Audi vehicles

[wildcatadam6]

My wife was rear ended a couple weeks ago and her van was totaled. So, we are in the market for a new car. Unfortunately, we only have the rental for another two weeks, so the decision on a new car has to be made rather quickly.

She is really high on the Audi Q5 and Q7, though the price of a Q7 will eliminate itself from consideration. The Q5 she wants is a 2016 demo with only 3400 miles. It is certified and comes with a 6 year/100,000 mile warranty, covering almost everything (radio and navigation excluded).

Anyway, I've heard both good and bad on service records and maintenance and repairs for the brand. If you've owned one, or maybe if you're a mechanic, could you please offer your advice.

Other vehicles in the running are the new Highlander, Acura MDX, and a certified Mercedes ML 350.

Thanks.

 

[Kooky Kats]

BMW X3.

 

[BernieSadori]

I have a Q7 Quattro and I love it. '09, bought it used almost two years ago and have had no issues except the cost of cahnging a battery.

 

[Monroe Claxton]

"I won't ride in a German car"

Estelle Costanza

 

[maneal4]

Decide #1 - How long are you keeping the car? If the answer is 10+ years I would lean towards something Japanese, mostly because high dollar maintenance starts to really kick in on German cars after that 6 year year/100,000 mark. Do you keep cars for 4 years max and move on? If so you probably wont have to worry about something big breaking or wearing out on your Audi. On the flip side if you keep your cars to 200k miles and only want to change oil, brakes, and tires go Japanese.

#2 How much do you care about resale value? That Q5 is going to depreciate crazy fast while all Toyota SUVs hold their value better than just about anything else out there. Look at 10 year old merc's on ebay vs 10 year old Tundras or 4runners if you haven't already. The German cars are cheap up front but probably need thousands in work, see #1.

#3 How much do you really care about driving a "luxury" car? There is no problem at all with driving a Highlander/MDX every day as an A to B. However, the Q5/ML will be that much more comfortable, stylish, fun, etc but you pay the premium for it.

For me, I love driving something fun and I especially love German sports cars so I drive a BMW. But I do most of my own maintenance so I don't end up living under a bridge when a $40 part takes 20 hours of specialty labor ($$$) to replace.

 

[wildcatadam6]

Thanks @maneal4 ... What is mercs?

 

[maneal4]

Mercedes, my bad

 

[joeyrupption]

The Long Term Quality Index is pretty cool.

 

[cantstandthecards]

When you buy it,make sure you put your Bermie Sanders bumper sticker on it!

 

[anthonys735]

I drive a ML550 which is just the 350 with the v8. I love it for what I do, drive a lot. 2 kids might be a little tight though. I love the Q5, bigger inside for sure and it was my 2nd choice. Friend has a pre-owned Range and gets it serviced at that imports place on Newtown because of the difference in price.

 

[wildcatadam6]

The kids rode in the ML350 with us. They're in boosters, and it was quite spacious. Was pleased with it. The Q5 is the smallest of the four or five we've driven.

 

[GrandePdre]

Land Rover is junk.

 

[wildcatadam6]

You must be thinking of the Q7, anth. Q5 is definitely smaller than the ML

 

[anthonys735]

The kids rode in the ML350 with us. They're in boosters, and it was quite spacious. Was pleased with it. The Q5 is the smallest of the four or five we've driven.

You're right I looked at the Q7.

 

[Rex Kwon Do]

Decide #1 - How long are you keeping the car? If the answer is 10+ years I would lean towards something Japanese, mostly because high dollar maintenance starts to really kick in on German cars after that 6 year year/100,000 mark. Do you keep cars for 4 years max and move on? If so you probably wont have to worry about something big breaking or wearing out on your Audi. On the flip side if you keep your cars to 200k miles and only want to change oil, brakes, and tires go Japanese.

#2 How much do you care about resale value? That Q5 is going to depreciate crazy fast while all Toyota SUVs hold their value better than just about anything else out there. Look at 10 year old merc's on ebay vs 10 year old Tundras or 4runners if you haven't already. The German cars are cheap up front but probably need thousands in work, see #1.

#3 How much do you really care about driving a "luxury" car? There is no problem at all with driving a Highlander/MDX every day as an A to B. However, the Q5/ML will be that much more comfortable, stylish, fun, etc but you pay the premium for it.

For me, I love driving something fun and I especially love German sports cars so I drive a BMW. But I do most of my own maintenance so I don't end up living under a bridge when a $40 part takes 20 hours of specialty labor ($$$) to replace.

