SQ5 Thinking of changing...... thoughts?

Audi Bairn

Audi Bairn

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Sep 14, 2016
Messages
6,865
Reaction score
6,726
Points
113
Location
Scotland
As long term Audi owners we currently have an S3 Saloon and a TT, both 3 years old.

Plan on changing both in the spring (or sooner if the right deal crops up).

My car needs to be a towing vehicle. The wifes TT will probably be downgraded as it sits at home most of the time during the week as she works from home.

I’ve always admired the SQ5 but never driven one or swatted up on them.

Chances are I’d be looking at low mileage approved used.

What are the pluses and minuses? I assume they can actually be fitted with a tow bar unlike my S3? What kind of deals are purchasers getting currently?

And (don’t shoot me here) has anyone compared to the X3 M40? or anything similar....
 
  • Like
Reactions: 45bvtc
Audi Bairn said:
As long term Audi owners we currently have an S3 Saloon and a TT, both 3 years old.

Plan on changing both in the spring (or sooner if the right deal crops up).

My car needs to be a towing vehicle. The wifes TT will probably be downgraded as it sits at home most of the time during the week as she works from home.

I’ve always admired the SQ5 but never driven one or swatted up on them.

Chances are I’d be looking at low mileage approved used.

What are the pluses and minuses? I assume they can actually be fitted with a tow bar unlike my S3? What kind of deals are purchasers getting currently?

And (don’t shoot me here) has anyone compared to the X3 M40? or anything similar....
Click to expand...


Can't comment, way too biased :racer:, but our TT and RS3 don't get used much these days:

https://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threa...-and-counting-down-to-a-place-near-me.386559/

Honest, Audi Bairn, ours ids a 2016 SQ5 and there's nothing we'd swap ours for, it just does everything; and RS3copilot loves driving it too, on her good days...

And yes, we could have had a 2019 version, did a lot of miles in one or two to evaluate, but we found the 2016 version way more to our liking and still do.


 
  • Like
Reactions: Audi Bairn
Can't give much advice other than I really like it. If you are reasonably close I can tie up with you for a chat and drive.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Audi Bairn and 45bvtc
45bvtc said:
Can't comment, way too biased :racer:, but our TT and RS3 don't get used much these days:

https://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threa...-and-counting-down-to-a-place-near-me.386559/

Honest, Audi Bairn, ours ids a 2016 SQ5 and there's nothing we'd swap ours for, it just does everything; and RS3copilot loves driving it too, on her good days...

And yes, we could have had a 2019 version, did a lot of miles in one or two to evaluate, but we found the 2016 version way more to our liking and still do.
Click to expand...
AndyM001 said:
Can't give much advice other than I really like it. If you are reasonably close I can tie up with you for a chat and drive.
Click to expand...

Same here Audi Bairn, get down to Staffordshire and we can evaluate; and you'll see we have a similar pairing of the TT and RS3, but the SQ5 is just, well, on another level, does so much more:and as posted elsewhere my first SQ5 experience in 2015 - when the itch from RS7 to SQ5 began:

"OK, I've been called an Audi 'tart' before and I'm sure I will again, especially after today...

And what a day; sunny and dry to start but misty and damp at Stafford Audi; but these are all 4-wheel drive beasties and its slippy/slidy stuff out there.

Some are standing around somewhat surprised that they're just getting a set of keys to whatever and told to go and 'experience'.

Not me; I know what's coming and can't wait to get my hands on the RS7; everything else will be judged against it as for me the RS7 ticks all of my boxes. And so it did; out on my prescribed route to Uttoxeter and back with some mid 3-figure numbers shown on the head-up: kept trying to get closer to that display but couldn't. Came back exhausted, how can you improve on the engine/brakes/dynamics of this machine?

