The same, but different

My Q5 is in for service currently, to get the keyless entry system working again, addressing a couple of service bulletins, and hopefully eliminating a rattle from the back of the car, and so I’m driving … a Q5! But this Q5 is not the “prestige” spec, so doesn’t have the B&O sound system, or navigation – and it does show in the interior with lower quality displays and poorer sound (though really that’s a good thing; it’s nice to know I got something for the extra money I paid!)


All the stereo / display controls are crammed together above the heating controls, leaving a lot of empty space around the shifter – compare my Q5 picture (left) with the rental:


The main display, in the center of the car, is smaller – and updates noticeably slower when for example scrolling through the Sirius radio channels; more noticeable still is the small display between the dials, with this rental Q5 having a single red color display with much bigger pixels (or less aliasing); it just looks lower quality!

Other differences include the speed-volume compensation (which is apparently randomly too loud in this rental Q5) and, strangely, much lighter steering – I definitely prefer my Q5 πŸ™‚

Q5 recall

My first Audi Q5 recall (and with luck, the only one) … apparently I might get hurt by a piece of plastic if I crash the car – there’s a revelation!

Not a very big concern (certainly not like the Toyota recall!) – but maybe Audi can fix my “Audi advanced key”, since in the cold weather it no longer senses me and unlocks the car … I have to go through the awful drudgery of pressing a button on the remote! πŸ˜‰

Four Red MINIs

This morning I headed in to Boston, to meet up with Mass Motoring Club and a drive organized by Sheena from Boston to IKEA, via Newbury St. MMC are not MINI-specific, so I had no worries turning up in my Q5 – in fact, there was a second Audi there too, driven by Armen!Β There were also four Red MINIs!


Other commitments prevented me joining the drive all the way down to IKEA, but I did join them along Newbury Street, and took some pics πŸ™‚

Nice drive! Thanks for organizing, Sheena πŸ™‚