Thinking of buying Q5 TDI

Chander

Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2014
Location
Oak Park, IL
TDI
2015 Audi Q5
I have a 2005 Passat TDI wagon with 297k miles and a 2010 A6 wagon with 76k miles. I am considering replacing both the cars with a Q5 TDI. The rationale is that I can get a relatively low mileage car in the Q5 that will give me the quiet, luxury and power of the A6 and the fuel efficiency of the Passat.

We have owned VWs and Audis since the 70’s. Our trusted VW/Audi mechanic warned me that it may be hard to find trained techs who can service the 3.0 TDI in the years to come, as the car gets older. He has extensive experience with the smaller VW diesels. The service manager at a major Audi dealership confirmed that they have 4 techs trained in the 3.0 TDI but are not investing in training any more.

IS THIS A REALLY SERIOUS CONCERN? I’d appreciate comments/advice. Thanks.

Chander
 

Daemon64

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2019
Location
Tyngsborough, Massachusetts
TDI
2022 Polestar 2 BEV - Current, 2021 Q5 55e PHEV - Retired, 2015 Q5 3.0 TDI - Retired, 2013 Golf TDI - Retired
I own a 2015 Q5 TDI and I wouldn't think so. Anyone trained in the Touregs and etc... should be able to do it. My mechanic is a Subaru specialist. I asked him about it, he talked about the computer doing all the different services that need to be done and etc... No issues. Did my oil change, and my full 55k service without any issues. I know that's fairly limited, but anyone who knows anything about diesels should be able to help, someone who hands the TREGS should be no issue, and everything else on the vehicle is similar to the rest of the platform in many aspects.... I don't know just my .02
 

Daemon64

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2019
Location
Tyngsborough, Massachusetts
TDI
2022 Polestar 2 BEV - Current, 2021 Q5 55e PHEV - Retired, 2015 Q5 3.0 TDI - Retired, 2013 Golf TDI - Retired
Well I would argue that the Touareg may be closer to the q5 than the q7... but really it's right in the middle of the two in many ways.

All based on 2015 vehicles

Q5
Wheel base- 110.5
Weight - 4600lbs


Touareg
Wheel base - 113.9
Weight - 4975 lbs

Q7
Wheel base - 118
Weight - 5400lbs

All 3.0tdi...
Length and etc... all follow a similar pattern... so could argue the the touareg is unofficial Q6
 

Mythdoc

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 28, 2017
Location
Tennessee
TDI
2011 Touareg, 2015 Q5, 2015 Golf
In your area (Illinois) you should be fine at the larger dealerships for years to come, then should still be fine at a knowledgeable independent shop specializing in German cars.
 

Huskies2710

Veteran Member
Joined
Dec 14, 2018
Location
Chicago
TDI
2016 Audi A6 -- 2008 Mercedes ML 320 CDI
Hey Chander, I'm not to far from Oak Park. I have a few options for you, but ultimately the Audi Exchange in Highland Park should always have diesel mechanics that know whats up. I have a '16 A6 with the 3.0 and we also have a Mercedes 320 diesel SUV.

Best Independent - Auto Tipp in Villa Park. The head mechanic is from Europe. He works with my buddy who owns a dealership in the area. He is the diesel guru for all german cars. He can get quite busy but if something out of the norm comes up, he is the guy to go to. You might have to wait a week but he knows his stuff.

Maintenance Independent - Our go to shop is H&M Autohaus in Westchester. Its just off i290 at the corner of Mannheim and Roosevelt road. Easy drive for you. We started going to them 3 years ago. At first I made sure to reference their costs and recommendations to my buddy but quickly realized they are fairly priced and don't try to pull any tricks on you. They love having diesels in their shop. Normally they can get you in on short notice.

Performance Shop - APM Tuned in Villa Park. This is actually two doors down from Auto Tipp. Ben is the guy to talk to here. They have a full shop but specialize in performance enhancements. They have a dyno in house along with their own custom tuner who builds the tune from scratch. They've tuned my ECU, TCU, and installed the DPF delete. I'm getting 28 mpg city driving and 38 mpg highway with cruise on but FYI I knowingly said goodbye to my warranty if you go the ECU tune route.

