Q3, 2013-2015 is it worth it?

[Shortie88]

Hi,

I'm new here. I currently have a Clio (new shape) 15 plate which I would like to change. I am looking at the Q3 but want to know if anyone knows if its worth it?

I would potentially be going older and slightly higher mileage but its an Audi so worth it right?

Any insight would be appreciated as I have seen mixed reviews.

Is there anything I should be looking out for with this age/mileage?

Many thanks
Kelly

[HustleRussell]

The Q3 will be more expensive to run and repair, and being older and higher mileage than your Clio, it will require repairs sooner / more frequently.

This is not a change you’d make to save cost.

‘Worth’ it is up to you.

Q3 is just a VW golf on stilts, you’re paying a big premium for the stilts and the Audi brand. SUVs are just really trendy at the moment.

[Shortie88]

Thank you for replying

definitely something to bear in mind and to be honest didn't realise the Audi/VW connection

The other option is an A class but again would be older and problem same kind of situation

thank you

[HustleRussell]

I guess just have a think about what you don’t like about your current car and go from there. Sounds as though you want to get something with a bit more of an air of quality around it. The thing with the premium brands is that you have to be aware that it’s not just the car itself which is more expensive, but running costs such as tyres, parts and labour will generally be higher.

[Shortie88]

You're right I would like a bit more quality in my life lol and with that will come the inevitable brand increases and costings and as you said I need to work out if that is worth the badge on the front.

thank you for taking the time to comment

[HustleRussell]

No worries. I know I sound really negative but I’m just very risk adverse. When friends ask me about upgrading their car I’m always the one saying “buying a used car has its risks- what’s wrong with the car you’ve got?” Sometimes it’s better the devil you know. Would be easy to buy an older, higher mileage used car and then run into problems.

If you do decide to go for it, consider having the car independently inspected and ensure you get an HPI check.

The Q3 is not a bad car, they’re just quite expensive. I don’t know anything about the ‘A’-class. The 1.5 Diesel engine in the Mercedes is a Renault engine apparently!

I am helping a friend buy a car. He’s got £10k and wants a petrol automatic and preferably an SUV style. SUVs are 20-30% more money because everyone wants them.

[fflump]

Currently looking at mini SUV type for the missus.
I have a stronger attraction to the GLA than the Q3.
The other slightly cheaper option is a MINI Countryman Cooper S with leather is quite a premium product.
Even to top-line John Cooper Works version probably a little cheaper than a Q3

[SteBrown91]

That shape of q3 is really dated. The infotainment is basically the same as the first gen audi a1 (pop out non touchscreen, small screen size, no carplay etc) and the climate controls are the same as the a3 it was based on, so can be traced back to 2003.
They feel fairly solid inside but I think you’ll be disappointed

[Shortie88]

HustleRussell said:

No worries. I know I sound really negative but I’m just very risk adverse. When friends ask me about upgrading their car I’m always the one saying “buying a used car has its risks- what’s wrong with the car you’ve got?” Sometimes it’s better the devil you know. Would be easy to buy an older, higher mileage used car and then run into problems.

If you do decide to go for it, consider having the car independently inspected and ensure you get an HPI check.

The Q3 is not a bad car, they’re just quite expensive. I don’t know anything about the ‘A’-class. The 1.5 Diesel engine in the Mercedes is a Renault engine apparently!

I am helping a friend buy a car. He’s got £10k and wants a petrol automatic and preferably an SUV style. SUVs are 20-30% more money because everyone wants them.

This is true. You sound like my hubby - he keeps telling me how good my car is but its not what the heart wants, although the head is fighting a good fight.

It's true SUV's do seem to be in high demand at the moment even with older models being higher value. Same here £9-£10k budget. Question is where do you compromise on your wishlist?

[Shortie88]

fflump said:

Currently looking at mini SUV type for the missus.
I have a stronger attraction to the GLA than the Q3.
The other slightly cheaper option is a MINI Countryman Cooper S with leather is quite a premium product.
Even to top-line John Cooper Works version probably a little cheaper than a Q3

Haha love the gla but not quite available budget wise without sky highing the mileage which don't really want to do, hence looking at other options.

Hadn't looked at Mini will check them out cheers

[HustleRussell]

Shortie88 said:

£9-£10k budget.

Is that £9-10k total budget or £9-10k plus whatever you will get for your Clio?

[ZX10R NIN]

If you want a step up in quality then take a look at the Infiniti Q/QX30 the interiors are actually nicer than the Mercedes GLA/A Class they share the drivetrain/swithgear with.