A coffee, a quick chat, a "who wants a go in an RS5?" and my hand going for the ceiling lights. This is the old RS5, Stafford Audi has had it some time, and the tyres are seriously well run in. Same route but hey, this thing is a' sliding like the RS7 didn't. However, I've now an RS4 stuck-to-me-bum so I need to push; push and slide, push and slide. A great noise the RS5 makes must have woken up several road users between Stafford and Uttoxeter but hey, the morning's getting on.

Another coffee and bacon butty. The S1; hand up again; been practicing clutch-in, move the knobbed gear-stick, clutch-out, with our A2 (Suzy) for two weeks now so we're thinking we're ok... We obviously need more practice; however, what a superb motor car: brakes, steering, interior trim, and noise, just about everything is ticking all the right boxes...

Andy Poole keeps on saying I've got to try the S8, "you MUST try the S8" again and again.

OK, we'll give it a go. A different route but ok. 1000yards and were both speaking words I don't want to print here but WOW! What a piece of machinery. This is some big piece of machinery that gave a Jaguar driver a work-out (and lost...) The short run was extended, doubled maybe, and this piece of machinery was hugely impressive in every way; brake and steering feel on the damp, undulating, duck and dive roads was hugely impressive; I couldn't fault it. I didn't try what 'jojo' did mind, and 'desertstorm' will be happy if he doesn't do it again with him passenger, either...

What else? Who wants a go in an SQ5 shouts Andy Poole and this darn right hand and arm is in the air again with me looking at it...

OK! The SQ5 is a twin turbo diesel; now I didn't know that until I got back! Believe me, I DID NOT KNOW IT WAS A DIESEL. I'll be checking later; but this thing was, again, amazing! Out on the twisty, wet stuff, and this thing was behaving like a hooligan, just like all the others, actually..."

OK, it took 4-years to eventually get it but we wouldn't change it for anything else now...

PS: maybe contact C1CDG, he's close to you I think (in Scotland anyway) and warming to his/their "have just bought a 2015 SQ5 for my wife" SQ5 far faster than he'd have thought, lol: see: https://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/new-owner-of-2015-sq5-couple-of-questions.408646/


 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Audi Bairn
Audi Bairn said:
What are the pluses and minuses? I assume they can actually be fitted with a tow bar unlike my S3? What kind of deals are purchasers getting currently?

And (don’t shoot me here) has anyone compared to the X3 M40? or anything similar....
Click to expand...

They can be fitted with a tow bar, mine has factory fit which is a neat swivel type, aftermarket will be removable.
Don't know much about the MK2 petrol (there's a new mild hybrid tdi in the pipeline which looks interesting) but I agree with previous comments about the MK1, it's a great all rounder and brilliant towcar.
The brakes and headlights could be better mind you, I've fitted Osram Xenarc Laser bulbs which are a big improvement over standard and will look for better pads when the time comes.
If you're looking for a Mk1 the 'plus' variant has a good spec list as standard, power is upped to 340bhp / 700NM but most importantly (IMO) it's got a sports diff, handling for an SUV is fantastic. It was 4 or 5K more expensive new but used prices don't seem to be much different from the 326bhp / 650NM variants.
The Plus SE came out just after I'd got mine and (annoyingly :) ) has just about every option as standard, it's only downside for me is that the choice of interior trim was limited to the very fragile aluminium or carbon atlas, neither of which I like - I went piano black.

I'm seriously thinking of reducing my 'fleet' as well, the SQ5 is staying but looking to get rid of my A4 and Focus ST and going for an S3 or Golf R.

Don't know anything about the X3 but the new model looks a lot better than the old.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Audi Bairn and 45bvtc
SteveMcB said:
They can be fitted with a tow bar, mine has factory fit which is a neat swivel type, aftermarket will be removable.
Don't know much about the MK2 petrol (there's a new mild hybrid tdi in the pipeline which looks interesting) but I agree with previous comments about the MK1, it's a great all rounder and brilliant towcar.
The brakes and headlights could be better mind you, I've fitted Osram Xenarc Laser bulbs which are a big improvement over standard and will look for better pads when the time comes.
If you're looking for a Mk1 the 'plus' variant has a good spec list as standard, power is upped to 340bhp / 700NM but most importantly (IMO) it's got a sports diff, handling for an SUV is fantastic. It was 4 or 5K more expensive new but used prices don't seem to be much different from the 326bhp / 650NM variants.
The Plus SE came out just after I'd got mine and (annoyingly :) ) has just about every option as standard, it's only downside for me is that the choice of interior trim was limited to the very fragile aluminium or carbon atlas, neither of which I like - I went piano black.

