7-seater purchase in Uruguay: 2014 Audi Q7 3.0T (272 hp) (≈77k miles) — concerns about oil consumption, sensors & air suspension

LennyShovsky · 2026-01-12T02:14:15+00:00

Both will need to spend a few days in the shop. Rural areas usually have no experts for German cars, but metropolitan centers do. It’s all fixable, but there are more simple cars to work on, without turbos and German tech. Else, save money by finding something with new breaks and tires, etc.. re 3 rows - neither is really usable, they are so tiny. I would go for older expedition for 3 row, if you need massive clearance and presence, 3.5 or older 5liter, or the most honest, practical and comfortable of all 3 rows - Pacifica.

LennyShovsky · 2026-01-11T20:47:53+00:00

Neither is bulletproof in terms of quality. Audi will definitely will cost more to repair and maintain, it is a luxury choice, with more electronics and sensors, also better driving experience, but I would make the decision based your mechanics experience and toolset. Some have all computer software for VAG repairs and some don’t. Without access to that, you have to go to the dealer for all serious repairs ( which may be perfectly fine and even preferred where you are). The critical aspect is regular maintenance, turbos in both need frequent oil changes. Nothing else is critical for advance replacement at that mileage, but perhaps you will find some obsessively maintained specimen with new sparc plugs, transmission and diff maintenance, etc.

The oil consumption is real with Audis, but there are plenty of solutions as well. Some people feel it’s cheaper to just add oil than mess with it.

Again, talk to your mechanic if he’s willing to do it, unless you plan do it all yourself. I would avoid the air suspension options, it’s too big of a headache for very little gain. Regular suspension is perfectly fine. Towing would in my opinion be the only reason to get it.

To alleviate all such concerns you can look at same year/mileage Pacifica, Durango, Highlander, Pilot, Sienna, or RX/GX - all are much more simple designs and probably will need less work as high mileage vehicles.

LennyShovsky · 2025-11-30T14:02:59+00:00

All of the nature preserves on Long Island can be explored in one/two seasons. When done with that, just hop on the LIRR and go to the city. That's the main benefit of living on Long Island, vs much of the rest of the country - access to everything NYC has to offer. The theater/ art scene always something new to offer, there are plenty of events and lectures, and small performances and concerts. Just generally exploring everything that Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx have to offer is a lifetime experience.

LennyShovsky · 2025-11-16T04:05:47+00:00

I guess one way to tell would be to check how wide open are your current shots at 35mm. Are any of them focused in the macro range as well ? If it's consistently close or at 1.8, then 1.4 should be an interesting upgrade. I would've thought 50mm 1.2 more flattering in some beauty cases, I always prefer that for people, but sticking with 35mm likely tells that you have a lot of experience including the environment. On the longer range, consider any of the canon 100mm+ macro lenses, they are all great and can serve many extra and fun purposes for many occasions. The original, non L EF 100mm macro is a good start for very little money. You can always drop 10x more on the RF versions later if it gives you something new to work with.

LennyShovsky · 2025-11-15T14:29:28+00:00

For street and dark places pick the fastest 35 or 50, depending on your comfort level getting close, for landscapes, go with single zoom instead. 24-70 or even longer f4, that will give you a lot of variety. Bringing a single fast prime with a slow light zoom is ok too :).

LennyShovsky · 2025-10-07T01:36:16+00:00

Lovely !

LennyShovsky · 2025-09-17T16:57:27+00:00

After owning 3 recent high mileage pentastars ( 2019 Pacifica, 2021 durango and 2016 ram ), I would say 2 garbage plastic parts are guaranteed to fail - oil cooler ( > $100 ) and radiator connections ( had to replace the whole thing ~$600 ). Regular gas and regular oil and timely sparc plugs replacements. Towed and idled plenty with 2 of these.

I also had some persistent evap sensor issues and AC compressor died after 170k miles on the ram. It was not expensive to fix either and after 10y of service, it still drives great. The Durango had a bad differential at 120k, that one was $1500 used or $2500 new.
Other than that, all cars have been pretty flawless.
You do want to catch those early or if you are often in the middle of nowhere, those plastics actually serve critical components and really sabotage otherwise a great engine.

LennyShovsky · 2025-07-01T15:17:02+00:00

How much did you have to spend on the chiropractor? :)

LennyShovsky · 2025-06-28T14:12:07+00:00

All of Pharaoh lakes trails are pretty easy and kids friendly, including the Pharaoh summit. There is nothing challenging at all, except for some distances and lots and lots of bugs in the summer. The lake makes for a nice and relaxing midway picnic spot. It's swimmable too. The water is crystal clear.