100% accurate. You don't know pain until you've seen some Mercedes ABC Suspension estimates

 

[Ron Mehico]

My parents have an ML350 they've had for about 5/6 years now and have had no issues with it whatsoever, however they don't drive that much. My brother has an A6 that he actually traded in his benz for, drives much better and his given him no issues, but he's only had it 3 years now. Personally I love Audi's and have never really had a bad experience with them and I personally prefer the way they drive and handle versus a benz, but that's just personal preference. I would imagine either would be a great quality vehicle.

 

[LordEgg_rivals16573]

You're right I looked at the Q7.

maybe, but id love to have a defender 90 or 110.

 

[Chuckinden]

My wife was rear ended a couple weeks ago and her van was totaled. So, we are in the market for a new car. Unfortunately, we only have the rental for another two weeks, so the decision on a new car has to be made rather quickly.

She is really high on the Audi Q5 and Q7, though the price of a Q7 will eliminate itself from consideration. The Q5 she wants is a 2016 demo with only 3400 miles. It is certified and comes with a 6 year/100,000 mile warranty, covering almost everything (radio and navigation excluded).

Anyway, I've heard both good and bad on service records and maintenance and repairs for the brand. If you've owned one, or maybe if you're a mechanic, could you please offer your advice.

Other vehicles in the running are the new Highlander, Acura MDX, and a certified Mercedes ML 350.

Thanks.

You can talk to 50 different people and some will like and some won't.

If you like it and can afford, get it. I've bought many cars in my life where I didn't think it was the best built car on the road, but I liked it and wanted.

 

[DSmith21]

I have a 2011 Q5 and its been a great vehicle. Of all the SUVs that I test drove, it handled the best. It doesn't feel like you are driving a truck like some other brands. The turbocharged four cylinder might be a little under powered if you drive aggressively (if so opt for the V-6). FWIW, the latest edition of Consumer Reports gave Audi the highest customer satisfaction rating of any car brand.

 

[cole854]

Have had a 2015 Q5 for 13 months. Never had a better vehicle.

Test drove the X3 (not near as smooth a ride), Caddy SRX (too many bells and whistles I didn't need on comparison model) and MDX (just not enamoured with the styling...prob 2nd choice for ride, though)

First thought was the X3 as had 2 530's in last 10+ years so loved the German engineering, but just didn't measure up on the ride, plus it came up $3K higher in the apples to apples comparison for the Q5 we ended up getting. Back seat comfort really lacked vs. the others as well.

Q5.....love the ride in town and on highway. Got just enough features to satisfy what I was looking for, as some of their packages contain everything but the kitchen sink. Sunroof/shade is awesome.

Audi of Lexington was a pleasure to work with, and our salesman was top notch. Nice glass of pinot when we signed the deal, as well.

 

[arasco]

We have an MDX and it's been great. Ours is a 2009 with 140k miles on it and we will probably get another one. I've looked at several luxury SUVs and still feels like the MDX is great bang for the buck. Seems larger than the others. Some people just don't like the style of the Acura.

Have you looked at the new Volvo XC90? We looked at one of those and it was amazing. The one we saw was the Inscription Model though and it's very $$$$. Was the only one the dealer had at the time. They have trim packages with a smaller engine and less options significantly less than the top of the ine Inscription. The makeover they did in the XC 90 was substantial.

If you're looking for smaller, the X3 is fun. Recently had an X3 M Sport loaner and it was truly like having an SUV sports car.

 

[wildcatadam6]

Thanks everyone. I think she's gonna go with the Q5.

She's a low mileage driver (~12,000/yr)

 

[Supreme Lord Z]

Volvo XC90 or 60 if you can't afford the 90.

 

[slick rick.ksr]

My son's Mercedes just had $9000 of repairs to the drivetrain, luckily 4000 miles before an extended warranty ran out. My cousin's Lexus had one of the adaptive head lights motor go bad. $2200.
If you're going to own a Mercedes, Audi, Lexus, Infinity, BMW better be ready for big repair costs if they are needed. I've had a lot of cars in my life and I have never seen the value of the aforementioned.

 

[BernieSadori]

I've learned one thing...the TV/video game console in the headrests are a waste of money. My kids played with them maybe twice before they gave it up and went back to their ipads.

 

[maneal4]

100% accurate. You don't know pain until you've seen some Mercedes ABC Suspension estimates

Ha yep, but I'd counter you with M3 valve adjustments, rod bearing failures, crap plastic cooling systems that constantly need to be replaced, SMG pump explosions, broken VANOS tabs, rear subframes mounts cracking/breaking your chassis because BMW thought they didn't need to be reinforced, etc. etc...

