B9 Audi SQ5 TFSi

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aussieal

Original Poster:

510 posts

176 months

Thursday
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Following on from my thread in car buying, I am planning to replace the diesel Q5 I've had as the main family car for 3 years with an SQ5 of the same generation.

Mainly driven by wanting to get back in to a petrol powered car, and having been impressed overall by the Q5 as a family car, without wanting to go full size SUV.

Would welcome any ownership experiences of the petrol version, and anything to look out for when looking/buying.

I know Dr G has said in the past that he's bought and sold a fair few of these, and I have an idea of some of the main issues, although will look to cover the car with an Audi warranty.

Thanks

Dr G

15,603 posts

257 months

Thursday
quotequote all
Occasional leaky thermostat/water pump. Do the solenoids same time. About a grand. Gives weird/scary dash warnings as coolant finds its way into places it isn't supposed to be and the pump electronics have a hissy fit.

Climate control flap motors stick (can often be unstuck and/or recoded). The Chinese replacements work fine.

Rear screen washer fails. It's the motor. Again, widely available aftermarket and they're fine. OE is Valeo.

Front suspension arm bushes. They look a bit perished long before they cause any problem/play. Almost all of the bushes are available separately from Audi at like 40 quid each, but there are quality aftermarket arms available for not much money (I like Febi Bilstein).

Lots of owners averse to replacing discs in my experience, and at Audi prices I'm not surprised. Forever see new pads shoved onto old worn out discs. Lovely brakes on these and quality aftermarket discs/pads are not expensive.

Lower rear lights (the ones in the bumper) easy to crack.

Will add anything else as and when I think of it.

aussieal

Original Poster:

510 posts

176 months

Thursday
quotequote all
Thank you Dr G, value your input on these things as always.

Obviously I know the standard platform pretty well, but good to get an idea of specific issues. Unit20 in Neston had mentioned the thermostat/pump when I talked to them about the SQ5 last week.

Looks like I have found the next car then, just a case of finding one with the right history/spec.

Dr G

15,603 posts

257 months

Thursday
quotequote all
Martin's a good guy and knows the engine/platform well.

AliMc99

174 posts

191 months

Thursday
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We ran from new from April 2019 for 4 years and 38k miles. Completely trouble free. Brilliant family car. Ours was one of last petrol ones registered as it had sat in Aberdeen Audi’s showroom for 6 months. Extra cost options on it were 21’’ alloys, wireless charging, flat
Bottom wheel, piano black inlays, virtual cockpit. If speccing myself I would have only gone for the virtual cockpit and the pan roof.

Very comfortable ride, despite the 21’’ wheels and super refined, lovely interior with standard quilted nappa leather. Rear seats also slide and recline.
Contemporary road tests suggested ride and handling optimised by cost optional air suspension and sport
rear differential. The latter options seem to be super rare.

Other cost options included matrix headlights, B&O speakers and electric towbar.

Although not the most engaging to drive, a better all
round family car than the Macan S which replaced it.