scrmorling

Can you confirm that your SQ5 is 1.2" lower than a Q5? Audi USA originally announced that when the car was doing the show circuit in 1Q. However, all indications since then are that the car is not lowered. I haven't seen any official explanation from Audi but the most plausible reason given on this forum and elsewhere was that Audi would lose the light truck certification on the vehicle if they lowered it in the US market.

That having been said, if you're happy with the look, that's all that counts.

Steve

BayAreaQ7

Thanks for the two pictures of the roof rail and foot base magnet. To answer your question about why I want to remove the magnet:

Well, after buying the suv, the sales guy gave me a thorough run down on the car, rack, electronics, etc... He told me when I'm not using the rack, to take them off the suv since they change the ride and drive characteristics.

Since I use the racks weekly, it does not make sense to remove them every week when they are not in use mid-week. What a pain that would be!

Sure it makes since to me, that with the racks on, Audi wants to make adjustments to the ride, engine, brakes, or what ever it changes due to a heavy load on the roof. But why would I need this change to the SUV all of the other time???? I only use the racks one day on the weekends, sometimes two days, and would rather have the SQ5 drive and handle like it would with out the racks. Plus, what I put on my rack is not that heavy (surf board or SUP boards). Make sense? Or am I wrong to think like this?

So I shouldn't drive a Ferrari or Lamborghini? But if the SUV handles, rides, and drives better with out the racks on the roof, wouldn't I want this setting active all of the time, even with the racks on the roof but when they are are not in use???? Hmmm...

Thoughts? Any feedback is appreciated.

Parsec

Sorry we're throwing this thread off topic, but the stock Q5 rear wheel gap is approx 4 1/2" and the front wheel gap is 4 3/8" (I might have those measurements backwards). I think Steve is requesting BayAreaQ7 to measure the wheel gaps to confirm the 1.2" drop since all the pictures we've seen don't show any noticeable drop.

BayAreaQ7: I totally get what you're saying with your post above. I would do the same thing since my dealer also told me the racks "totally change" the driving dynamics of the car. Obviously we don't drive a Ferrari, but if you can have it handle like it's supposed to then I don't see why you wouldn't do it!

spijun

The change applies only to the system of ESP

So the best that you yourself test vehicle wiht/w.o. roof rack to see if you will notice the difference.
- try it first with a roof rack
- same part road without roof rack
My opinion is that you will not be able to notice a difference in the behavior of the vehicle

spijun

Have you tried it, did you happen to notice the difference, if so please write what is the difference with and without roof racks.
Thanks

dnt12q5

Yep, I'm the one that bought his SQ5 rims, and the one that sold 20" rims to MP4.2+6.0
It is indeed a small world

BayAreaQ7

Hey Steve,

You might be right, I have read various articles about the USA SQ5 & Euro SQ5 and sometimes the info is mixed. The latest article I read did state the US version of the SQ5 is lower than a stock Q5. I'd be happy to take a pictures of the wheel gap tonight and post the pics.

Here is a link to the article, and a snap shot of the paragraph outlining the suspension changes. One thing I do know, the suspension is drastically different compared to a regular Q5.



http://www.caranddriver.com/news/201...-and-info-news

BayAreaQ7

Hey Duc! Good to see you here... You need to post some pictures of your fancy new S-line Q5 with the SQ5 21" wheels. The white looked great on that suv!!

Mike

scrmorling

Pics & measurements would be great, many thanks.

I think that Car & Driver piece dates back to January and is based on Audi's original press release.

Steve

MP4.2+6.0

I confirmed at the parts numbers already for SQ's vs. the rest. Just flip down a few screens to related threads. Line by line on the suspension parts diagrams, all the parts are the same. Only the front brakes (a different diagram) are different/nicer (mostly the larger quasi floating rotors), and the rears have a paint job. Any differences you feel should be the lower profile tires on any U.S. SQ.