TDI vs gas 6cyl in the Q5

[BENZ BOY15]

Well the Q5 now has a tdi version...my mom really liked the 6cyl model but some tdi ones are on the way.

What are the pros and cons?

[Laconian]

How much do you know about diesel engines?

[BENZ BOY15]

Not that much.

[Laconian]

Diesel pros: much better fuel economy, satisfying low end torque, the option of no blood for oil
Cons: much higher upfront cost (usually a premium of like $3-5k), a little noisier, diesel isn't as easy to find, the product of welfare WtB feminist moral hazardism

Your mom won't give a shit either way though. IMO just get her in a car that has minimal quirks so she doesn't blame you when things go wrong.

[BENZ BOY15]

Diesel pros: much better fuel economy, satisfying low end torque, the option of no blood for oil
Cons: much higher upfront cost (usually a premium of like $3-5k), a little noisier, diesel isn't as easy to find, the product of welfare WtB feminist moral hazardism

Your mom won't give a shit either way though. IMO just get her in a car that has minimal quirks so she doesn't blame you when things go wrong.

She really digs the Q5. As soon as she sat in it, she was done with the Lexus. Even she is capable of realizing a Lexus drives like a boat and that Audis are nice. She also liked the size and it has just enough room for her bike.

Yeah I'm sure Audis diesel is nice. Has a lot of torque and gets better gas mileage....the start/stop thing is very cool. The interior is great as well.

I'm guessing she'll go with it...she said it blows the Lexus away in terms of driving experience.

[BENZ BOY15]

I wish they had a a6 avant tdi. That would be cool....because the Q7 is huge.

[CALL_911]

Even she is capable of realizing a Lexus drives like a boat

From whatever Audi experience I have, there is no way a Q5 doesn't drive like a boat.

[BENZ BOY15]

From whatever Audi experience I have, there is no way a Q5 doesn't drive like a boat.

Well, it certainly is more 'sporty' compared to the RX. Keep in mind she's never really had anything 'nice' to drive in her life, so probably feels like a RR.

[Colin]

From whatever Audi experience I have, there is no way a Q5 doesn't drive like a boat.

You have extensive experience of driving Audi (and indeed other cars so as to make the comparison) to be able to make such a statement, I presume?

Back on the original question, if you were in Europe, the TDi would be an absolute no-brainer. In America, I rather doubt it is the right decision. It will be a lot more economical, but it will cost more to buy and fuel will cost more per gallon, so if you want to justify it on financial grounds, it will have a pay-back period of many years. Knowing that the Benz household keeps its cars for many years, that could work, of course! Otherwise, the key difference in driving will be the extra low down torque which for ordinary motoring (not accelerating from a standing start) means modern diesels tend to be more usable than petrols.

[BENZ BOY15]

Rohan is qualified to make definitive statements about every subject.

You have extensive experience of driving Audi (and indeed other cars so as to make the comparison) to be able to make such a statement, I presume?

And yes, they do keep their vehicles for a while....so it might be a good option. And it was more like a 3K premium.

[CALL_911]

You have extensive experience of driving Audi (and indeed other cars so as to make the comparison) to be able to make such a statement, I presume?

Back on the original question, if you were in Europe, the TDi would be an absolute no-brainer. In America, I rather doubt it is the right decision. It will be a lot more economical, but it will cost more to buy and fuel will cost more per gallon, so if you want to justify it on financial grounds, it will have a pay-back period of many years. Knowing that the Benz household keeps its cars for many years, that could work, of course! Otherwise, the key difference in driving will be the extra low down torque which for ordinary motoring (not accelerating from a standing start) means modern diesels tend to be more usable than petrols.

No, not extensive. But having pretty much lived with an A4 for the past 6 years, the thing drives like a sofa. I would be surprised if the Q5 is much better.

I was not talking about the S/RS models, which are completely irrelevant to this discussion.

[BENZ BOY15]

Dude.

Go drive a Suburban, a Lexus RX and then a Q5 and tell me there isn't a big difference....that's what I'm getting at. Sure it's not a R8, but it's not bad.

[CALL_911]

Dude.

Go drive a Suburban, a Lexus RX and then a Q5 and tell me there isn't a big difference....that's what I'm getting at. Sure it's not a R8, but it's not bad.

Suburbans irrelevant, my point is I'd be surprised if the Q5 is significantly less "boatlike" than the RX.

Whatever though, it's a moot point. If she likes the Q5, she likes the Q5.

[BENZ BOY15]

Suburbans irrelevant, my point is I'd be surprised if the Q5 is significantly less "boatlike" than the RX.

Whatever though, it's a moot point. If she likes the Q5, she likes the Q5.

Well, she thought there was a big difference & her reaction was that she didn't want to even go back to the Lexus dealership. It doesn't ride as smooth, but it feels better through turns. There is just enough room and yet it's not too big & it's also got good height/visibility.

It's a good fit. Might go over to the BMW dealership just to show her what they have. And then perhaps Volvo if she's up for it.

[MX793]

The V6 TDIs require urea injection to meet emissions.  They carry a tank full of a blue urea liquid that needs to be refilled every ~10,000 miles and the refill service is often pretty expensive.  IIRC, it costs several hundred dollars to get a BMW with urea injection refilled, largely offsetting the money saved via better fuel economy.  I would imagine Audi charges a similar amount.

[CALL_911]

When's the Q5 TDI hitting dealers?

I'd probably just go for the gas version. Like Laconian said, your mom probably won't give a shit. Why change up something that doesn't need to be changed (why would diesel help her?)?