QX30 Premium Tech

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104241...

Q30 Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104302...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103019...

[ClaphamBoxS]

ZX10R NIN said:

If you want a step up in quality then take a look at the Infiniti Q/QX30 the interiors are actually nicer than the Mercedes GLA/A Class they share the drivetrain/swithgear with.

QX30 Premium Tech

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104241...

Q30 Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104302...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103019...

Can i just say how much effort this guy puts in to looking at various options for people? don’t think he /she gets enough credit for that…just sayin…

[AudiMan9000]

SteBrown91 said:

That shape of q3 is really dated. The infotainment is basically the same as the first gen audi a1 (pop out non touchscreen, small screen size, no carplay etc) and the climate controls are the same as the a3 it was based on, so can be traced back to 2003.
They feel fairly solid inside but I think you’ll be disappointed

This ^ is 100% correct. I had a 2017 Q3. It is very obviously ANCIENT on the inside in every respect. And a bit of a blob to look at on the outside. It only looks good in black. But it is high quality, provided you get one that’s been looked after. Even though it’s technically an SUV, it’s more like a fat A1 on stilts. Honestly, I’d avoid. I replaced mine with a 2020 Q3 and it is universes apart from the old one. Not just being more modern and techy, but the car itself is clearly removed from the old one by 10-20 years of mechanical evolution. It looks much better on the outside too. However, the interior quality isn’t as premium anymore, and more like a bog standard VW. I’d try and get the new one (2019 MY onwards), or something else altogether.

[ZX10R NIN]

ClaphamBoxS said:

Can i just say how much effort this guy puts in to looking at various options for people? don’t think he /she gets enough credit for that…just sayin…

Thanks

[johnjamesjack]

My ex had a first-gen facelifted Q3 - so it had slightly different headlights but not much else from the cars you’re looking at. I had to drive it a few times and loved it, it’s a good quality product and although the infotainment system is a bit old the rest of the car is very solid (I actually don’t think the exterior design has aged that much)
Regarding the GLA - you’re definitely not missing out on much. My mum had one, bought as an ex-dem - we kept it for less than a year, in her words ‘it was the most disappointing car I’ve ever owned.’ That’s compared to the 2006 Golf GT she was replacing with it. Interior quality was way below the Q3, it was at the dealers 3 times in 12 months, and MBUK’s customer service was absolutely atrocious compared to how we’ve been treated by Audi in the past. I’d say go for the Q3 if you like it / can afford it!

[Shortie88]

HustleRussell said:

Is that £9-10k total budget or £9-10k plus whatever you will get for your Clio?

Apologies couldn’t re y due to being new I was restricted

That is including my Clio

[Shortie88]

SteBrown91 said:

That shape of q3 is really dated. The infotainment is basically the same as the first gen audi a1 (pop out non touchscreen, small screen size, no carplay etc) and the climate controls are the same as the a3 it was based on, so can be traced back to 2003.
They feel fairly solid inside but I think you’ll be disappointed

Thank you for your response this is good to know and to be fair something I did notice when looking at images of ones for sale. As someone else stated I guess its an example of paying for the label and not the spec - I think you may be right and I may be disappointed

The search continues…

[Shortie88]

ZX10R NIN said:

If you want a step up in quality then take a look at the Infiniti Q/QX30 the interiors are actually nicer than the Mercedes GLA/A Class they share the drivetrain/swithgear with.

QX30 Premium Tech

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104241...

Q30 Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104302...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103019...

Thank you so much this is not a brand I had looked at before will definitely check them out

Thank you for taking the time to go to that effort thank you

[Shortie88]

AudiMan9000 said:

This ^ is 100% correct. I had a 2017 Q3. It is very obviously ANCIENT on the inside in every respect. And a bit of a blob to look at on the outside. It only looks good in black. But it is high quality, provided you get one that’s been looked after. Even though it’s technically an SUV, it’s more like a fat A1 on stilts. Honestly, I’d avoid. I replaced mine with a 2020 Q3 and it is universes apart from the old one. Not just being more modern and techy, but the car itself is clearly removed from the old one by 10-20 years of mechanical evolution. It looks much better on the outside too. However, the interior quality isn’t as premium anymore, and more like a bog standard VW. I’d try and get the new one (2019 MY onwards), or something else altogether.

Thank you so much for this insight this is what I was hoping to find proper user opinions. As I mentioned on a previous post I had noticed the not so amazing interiors on the older models which is a shame. Sadly at present newer isn’t possible but great to bear in mind thank you