Buying a used Q5

[Anders0n]

Am I mad to spend £15k on a 5 year old Q5 DSG?

I need a family car soon and I like the look of the Q5.

How reliable are the DSG boxes on these? I've read about a few going wrong but I don't know if that's just the vocal minority.

Any other things to look out for? I'm mainly worried about the thing throwing up a huge bill and negating the saving compared to getting something new on lease.

I've looked at x3's as well but got a feeling they will start to look very dated soon.

Thanks in advance.

[Croutons]

Old shape?

st boot. No use for pushchair. The external face is a single wide surface to make it look pretty, internal, really small, intrusive wheel arches. Not even a McLaren (pushchair) fits between them.

May of course not be relevant, if your kids are older and you don't need so much crap, you'll be fine!

[Anders0n]

Yeah it'll be the old shape.

My kid is yet to be born so this is not encouraging. Surely it can't be that bad?

[Belle427]

My father in law has one and the boot looks no bigger than your average hatchback, even though the figures suggest otherwise.
Probably adequate for most people though, not much good if the missus wants a fancy baby travel system though!
I'd probably look toward an estate such as an octavia vrs, if you run out of space just add a roof box.

Edited by Belle427 on Friday 11th January 19:55

Edited by Belle427 on Friday 11th January 19:56

[Aiminghigh123]

I have also been looking at one of these but more for ease of getting baby in and out of the back. Got an old Saab at the moment and now the little one is older it’s a battle to get him in the car.

[Croutons]

Anders0n said:

Yeah it'll be the old shape.

My kid is yet to be born so this is not encouraging. Surely it can't be that bad?

It's the shape, there's no wide flat part. The wheel arches are way too intrusive, so nothing fits. I would have had one myself, I think they look great. Alas, the back third ain't no use.

[Belle427]

We bought the car seats that swivel to get baby in, they are very good. A bit more expensive but worth every penny.

[nick1871]

Belle427 said:

We bought the car seats that swivel to get baby in, they are very good. A bit more expensive but worth every penny.

+1 , they make life a lot easier , definitely worth the extra outlay.

[Ranger 6]

Anders0n said:

...I've looked at x3's as well but got a feeling they will start to look very dated soon.

The boot is much better than the early Q5, wider and deeper. Also try driving one - my wife struggled with the size of the door mirrors at junctions, which from talking with a friend who has one, his wife has the same issue.

Also the X3 is on its third version with the new shape already out and it's not massively different visually. Your budget would get an F25 (second version).

[ZX10R NIN]

The Q5's boot is small at 15k if you want German then the X3 would be my pick it also has the bonus of having a conventional auto so less chance of issues later on down the line.

2.0d X3 M Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

35d M Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

The sensible option would be a Kuga in Titanium X Sport trim:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Titanium X

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

You can also get them in petrol:

Titanium X

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

X Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Another sensible shout is the Kia Sorento in KX-3 trim:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

One worth seeking out if you want a very nicely spec'd low mileage SUV with a decent boot then I'd say hunt down an Infiniti QX50:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

The QX50 would be where I'd be looking when it comes to spending this kind of money (on the second one you'll be able to extend the manufacturer's warranty) the spec aligned to a smoother 3.0d engine would swing it for me.

[Anders0n]

ZX10R NIN said:

The Q5's boot is small at 15k if you want German then the X3 would be my pick it also has the bonus of having a conventional auto so less chance of issues later on down the line.

2.0d X3 M Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

35d M Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

The sensible option would be a Kuga in Titanium X Sport trim:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Titanium X

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

You can also get them in petrol:

Titanium X

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

X Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Another sensible shout is the Kia Sorento in KX-3 trim:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

One worth seeking out if you want a very nicely spec'd low mileage SUV with a decent boot then I'd say hunt down an Infiniti QX50:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

The QX50 would be where I'd be looking when it comes to spending this kind of money (on the second one you'll be able to extend the manufacturer's warranty) the spec aligned to a smoother 3.0d engine would swing it for me.

I think its definitely between the Q5 and the X3. However if the boot is naff on the Audi then that would be a deal breaker.

You seem to get more for your money with the beemer as well. Every Q5 I've seen has 100k+ On it at this price point. Crazy.

What do you mean by conventional auto? My main concern with these cars is the gearbox going and giving me a tasty 5 figure bill.

[Anders0n]

Belle427 said:

We bought the car seats that swivel to get baby in, they are very good. A bit more expensive but worth every penny.

I'm new to all of this, we will definitely check these out when we go shopping for this stuff.

Thanks.

[ZX10R NIN]

Anders0n said:

I think its definitely between the Q5 and the X3. However if the boot is naff on the Audi then that would be a deal breaker.

You seem to get more for your money with the beemer as well. Every Q5 I've seen has 100k+ On it at this price point. Crazy.

What do you mean by conventional auto? My main concern with these cars is the gearbox going and giving me a tasty 5 figure bill.

By conventional auto I mean a torque converter transmission rather than the Dual Clutch transmission that you find in the Audi these have a reputation for being more likely to throw up a big bill.

With the X3 make sure you get the Fluids & Filter changed to help with the longevity of the gearbox. If it had to be German then this would be my pick but as I said I'd hunt down (if you could I'd say test drive one as the having a 3.0d engine makes an appreciable difference) an Infiniti QX50:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Jag_NE]

Personally I’d take a look at the 3er or a4 estate if you like those two brands. Massively practical and you will get something newer and lower mileage for your money, 2016 car with 50k. The SUV premium is significant. I’ve never seen it as a major chore getting young kids in or out of a conventional saloon or hatch.

[stevemcs]

I'd take the X3 over the Q5 every day, however i'd rather a newer Kuga over both.

[mercedeslimos]

I went with a mate to look at one before Christmas. It was mega cheap (usual retail here is €14000, this was up at €10500) and he paid €9,000 for it. 2011 2.0TDI quattro. 6 speed manual. Grey with cream leather. It was mega rough too, but i sent him to a great detailer. A grand later and smart repairs and the longest detail ever, and it's a different car. Full dealer service history but obviously the owner just didn't care and traded it in FILTHY.

I drove it and was however distinctly unimpressed. 140bhp for such a heavy car I thought it was very sluggish. can't imagine it was amazing on fuel, I'd bet the 170 was better on juice.

But it seemed OK. It's for his Mrs who is coming from a 2006 IS220d so she will probably like it. It was cheap, but maybe for the money there's better value out there.

[Deerfoot]

ZX10R NIN said:

By conventional auto I mean a torque converter transmission rather than the Dual Clutch transmission that you find in the Audi these have a reputation for being more likely to throw up a big bill

Isn't the Powershift box in the Kuga much the same as DSG?

[ZX10R NIN]

Deerfoot said:

Isn't the Powershift box in the Kuga much the same as DSG?

Yes but it's been far less trouble some & is less to repair should something go awry, also with the Kuga's the OP has the option to extend the manufacturers warranty for extra peace of mind.