanks All for some very useful feedback. This car is going to be my wife's but will also be our main car when we go anywhere, (she refuses to get in my Subaru now.. ). She was originally just looking at the 3.0 but I now feel somewhat vindicated in having badgered her towards the 4.2, (I failed to convince her that a Nissan GT-R would be a good family wagon).

[yellowstreak]

PhilboSE said:

I think that it comes down to the price differential between a 3.0 and a 4.2 that meets your other specifications/requirements. If the gap is small, go for the 4.2 every time would be my advice. It's not about the 1.5s 0-60, it's about the midrange. Even a standard unchipped 4.2 has real urge when accelerating at motorway speeds. I haven't driven a 3.0 enough to get consumption, but the official figures have the 3.0 only marginally more frugal. I'd guess this is because the 3.0 has to work harder to get the mass moving. We get about 22mpg average out of the 4.2 and sometimes 30mpg on a fully loaded motorway run (and we're not talking slipstreaming a lorry here...)

I don't think the difference between them is worth the current £10k list price gap, but if you can get that down it brings the 4.2 into the equation. Second hand prices of 4.2s can sometimes be pretty close to the 3.0 because 9 out of 10 people "want" the 3.0. For a couple of grand on (say) a £30k second hander, I'd go for the 4.2 every time.

Thanks. She's looking at a used 2014 with 1-2k miles on. There are a few about and they are not an awful lot more than the 3.0. Are there any options that you would recommend? I think a reversing camera would be a good idea, its a big truck!