Just curious if anyone has an opinion on Audi (and how they rate against Lexus and Acura in terms of reliability and quality). Also...if anyone has experience with the Q7...specifically the 2017 model. Wifey is looking and the Q7 is one of her selected options (along with some interest in Lexus and Acura models). Thanks for any and all input!!!
Audi is the best luxury brand in my opinion, mainly because of the standard AWD and turbos. I had a 2013 Audi S6 I loved to death, which was sadly totalled in May (not my fault). It is easily the absolute best luxury sports sedan on the market because of the price vs. power and options when compared to other makes, and even more expensive models from Audi. As an example, the S7 is significantly more money than the S6, even though the drivetrains and options are nearly identical. I will own another one someday, but I downsized to the new 2017 Ford Fusion Sport as I am buying a house this year - so took the equity I had in my car for a down payment. The S models of Audis are also programmatically tuned down (aka governed), and most have the same base motors as their souped up RS big brothers. With an ECU tune, you can dramatically boost the overall BHP output for under $1000 in most cases. As an example, my 2013 S6 had the same motor as both the RS6 (not available in the US), the S7, and the RS7. The twin turbo V8 motor was a joint build between Bentley and Audi, and is also featured in the Bentley Continental GT and in my S6 was tuned down to 460HP. With an ECU tune, it can be increased to about 580 BHP. Obviously you don't get other performance upgrades found in the RS models like improved suspension and braking, but you can do all of that on your own for far less money. I suggest looking for an Audi right at the two year old mark, for the best bang for your buck. My S6 had a sticker of nearly $80,000, and with some patience I was able to find it used at a Carmax in rural Pennsylvania of all places. I got it right at two years old (based upon the manufacturers date) for $50,000 - which was about $4,000 under NADA resell value. Don't be afraid to cast a wide net, shipping a car across country can be done for less than $1000. Carmax sent mine from King of Prussia, PA to Houston for $750. I had mine serviced at Audi Central Houston on the SW freeway, and they were always great. I spent several years researching every luxury sports sedan on the market, and dollar for dollar - the Audi S6 is the best on the market when compared to comparable vehicles. I'd imagine the S4 and S5 are similar. The S7 to me is not worth the extra $10,000-15,000 you pay for it over the S6.
He's asking about the Q7, the bigger SUV, not the S7 car btw. I looked at the S7 but am very glad I didn't buy.
From what I can tell on consumer reports, audi has gone up dramatically in the reliability ratings. I had an audi A6 and I loved it (previously drove a 535i). I have been looking for a S7 but haven't figured out when I want to get it. The Q7 looks really good. I would go for it!
I'm not saying it's the same type or level ... but it's an SUV. Get something like a new Highlander. They're great, they're Toyota (so great reliability), the have luxury too, and it's cheaper.
testdrive for yourself first......personally, i don't like the road feel of audi's at all.....always found them too detached and mushy, not unlike an old school oldsmobile
Bought a brand new 2011 Q5 3.2 and loved it. Had no issues until right after my warranty expired and it has been an absolute nightmare since. 1. Car started to shake while breaking. Replaced injector coil but each began to fail one by one until all 6 replaced. 2. Received a low battery warning and to start car to charge battery message, only issue was that I got message while I was driving. Car completely died on me, literally dead stopped in the middle of the road. Had to replace failed alternator. While at repair shop, Audi sent another faulty alternator so was in shop for a while. 3. Car drove okay for another week until it completely died again. Brought back to repair shop and they suggested to take to dealership. Audi Central ran diagnostic and said they could find nothing wrong with the car even though still getting the low battery warning. Said they reprogrammed it and sent me in my way. Less than 20 minutes on the road, car dies on I-10 and Beltway. Get it towed to Audi West where they run diagnostic and show that it was not programmed correctly. 4. Car drove okay for a few months until a strong gasoline smell started to come through the air vents. Took car back to Audi and guy immediately said it was probably a cracked fuel cylinder. Got it fixed. Few weeks later the smell started to come back. Took is back to dealer and found out one of the valves broke as well so had to get that fixed (luckily covered under the fuel cylinder warranty). All in all, I've probably spent 6-7K since March on the vehicle. Fun car to drive, looks cool, but will never buy Audi again.
Seriously, if you can, try to find an S6 and give it a test drive (they are quite rare in comparison to the S7) - you can save yourself $10-15k. The cars are basically identical. That's just crazy-talk. I'm all for being a fan of a certain make, but German engineering is a thing.
From experience, is also what I should have said in my post. German cars my family has owned over the years: Mercedes- 1998 ML, 2000 e320, 2004 e320 Volkswagen: 1999 Passat (one of the absolute worst vehicles I have owned), 2002 jetta, 2010 cc Audi: 2006 a4 Every single one of these cars had issues. The passat was my first car and it literally deteriorated after 6 months. We had most of these checked out by our close family friend Gus at Autohaus off of star lane. He specializes in German cars. He also told my Dad to get rid of his Mercedes or anything German and convinced him to get an Acura. I on the other hand have had the following Jap cars: 1994 Lexus sc 2004 Infiniti g35 2013 g37 Convinced my Mom to get a 2010 Lexus GS. All of these above, 1 issue on my 04 g35. These cars have been extremely reliable. This was the reasoning for my comment. Not just some crazy statement.