I'm seriously thinking of reducing my 'fleet' as well, the SQ5 is staying but looking to get rid of my A4 and Focus ST and going for an S3 or Golf R.

Don't know anything about the X3 but the new model looks a lot better than the old.
Click to expand...

1) Interesting, I'll check out the Osram Xenarc Laser bulbs as I find back lane, twisty, country-stuff, night-time-illumination not as good as I'd like, but then that could be an age thing.

2) I think these Ferodo Eco-Friction pads amazingly good

3) Piano black, yea!

4) For fast road use I couldn't feel the difference other than both the power (PS) and torque (Nm) band on the SQ5 Plus were sharper - or narrower: see chart: for sure I drive more on Nm than PS with the SQ5, same with the RS3, sooo many always useable Nm's... :racer:

5) Same, our TT and RS3 will be sold (or seize) way before the SQ5 - The SQ5 just does everything.

And the TT and RS3 are under wraps, how SAD!!!! is that. Oh to be young, healthy, and carefree again....

SQ5 SQ5 plus
 
  • Like
Reactions: Audi Bairn and SteveMcB
Great advice and write-ups guys thank you.
Plenty of food for thought.
It does sound like the SQ5 ticks a lot of boxes as far as performance, towing ability, space to carry extended family goes.
Will see what deals can be arrived at or not as the case may be. Audi salesman left a voicemail tonight so I’ll call him back tomorrow.
The secondary problem is that Mrs Bairn wants a Q7 / X5 / Discovery but I’d prefer the smaller versions with greater performance. But that’s for us to sort out.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 45bvtc
Sq5 best 4x4 there is,and I have had many different ones.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 45bvtc and Audi Bairn
Audi Bairn said:
Great advice and write-ups guys thank you.
Plenty of food for thought.
It does sound like the SQ5 ticks a lot of boxes as far as performance, towing ability, space to carry extended family goes.
Will see what deals can be arrived at or not as the case may be. Audi salesman left a voicemail tonight so I’ll call him back tomorrow.
The secondary problem is that Mrs Bairn wants a Q7 / X5 / Discovery but I’d prefer the smaller versions with greater performance. But that’s for us to sort out.
Click to expand...

Whatever you choose, Audi Bairn, enjoy.... :thumbs up:

 
  • Like
Reactions: Audi Bairn
  • Like
Reactions: BarryG79
Audi Bairn said:
........... and so it should for £80k lol

I must admit, I hate the "coupe" X models (X4, X6 etc). Would rather just have an X3 or X5 with more headroom etc

How's your motor going Barry?
Click to expand...

good suggestion though!

Aye it’s as good as it gets. Serves its purpose from A to B and that’s as exciting as it gets lol.

Currently hunting down the next chariot.......who knows what threat will be though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: Audi Bairn
I had an SQ5 petrol for 2 years and 22000 miles, now have a BMW 5 series...

I really liked the SQ5, very refined, really good long distance cruiser, pretty comfortable (although on 21s not as good as a 5 series on 20s), it could shift, decent space and boot - not huge but usable and still pretty OK to park. Nice and minimalist interior, good virtual cockpit (although lets be honest, set it once and rarely changed), and I liked the MMI interface.

