B9 2018 Audi SQ5 Ownership Review on a Rainy day in California

[@adventurer4188]

Love it, looks just like mine same year, love this, from Temecula…

[@DekiaryCarter]

Nice! When did you get yours? We bought ours in late summer of 2022.

[@adventurer4188]

Yesterday at Audi San Diego, you convinced me, lol

[@roarlisfang2860]

So, let me ask you I simple question... I found a 35,000 USD, accident-free 2018 SQ5 in my area, should I buy it (in your opinion)? Honestly speaking the price looks almost too good, to an extent I'm suspecting its maintenance cost will be sky-high. CoG isn't good but it's to be expected on such a large car, just wondering how much it costs you yearly on insurance & service?

[@DekiaryCarter]

How many miles on it? The maintenance on any sports model car will be higher. It’s also a German car so even a basic oil change is around $250. I paid around 34k for my premium plus 18 model with 33,000 miles on it. It’s a great daily driver. My wife enjoys it. They do depreciate pretty fast so if you plan on keeping it for a long enough time then it could be worth it depending on your financial goals. You get a lot of car for the money. Most Honda civics cost around this price now and you’re getting triple the car easily. Try to get one with leather seats. The cloth with leather isn’t comfortable. The dynamic mag ride suspension version with air suspension are a nice upgrade but definitely not a deal breaker since they cost more money.

[@rhar1044]

Don't do it. Get a 2014-2017 B8. Faster and more reliable.

[@md8744]

Hi may i ask you is there anything major problem since you had it ? I am about to test drive tomorrow 2019- 33k miles . Thanks

[@DekiaryCarter]

No major problems but most of the common issues you’ll find with Audi vehicles are related to cooling and oil leaks down the road. If you set wide a few thousand dollars for repairs closer to the 50k+ mile mark you should be fine for a long time. These are very reliable except for the typical European car hiccups with plastic parts and seals that wear out quickly compared to Japanese cars. We’re at 66k miles now and had to replace the thermostat around 55k. Water pumps are a weak point for 99% of Audi. They can leak between 40k - 100k miles. Ours has been ok so far. The parts aren’t expensive you just need to find a place that has reasonable labor rates if you can’t do it yourself. The PCV (oil /air separator) tend to leak/fail over time too. Engine motor mounts leak too. This is pretty expensive job when the time comes. I’d recommend joint all of the B9 SQ5/S4/S5 Facebook groups. You’ll learn all about the hiccups so you know what to prepare for over time. If you have the extra cash, it wouldn’t hurt to buy an extended warranty. These depreciate very quickly so keep that in mind as well. It’s a steal in the used market, just prepare to spend some of those savings closer to year 3-5 of ownership depending on how much you drive. Overall, I’d buy it again. My wife loves it. It’s a fun daily and so much fun to drive fast. Are you getting the premium plus or prestige? It’s a good idea to get the 2019+ year. They worked out a few hiccups from the first year.

[@md8744]

@@DekiaryCarter it sounds little worry with the guy like me as a worker 40 hrs a week sometime do OT 😅 but anyway I will test drive first tomorrow in Fletcher Audi . Thank you

[@DekiaryCarter]

@md8744 have fun! Hope you get a great deal. How much are they asking for it?

[@md8744]

@@DekiaryCarter 2850$

[@DekiaryCarter]

@md8744 nice!! That’s a solid deal.

[@Kiss__Kiss]

You switched the HP #s with TQ #s, But at least you got the digits correct. lol While I have the S4 variant which of course weighs less, and has a lower CoG, I have been getting 27-32mpg consistently. Then again, my commute is almost all highway.

[@DekiaryCarter]

Yeah, I caught that afterwards when I was writing the description 😂 oops lol We mostly driving in the city 90% of our week so out MPG is never that high - especially when I take it out. I still need to drive the S4. I bet it feels great.

[@Kiss__Kiss]

@@DekiaryCarter Yes Sir. Especially when put in Dynamic Steering, Rear Diff...Well, Dynamic everything, really.. As you know, it wakes up the mechanics of it all.

[@DekiaryCarter]

@@Kiss__Kiss I’m gonna have to find one at a dealer that I can test drive. I’ve only driven the older generation - 2013ish years

[@Kiss__Kiss]

@@DekiaryCarter Ah yeah, the S/C B8.5 Quick car as well, since there is no need to wait for the ever popular, "Spool up" like you and I have lol

[@SOSAXP7]

What tires are you using?

[@CILVIAPRONTO]

Were you ever concerned with the rocker arm issues that these b9's had. Going to pick one up on Saturday and I cant get it off my mind.

[@DekiaryCarter]

Hoping for the best. It’s a German car - it is one of many concerns lol

[@Shulcyo]

I thought SQ5 has 349hp engine

[@DekiaryCarter]

I said it wrong in the video. It’s 354hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. It’s quick despite its weight 😉

[@Shulcyo]

@@DekiaryCarter Think you’re wrong. US models come with 349hp engine

[@DekiaryCarter]

@Shulcyo correct 349hp