Pete7874

After 4+ years of ownership, the C300 has now been sold. While the wife liked it from a driving/handling perspective, the reliability was worrisome and I convinced her to dump it as soon as the extended warranty was up. We've gone through some serious (read:expensive) repairs during that time, and I certainly wouldn't want to have to foot the bill for such repairs in the future.

The new W205 looked interesting, but in the end, the wife wanted to try an SUV this time, and the GLK did not strike her fancy, so she ended up with a Q5 3.0T.

Thanks everyone for the knowledge shared here!

JPc300

My opinion and please don't take any offense to my comment, but vw/audi are garbage. These cars are all about repairs, although I will admit they are making them a little better. They are just as expensive to fix just so you know. But I won't take from that they are cool cars. GL.

Pete7874

I owned an A4 a while back, and it was very reliable and I wouldn't call it garbage at all. Granted, that's just a sample of one, but the latest CR reliability stats have the Q5 listed as "average", so no better or worse than a C-class. We also have a newer A4 TDI in the family, and it's been good so far.

But yes, I am not expecting Toyota/Lexus type reliability from this Q5. I'm well aware. And if it does turn out to be seriously problematic (hard to imagine it could be worse than our C300), then it'll get dumped before ext. warranty is up as well. I'm afraid none of these German cars are meant to be kept for 10+ years, unless you're willing to pump money into them.

By the way, speaking of garbage, our C300 needed a new SAM, new Command NAV system, new oil level sensor, new transmission, new side mirrors, fluid leaks up the wazoo, all with less than 60K miles on the clock.

edgalang

Personally I am a firm believer that a large portion of how a car will perform late in life depends a lot on the first owner. Cars within my family were all purchased new <10 miles on the odometer and are generally kept for 10 years or 200k miles (whichever comes first).

This particular w204 will be no exception.


EDIT:
I just realized your location OP. Unfortunately I can only make these claims because I am in CA. Good luck with your choice regardless.

95_993

My experience with Audi was excellent. I drove my 2001 A4 Avant from new to 172k virtually trouble free miles. I say virtually because I did have a few age appropriate repairs like wheel bearings at 160k miles, etc. it served me well in some of the worst conditions.

PeterUbers

Good luck

Benzs are hit or miss ... I've experienced both hit and miss

When your car is garbage, they all might as well be garbage ... Because you are the one stuck with that car

Big Daddy

If you want reliability buy a Hyundai much cheaper and more reliable

vipsa

Wow, so much hate on here. Congrats mate, we're actually shopping for a Q5 for the wife as well. Very good vehicle and the 3.0T is a great engine. Enjoy!

Big Daddy

Just payed nearly 2 grand to fix the ignition lock including transport to the dealer. After that they found a leaking seal on the steering rack. Quoted 7 grand for a new one plus labour of course. carry a bottle of fluid and top it up when needed, not paying that much

shinjyo

The Q5 is sometimes more toublesome, but most European are expensive to repair anyway. As long as she likes it, that's no big deal, enjoy your new car!

JamesY

and good luck. It can be hit or miss i guess. my wife has a 2011 Q5, and within the first month, was burning oil. turns out pistons or rings were bent, something like that. Audi covered it, repaired it and 87K miles later, not one single problem. So I'd say that's pretty reliable.