I went car shopping this afternoon, this was prompted by a long list of problems with my 206,000 mile A3 finally saying its had enough, in the last week ive cracked the screen, fatally punctured a tyre, speedo died and not the alternator has catastrophically died too

So, after my recent problems with my local LR dealer i went to Audi, VW, Volkswagon.....and whilst at audi i took a shine to the Q5, now ive not bought one yet but i am sorely tempted, the new a4 avant looks promising too.

So unless LR do something drastic to redeem themselves it looks like i might be staying on the dark side, i love my landrovers but the dealers are appauling (with few exceptions). I appear to be addicted to Landrovers...

TD5 D-Lander hopefully finished soon!
FL2....this year with any luck!

Audi  Don't put petrol in a diesel. They don't run well.

i was tempted by a 3.0tdi Q5 but you dont get alot for your money, unless you look used demo cars that have been spec'ed up by the dealer Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

You reckon??

I think even the basic spec is pretty high, at least they dont make you pay for a higher spec for basics like puddle lights and map reading lights inside etc. I appear to be addicted to Landrovers...

TD5 D-Lander hopefully finished soon!
FL2....this year with any luck!

TBH i was only comparing 3.0tdi S-Line to 2.0tdi S-Line and comparing things like sound system (Lo or Hi Line) and things like satnav's too, however i did find the odd SE that looked ok Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

My Brother bought a standard A4 estate yesterday and I was talking to the sales chap and he told me that the Q5 was a life style vehicle and would be crap on anything other than the school run ... dont do it you become a c ck you know that

What rubbish the salesman was talking, the Q5 is far from rubbish on anything otehr than the school run, i do a 100 mile commute every day, this is 2 miles local, 33 miles motorway/dualcarriageway and 15 miles twisty country lanes (x2) - its absolutely ideal (snow ice and floods are common)

I also tow and with 2.4T limit thats pretty good, i can expect to get nearly 50mpg on my commute and get there in comfort, also it projects a good image and as a company director when i visit important suppliers or clients there is an element of "looking right" (until i get out in jeans and t-shirt!)

I'm not off the FL2 at all, it is also pretty ideal forwhat i want but bad dealer experiences and similar prices for a good spec make it a fair match - the difference being audi will lend me one for an extended test drive etc, LR wont even discuss selling me one..... I appear to be addicted to Landrovers...

TD5 D-Lander hopefully finished soon!
FL2....this year with any luck!

SMO I will admit the Dealer Service at Audi was excellent and everything was absolutely meticulous but I still think the Land Rover as he said is a more purposeful vehicle and much more capable in off road situations / snow conditions. These were his words not mine

Without doubt the Freelander is better offroad, however i really dont go offroad that often anymore and if i do then i have my own hand-build custom LR for the job which would be ideal if i ever finished the last few bits off!!!!

I've read up on owners in the snow and because of the quattro the Q5 was very good, it uses a very similar 4x4 driveline to the FL2.... I appear to be addicted to Landrovers...

TD5 D-Lander hopefully finished soon!
FL2....this year with any luck!

the Q5 was on our shortlist and we had an impressive test drive.

I don't think there is much between the FL2 and the Q5, apart from the FL2 terrain response system, which you may never use anyway.

it would really come down to which you prefer to own and drive................a very personal choice.

for us it was the FL2 and we are very happy.

Iain

I can understand the appeal having come for an Audi myself. The FL2 is very comfortable and the off road ability excellent. However, if you don't regularly off road then the downside of the FL2 e.g. quality of the interior materials, the various well reported warranty defects, premium purchase and service costs then it can niggle. I'm considering a return to a proper 'premium' brand myself.

If you like the car go for it (whatever brand it is)

My Audi had a fair few warranty repairs in the 3.5 years I had it, It was a fine car but Audis are not without their problems too...that said I will look at Q5's next year along with fl2's and tiguan /touregs. I wont be disturbing the kia/hyundia people Im under 80 so honda is out, and Im going no where near toyota dealerships while a stream of cars with jammed throttles pile into them. 'The car in the hedge is a toyota' At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

I've been very lucky with my current audi, until this week ive not had a single failure of any part in 3 years and over 100K miles, not even a puncture!

We shall see, both a viable options  I appear to be addicted to Landrovers...

TD5 D-Lander hopefully finished soon!
FL2....this year with any luck!

Sorry guys, i orderd a Q5 S-Line  I appear to be addicted to Landrovers...

TD5 D-Lander hopefully finished soon!
FL2....this year with any luck!

Please change your signature strip and hang your head in shame, Traitor!