[Dvdman]

Hello old friends,

Thinking of trading in my X5 for a 2021 Audi Q8 prestige. Thinking it's time for a change. Anyone have any opinions on the Q8s?

[Mattl0806]

Originally Posted by Dvdman

Hello old friends,

Thinking of trading in my X5 for a 2021 Audi Q8 prestige. Thinking it's time for a change. Anyone have any opinions on the Q8s?

Audi throttle lag is the absolutely worst.
You have to drive the car in S mode at all times for it to be satisfactory to drive.

I find the infotainment and tech far far far worse. No idrive controller is a big issue for me - but maybe the 21 Q8 has the old pad? Not sure if this is any good.

I would not make rhis switch unless you need the extra rear legroom, you think the looks of the car are just leaps better or you want a softer ride more cushy ride.

[BlkGS]

The Q8 is too "fancy" for me..everything in it is just too shiny, you've got a screen for the HVAC controls, and frankly while it definitely gives off "nice car" vibes.... It's not for me.

My real estate agent had one. Very nice car. Always in the shop. She loved/hated it. Loved it when she had it, hated that she never did. She ended up trading it away because it was so unreliable. Sample size of 1 here, so YMMV.

[Jcit]

Just recently posted this on a different thread so copying over here:
So I came from a 2019 Q8 that I put 50k miles on to a used 2019 X5 40i and now a new X5 50e. The Q8 is still my favorite car for looks, the lines on that SUV were amazing. I also give it high marks for comfort (it absorbed road chatter like a dream), noise suppression (quietest car I have ever owned) and good interior build quality. It really struggled though with engine performance (under powered), throttle mapping (pedal box required for some) and transmission (horrible low speed hesitations and no get-up-and go at high speed). It handled ok but not great on windy roads. The thing that really killed it for me was hitting 50k miles when I lost the warranty and the 48V generator failure that essentially bricked many cars for months at a time. Audi is still working through that mess if you can believe it but they have since extended the warranty on that component to 7 years. They have known about that part failure for 3 years now and still don't have a viable solution (I still follow the Q8 forum). I briefly considered the SQ8 but the throttle and transmission issues remain even with more power and I believe the 48V generator issue is still a problem with that vehicle.

Moving to the X5 from the Q8 was a dream in terms of driving performance. The BMW inline 6 is the smoothest engine I have ever experienced and now with the 50e PHEV I can't imagine a better combination for power, engine performance and ride quality. Road handling is superior in the X5 over the Q8 also. I tested the M60i but the V8 ICE shifting performance was not my favorite and ride quality was not as good as the 50e (understandably so).

[dbull2]

You should probably read the audiworld forum posting below before you decide. This is an on-going issue with all Audi V6 engines. I ordered a 2024 Q7, but the order is delayed with no estimated delivery date for this same issue.

https://www.audiworld.com/forums/aud...ction-3012848/

[LDT]

I like the Q8 look compared to the X6 or Cayenne coupe. It’s a sleeker design. That’s where it stops. The Q8 has as many or more gremlins as the 50e. X5 technology is far superior. X5, design, Power, performance, ride, handling and reliability are also superior. I’ve had 3 Audis and loved them. Wife still has and loves her 2014 A5 cabriolet and will NOT part with it and it just turned a whopping 27,000 trouble free miles. Truly driven by a little “old” (pls don’t quote me) lady around town. I put new tires and battery on it last year not because of wear but because of age.
If you want a new(er) vehicle find a CPO X5. I’d steer clear of any CPO Cayenne with a lithium ion battery and I speak from experience.

[Jetlink2Acey]

I had a 2020 Q8 Premium Plus that I traded in for a 2024 X6 M60i.

I loved the lines on the Q8, but the performance is underwhelming. The throttle lag is pretty bad at low speeds in all modes and it had more body roll than my X6 does.

I had 18,000 miles on the Q8 when the alternator failed and it was in the shop for a month. It also had a fuel pump recall.

The infotainment was fine, but the onboard navigation was lackluster. Figuring out iDrive is more complicated, but its making better sense as I use it.

Sound system and interior room were better in the Q8 though.

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by dbull2

You should probably read the audiworld forum posting below before you decide. This is an on-going issue with all Audi V6 engines. I ordered a 2024 Q7, but the order is delayed with no estimated delivery date for this same issue.

https://www.audiworld.com/forums/aud...ction-3012848/

^^^^^^ This is definitely a huge consideration.

[Dvdman]

I just looked at 2021 X5 21K miles with the M package fully loaded. I am signing papers tomorrow. I appreciate all the information from this great group of people. I think you just saved me years of headaches. Thank you.

[Daedalus0101101]

Originally Posted by Dvdman

I just looked at 2021 X5 21K miles with the M package fully loaded. I am signing papers tomorrow. I appreciate all the information from this great group of people. I think you just saved me years of headaches. Thank you.

You must be mirroring me, because I signed on a 21 X5 with M Package loaded with 21K miles a little over a month ago. So far, I am really loving this car as it is leaps and bounds better than my previous non BMW vehicle.