I wouldnt buy the new one though as didnt want diesel and detest touch screens. I find the iDrive in the BMW better (you can use it as a touchscreen if you must but it still has rotary controller). I cant comment on the X3M40i but see a lot of happy owners of the i and the d on Bimmerpost (f30 section...) and of course if you move quick they are doing silly deals on the X3M Comp Pack if you take a stock car before end of December (not alot of stock left but if you arent too choosy you could still get one)...

I wanted to tick a couple of boxes on my bucket list so went for an M5 - it is absolutely amazing....
 
  • Like
Reactions: Audi Bairn
audi upgrades
Now going
4987.gif


Soo much amazingly mega good machinery out there sub £35K, let alone £50K...

As for £80k, hello! On UK roads, are you serious? :blush:

Happy to have spent my £35k on a 2016 SQ5 and kept our 8-year old RS3 and 9-year old TT ragtop for FUN drives - made better sense £s wise for us.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Audi Bairn
45bvtc said:
Now going
4987.gif


Soo much amazingly mega good machinery out there sub £35K, let alone £50K...

As for £80k, hello! On UK roads, are you serious? :blush:

Happy to have spent my £35k on a 2016 SQ5 and kept our 8-year old RS3 and 9-year old TT ragtop for FUN drives - made better sense £s wise for us.
Click to expand...

As you say, better sense for you. There is only one if me, I can only drive one car at a time, I have a 5 door Mini for the every day stuff and the other car is my hobby - and I wanted a V8 and an M car. So I had one...

The X3M is currently available for £600 down and £600 a month for 48 months - I make that less than £30k for 4 years of first rate motoring, if that’s how you want to spend your money.

And that of course is very personal...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Audi Bairn and 45bvtc
Funny after suggesting this but my neighbour has just traded in his M2 for one of these £80k X3M’s, it does look the business!
Fortunately it’s not as loud on start up as the M2, so no more exhaust booming of the gable of my house at 7am 6 days a week!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: Audi Bairn
BarryG79 said:
Funny after suggesting this but my neighbour has just traded in his M2 for one of these £80k X3M’s, it does look the business!
Fortunately it’s not as loud on start up as the M2, so no more exhaust booming of the gable of my house at 7am 6 days a week!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Good taste - but on current deals it’s a £60 to 65k X3M...

It might get noisier over time - post RIS and when he uses sport plus
 
  • Like
Reactions: Audi Bairn and BarryG79
Right, so discussions have started on a new SQ5. Wasn’t aware that a newer version was just coming out (this is the return to diesel).
Really need to swat up on what’s standard kit and what would need added, if anything.
Test drive a week tomorrow.
Anyone know what else is changing on the latest version?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
  • Like
Reactions: BarryG79
Audi Bairn said:
Right, so discussions have started on a new SQ5. Wasn’t aware that a newer version was just coming out (this is the return to diesel).
Really need to swat up on what’s standard kit and what would need added, if anything.
Test drive a week tomorrow.
Anyone know what else is changing on the latest version?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Click to expand...

Loses the MMI controller and is entirely touch screen. Now diesel. At that point I stopped reading...

Drive the Deal offering high teens discount if your dealer isn’t playing ball...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Audi Bairn
I'm not looking to change at the moment but out of curiosity I did have a play about on the configurator. It looks a nice car but unless you go 'vorsprung' for a lot more money a lot of the options, ie matrix, aren't available.
According to my salesman it's all to do with WLTP, he says every single combination of different specs needs separate approval so they've kept the available choices minimal.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Audi Bairn
Audi Bairn said:
Right, so discussions have started on a new SQ5. Wasn’t aware that a newer version was just coming out (this is the return to diesel).
Really need to swat up on what’s standard kit and what would need added, if anything.
Test drive a week tomorrow.
Anyone know what else is changing on the latest version?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Click to expand...

Nice!

The 21’s look good but £1500 extra


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: Audi Bairn
BarryG79 said:
Nice!

The 21’s look good but £1500 extra


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

It was the same on the petrol version. Plus 1500 for pan roof. Upgraded music. Metallic. Fancy lights. My fairly lightly specced car had £5500 worth of extras...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Audi Bairn
BarryG79 said:
Nice!

