Opinions on Audi Q7

NY65912 · 01-19-2009, 03:00 PM

I'm thinking about a new SUV for my daily driver and hauler/tow vehicle.

I currently have an '04 Lincoln Aviator with 29K miles and still want/need a SUV and yes I'm used to poor mileage.

I'm seriously thinking of the Q7 but read that they are plauged with problems especially electrical ones.

Any thoughts or opinions?

Tim Hancock · 01-19-2009, 03:18 PM

My brother in-law has had one for a year or two and it has been in the shop several times for warranty work (same goes for his A4 which I think I have convinced him to get rid due to the warranty expiring).

Scott R · Scott R's Garage

I was told by my dealer to avoid the current v6, something about a cam issue. I'll go to my grave driving Audi's, Detroit is to thank for that, but I would not own one of these. I was in for my normal oil change on my 2.7l and there was a guy SCREAMING at the service manager over his having been off the road more often than not.

BGCarrera32 · 01-19-2009, 04:47 PM

After owning a '99 A4 and seeing the ball joints replaced at 55k and then due again at 95k I think you'd be nuts to buy an *suv* from Audi.

Go drive a BMW X5 if you want something foreign and upscale.

89911 · 06:36 PM

I bought a 87 Acura MDX. Not as big as a Q7, but still seats 7. Drives fantastic and I Just got a tow hitch and it can handle 4000 lbs. I looked at the Q7 when it first came out, but the car didn't do much for me looks wise. The Acura was rated highly from CR as a used car. The opinions posted here on Audi's convinced me to avoid. I also owned a X5 for 3 years and liked it, but the technology in the Acura (navigation, bluetooth, sat radio, 5.1 surround sound system) beat the BMW's features

TimT · 01-19-2009, 10:22 PM

Mike, a few of the guys in the club tow with a Cayenne. I think they are nuts... in a tail waggin the dog, or the cart driving the horse kind of way.

NY65912 · 01-20-2009, 06:24 AM

Thanks for the opinions guys.

I will be shying away from the Audi. My cousinn leased a new '09 A4 on Saturday and had a check engine light come on with only 40 miles on the car. He brought it back to Audi yesterday and the flat out exchanged the car for another. They had no idea why this CEL came on but they figured out that something very bad was going on.

The Cayenne, Toureg and Q7 share the same platform I'm told. I guess they are out as well.

I like the Lexus RX 350 but they are only rated at 3500 lb towing capacity. I think the Acura MDX is ugly although it is the highest rated of the class. Maybe a Pathfinder.

We'll see, no rush, I'll keep the Lincoln for a while longer

Steve Viegas · 01-20-2009, 07:23 AM

Check out a Durango. Properly loaded, you can tow almost 10K lbs. They are giving them away and the interiors are very nice. Also, while not towing, with the hemi, 20 mpg (freeway). Reliability is up there with the Japanese counter parts.

onewhippedpuppy · 01-20-2009, 07:36 AM

Good call. It's fortunate that Audis are great to look at, because the new ones always seem to be broken.

If you need towing, what about the new Land Cruiser/Lexus counterpart? Impeccable quality and real off-road ability (not that you need it). Personally, I'm a sucker for these:

The G-wagen is just cool, especially in AMG form. The GL is pretty impressive as an AMG, or you can get it with a diesel for better MPG or towing.

304065 · 01-20-2009, 10:01 AM

X5 3.0.

BGCarrera32 · 01-20-2009, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john_cramer

X5 3.0.

That's interesting that you say 3.0, do you have experience towing with it?

I'd rather own a 3.0 for the other 99% of the non-towing duties with the mileage and all. Could you pull an open aluminum car trailer and 911 with a 3.0?

jhynesrockmtn · 01-20-2009, 01:13 PM

I have an 05 MDX. Bought it certified used and have run it up to 60,000 miles with nothing but normal service. My only gripe is a few little rattles related to speaker housings that have been or will be fixed under warranty. Automatic wipers also suck with no choice to have a regular intermittent capability. Quite roomy and I tow a 16' steel car hauler to the track. I have not towed my 911 yet though, only my 1,000 lbs formula vee. I just had the trailer modified to tow two formula vees so I'll be testing that out soon. I would think you'd have no problem with a 911 and aluminum trailer. If I were to do it over though I'd get the Honda Pilot. Same engine, better seating options and lower cost.

KNS · 01-20-2009, 01:59 PM

My wife (long time Acura owner) just bought an 09 MDX. I'm not crazy about the looks but the handling is amazing - I never thought I could say that about an SUV and I hate SUVs. The Super Handling All Wheel Drive is incredible, splitting power to the wheels that need it. You can feel the outside rear wheel put the power down in a turn (up to 70% of the power will go to the rear if needed and most of that will go to the outside rear wheel in a turn). Three hundred HP is nice too.

lowyder993s · lowyder993s's Garage

Man...you guys are scaring the schit outta me!!! The Warden got one in July has put nearly 11k miles on it, and not a lick of trouble. Waiting for the shoe to drop I guess. I hate driving it...w/ the swept back driver door entry, I hafta pull a leg up and push my own head down to fit in the hole. Also, slow speed braking and they REALLY GRAB!!!

cairns · 06:50 AM

I'd go for an Acura or an X5. We own two of the latter. Both V8s, loaded, one a 2001 with 95K miles, the other a 2008 with maybe 5000 miles. The 2001 has not been trouble free; it needed a valley pan seal, an updated idler pulley and we used to have problems with the rear hatch (long ago fixed) but compared to what I've heard about other SUVs it has been a gem. It still runs like a new car (maybe better) and has been surprisingly good at towing- (open alum trailer with a 3K lb Porsche).

I owned Audis for years and loved them but they were far more troublesome than the BMWs I've owned. My last Audi (a 100) was CONSTANTLY in the shop- the new transmission at 60K (with NO help from Audi) finally ended my Audi relationship. The replacement BMW e39 (528) was the most reliable car I ever owned.

And yes you could easily pull an aluminum trailer and car with the 3.0. Lots of my friends do so. It isn't going to go like the V8 of course but it's more than adequate. And handling wise- the BMW with the sport package cannot be beat. Except by the new lowered Cayenne or Cayenne turbo.

304065 · 01-21-2009, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BGCarrera32

That's interesting that you say 3.0, do you have experience towing with it?

I'd rather own a 3.0 for the other 99% of the non-towing duties with the mileage and all. Could you pull an open aluminum car trailer and 911 with a 3.0?

20 club races and no issues with a Trailex. Buy one.