Are there ANY differences between these cars besides the engine?

I.e. is the 2.0T premium plus identical to the 3.0T base model, which is premium plus... besides the engine?

 

I believe the front brake rotors are a bit larger on the 3.0T, but this type of spec like maybe some others you might find, only compensates for a bit of extra weight up front on the 3.0T. That lack of extra weight has been claimed by 2.0T owners to be better for handling (less oversteer). ...YMMV...

 

I've heard the weight claim as well, I wonder how a chipped 2.0T and a OEM 3.0T would differ in terms of actual performance

 

They aren't actually close at all in terms of performance. The 3.0T in the Q5 is de-tuned compared to the S4 similar to the A6 but still the same engine.

Although there are no KO4 (B8 A4, or A5, or Q5) 1/4 mile times I would assume that a KO4 B8 A4 = Stock S4.

Any tune you put on the 2.0T won't come close to the 3.0T unless you upgrade the turbo.

 

So it sounds like some of the weight might be a tad different, but is that it then?

It doesn't look like any of the 3.0T trim levels include anything extra... it's simply an upgraded engine that you're paying the premium for and that's strictly it?

I really want the pano roof and almost certainly want the nav system (ouch, $3200 option!), which also means the premium plus trim. Things add up fast...

 

Personally I ditched the sunroof on my build... I currently have a car with and one without, it is a nice novelty at first, but I definitely prefer without just because I am never fidgeting with the screen when the sun starts cooking the top of my head. That said, other reasons I left it out besides price was because it adds something like 250lbs of weight to the roof of the car which raises the centre of gravity and no doubt impacts the fuel mileage. There have also been issues with exploding sunroofs due to either rocks hitting them or stress caused by different thermal expansion of the car and glass. And of course the risk that it will one day leak and cause all kinds of grief with the electrical system... like my old BMW, grrrrr. To me, the novelty benefit doesn't outweigh the practicality of having a solid roof.

 

Watch this and it might make your choice a lot easier

 

^ 12.7's in a Q5 is impressive. I wonder what the tuning on the 3.0T will bring her to?!!

 

That is a 3.0T

 

Oh my bad I didn't catch that. So where do I get this tune? I'm thinking it would be a perfect birthday present for the missus unit! haha

12.7's and she will be as fast as my Jeep!!! On second thought I better dial it back a bit... can’t have her vehicle outperforming mine!!!