Q5 3.0 VS. S4 3.0 supercharger and engine volume

[Jay007]

So I just picked up a new 2015 S4 with all the bells and whistles last week. I have been looking at the car for a few years now and it was finally the time to pull the trigger. 1 week in, and so far I love it. Part of the reason I was looking at the S4 was 2 years ago my wife bought a new 2013 Q5 and I convinced her to get the 3 liter supercharged engine in it :)

My question here is, other than the different exhaust system on the vehicles, what makes the two sound so much different? When I am driving the S4 you can hear the blower whine and building under around 30% throttle, in the Q5 you are lucky to hear any blower noise even at 90% throttle. At first glance it appears the engine compartments have very similar sound/fireproofing. So why is it so much easier to hear that lovely blower whine in the S4 vs. the Q5?



Note: I figured that this was probably the right place to post this VS. on the Q5 threads.

[13CSGR]

So I just picked up a new 2015 S4 with all the bells and whistles last week. I have been looking at the car for a few years now and it was finally the time to pull the trigger. 1 week in, and so far I love it. Part of the reason I was looking at the S4 was 2 years ago my wife bought a new 2013 Q5 and I convinced her to get the 3 liter supercharged engine in it :)

My question here is, other than the different exhaust system on the vehicles, what makes the two sound so much different? When I am driving the S4 you can hear the blower whine and building under around 30% throttle, in the Q5 you are lucky to hear any blower noise even at 90% throttle. At first glance it appears the engine compartments have very similar sound/fireproofing. So why is it so much easier to hear that lovely blower whine in the S4 vs. the Q5?



Note: I figured that this was probably the right place to post this VS. on the Q5 threads.

I think you might hear a difference because the Q5 is a more de-tuned version of the one that they put in the S4 which means that they're spinning the supercharger a little faster in the S4.

Q5 -
HP - 272
TQ - 295

S4 -
HP - 333
TQ - 325

The S4 you have also utilizes the Soundaktor which the Q5 doesn't which produces engine noise but not supercharger whine.

You can easily get the supercharger whine on either model with an open element filter. Here is the USP intake on a Q5 - https://youtu.be/wbWwbPLNOSY?t=245

[Jay007]

I think you might hear a difference because the Q5 is a more de-tuned version of the one that they put in the S4 which means that they're spinning the supercharger a little faster in the S4.

Q5 -
HP - 272
TQ - 295

S4 -
HP - 333
TQ - 325

The S4 you have also utilizes the Soundaktor which the Q5 doesn't which produces engine noise but not supercharger whine.

You can easily get the supercharger whine on either model with an open element filter. Here is the USP intake on a Q5 - https://youtu.be/wbWwbPLNOSY?t=245

Thanks for the feedback here.

I realize the Q5 is detuned in comparison, but correct me if I’m wrong, are they not both running the same size blower pulley (therefore the blower should be spinning at the same speed)? From what I have read the tuning differences between the two are completely electrical (not mechanical). Something to do with some of the boost the Q5 makes not being fed into the engine, thus the difference in HP&TQ numbers?

I’m not familiar with the ‘Soundaktor’ but will be sure to look this up. Thanks for mentioning.

I plan to change out to a different intake likely on both vehicles. Again thanks for the tip on the USP one.

[B8 S4]

I didnt hear any supercharger noise in my 13' until I added an intake.

[13CSGR]

Thanks for the feedback here.

I realize the Q5 is detuned in comparison, but correct me if I’m wrong, are they not both running the same size blower pulley (therefore the blower should be spinning at the same speed)? From what I have read the tuning differences between the two are completely electrical (not mechanical). Something to do with some of the boost the Q5 makes not being fed into the engine, thus the difference in HP&TQ numbers?

I’m not familiar with the ‘Soundaktor’ but will be sure to look this up. Thanks for mentioning.

I plan to change out to a different intake likely on both vehicles. Again thanks for the tip on the USP one.

I have no idea how the thing is de-tuned whether they're using a smaller pulley or just turning down the boost, I've only had one for a loaner while mine was in service. I was just giving suggestions why they might be different.

I didnt hear any supercharger noise in my 13' until I added an intake.

I could only hear a very faint noise in my S4 before I added an intake and it was usually only on hot days for some reason.

[B8 S4]

If your wife has the sq5 it should have more hp than the s4

[Rez4]

If your wife has the sq5 it should have more hp than the s4

His wife has the Q5 with 3.0T, not the SQ5.

[Jay007]

His wife has the Q5 with 3.0T, not the SQ5.

Same engine as the SQ5, just detuned from the factory and about 8-10k cheaper ;)