The 21’s look good but £1500 extra


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Yeah exactly what I thought.
I suspect it’ll be difficult to get a deal I’m overly happy with.
Also going to look at BMW and Land Rover.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BarryG79
Looked for a low mileage used and dodge the initial depreciation bullet...
 
  • Like
Reactions: 45bvtc
I find it entertaining reading but sometimes get a tad confused as to whether 'postings' are referencing "the car" or "the deal."

Postings seem to evaluate "the car" by "the deal" and for sure some, I know, have said the "the deal with 'A'" was much better than "the deal with 'B'" and that, to be honest, is always the case with surplus stock whatever one is selling!

Cars are a personal choice, what suits one doesn't necessarily suit another; your needs, I am sure, will be way different to mine/ours.

So differentiating between "vehicle" and "deal" and/or "dealership" may be useful here.

Fortunately I'm no longer in the 'PCP' (or whatever) market, 10-years or so too late, lol; so for us acquiring a vehicle is easy; it's all based on the/our £s available and what's best for us and then a £s down purchase, bang! That said we remain mega content with the Audi cars we have for now...
 
isleaiw said:
Loses the MMI controller and is entirely touch screen. Now diesel. At that point I stopped reading...

Drive the Deal offering high teens discount if your dealer isn’t playing ball...
Click to expand...

I didn’t think the new SQ5 diesel model has a touchscreen MMI yet, as I thought this was planned for a future model change? Where did you see this information regarding the touchscreen for the SQ5?
 
45bvtc said:
I find it entertaining reading but sometimes get a tad confused as to whether 'postings' are referencing "the car" or "the deal."

Postings seem to evaluate "the car" by "the deal" and for sure some, I know, have said the "the deal with 'A'" was much better than "the deal with 'B'" and that, to be honest, is always the case with surplus stock whatever one is selling!

Cars are a personal choice, what suits one doesn't necessarily suit another; your needs, I am sure, will be way different to mine/ours.

So differentiating between "vehicle" and "deal" and/or "dealership" may be useful here.

Fortunately I'm no longer in the 'PCP' (or whatever) market, 10-years or so too late, lol; so for us acquiring a vehicle is easy; it's all based on the/our £s available and what's best for us and then a £s down purchase, bang! That said we remain mega content with the Audi cars we have for now...
Click to expand...
Certainly as far as I’m concerned I evaluate the car first (as I need to like it and want to keep it around three years). If I don’t like it there’s no point in getting figures. If I do like it, I’ll then discuss figures (currently PCP for me).
Next step for me now is a test drive. SQ5 arranged, alternatives yet to be set up.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Audi Bairn
cuke2u said:
The facelift isn't debut early to mid 2020 as a 2021 model, this will have the touchscreen. There might be some good deals on the current version coming up...
https://www.motor1.com/news/367862/audi-q5-facelift-spied-silver/
Click to expand...

Thanks for this link...I hope the MMI screen shown isn’t the final design as, IMHO, it looks far too big, and it’d be a nightmare to adjust parameters by touch when driving......I much prefer the current jog wheel arrangement.
 
AllanG said:
Thanks for this link...I hope the MMI screen shown isn’t the final design as, IMHO, it looks far too big, and it’d be a nightmare to adjust parameters by touch when driving......I much prefer the current jog wheel arrangement.
Click to expand...

Every new Audi is touchscreen only so expect the wheel to disappear...

BMW have managed to incorporate touchscreen and wheel controller (as well as petrol engines for the sports models), so I suspect my days of driving Audi are over...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Audi Bairn and cuke2u
It seems that every successive iteration of MMI is worse that it's predecessor, the 2018 B9 RS4 I had was atrocious - sat nav destination entry was evil if the voice command failed (not helped by being intended for a LHD vehicle). The 2019 A6 loaner I had earlier in the year with totally glass fascia was even worse - touch displays with no haptic feedback and an even greater reliance on voice commands. I'm not some techno numpty either...
 
