vjd3

Looking to replace my aging Mercedes C240 4Matic wagon (used mostly for hauling band equipment and guitar shipping boxes to and fro).

Drove a new A4 Quattro wagon (2.0 T) and a 3.2 Q5 at the dealer yesterday. Q5 was pretty nice, lot of car for the money. I like that it's a little smaller and slightly more carlike than the Cayenne.

Anyone own one? Thoughts?

Got a little freaked out when I read from a few different owner reviews that apparently the sunroof on the 2012s has a tendency to explode in very cold temperatures when you close the doors and shower the glass into the shade below (if it's closed) or on you (if it's not). Dealers are blaming a bad run of tempered glass but there is no recall. Brings to mind the exploding rear window that crops up on the 993 cars occasionally.

Also drove an Infiniti EX-35 which wasn't bad, actually ... even more carlike. Some cheap lease short-term lease deals on those.

doberdog

The new BMW X3 with the 3.0L turbo is great or wait for the new Mercedes GLK, there might be some deals to be had on the current GLK.

ryano

I have a 2010 Q5 3.2 and I love it. it drives like a car and not a truck. The 3.2 is damn quick too. I will say though I am thinking of going up to the Q7 though because the Q5 does get a bit small at times. Nothing but good things to say here other than you have to replace your rotors with the pads on them so when you do a brake job it costs you over a grand.

cgfen

Stick with the Avant!
Much more fun to drive than those SUV things.
And probably has more carrying capacity

Craig

ggg1ggg

I have a 2012 Q5 2.0T - got it in October. Haven't had any issues whatsoever. My sunroof hasn't exploded, but then, I'm in Texas.

Having driven the 3.2 I found the 2.0T was more nimble and the acceleration is equivalent for most uses (e.g. merging / passing at normal highway speed). As I understand it the main difference is in top-end power. In short, the Q5 is the only SUV I've driven that almost drives like a car (I haven't driven the Cayenne, though).

Coming from a 2006 X3 I found the interior finish WAY nicer (but I think the new generations of X3 are more up to 3-series standards) and of typical Audi standards. Size is exactly what we were looking for, but then, I hate driving big trucks.

My only complaint - giant side mirrors, something you need to get used to. It can obscure the view of things like curbs when making turns.

jago

Replaced harsh riding x5 for wife with Lincoln mkx. Lots of features for the money.
looked at q5 but wanted full cold weather pack with 4hot seats and heated wheel.
love audi but weird that it didn't have that feature.

The Brewmeister

Looks great too! But I'm biased, see sig.

vjd3

I liked the Avant a lot; I'm a bit worried on the resale on them, though. I'm also considering leasing, and the local Audi dealers don't carry much Avant inventory and don't typically offer lease specials on 'em. The Q5 you can get some deals.

I haven't driven the new X3, but I have driven my sister's X3 and it feels too truck like to me.

doberdog

If you want a car like ride, lots of room and great value, the Mercedes GLK is a very nice option. New one coming in a few months, which will have the new Mercedes interior, it was just unveiled at the NY show. It is the first compact crossover to have a diesel engine, this one will be a turbo 4-cylinder with 369 ft-lbs of torque!!! Arriving in October. Just saying....

The Brewmeister

I was talking to an Audi of America employee last week and he said that the A4 Avant is going to be dropped from the US market. Sales have been slow on Avant's here in the states. The Allroad is coming back to replace it and that car will be based on the current A4 platform.

ilko

I'm a station wagon guy. I've had an allroad, an A4 ultrasport avant, and now an S4 avant. Never liked SUVs, the ride height makes them clumsy. If you can get an A4 avant while they're still available they are great cars. I checked out the new A4 allroad at the NY Auto Show last week and it's a very nice car in every aspect.

Just picked up this bad boy 10 days ago. Last of the V8 engines, and last of the S4 wagons to come to our shores. Love it so far.

The Brewmeister

^Yousa! The V8 must be wicked fast. You probably pass everything but the gas station...

Looks nice Ilko, best of luck with it, enjoy!

ilko

Thanks! Yeah, hate to say it but I think it's faster than the 911. And the 911 is the more "economical" car now

CorrdoBrit

Funny. And the only reason I'm not considering a V8 as a replacement for my lowly 2.0T A3 sportwagon

solomonschris

Why not pick up a low mileage A6 Avant? Lots of room, fun to drive and if mine is any indication, trouble free.