[Dvdman]

X5 for a 2021 40I with all options and M package for $52K. Is this fair deal? One owner and no accidents. Only thing is it has brown leather inside.

[Dvdman]

Can I ask how much you paid? They are selling mine for $52,500. Fully loaded ( massaging seats and air suspension/ Everything with the M package. 25K miles and one owner. I was going to bargain this afternoon and try and get them down a little more.

Originally Posted by Mattl0806

Audi throttle lag is the absolutely worst.
You have to drive the car in S mode at all times for it to be satisfactory to drive.

I find the infotainment and tech far far far worse. No idrive controller is a big issue for me - but maybe the 21 Q8 has the old pad? Not sure if this is any good.

I would not make rhis switch unless you need the extra rear legroom, you think the looks of the car are just leaps better or you want a softer ride more cushy ride.

Originally Posted by BlkGS

The Q8 is too "fancy" for me..everything in it is just too shiny, you've got a screen for the HVAC controls, and frankly while it definitely gives off "nice car" vibes.... It's not for me.

My real estate agent had one. Very nice car. Always in the shop. She loved/hated it. Loved it when she had it, hated that she never did. She ended up trading it away because it was so unreliable. Sample size of 1 here, so YMMV.

Originally Posted by Jcit

Just recently posted this on a different thread so copying over here:
So I came from a 2019 Q8 that I put 50k miles on to a used 2019 X5 40i and now a new X5 50e. The Q8 is still my favorite car for looks, the lines on that SUV were amazing. I also give it high marks for comfort (it absorbed road chatter like a dream), noise suppression (quietest car I have ever owned) and good interior build quality. It really struggled though with engine performance (under powered), throttle mapping (pedal box required for some) and transmission (horrible low speed hesitations and no get-up-and go at high speed). It handled ok but not great on windy roads. The thing that really killed it for me was hitting 50k miles when I lost the warranty and the 48V generator failure that essentially bricked many cars for months at a time. Audi is still working through that mess if you can believe it but they have since extended the warranty on that component to 7 years. They have known about that part failure for 3 years now and still don't have a viable solution (I still follow the Q8 forum). I briefly considered the SQ8 but the throttle and transmission issues remain even with more power and I believe the 48V generator issue is still a problem with that vehicle.

Moving to the X5 from the Q8 was a dream in terms of driving performance. The BMW inline 6 is the smoothest engine I have ever experienced and now with the 50e PHEV I can't imagine a better combination for power, engine performance and ride quality. Road handling is superior in the X5 over the Q8 also. I tested the M60i but the V8 ICE shifting performance was not my favorite and ride quality was not as good as the 50e (understandably so).

Originally Posted by dbull2

You should probably read the audiworld forum posting below before you decide. This is an on-going issue with all Audi V6 engines. I ordered a 2024 Q7, but the order is delayed with no estimated delivery date for this same issue.

https://www.audiworld.com/forums/aud...ction-3012848/

Originally Posted by LDT

I like the Q8 look compared to the X6 or Cayenne coupe. It’s a sleeker design. That’s where it stops. The Q8 has as many or more gremlins as the 50e. X5 technology is far superior. X5, design, Power, performance, ride, handling and reliability are also superior. I’ve had 3 Audis and loved them. Wife still


has and loves her 2014 A5 cabriolet and will NOT part with it and it just turned a whopping 27,000 trouble free miles. Truly driven by a little “old” (pls don’t quote me) lady around town. I put new tires and battery on it last year not because of wear but because of age.
If you want a new(er) vehicle find a CPO X5. I’d steer clear of any CPO Cayenne with a lithium ion battery and I speak from experience.

Originally Posted by Daedalus0101101

You must be mirroring me, because I signed on a 21 X5 with M Package loaded with 21K miles a little over a month ago. So far, I am really loving this car as it is leaps and bounds better than my previous non BMW vehicle.

[blake6551]

Q8 is complete trash, throttle lag is awful, infotainment is HORRIBLE and the seats are not good. I have my dad's in my driveway for the last 6 months, you couldn't pay me to drive it over an X5.

Honestly, I'd buy a Toyota Highlander over the Q8!

[Dvdman]

I am hearing the horror stories now. I have to admit, it looks pretty sweet.

Originally Posted by blake6551

Q8 is complete trash, throttle lag is awful, infotainment is HORRIBLE and the seats are not good. I have my dad's in my driveway for the last 6 months, you couldn't pay me to drive it over an X5.

Honestly, I'd buy a Toyota Highlander over the Q8!

[PunsGalore]

My mother has a 19' Q7 Prestige. No issues in 48,000 miles, but she will not be keeping it more than another 3 years from now. It has the 3.0 supercharged engine with no 48V hybrid system, and I much perfer it to the Turbo V6 with 48V hybrid system in the new ones. I feel both Mercedes and Audi's build quality have gone down in the past 5 years or so. I will be sticking to BMW and Porsche, and she will most likely get an X5.