2006 Audi Q7 4.2 V8 FSI - purchasing advice please?

[jus]

Hi guys, visiting from the AM section of PH... looking at getting one of these as a runabout, occasional boat tower, etc -- any owner reviews, things to watch out for, disaster stories, etc? Always owned BMWs, never Audis, so I've no prior experience with this marque.

Thanks,
J

[Deva Link]

Extreme tyre usage.

[VAG1]

jus said:

Hi guys, visiting from the AM section of PH... looking at getting one of these as a runabout, occasional boat tower, etc -- any owner reviews, things to watch out for, disaster stories, etc? Always owned BMWs, never Audis, so I've no prior experience with this marque.

Thanks,
J

Brave man

[Tame Technician]

I take it fuels cheep over there.

Tyres and brakes wear very quickly, apart from that good car, 4.2V8 is very rare over here due to tax and fuel costs. But I have driven one and thought is was very good indeed, much nicer than the more typical 3.0TDI's I seen every day.

Bare in mind they are assembled in the Czech Republic, at an ex Skoda factory.

[Dr G]

...in that whilst general build quality seems pretty good the materials, ergonomics and assembly seem to have been somewhat watered down.

Buy at the right money and it's a good rather than a great Audi.

Agree with the comments vs the 3.0 TDI too

[va1o]

The 3.0 TDI is the one to have, the petrol is rare and stupidly expensive to run.

[jus]

Thanks guys, the diesel's way too underpowered unfortunately, I need at least a V8 for boat towing. Even then I'm concerned about the 4.2 FSI's ability to stack up to the X5's 4.8 litre V8. Petrol costs not a problem.

[VAG1]

Why not go for the 4.2 tdi?

[VAG1]

Why not go for the 4.2 tdi?

[Gazzab]

Is the diesel actually a better towing vehicle? Often they are torqueier (sp?) than a larger petrol engine.

[va1o]

Gazzab said:

Is the diesel actually a better towing vehicle? Often they are torqueier (sp?) than a larger petrol engine.

Thats what I would have thought, OP should check out the offical figures.

[jus]

va1o said:

Gazzab said:

Is the diesel actually a better towing vehicle? Often they are torqueier (sp?) than a larger petrol engine.

Thats what I would have thought, OP should check out the offical figures.

You get an initial big lump of torque with diesels, but then it peters out into nothing quite quickly and can't carry through, and runs out of revs at 4500rpm as well. Not much good for overtaking at highway speeds with a load of boat behind etc.

[ukdennis]

The OP needs to drive Q7's with the different engine options and decide from there. The 4.2fsi doesn't make enough torque at lowish rpm to excel at towing. This is where the diesels are great. If outright grunt is your aim, go for the 4.2tdi. The 3.0tdi is not that far behind (especially if remapped) and with the 6 speed auto trans you'd rarely feel it run out of puff at sane speeds.

[Gazzab]

jus said:

va1o said:

Gazzab said:

Is the diesel actually a better towing vehicle? Often they are torqueier (sp?) than a larger petrol engine.

Thats what I would have thought, OP should check out the offical figures.

You get an initial big lump of torque with diesels, but then it peters out into nothing quite quickly and can't carry through, and runs out of revs at 4500rpm as well. Not much good for overtaking at highway speeds with a load of boat behind etc.

Racing with a boat in tow ! That I would like to see!