Also if you care to know. The Shell located at Ogden and York Road in Hinsdale carries ULSD #2 diesel. The owner is adamant that they will not switch to Biodiesel. Besides customers always coming in asking for non-bio they are located next to the luxury dealerships including Audi Westmont that bring a lot of their diesel cars to fill up. Its a short trip for me so I make sure to go here as they say its better for these Common Rail engines. I keep some stanadyne in the trunk to add to the diesel for lubricity. My car only smokes now on WOT runs due to the delete.

Have any questions feel free to message me. If you don't have a car picked out my buddy owns Revved Motors in Addison. He got my car from the auction. If you are interested he could help you out I'm sure.
 

Chander

Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2014
Location
Oak Park, IL
TDI
2015 Audi Q5
Thank you. That is very helpful. I feel a lot more comfortable with buying an Audi diesel now. We test drove a Q5 diesel last weekend at the Autobarn in Evanston. It is a very impressive car: powerful, quiet, and spacious passenger compartment. Looking for the right deal. I would like to contact your friend in Revved Motors. What’s his name? Thanks again..

Chander
 

Huskies2710

Veteran Member
Joined
Dec 14, 2018
Location
Chicago
TDI
2016 Audi A6 -- 2008 Mercedes ML 320 CDI
Thank you. That is very helpful. I feel a lot more comfortable with buying an Audi diesel now. We test drove a Q5 diesel last weekend at the Autobarn in Evanston. It is a very impressive car: powerful, quiet, and spacious passenger compartment. Looking for the right deal. I would like to contact your friend in Revved Motors. What’s his name? Thanks again..

Chander
His name is Rafal, just tell him Mike with the A6 TDI recommended reaching out.
 

Pittdawg

Veteran Member
Joined
May 28, 2018
Location
Los Angeles
TDI
2014 Audi Q5 TDI
With all due respect to your mechanic, it's absurd he told you mechanics would have difficulty servicing a 2014+ vehicle. There are many independent shops that service all makes, models and years of vehicles. As they say, it's not rocket science!
 

Chander

Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2014
Location
Oak Park, IL
TDI
2015 Audi Q5
Pittdawg
His point was that the number of trained techs may diminish with time. The service manager at Audi Exchange confirmed that he had 4 trained techs but wasn’t going to train anymore as these trained techs leave or retire. The other issue was re the need for specialized tools which my mechanic said he didn’t know about and if necessary might be expensive to get. So... I took his comments as fair warnings from one person. Hence my query to all of you in this forum. Thanks for pitching in and helping me out with your insights.

Chander
 

Daemon64

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2019
Location
Tyngsborough, Massachusetts
TDI
2022 Polestar 2 BEV - Current, 2021 Q5 55e PHEV - Retired, 2015 Q5 3.0 TDI - Retired, 2013 Golf TDI - Retired
Hey Chandler,

My mechanic is an independent shop and has had 0 issues maintaining my 2015 Q5 TDI. The biggest thing they need is a computer capable of running the proper services like cycling the fuel when doing the fuel filter, or unlocking the rear brakes when replacing them... things like that. Beyond that a good set of the star bits... i think they're called torques( sp* )? is the other major thing they needed but had on hand. Everything else has been pretty much straight forward without an issue. And from there it is just know what you need... like making sure your using 507 oil, and the like. But once that stuff is out of the way as i said not an issue, and my mechanic is 95/hr instead of audi which is like 150+

I know what you're saying about audi not training as many us-bound master techs... But if its general maintenance you should be fine... plus things beyond that there are tons of shops that deal with diesels because they have to deal with fords, dodges, and etc...

anyway...
 

j2112morris

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 3, 2013
Location
Chicago Suburbs
TDI
2014 Audi Q5 Premium Plus TDI (sold)
Hey Chander, I'm not to far from Oak Park. I have a few options for you, but ultimately the Audi Exchange in Highland Park should always have diesel mechanics that know whats up. I have a '16 A6 with the 3.0 and we also have a Mercedes 320 diesel SUV.