[Cookie Monster]

No, not extensive. But having pretty much lived with an A4 for the past 6 years, the thing drives like a sofa. I would be surprised if the Q5 is much better.

I was not talking about the S/RS models, which are completely irrelevant to this discussion.

Colin's probably just insulted that you compared a precious Euro car to a boat.

[CALL_911]

Colin's probably just insulted that you compared a precious Euro car to a boat.

Possibly, but methinks he looks at Audi through the rose-colored glasses that are the S/RS models that he has driven or owned. Basic Audis are boring as hell. Hell, I wasn't even that impressed with my friend's old B5 S4.

Truth be told, I think I'd strongly consider the RX solely due to the fact that I would prefer a V6 to a turbo-4 in a car like that.

FWIW, I don't doubt that the S/RS Audis are great and do not drive like boats. But who gives a shit? Like I said, they are irrelevant to this discussion.

[BENZ BOY15]

When's the Q5 TDI hitting dealers?

I'd probably just go for the gas version. Like Laconian said, your mom probably won't give a shit. Why change up something that doesn't need to be changed (why would diesel help her?)?

The dealer says about a week....they're just getting them in. I don't know that it would help her and I really don't think they care THAT much about gas mileage. Although the mileage is better and diesel is around the price of premium, which you'll be buying anyway.

But yeah, there is no real big difference. Yet it'd be interesting to see how the two drive side-by-side.....the price difference was like almost 50k vs 53k (around that). The 6cyl one was loaded pretty much and the only thing that was wrong was that she doesn't want a black/black car. The engine was plenty strong for her....and one thing she loved was the tight turning radius.

WRT price, That was the dealer quoting it but I'm curious as to what cars direct can offer.

I have a feeling she might like the X5 too. Not looking at the Mercedes since it's a Mercedes & Volvo isn't out with the new XC90. But their V40 (?) wagon at NYIAS was very nice. It's not out yet though and it was around 45k.

[BENZ BOY15]

Possibly, but methinks he looks at Audi through the rose-colored glasses that are the S/RS models that he has driven or owned. Basic Audis are boring as hell. Hell, I wasn't even that impressed with my friend's old B5 S4.

Truth be told, I think I'd strongly consider the RX solely due to the fact that I would prefer a V6 to a turbo-4 in a car like that.

FWIW, I don't doubt that the S/RS Audis are great and do not drive like boats. But who gives a shit? Like I said, they are irrelevant to this discussion.

Yeah, she's not too interested in a S/RS.

The lady was saying that a good portion of new Audi buyers are actually brought in by their kids, which doesn't surprise me.

[12,000 RPM]

Diesel sounds good. My wife's next car is gonna be a diesel VW wagon. Used, it's a pretty good deal

[GoCougs]

Nah, forget the diesel - it's for fanboys. Costs a lot more, it's a bit stinky, it clatters, the fuel is basically a light oil so get it on your shoes/hands/carpet and it is brutal to clean off, and performance will be a lot less. Just go for the 3.0T.

[BENZ BOY15]

Nah, forget the diesel - it's for fanboys. Costs a lot more, it's a bit stinky, it clatters, the fuel is basically a light oil so get it on your shoes/hands/carpet and it is brutal to clean off, and performance will be a lot less. Just go for the 3.0T.

She's going to drive the diesel when they get in to the dealer (couple days or so). We'll see.

It wasn't that much more actually.

[12,000 RPM]

Nah, forget the diesel - it's for fanboys. Costs a lot more, it's a bit stinky, it clatters, and performance will be a lot less. Just go for the 3.0T.

Diesel is fine for a DD and the Benzies are hardly hard pressed for money. TDI price premium makes more sense than 3.0T for BENZMOM; I dont think her ego is as tied to stoplight drags as some folks. TDI is prob better equipped from base too to minimize losses from different option packages + low volume.

[BENZ BOY15]

Yeah, I mean she's a 50 something year old woman.....fast acceleration is not as important to them as it is to 20 something males.



I'm sure it's plenty quick. Gas mileage isn't the most important thing, but it's a plus. And yeah, the fact that it's better equipped already is a plus.

Like I said, the cost difference was like $3,000 or so.

[hotrodalex]

Gas. At least for my mom, she probably doesn't care and wants whatever is easiest. Gas is easiest (don't have to search for a station with diesel and remember to grab the diesel pump, don't have to refill urea, etc.) and what she's used to.

[Soup DeVille]

Nah, forget the diesel - it's for fanboys. Costs a lot more, it's a bit stinky, it clatters, the fuel is basically a light oil so get it on your shoes/hands/carpet and it is brutal to clean off, and performance will be a lot less. Just go for the 3.0T.

Why am I still convinced you think all diesel cars act exactly like a 1983 Rabbit?

[Madman]

Circa 2000 or so I had the chance to drive a spanking new Lexus RX.  Underwhelming doesn't even begin to describe my impression of the thing.  Body roll was so immense it felt positively DANGEROUS!  I seriously couldn't believe how bad it was.  Judging by what I've read about the current model, not much has changed.  Between the RX and Q5, the Audi wins every time.  Glad to see somebody in your family has good taste! 

And where the hell do some of you guys live where you can't find diesel?  Every gas station I see has at least one diesel pump. 

[TurboDan]

And where the hell do some of you guys live where you can't find diesel?  Every gas station I see has at least one diesel pump. 

Same here. It's rare that a gas station in my area doesn't have diesel as well.

[Soup DeVille]

Same here. It's rare that a gas station in my area doesn't have diesel as well.

it runs about 80% here. The "I can't find diesel" argument is just another BS excuse. Its not quite as much BS as "diesel smells bad on your hands and shoes," but its up there.