Great cars though! [winking]

 

[BernieSadori]

I'm just biding my time for the often rumored Ford Bronco to make its triumphant return.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

My son's Mercedes just had $9000 of repairs to the drivetrain, luckily 4000 miles before an extended warranty ran out. My cousin's Lexus had one of the adaptive head lights motor go bad. $2200.
If you're going to own a Mercedes, Audi, Lexus, Infinity, BMW better be ready for big repair costs if they are needed. I've had a lot of cars in my life and I have never seen the value of the aforementioned.

This is why I want to lease my next car. You can get a nice mid-level on the luxury line, and be done with it before anything big goes. If you're someone who likes cars and new technology, why not?

And someone can answer this better, but the only downside I've seen for leasing is that 1. You don't "own" the car (more of a mindset thing). 2. you have no DP for the next lease and 3. You have to keep your miles in check. I haven't found any other snags or hangups with leasing.

No family of my own yet, I'd like to take that last few years of independence and grab a nice luxury model lease for roughly $400 and then grab a used truck/SUV for more practical purposes: work on properties/drive to the mountains/save on miles.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I purchased a Mazda6, brand new, with only a thousand down, AND grabbed the extended warranty because I always seem to have bad luck with repairs (go figure, I's had zero issues in 3 years)... You don't even want to know what my monthly payment is. Let's just say I could lease quite a nice luxury car right now... Terrible decision on my part.

 

[Ron Mehico]

When we were deciding whether to lease a new car or buy a used car I was originally wanting a lease. But then when we talked it over we figured buying a used car (bought a Honda Pilot) and owning for 5 years and then selling it would be a better investment for us in the long run. It was really the fact that we could sell the thing for 4/5 K after 5 years that made it a better financial option for us versus just paying the same monthly payment and having nothing to show for it in 5 years. Now if we decide to own it for me than 5 years obviously its way better because we'll have it payed off by then and then its free to own but that's a whole different situation.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I'd be inclined to go that route as well, buying a used car. I just know that I never want to buy new again. Just a dumb decision as far as I can tell.

 

[kyhusker2]

My son's Mercedes just had $9000 of repairs to the drivetrain, luckily 4000 miles before an extended warranty ran out. My cousin's Lexus had one of the adaptive head lights motor go bad. $2200.
If you're going to own a Mercedes, Audi, Lexus, Infinity, BMW better be ready for big repair costs if they are needed. I've had a lot of cars in my life and I have never seen the value of the aforementioned.

You need to find and Independent mechanic once the warranty runs out. I have an old, high mileage (175,000+) BMW and it's expensive to maintain, but my mechanic is much cheaper than the dealership would be. A lot cheaper.

 

[Kooky Kats]

If money is not an issue, the best SUV is the Toyota LandCruiser... Bar none.

 

[Chuckinden]

Do they offer the 3 yr service with new cars like they do leases?

 

[wildcatadam6]

If money is not an issue, the best SUV is the Toyota LandCruiser... Bar none.

I agree...I sat in one and fell in love. Unfortunately, money is an issue. Don't have 80-90K to throw down.

 

[Supreme Lord Z]

Use some sort of ruse to trick your wife into agreeing on purchasing a Ford Raptor instead.

 

[wildcatadam6]

^no

 

[TransyCat09]

Volvo XC90

 

[DSmith21]

This is why I want to lease my next car. You can get a nice mid-level on the luxury line, and be done with it before anything big goes. If you're someone who likes cars and new technology, why not?

And someone can answer this better, but the only downside I've seen for leasing is that 1. You don't "own" the car (more of a mindset thing). 2. you have no DP for the next lease and 3. You have to keep your miles in check. I haven't found any other snags or hangups with leasing.

No family of my own yet, I'd like to take that last few years of independence and grab a nice luxury model lease for roughly $400 and then grab a used truck/SUV for more practical purposes: work on properties/drive to the mountains/save on miles.

A new car loses almost half of its value in the first three years. When you lease a new car, you are going to be the one paying for that loss of value. Thus, leasing is actually an expensive option as you have a pretty healthy payment stream and nothing to show for it at the end. The only real advantage to leasing is that you are going to be driving a pretty new car all the time.

One of the most cost effective ways to buy cars is to buy gently used. Buy a car that is 2-3 years old (let someone else eat that big early depreciation loss) and you still get a year or two under warranty. If you buy new, plan to keep the car for 6-7 years at a minimum.

 

[mashburned]

Yea, I'm definitely leasing my next luxury vehicle as soon as I sign my first rap contract but after I lease all my diamonds and gold. Can you lease LandCruisers? Id be like the 3rd LC in my town and probably the only mf'er rich enough to lease the thing.