Best Independent - Auto Tipp in Villa Park. The head mechanic is from Europe. He works with my buddy who owns a dealership in the area. He is the diesel guru for all german cars. He can get quite busy but if something out of the norm comes up, he is the guy to go to. You might have to wait a week but he knows his stuff.

Maintenance Independent - Our go to shop is H&M Autohaus in Westchester. Its just off i290 at the corner of Mannheim and Roosevelt road. Easy drive for you. We started going to them 3 years ago. At first I made sure to reference their costs and recommendations to my buddy but quickly realized they are fairly priced and don't try to pull any tricks on you. They love having diesels in their shop. Normally they can get you in on short notice.

Performance Shop - APM Tuned in Villa Park. This is actually two doors down from Auto Tipp. Ben is the guy to talk to here. They have a full shop but specialize in performance enhancements. They have a dyno in house along with their own custom tuner who builds the tune from scratch. They've tuned my ECU, TCU, and installed the DPF delete. I'm getting 28 mpg city driving and 38 mpg highway with cruise on but FYI I knowingly said goodbye to my warranty if you go the ECU tune route.

Also if you care to know. The Shell located at Ogden and York Road in Hinsdale carries ULSD #2 diesel. The owner is adamant that they will not switch to Biodiesel. Besides customers always coming in asking for non-bio they are located next to the luxury dealerships including Audi Westmont that bring a lot of their diesel cars to fill up. Its a short trip for me so I make sure to go here as they say its better for these Common Rail engines. I keep some stanadyne in the trunk to add to the diesel for lubricity. My car only smokes now on WOT runs due to the delete.

Have any questions feel free to message me. If you don't have a car picked out my buddy owns Revved Motors in Addison. He got my car from the auction. If you are interested he could help you out I'm sure.
That is great information. Thank you from a fellow Chicagolander.

Drive safe.
 

Huskies2710

Veteran Member
Joined
Dec 14, 2018
Location
Chicago
TDI
2016 Audi A6 -- 2008 Mercedes ML 320 CDI
That is great information. Thank you from a fellow Chicagolander.
Drive safe.
You are welcome. Keep up to speed with the thread named 2016 A6 Prestige Ownership Log for more info.

If you aren't worried about your warranty you should stop over to APM Tuned and let them get your car running like it should. Custom ECU tune for proper power and the TCU tune will remove that annoying turbo lag we all dread.

:cool:
 

EARL97850

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2001
Location
Eastern Washington
TDI
N/A
Chandler.....I too am interested in getting either a Touareg TDI or Q5 TDI but haven't quite decided one way or the other.... I'll keep an eye on this thread and maybe I can be persuaded one way or the other. Lol


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

BarryT82

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2010
Location
Charleston, WV
TDI
‘12 JSW TDI
I’ve owned two Q5 TDI’s. Buy one with the S-Line package, B&O sound system, and try to find a prestige with adaptive cruise control. The prestige has little things that make driving it even better. My prestige was loaded with the S-alone package, adaptive cruise control, and the adaptive suspension. I should have kept that one.
 

Pittdawg

Veteran Member
Joined
May 28, 2018
Location
Los Angeles
TDI
2014 Audi Q5 TDI
I’ve owned two Q5 TDI’s. Buy one with the S-Line package, B&O sound system, and try to find a prestige with adaptive cruise control. The prestige has little things that make driving it even better. My prestige was loaded with the S-alone package, adaptive cruise control, and the adaptive suspension. I should have kept that one.
That's the exact model I have and it's a joy to own.
 

Daemon64

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2019
Location
Tyngsborough, Massachusetts
TDI
2022 Polestar 2 BEV - Current, 2021 Q5 55e PHEV - Retired, 2015 Q5 3.0 TDI - Retired, 2013 Golf TDI - Retired
I got mine from carvana...

