tottihead

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to ask a pretty simple question. I'm about to order a new Q5, but I'm really having trouble picking my options.

I'm going for a 2.0 Premium Plus, with the Bang sound for sure. Sunroof is 60/40 against as I dont really see it being worth the value (I'd barely use it), but would be nice if I'm visiting the mountains. Nav i'm about 80/20 against, it just does not seem like its worth 3 G's for a bloody navigation system. I'll be in Edmonton for most of my driving anyway, and if I really wanted navigation, I'll just by the top of the line Garmin ones for like 500 bucks. Now the S-Line is where I'm really not sure. I'm not a very sporty type driver, I like to relax when I drive, and my main reason for buying this vehicle, besides the nice fun ride is I want something good in the winter. I'm not too big on looks, I think the car looks great as is (better with the S-line, but still nice), so the kit is not that important. But, I'm not sure about the tires, increasing the size has its advantages and disadvantages, and I'm having trouble deciding whether I should go for it for that reason, with the added benefit of the nicer grill, etc.

If there are any owners out there that have/do not have these options, let me know what you think, particularly with the S-Line. It seems most users on here have the S-Line which surprised me at first, since I thought it wasn't that big of a deal. I've also heard that S-Line can help with the resale value, is there any truth to that?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks guys

Cprg

Hi Tottihead. There has been much said about the benefits and pros/cons of the various options you mention. Trolling through the threads here will give you a solid idea of where people stand with them.

I have not heard anyone voice great regret over getting any of the items you mention, but I have heard regret expressed for NOT getting them. If you don't dig the pano roof, make sure you take a first-hand look at it—though I assume you have—before committing yourself against. Ditto on the Nav as it represents more than just the navigation component. Audi Drive Select is the other big one, though your driving style—as you note—might make this unnecessary. S-line is a personal choice as it is mostly cosmetic considerations. You are right that the Q5 looks great in any trim, but in my view it was an easy choice to go for the S-line once I saw them side by side. I would guess that all of these would be beneficial for resale. They would if I was looking at a used vehicle.

Have fun choosing. You might be able to guess that I did not leave many of those boxes unchecked.

tomashek

Best you could do is to search this forum for each and every item individually. They all have been discussed here extensively and will give you ideas.
IMO:
1. Don't erase Nav option just yet. It is way more to it than just navigation. Front distance sensor, DVD playback, HD, second SD card slot, color dash screen, two monitor nav display, voice activation, way more convenient console layout. Reseal value goes up too.
2. Pano roof is very nice, but very useless too. I have it on Tig, but opted without it on Q5.
I have to agree though, its definitely cool feature, which is a bit overpriced, I think. If you like sunroofs and use them a lot, then for sure get it.
3. S-package, very personal choice. If you like your cars look sportier - then go for it.
I don't have it, so can't comment on 20inch wheels. Again, just search threads on this topic.
Q5 is exceptional vehicle, I'm convinced you'll love it. One thing to remember though, there is no perfect car out there, and consequently Q5 is not either. You may find some annoyances, but all in all - that is a very solid piece of machinery!
Good luck!

tottihead

Thanks alot for the help guys. I didn't realize the Nav had that many items attached to it. The dealer only had 4 items listed under the package (2 were pretty much nothing, one was the rearview camera, the other the nav).

Does that mean that without Nav, the display is B&W?

GJS - yow

With the premium, the central display is monochrome red, but with the Premium Plus, it is colour, so adding Nav does not add colour to the display. I did the same as you suggested - bought a top-of-the line Garmin and did not select the Nav.

As for S-Line, I don't have it, and one reason was that I read elsewhere that the ride is harsher on the 20" tires. I stuck with the standard 18" tires, and find that the ride is very firm, and can be unpleasant over the many frost heaves and potholes we have in Ottawa. I think it could be worse with the 20" tires in terms of comfort. I downsized to 17" wheels for winter driving.

