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Hi Sarah - I have a Q2. It's a 2-litre petrol and the engine is quiet: I can't vouch for the diesel, but unless you do a very high mileage you'll be better off with the petrol anyway. Mine will do 40 mpg on a long run, and the 1.4 petrol will be even more economical - good for over 50 mpg on a long run.
As others have said, tyre noise is the issue. Mine is noisier than I'd like, but not enough to put me off. For some reason (probably cost), although the Q2 is made in the Fatherland, they fit Japanese Bridgestine tyres as original equipment, and these are the culprit. My wife's A1, which also started with Bridgestones, now has Goodyear all-season tyres and these are much quieter.
I suggest you specify the smallest wheels available: this improves the ride greatly, and should reduce tyre noise. Some people think big wheels wth thin, low-profie tyres look better, but to me they just look spivvy.
(Edit - replying to your last post, not all Q2s have low-profie tyres. Make sure you get a model with the last figure of the measurement 50 rather than 40.)
Edited by Avant on 13/01/2019 at 15:46
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Thank you Avant , i really like the Q2 and dont want to look at any other car as im settled on the Q2.
I would be going petrol so am glad its quiter. So interms of noise its tje tyres , so as long as i put good tyres on the q2 will be quiter?
The one i test drove was a used one for sale and it was fitted with Michelin tyres maybe thats why i thought it was quite due to the michelin tyres?
And when you say smallest tyres do you mean like 16inch for example?
Edited by Sarah kingsley on 13/01/2019 at 15:57
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The SE has 16" wheels as standard, the Sport 17" and the S-line 18". But the main effect of bigger wheels is a harder ride: all the standard tyres are 50 or 55 profile so you should be OK unless you're a superspiv (and I'm sure you're not) and go for 19" wheels and 40-profile tyres.
The Michelins on the car you tried may well have contrbuted to the lack of noise. If you're buying new you will probably have trouble getting the dealer to change tyres, although you could put winter or all-season tyres on it.
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Thank you Avant SE is the only one i can afford. I'll stick to 16 inch.
Why would a dealer not let me change tyres if i would be paying for them? ( sorry im new to all this). Do i have to stay with there tyres under warrenty? As i was going to put Michelin tyres on since they are quiter.
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I'm not sure for certain, but if a Q2 was available with a 16" wheel, that is almost certainly going to be the smallest available, they probably go up to 19" on some versions. And just to be clear, you can't put a taller profile tyre on a larger diameter wheel, it needs to be the same circumference. So if you ended up getting a car with an 18 or 19" wheel, you'd have to replace the wheels with smaller diameter ones, to get a taller tyre with the same circumference.
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I have just been looking onlime and the smallest tyres are 16inch alloys and id have to check again but i dont think there low profile either which im hoping means there quite.
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This is what i found online about the 16inch wheels.
16" x 6.5J '5-spoke' design alloy wheels with 215/60 R16 tyres
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Yes, 16" is the smallest available - there wouldn't be any point in anything smaller. Sarah's point is about the tyres: all I can suggest is to try and see what the dealer says. From their point of view the tyres put on at the factory aren't brand new any more, so they would take a hit.
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If they didn't when could i change to Michelin tyres? Would it be when they need changing or after the warrenty is up
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You can change any time you like, but if you don't get any joy from the dealer it'll be at your own expense. I didn't find that the noise was bad enough to make that worth while. But if you drive a lot in bad winter weather, you could put Michelin Cross-Climates on which you could leave on the car all year.
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When you say at your own expense you just mean i will have to pay for the michelin myself?
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When you say at your own expense you just mean i will have to pay for the michelin myself?
Yes, just drive the car on the tyres that come with it. When they are worn-out, you can investigate which ones are the quietest then.
With any luck the car will be great and you'll have nothing else to worry about and will probably forget about the tyres anyway?
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Thank you all for helping me and your advice. I have areanged for a longer test drive of the Q2 and the SE model ( its the one i am interested in) and a petrol auto version.
My husband has suggested the mini countryman hybrid , he owns a mini 5 door hatch and his car is quite but again he has Michelin tyres on his. When i am in his car it doesn't affect my condtion due to it being quite. I have not tried a countryman any thoughts on this car? From reading online and looking at review videos i like the look both exterior and interior , it has enough boot space for me to.
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Ignore the last part of my last post i told my partner that i still prefer the Audi over the Mini.
So far im loving the Q2 and so far its quite enough for me.
My brother has suggested that i also sortlist the Q3 as he said it has more soundproofing and is just as quite.
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I'd forget the looks for the moment and just go with what driving and practical needs are met. Then...