They don't have any this very second... but they usually have like 4 - 5 Q5 TDI's and they rotate through fairly regularly.

https://www.carvana.com/cars/audi-q5/tdi

So anyone nervous in the process....

You choose the car, request to purchase it, fill out the financing w/ them OR with your own bank. I recommend making them give you new plates ( this way you don't have to wait for them to transfer ). Then they schedule a delivery and bring the car to you... you get to look it over and do a 20 minute test drive... you can back out w/o any negatives... and can do this up to 3 times.... You then have 1 week and 400 miles of driving, and you can STILL back out. Have your mechanic look over the vehicle, any undisclosed damage body or otherwise, missing parts, not cleaned, issues with tires, mechanical issues, etc... You go back to them and tell them you're not happy, they comp you for it.... if it is mechanical they will request a quote and often pay your mechanic to take car of it.... body shop or etc....

First car i got from them was a 2013 Golf TDI - Was in mint condition, no issues, problems or etc...

Second car i got from them was my ( Cost 24.5k before any compensation )2015 Q5 TDI Premium+ w/ BO, Tow Hitch, Tech package w/ 48k miles on it.... Car had extra body scratches, didn't come detailed, was missing the tonneau cover, someone did a piss poor job repairing the bump..... they paid me back $1500, and paid a local body shop i trust well $1250 to replace the rear bumper w/ audi new paint it, and do a full paint correction / detail. ... keep in mind i could see the whole carfax, was a southern off-lease w/ full dealer maintenance...

All and all I am fairly happy with the service... first car was perfect, second they made it worth my while... the trick is to manage it... but honestly if i didn't like the car so much i could have told them to #sand and give me another car.
 

Huskies2710

Veteran Member
Joined
Dec 14, 2018
Location
Chicago
TDI
2016 Audi A6 -- 2008 Mercedes ML 320 CDI
I got mine from carvana...

They don't have any this very second... but they usually have like 4 - 5 Q5 TDI's and they rotate through fairly regularly.
Thats a nice option Daemon didn't think of that and gives you a safety net if it goes bad.

Two other options for you EARL97850

1) Go to an Audi dealership and ask them to find what you are looking for. I did this for giggles and they said their Used Car buyer would have to be on the lookout and it might take some time. They'll charge you a finders fee. You might get lucky with a one owner TDI being brought back to Audi.

2) Find a used luxury dealership or friend that has a license for the Mannheim Auto Auction (this is the route I went) Set the parameters for whatever specifics you want....prestige or premium plus, florett silver, s-line package etc. You will be charged a fee as well for this process if its a dealer.
----Each Monday new cars are loaded to the Mannheim database and you have to be ready for an auction style purchase. Which means trusting the dealer or friend. They do a great job explaining the cars qualities. You get so many miles to drive the car before you can return it due to a problem. Most often other dealerships snag the cars to put on their own lots.

Good Luck!
 

EARL97850

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2001
Location
Eastern Washington
TDI
N/A
Thats a nice option Daemon didn't think of that and gives you a safety net if it goes bad.
Two other options for you EARL97850
1) Go to an Audi dealership and ask them to find what you are looking for. I did this for giggles and they said their Used Car buyer would have to be on the lookout and it might take some time. They'll charge you a finders fee. You might get lucky with a one owner TDI being brought back to Audi.
2) Find a used luxury dealership or friend that has a license for the Mannheim Auto Auction (this is the route I went) Set the parameters for whatever specifics you want....prestige or premium plus, florett silver, s-line package etc. You will be charged a fee as well for this process if its a dealer.
----Each Monday new cars are loaded to the Mannheim database and you have to be ready for an auction style purchase. Which means trusting the dealer or friend. They do a great job explaining the cars qualities. You get so many miles to drive the car before you can return it due to a problem. Most often other dealerships snag the cars to put on their own lots.
Good Luck!
Thank you for the help.....I already have a dealer doing some checking but have not heard anything back. It's been a 3 days and I didn't think I'd hear back right away.