I have the panorama roof, and think it is great. Any time I have had someone in the back seat, they are absolutely wowed by it. Again, this is a personal preference, and certainly not a 'must-have.'

tomashek

Oops, my mistake, that's true. You have color dash display with PP package, you don't have to upgrade to nav.
And I forgot about backup cam that comes with nav.
I looked at it that way: I get nav options with all the goodies for 3200 - that it will actually help me as a driver, instead pano roof for 2300 for someone to enjoy while sitting at the back seat.
But again, it's very much personal preference.

kordell10

I tend to buy and keep a car for a long time (my last car was 11 years!). And I'm a big advocate of getting a car fully loaded, because if I don't then I will regret not having something at some point... and that will make me enjoy the entire car experience less.

In my case, when I saw S-Line beside the non-S-Line model, it became a no brainer... had to have the S-Line. It just looks so much better. Same with Nav, Pano, B&O, etc... if I was going to get this car, I wanted it with all the goodies. It was worth it to me. The only thing I did not get was the drive select, because I love how this car drives without it and I have no interest in that option.

The Nav is awesome, and as Tomashek says it provides so much more than just the navigation. It's not a fair comparison to a garmin, which I used in my last car and still use when I travel and rent cars.

I am very, very happy with the purchase. 6-month wait was painful and excessive, but that is behind me now! Whatever you decide, best of luck to you and enjoy your Q5

LMcQueen

re: NAV package.
pros:
-the MMI **** conveniently closer to the arm rest
-convenient/elegant to have the same MMI **** that controls everything (other than temperature) also control the NAV
-immediate turns also additionally displayed in dashboard
-obeys voice commands
-parking camera great for backing within a foot of wall/car (standard mirrors are used for the initial backing in, the last 1 metre is with the camera)
-parking camera also great if you're at a stop light and you want to know how close the loser behind you is inching towards your car

cons:
-Price $3200 (quick futureshop search has top of the line portable 5" @$500, and in dash 7" @$1600)
-No traffic updates (unless you subscribe to US Sirius, and even then, limited to Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. some rumours that Mar 2011 might be available for CDN Sirius, but when I recently called them, they had no idea)
-voice command is limited (may need to resort to using the ****, i.e. not entirely hands-free)
-only certain files types/extentions are uploadable to the media hard drive

overall:
-No regrets, but I'm the sucker who gets Pano and black styling just to make me feel good.

jlr_1304

For the s-line, dont forget that you will be limited to all black or cinnamon/black interior, which i find bland looking compared to beige. Dark wood insert is not available anymore.

As for 20" tires, is it possible to order the car with 20" all season instead of summer tires?

tottihead

Yeah, after doing a lot of research on this (I knew absolutely nothing about cars 2 months ago), the size of the wheels do seem to be the biggest downside to the S-Line. I did compare them side to side as people have suggested, and there is a big difference in looks. But I live in Edmonton, and the winters here are ridiculous. A friend of mine said that I would be crazy not to take the S-Line for 2.6k, he said just buy winter tires. (But if I do that, will I not need to buy 20" winter tires, so that I dont throw off the odometer, etc)

I agree with you on the nav. The pano is def nice, and it will def give that wow factor, but I just feel like I'll never fully utilize it. But on the other hand, I might regret it afterwards. Probably gonna be a game time decision.

Thanks for that perspective, and I am in the same boat as you for the drive select. It also did occur to me that I'm paying over 50k for the car, so whats another 6 or 7 to make it fully loaded, especially looking in the long term.

I didn't realize that the MMI **** moves down to the armrest area with the nav. When I test drove a standard Q5, I was wondering why they put the **** way up there. The traffic updates made me feel like the price was even more unfounded for me, but when you add in all the other included items, its a little more digestible. Someone pointed out to me that even if the advanced parking system prevents one parking lot accident/scratch, the system has saved me 1,000 dollars.

If you don't mind, could you also please explain a little more about the limitations on the voice commands? Is it not great at interpreting voice commands when it comes to addresses?


That is a very good question, if it is possible, that could very well push the balance in favour of the S-Line, since that is my main concern. I will def ask the dealer that when I go tomorrow (Hopefully they're open on Family day)


Well, thanks a lot guys, I did not expect to have so many people helping out, I really appreciate it.