I am debating giving my SQ5 an uplift with some Running Boards/Side Steps. The ones on Amazon and Ebay are so cheap I'm concerned about the quality. Has anyone bought and what did you think?

I am open to alternative suggestions if anyone has recommendations please let me know.

 

Genuine OE ones are £1,500 which will we anodised aluminium or stainless steel. Amazon ones are a fraction of that and couple of hundred pounds and will probably look ropey within a year given they are exposed to the elements. It’s not just the boards, it’s the fixing brackets which will have been given a quick powder coat to keep corrosion at bay.

Ultimately you get what you pay for. If you can get a set of second hand OE boards, that would probably be the way to go.

Thanks bud. I guess same rules apply for the front grille? 

Anywhere you would recommend sourcing second hand OE's and Front Grille's?

Second hand, usually a breaker, however be warned, regards some of these business. Read reviews for feedback. Have bought a window regulator before from Charles Trent, and good experience.

Example: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/227004800446?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338268676&toolid=10044&ff=11&gbraid=0AAAAADA7Q_IIDuta8w1Fw95T_b7B__VVg&loc_physical_ms=9220740&adtype=pla&customid=EAIaIQobChMI5JnH54jrkgMV15lQBh2TgxVaEAQYASABEgKemPD_BwE&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5JnH54jrkgMV15lQBh2TgxVaEAQYASABEgKemPD_BwE

LLL Parts for part numbers. I’ve no idea what the variations are though. LLL Parts aren’t listing separate list for SQ5. https://www.lllparts.co.uk/catalogs/audi/RDW/AQ5/751/0/075/75010

 

oh wow you can tell the difference in quality, especially with the fixings. 

What do you think about the front grille (black badges, honeycomb mesh) - would you also go OE?

Thanks for your help bud!

8 minutes ago, Blabs87 said:

oh wow you can tell the difference in quality, especially with the fixings. 

What do you think about the front grille (black badges, honeycomb mesh) - would you also go OE?

Thanks for your help bud!

Hi as suggested try Charles Trent and Nirrol for second hand original parts.

Steve.

Cheers Steve, much appreciated.

On 2/21/2026 at 4:41 PM, Blabs87 said:

Thanks bud. I guess same rules apply for the front grille? 

Anywhere you would recommend sourcing second hand OE's and Front Grille's?

Jonathan, I have just bought a 2021 Q5 with running boards on and I'm thinking of getting them removed. Do you want to have a chat ?