I'll check into Carvana and see what they have.
 

Daemon64

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2019
Location
Tyngsborough, Massachusetts
TDI
2022 Polestar 2 BEV - Current, 2021 Q5 55e PHEV - Retired, 2015 Q5 3.0 TDI - Retired, 2013 Golf TDI - Retired
Haha wow. That's because it's now pending purchase. People move super fast on the q5 tdi hahah
 

Chander

Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2014
Location
Oak Park, IL
TDI
2015 Audi Q5
Thanks to all for your advice and suggestions. I am now the proud owner of a 2015 Q5 TDI with 25650 miles on it. It is a Premium Plus, has Side Assist and a very nice B&O sound system. We picked up the car from Fishers, a suburb of Indianapolis and drove it back last Saturday. Per the trip meter we got 37 mpg which is way higher than the number in the EPA website (31 mpg). We love the power and quietness and of course the mpg. This is a very well built car.

Fishers Imports were nice to work with. They have another Q5 TDI with about 23000 miles in case anyone is interested. We didn’t like the color combination (white exterior and black interior). Ours is gray outside and beige inside.

Thanks again.
Chander
 

Huskies2710

Veteran Member
Joined
Dec 14, 2018
Location
Chicago
TDI
2016 Audi A6 -- 2008 Mercedes ML 320 CDI
Thanks to all for your advice and suggestions. I am now the proud owner of a 2015 Q5 TDI with 25650 miles on it. It is a Premium Plus, has Side Assist and a very nice B&O sound system. We picked up the car from Fishers, a suburb of Indianapolis and drove it back last Saturday. Per the trip meter we got 37 mpg which is way higher than the number in the EPA website (31 mpg). We love the power and quietness and of course the mpg. This is a very well built car.
Fishers Imports were nice to work with. They have another Q5 TDI with about 23000 miles in case anyone is interested. We didn’t like the color combination (white exterior and black interior). Ours is gray outside and beige inside.
Thanks again.
Chander
Awesome to hear! Congratulations!

A friends wife's car '15 BMW X5 (gas) just dumped its engine two weeks ago. It was a non stop headache from the get go. She has been jealous that our two diesels have reliability with great mileage.

She wants a german diesel now!! Who was the sales rep you worked with?

Enjoy the new ride!
 

Daemon64

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2019
Location
Tyngsborough, Massachusetts
TDI
2022 Polestar 2 BEV - Current, 2021 Q5 55e PHEV - Retired, 2015 Q5 3.0 TDI - Retired, 2013 Golf TDI - Retired
Chandler,

Congrats!! That's awesome mileage by the trip. The best we've seen is 37.9 on a long trip.... but we drive like 80 most places and since this is new England lots or hills. She took it on a 1200 mile road trip and averaged 35.7@80 - 90 the whole way....hahah.... I will say once its warmed up you can shift it manual... be light on the throttle and keep the rpms low and I've seen mid 30s around town..... stupid dieselgate TCM tune.... ( all my numbers are trip comp )
 

Chander

Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2014
Location
Oak Park, IL
TDI
2015 Audi Q5
Hi all
I purchased a 2015 Q5 Prem Plus with 25650 miles on it, with B&O sound. Drove it home from Indianapolis 2 weeks ago. We love the car. Powerful, quiet, with ample power. Now we have the Q5, a 2010 A6 wagon, and soon to arrive 2007 Cayman S which my brother is practically giving away to me because he just purchased a 2018 718 Cayman S with PDK as a CPO car with 4k miles on it. Good to have brothers like mine!! The A6 sits most of the time with my son who lives a mile away, for use as his second car. His first is a 2017 4Motion GSW which his wife drives.
 

Chander

Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2014
Location
Oak Park, IL
TDI
2015 Audi Q5
Hi all,


I have a 2007 BMW 328i (RWD, with a set of winter tires on rims) for sale now that I have purchased the 2015 Q5. 79000 miles, maintenance records since 2012. Please let me know if there is any interest. The car is very clean and in great shape. It has an automatic transmission.
 
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