AllanG said:
Thanks for this link...I hope the MMI screen shown isn’t the final design as, IMHO, it looks far too big, and it’d be a nightmare to adjust parameters by touch when driving......I much prefer the current jog wheel arrangement.
Click to expand...
The touchscreen will mirror the same design as what's in the MY2020 A4...
 
isleaiw said:
Every new Audi is touchscreen only so expect the wheel to disappear...

BMW have managed to incorporate touchscreen and wheel controller (as well as petrol engines for the sports models), so I suspect my days of driving Audi are over...
Click to expand...

This update matches what was done on the A4/S4 which I didn’t like as the screen position is a bodge. A8/A6/Q3/Q8 layout is much more in line with touchscreen only. Like others here I don’t see why the multiple inputs supported by BMW couldn’t be mirrored by VAG. However the lure of cheaper touch screens in place of solid mechanical controls may well put bunch of folks off Audi at the same time as attracting a different clientele (My wife loves touch screen).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
  • Like
Reactions: Audi Bairn
mxnrg said:
This update matches what was done on the A4/S4 which I didn’t like as the screen position is a bodge. A8/A6/Q3/Q8 layout is much more in line with touchscreen only. Like others here I don’t see why the multiple inputs supported by BMW couldn’t be mirrored by VAG. However the lure of cheaper touch screens in place of solid mechanical controls may well put bunch of folks off Audi at the same time as attracting a different clientele (My wife loves touch screen).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Click to expand...
And by offering both, BMW can attract existing and new clientele. By going touchscreen only Audi could alienate previous owners (I now drive a BMW...)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Audi Bairn
Having used the new A6 dual touch screen for 48 hours recently i found it, initially, not that intuitive if you simply jump into the vehicle and try to get everything working on the fly.

However, after a few hours of learning and changing a few settings and creating some short cuts....

It's really rather good and makes the dial in the SQ5 seem VERY dated indeed. Both screens have haptics too. Very impressed.

(Not impressed enough to change my car though, that would be extreme)
 
I hope governments and legislators, who realise that these touchscreens are actually circumnavigating the laws on using mobile devices whilst driven, because that's the way manufacturers design them to be, and ask those manufacturers they need to disable their use when the car is moving. I know they are looking at this seriously and I believe Mazda has already done this with certain models...
 
cuke2u said:
I hope governments and legislators, who realise that these touchscreens are actually circumnavigating the laws on using mobile devices whilst driven, because that's the way manufacturers design them to be, and ask those manufacturers they need to disable their use when the car is moving. I know they are looking at this seriously and I believe Mazda has already done this with certain models...
Click to expand...

I think they should bar the radio. And passengers. All proven to be distractions. Buttons, they can be hard to find and mean you take you eye off the road too....

Driverless cars, that's what we need....

(i am with you on touchscreens but you know, responsibility should rest with the idiot who has a licence and takes responsibility behind the wheel, we cant bring everything down to the lowest common denominator).
 
  • Like
Reactions: paul wev
On the newest mazda's the screen is disabled once over 15mph, which I feel is a good enough compromise . Radio's are controlled from the steering wheel buttons anyway. We reduced the use of mobiles to zero because of the foolish lowest common denominators, hovever there will always be dumber and dumber...
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

andy203
Q5 Thinking of purchasing nearly new
Replies
2
Views
616
RS3 S.
RS3 S.
S
RSQ3 Thinking of buying an RSQ3
Replies
6
Views
3K
scaramanga
S
vw754
Thinking of buyin a q7 tdi...........advice please.
Replies
1
Views
2K
vw754
vw754
Leebroath
Q5 Thinking of buying a Q5 with Xenon Plus
Replies
6
Views
2K
Leebroath
Leebroath
Keef
SQ5 ABT - thoughts?
Replies
16
Views
2K
RS3 S.
RS3 S.
Top
Back