First Impressions: Q50 Red Sport 400 Test Drive
Registered Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 103
Likes: 13
From: Baltimore
Just the around view camera and nav/Bose would be enough for me. The DAS was interesting in the q50 I test drove last month. Nothing really wrong with it but at the same time there didn't feel to be any advantage or comfort in the long run. I don't think paying 20% more for most of that stuff is really worth it.
no questions the best value is to skip the Tech package, and the Driver Assistance Package. automakers make crazy margins on all the tech add-ons. but some people want what they want, or want everything just because they can get it. to each his own.
premium pkg is standard in Canada on the 3.0T's (as is the Driver Assistance Pkg on the RS400) so for me it is the RS400 w/out Tech (the only option on RS400). OR the 300 hp 3.0T w/Sport package (and then a tune). DAS comes with the Tech pkg up here, not a stand-alone option.
premium pkg is standard in Canada on the 3.0T's (as is the Driver Assistance Pkg on the RS400) so for me it is the RS400 w/out Tech (the only option on RS400). OR the 300 hp 3.0T w/Sport package (and then a tune). DAS comes with the Tech pkg up here, not a stand-alone option.
Last edited by canucklehead; May 19, 2016 at 11:45 AM.
Just the around view camera and nav/Bose would be enough for me. The DAS was interesting in the q50 I test drove last month. Nothing really wrong with it but at the same time there didn't feel to be any advantage or comfort in the long run. I don't think paying 20% more for most of that stuff is really worth it.
Personally, if I was purchasing a Q50 (I almost did), I wouldn't want to feel anything less than how good the DAS was on that car.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 64
Likes: 4
I just came home from the dealership where I was getting my oil changed and took the Q50 red sport out for a test drive. Not much to report on any of the looks or inside if you've driven the previous Q50S with the 3.7 VQ but that new engine.... wow that thing pulls. I was only able to drive on the highway so I couldn't really evaluate the adaptive suspension, but it is definitely a very fast car. I was near 100 very quickly... brakes feel good (as they did on previous generation) I also think the 7AT shifts really fast. Using paddle shifts it upshift and downshifts very quickly.
The #s...
Car was equipped with every package Except the DAS (This is before when you could order it as a stand alone option) no illuminated kick plates and i believe nor rear spoiler. The Retail was 56,515 with a dealer discount of 1534.. They slightly low-balled the trade in value for my 2010 G37X with 888XX miles in decent condition and offered $10k. 10K plus fees and taxes give a remaining balance of 48,336.
At 60 month financing at 1.9% with zero down the payment is 863.28
I really like the car but the financially responsible side of me thinks i'm better off driving m G which i own free and clear for another year or so. I might consider getting something right before I hit 100k miles or maybe just keep driving it till 110k miles or so. I just don't want to buy a brand new car... I want to see what these go for used. FWIW that blue metallic color is gorgeous!
The #s...
Car was equipped with every package Except the DAS (This is before when you could order it as a stand alone option) no illuminated kick plates and i believe nor rear spoiler. The Retail was 56,515 with a dealer discount of 1534.. They slightly low-balled the trade in value for my 2010 G37X with 888XX miles in decent condition and offered $10k. 10K plus fees and taxes give a remaining balance of 48,336.
At 60 month financing at 1.9% with zero down the payment is 863.28
I really like the car but the financially responsible side of me thinks i'm better off driving m G which i own free and clear for another year or so. I might consider getting something right before I hit 100k miles or maybe just keep driving it till 110k miles or so. I just don't want to buy a brand new car... I want to see what these go for used. FWIW that blue metallic color is gorgeous!
Registered Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: NJ
So after building both a Q50 Sport AWD(300 HP) and Q50 Red Sport AWD(400 HP), basically the Red Sport costs $4000 more and the only difference is 100 HP, 0.5" wider rims, and different exhaust tips. There is no way these engines will not have tunes(piggy back, flashes) that could easily add 100 HP to the 300 HP engine. So for like $500-1000 you can have just as much HP as the Red Sport for $3000+ less. Am I missing anything?
Registered Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,153
Likes: 183
From: ATX
So after building both a Q50 Sport AWD(300 HP) and Q50 Red Sport AWD(400 HP), basically the Red Sport costs $4000 more and the only difference is 100 HP, 0.5" wider rims, and different exhaust tips. There is no way these engines will not have tunes(piggy back, flashes) that could easily add 100 HP to the 300 HP engine. So for like $500-1000 you can have just as much HP as the Red Sport for $3000+ less. Am I missing anything?
So after building both a Q50 Sport AWD(300 HP) and Q50 Red Sport AWD(400 HP), basically the Red Sport costs $4000 more and the only difference is 100 HP, 0.5" wider rims, and different exhaust tips. There is no way these engines will not have tunes(piggy back, flashes) that could easily add 100 HP to the 300 HP engine. So for like $500-1000 you can have just as much HP as the Red Sport for $3000+ less. Am I missing anything?
Registered Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Anyone know what they are? I thought I read the turbo was bigger. As for the ecu. Every ecu will be cracked at some point. Even the highly locked down ones like BMW and the GTR have been cracked. Should be less than a year.
Registered User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 192
From Stillen
Hey Everyone!
I know there has been a lot of speculation on the Q50 3.0tt. Well, we have one here for testing/R&D and wanted to share what we are finding. You can also follow us on Facebook and see some of our live streams.
Dyno Testing:
The Q50 Red Sport made 375 rwhp and 350 ft-lbs (consistently over 3 runs). This was bone stock, no mods.
This motor is definitely underrated. The factory claims 400hp and 350 ft-lbs as the output at the crank. Assuming 15-20% drivetrain loss (7 speed auto and runflat tires). We estimate the engine is actually making 440-470 HP and 410-440 Ft-Lbs at the crank. Keep in mind this is also on California 91 octane (the worst gas for making power).
The engine bay is very tight, but we are taking measurement to see what we can fit in there and what the potential is. We have a few ideas we are working on. As far as parts go we will being with the basic bolt ons. We will probably live stream testing of those in the future (can be seen on our facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/stillen).
***More to come***
I know there has been a lot of speculation on the Q50 3.0tt. Well, we have one here for testing/R&D and wanted to share what we are finding. You can also follow us on Facebook and see some of our live streams.
Dyno Testing:
The Q50 Red Sport made 375 rwhp and 350 ft-lbs (consistently over 3 runs). This was bone stock, no mods.
This motor is definitely underrated. The factory claims 400hp and 350 ft-lbs as the output at the crank. Assuming 15-20% drivetrain loss (7 speed auto and runflat tires). We estimate the engine is actually making 440-470 HP and 410-440 Ft-Lbs at the crank. Keep in mind this is also on California 91 octane (the worst gas for making power).
The engine bay is very tight, but we are taking measurement to see what we can fit in there and what the potential is. We have a few ideas we are working on. As far as parts go we will being with the basic bolt ons. We will probably live stream testing of those in the future (can be seen on our facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/stillen).
***More to come***
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 726
Likes: 78
ugh, I may have to get one in 2017. Hopefully a tune, downpipes, exhaust and some sticky tires will make for an excellent all around car. Only exterior mods I would do is paint the chrome trunk trim to match the body and vinyl wrap the window trim and grill and tint