BTW - I'd check on the Tyre Reviews website for combinations of tyre (not just make, the specific model, generation and size) and cars you're looking at - sometimes a different size combo or model of tyre can make a HUGE difference in terms of grip/performance (dry/wet/winter), noise in the cabin, wear and price (replacements).
Have a look at users' (actual car owners) reviews as well as the generic ones they list which often are for standard tyre and wheel combos only. I noted that there's even differences between cars in the same brand (e.g. VW), often because of the difference in the car's size or configuration (estate, hatch, rear or front wheel drive etc).
When I was looking to get a set of replacement tyres for my older Mazda3, I did extensive research (probably more than you may car to do), but found that the better all-season tyres like the Michelin Cross Climate Plus(+) and the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-2 were thought of as quieter and more comfortable than most, including the vast majority of equivalent quality summer tyres.
They do cost more (£20 - £35 more each, if they are the size Avant said [215/60 R16H]), compromise on non-winter performance (the CC+ being better on that and the nearest to summer tyres), but give far better (and quieter) performance in cold wintry conditions than summer tyres do (the Goodyears being the better of the two and more suited to people living in more northerly parts of the UK that get more snow/ice than, say, the South [CC+ better]).
A new car might come with either, though it's far more likely that they will be shod on summer tyres. You may, as has been said, be able to get the dealer (if it's a brand new car) be able to swap them out for free as part of the deal, but it's more likely they'll charge you quite a premium (dealers always do to change tyres), so ask what the originals would likely be (it could be more than one make/model of tyre) and check reviews to see what they are like.
They may be OK, or you may find you might want to swap them out after a year or two or straight away and sell the OEM set on Ebay etc. To be honest, as the tyres on the SE are decent profile, and Audi are normally good on sound-proofing, you may find they are ok. Check when you test the car again to see what size, make and model/generation of tyres they are.
Note that the 'EU label' for noise of tyres is what can be heard externally, and NOT in the car. I used a phone app (probably crude, but a guide none the less) for a decibel meter to check the difference between my 6yo tyres and my new CC+ ones.
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although the Q2 is made in the Fatherland, they fit Japanese Bridgestine tyres as original equipment,
Look at the sidewalls for the country of manufacture. Japanese company perhaps but I have had Bridgestones in the past that were made in Spain and Poland (as well as Japan).
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Thing is, if the OP is not going to be keeping the car longer than a couple of years, such as one of these PCP deals, there is every chance that no new tyres will be required during that time.
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Hi all
Thought i would update this thread. After a lot of test driving including long test drives i went for the Audi Q3.
I went for the basic model and am waiting for it to be ready as i ordered it last week.
I update again once i have the car.
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You'll probably have a wait, as it's a new model - but enjoy it when it comes.
Indeed - do let us know in due course how you get on with it.
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I'm sure it'll be, erm, quite something...
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I have quite a long wait but i know it will be worth the wait , i think the new look of the q3 is better than the old one.
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I'm sure it'll be, erm, quite something...
:-)
Yes, quite!
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I did not want to make a new thread for this question so thought i would ask here.
My parnter said to me this morning that volvo's are better made and more reliable than audi's which i cant see being true but thought i should ask on here. I thought they were about the same?
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Not much in it. Volvos used to be more robust and last for ages, but they now have more electronic trickery which will go wrong as the cars get older, just as with other European makes.
I’m a fan of Audis and other VW group cars, but I’ve been lucky enough not to have kept any of them beyond the warranty period.
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Same here avant. I rareley have a car out of warrenty i tend to tradecin for a new model before the warrenty is up.
Also Avant what i find interesting is i met up with my friend last night who owns an XC40 and he told that hesca member of the XC40 forum and said even though hes happy he said there are a lot and he means a lot of owners who after 6months or so are selling them back and are not happy tjere are apparently a lot of members who belived all the car reviews and magazines who say its a great car and with it winning awards who after so many months are selling and are happy to get rid. One even went on to buy a used Q3 ( old model) and is much happier. When he told me that im glad i'v gone for the Q3.
Edited by Sarah kingsley on 11/02/2019 at 12:36
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In my experience, the main problems between how the motoring press view cars and that of actual owners in the real world has to do with performance and reliability. The motoring pres in general favour cars which are fast and handle well, often, though not always, to the detriment of ride comfort. As for reliability, to the motoring press that is irrelevant as they never own the car, and with very few exeprions, long term test cars are supplied to the magazine new and returned after a maximum of a year, though this typically averages between 6 and 9 months, so hardly enough time to determine a cars reliability.
With the XC40, from what i have read, it seems to very much prioritise comfort. That isn't to say it handles badly, just that handling is less important than comfort. This (to me anyway) is a good thing, i'm very much with James May when he laments that the 'ring has ruined most cars with the relentless obsession of making them 'sporty' with absolutely no need or benefit. So this begs the question of what the XC40 owners you mention found so bad about the car as to chop it in for something else after a short time. Is there no mention on this forum as to what the problems are?. Surely the car is too young for it to be reliability?.
