Those who want to become the owners of a premium German crossover, but have a restrained budget, often consider a pre-owned Audi. But is it worth buying an Audi on the used car market? The experts from Indy Auto Man, a multi-brand Indianapolis dealership, describe the features of a very popular model, the Q5, its pros and cons, and the most common problems the Audi Q5 owners face.

Purpose and Features

The Q5, like most of the used Audi lineup, is well-suited for business people. The spacious cabin comfortably accommodates five adults. There is enough space in the legs zone, doorways, and overhead. The panoramic sunroof, high seating position, and heated cup holders make the car even more comfortable. The front seats have cushion length adjustment, heating, ventilation, and three massage modes. The rear seat has an adjustable backrest.

The dimensions of the Audi Q5 are quite impressive: 184″ L x 75″ W x 66″ H. The luggage compartment holds 1550 liters.

Such dimensions allow the car to be multi-purpose. The owner can easily fit any possessions in the trunk. The volume of the luggage compartment can be increased by moving the rear seats and adjusting the backrest.

An Isofix mount ensures the safety of transporting small passengers. Noise isolation in this model is at a high level. Double-layer glasses provide almost complete silence in the cabin. High-quality materials are used for interior trim: natural and artificial leather, fabric, soft plastic, natural wood, and aluminum inserts. The trunk has a soft cover.

Specifications and Reliability

The Audi Q5 in Indiana used car market is common with a gasoline engine – a 2-liter turbo four. Turbodiesels have proven themselves very well.

Indianapolis Q5 owners note that a car with a two-liter petrol turbo-four has a weak piston group, due to which the engine may often require topping up oil during operation. Less problematic is the naturally aspirated 3.2 V6 petrol engine. It can cover up to 200,000 miles without breakdowns. A three-liter diesel engine can serve up to 300,000 miles.

Reliable 6-speed mechanics on the Q5 is hard to find. More often in the secondary market, there are options with automatic transmission. This gearbox has become much more reliable after the 2011 revision. It began to withstand up to 120-150 thousand miles. Even less problematic is the 8-speed ZF gearbox. It can last up to 200,000 miles.

The Quattro all-wheel drive transmission, installed on most models, is unpretentious and reliable. However, with age, it may begin to make extraneous sounds. The weak spot in the Audi Q5 suspension is wheel bearings, which, as a rule, serve no more than 50,000 miles. Shock absorbers do not require attention up to 90,000 miles.

The main problems of used Audi Q5 models

The Audi Q5 chrome radiator grille is very susceptible to damage.

The most common 2-liter turbo engine on the Audi Q5 raises many questions, especially on pre-restyling models manufactured before 2012. After 90-100 thousand miles, the timing chain can stretch up to a break. Restyled models do not suffer from this issue, and the manufacturer finalized the piston group, chain, and tensioner.

The 3-liter V-shaped petrol engine is very demanding on the state of the cooling system, the weak point of which is the thermostat. The most successful is a two-liter turbodiesel, although it is demanding on fuel quality.

The electrics in this Audi model are rather complicated and capricious. Sometimes, the rearview camera fails, and the tire pressure monitoring system is buggy.

Pros and cons of buying a used Audi Q5

The Indianapolis owners of the Audi Q5 note the following positive qualities of this car:

• Comfortable and reliable suspension;
• Modern design;
• Low fuel consumption;
• Roomy interior;
• High ground clearance;
• High build quality;
• Good dynamics;
• Responsive braking system;
• Roomy trunk.

The main disadvantages are:

• Power steering;
• Robotic transmission;
• Failures in electronics;
• High repair cost.

The Audi Q5 is a reliable and dynamic crossover that emphasizes the owner’s status. However, some of its versions may have several issues resulting in frequent and expensive repairs. To avoid risks, it is vital to buy a used Audi from a reliable car dealer after a full-fledged test drive.