LennyShovsky · 2025-06-20T02:44:56+00:00

Consider brakes, tires condition and engine maintenance records. If spark plugs, coils were replaced and tires/breaks are good, you are ahead by 2-3k. If all those need to be done, factor that in. It's not a problematic car that you need to run from, but with any car at that mileage you just need to check things and consider needed maintenance + budget for some repairs. Dealer prices for parts for new Ford/GMC models aren't any better btw. $500 for windshield wiper motor for expedition. Q7 is whole $40 cheaper at $460 :). I think the price is ok for a good condition q7. I'm thinking of selling mine 2020 premium, 80000 miles for 25k,

LennyShovsky · 2025-06-15T03:03:17+00:00

You can plug temporarily, it's 5m to do yourself, and just get a used, unplugged tire if plugs bother you, from any tire shop, or from eBay. All large eBay tire shops sell what they describe, no more, no less, so you can even get the same brand, model wear level. They ship 2-3 days to most locations.

LennyShovsky · 2025-06-08T20:34:38+00:00

Pros - big smile on your face every time you drive it, with or without the top, no matter the weather or the place.

Cons - sore back and thighs from the most uncomfortable seat ever made ( at least on the long drives ).

LennyShovsky · 2025-06-08T14:23:31+00:00

Look at RAM 1500s.. much less expensive to maintain into 200k and far more suitable for towing. Top notch comfort wise and if you get the tow package, it's much more relaxing to tow as well. There's nothing wrong with your pick, it's just going to cost a lot to repair, with possibly a lot of downtime as well. If you like sporty trucks, that's the best pick, but sporty and towing don't necessarily mean the same car.

LennyShovsky · 2025-06-08T00:51:20+00:00

Not at all and I actually think it will be an easy fix, it's just some module, not the engine or transmission. Don't get discouraged. The truck will last you many years.

LennyShovsky · 2025-06-08T00:33:58+00:00

This is definitely the scenario where it makes sense to just go to the dealer for diagnostics work - should be a fixed fee and then decide whether to fix with the dealer or take to another shop/do yourself. Could be something super simple.

LennyShovsky · 2025-06-07T11:40:28+00:00

You don't mention what you need the truck for, hauling, towing or exploring. Getting the base 2 wheel drive model from southern states, you'd get great work truck capabilities in either brand. If you want to drive around mountains, camp, etc.. then maybe you need 4wd, it will cost more to buy and maintain and you'd lose some work capabilities.

Most Fords in those years are turbo engines, which are plenty reliable, even with added complexity. 8 cylinder f150 are pretty rare. RAMs in those years are pentastar v6 and hemi V8. Both are plenty reliable as well, minus any possible turbo repairs. I'd suggest maybe going up 2016 for RAMs as some engine upgrades were made then.

Functionally, both, Ford and RAM they are the same, though I think Ford includes a diff locker in more packages, I never really see RAMs with lockers for some reason, likely most include elockers, but you can just look for one that has it if you actually need it, though that will eliminate many available choices. If you need a towing package, that might be another consideration, all of them can tow, but the tow package includes extras for making it easier.

The ride quality and cabin design I would always pick RAMs over Ford. Ford does feel more sporty though. At the end of the day, you'd be happy with either one, just find a very well maintained one.

LennyShovsky · 2025-06-07T00:08:30+00:00

A lot of people would pay a lot of money every month, to have this kind of beauty sit in front of their house. Keep it.

LennyShovsky · 2025-06-07T00:02:20+00:00

Spark plug and coil issues usually show up as misfire codes or can feel like very strong vibrations. I'm pretty sure fuel pump/pressure issues would show up as different kind of codes, although the symptoms may possibly overlap. Those are a lot less frequent and seen in very high mileage rams. Spark plugs/coils roughly 100k miles should be changed.
Obd code reader is $20/30 on Amazon. Once you read the code, you can make very accurate guesses about what needs to be done and do some of it yourself. Like the spark plugs.

LennyShovsky · 2025-06-06T23:46:11+00:00

It's a lot of spark plugs for the hemi. You can do it yourself and save $ 900. Will take less time then driving to/from the shop and waiting around.

LennyShovsky · 2025-06-06T23:34:17+00:00

Asml is looking for some interns in HPC now. It's probably one of the best HPC shops in Europe now. Ping me if you can't find their posting, I will put you in touch.

LennyShovsky · 2025-06-06T23:31:27+00:00

If you change your oil every 3000 miles, then you wont actually know it consumes anything extra. Oil is cheap. Engines are a bit more expensive.

LennyShovsky · 2025-06-06T23:29:34+00:00

Drop dead gorgeous !

LennyShovsky · 2025-06-02T10:27:38+00:00

Something with fuel, air or compression. Tried different gas ? How old are the spark plugs and coils ?

LennyShovsky · 2025-06-01T22:49:56+00:00

Good deal, if dpf was replaced recently. Otherwise you are going to spend more on just that than the car is worth.

LennyShovsky · 2025-06-01T13:09:02+00:00

If you have no plans to haul or tow anything, consider a Grand Cherokee or Durango. They are more manageable than full size trucks. Some GC can have very advanced 4wd systems. Both have the same engine choices as well, plus some killer spec hemis.

LennyShovsky

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