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I will see if i can find out by looking at the forum myself then ask my friend.
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Below is what i found out by looking on the Xc40 forum.
Seems to be that a lot of owners are unhappy with the MPG and that the running costs are a lot more then they thought and a few talk about an over excited gear change?.
Nearly all are saying the above apart from one poster who got rid for a different reason i have copied and pasted below.
"Also sold mine to a main volvo dealer for a small profit, had it 5 months, could not wait to get rid of it, what a load of rubbish, had problems after 3 days when brakes failed, failed again 2 days after getting back from repair, took nearly 2 weeks to solve it and waiting for bits, the build quality was very bad for a car of this price range, expected much better, service and attitude received very poor, really glad to see it drive away, have now ordered a proper car, audi Q5, first of September delivery, great"
The above was posted last year so the poster would be talking about last september for the q5.
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Below is what i found out by looking on the Xc40 forum.
Seems to be that a lot of owners are unhappy with the MPG and that the running costs are a lot more then they thought and a few talk about an over excited gear change?.
Nearly all are saying the above apart from one poster who got rid for a different reason i have copied and pasted below.
"Also sold mine to a main volvo dealer for a small profit, had it 5 months, could not wait to get rid of it, what a load of rubbish, had problems after 3 days when brakes failed, failed again 2 days after getting back from repair, took nearly 2 weeks to solve it and waiting for bits, the build quality was very bad for a car of this price range, expected much better, service and attitude received very poor, really glad to see it drive away, have now ordered a proper car, audi Q5, first of September delivery, great"
The above was posted last year so the poster would be talking about last september for the q5.
Oh dear, doesnt sound too great. Curious to know what on earth an over excited gearchange is?!. But going by that, Volvo's don't seem to be anything like as solid as they once were.
I'll take one of these thanks!
imagesvc.timeincapp.com/v3/foundry/image/?q=70&...5
Edited by badbusdriver on 11/02/2019 at 17:07
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I have know idea either iv never heard tje term excitable gear change before.
Im glad i went for the q3.
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Volvo Amazon BBD, my very first car in saloon form, imported from SA so sadly lacking in any form of rustproofing, not to worry rivetted in biscuit tins and stacks of filler soon filled in the gaps in the front wings.
Apart from the rust a good drive which handled well and was really quite a fast car in its day, though my example had been breathed on somewhat though how much apart from the obvious 4 branch manifold and twin carbs i never did know.
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The Volvo 122 Amazon was a great car. It sold well in the 1960s to people whose Rover 2000s had turned out to be not nearly as well made as the 'granny' P4 Rovers they'd had before. The Amazon was very well made and reliable, and many owners went on to have 144s and 244s.
'Amazon' was a good name, too. A pity Volvo haven't (as far as I can remember) used a name again.
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The Volvo 122 Amazon was a great car. It sold well in the 1960s to people whose Rover 2000s had turned out to be not nearly as well made as the 'granny' P4 Rovers they'd had before. The Amazon was very well made and reliable, and many owners went on to have 144s and 244s.
'Amazon' was a good name, too. A pity Volvo haven't (as far as I can remember) used a name again.
The Rover P4 is another classic i have a real fondness for, more so than the P6 and even the P5. Lovely old bus, i remember stripping part of the interior of one while working in a car body repair shop (on the YTS!) and loving the smells and materials!.
The only other Volvo with a name i can think of, could well be the coolest Volvo of them all, the Sugga. Though i'm not sure that was an official name or just a nickname, i think the correct 'name' was the TP21 (catchy!).
images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/in...g
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Volvo Amazon BBD, my very first car in saloon form, imported from SA so sadly lacking in any form of rustproofing, not to worry rivetted in biscuit tins and stacks of filler soon filled in the gaps in the front wings.
Apart from the rust a good drive which handled well and was really quite a fast car in its day, though my example had been breathed on somewhat though how much apart from the obvious 4 branch manifold and twin carbs i never did know.
I was under the impression they were more rust resistant than most?, maybe that was certain ages though. I do remember from my time at a Saab dealer being told that certain ages of the old 99 and 900 had 'better steel' and were much less rust prone than others.
I love the Amazon though, particularly the station wagon, such a cool looking car, particularly in dark blue, red or white (with wide steel wheels). One of my Dad's bosses in the Shetland islands had an Amazon and let him drive it quite regular (though as much as my Dad likes them, he likes the old PV544 even more, and often tells the story of how he nearly bought one!). But the Amazon (and P1800) have a huge following in the USA and there are all sorts of tasty upgrades available, including, i believe, a supercharger kit!.
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