AUDI Q7 3.0 TDI Quattro SE 5dr Tip Auto (2006)

Audi Q7 - Mechanical problems but very safe

I purchased the Audi Q7 to drive my children to the school and back. It has seven seats so we often take our neighbours kids as well. That makes up some way for the high use of petrol.

The thing that is bad about this car is the mechanics. There have been problems that I did not expect, and should not have for such a young car. It has had a number of various electric faults, including some little lights and bulbs inside the car, and also the system of engine management. The dealership did fix these in the terms of the warranty but it was still a bother to be having to manage. It does not give me confidence for after the expiry of the warranty. The tyres also seem to die quite quickly. I find I replace I think all of the tyres maybe every 18 months, during that time I drive for some 11000 miles or so. That seems quite bad.

These are the down sides but on balance I do like the car. It is supremely practical, it has many many spaces inside for all sorts of baggages. The seats also can be arranged in many positions making for lots of spaces inside. The heating under the seats is just great for the winter weather. People in the back always say they find it ever so comfortable. I like that. The front seats are very easy to adjust, little levers on the side of the seat. Simple indeed.

Driving is I have to say easy indeed with the Q7. I overtake with ease thanks to the 3 litre engine, lots of acceleration at any speed at all. I had a tow bar fitted after a year and it has even pulled a horse box on one occasion! That in fact it did with no complaint at all. On the other hand the car says it is a 4x4 but I once had it on a slightly wet field doing a fete and it was not all that confident with the hills and so on.

The Audi Q7 is quite good for seeing around from inside, but the back windscreen is quite poorly designed for that. You sometimes have to rely only on the parking sensors which are very good nonetheless. I am critical a bit of the way there are lots of buttons around the gear stick. First of all, I want to put stuff there and I can hit the controls by mistake too easy. Second I have to be looking down directly to see these buttons which is a bit dangerous really. The satnav monitor is in a good place though, nice and high up. I have seen some cars where that monitor is quite low down, which seems quite risky.