[iride4u]

Do to Cadillac offering a $100 incentive to drive the ATS I have done some other test drives as well.
ATS is not in the same class as the X3 in quality and ride. Performance is no as good.
Mercedes GLK Power and handling are not up to the X3 standards also the seats are not as comfortable. Very busy dash lots of buttons.
Audi SQ5 Very heavy handling, not as smooth riding, got upset on RR tracks. The engine is not as refined as the BMWs engine and is noisy on hard acceleration.
Volvo X60 I did not like the dash at all just not integrated. The driver aids were a pain in the butt on any twisty road.
I am staying with my X3 35i. Next vehicle that I will try is the Tesla Model X.

[mac10]

Originally Posted by iride4u

Do to Cadillac offering a $100 incentive to drive the ATS I have done some other test drives as well.
ATS is not in the same class as the X3 in quality and ride. Performance is no as good.
Mercedes GLK Power and handling are not up to the X3 standards also the seats are not as comfortable. Very busy dash lots of buttons.
Audi SQ5 Very heavy handling, not as smooth riding, got upset on RR tracks. The engine is not as refined as the BMWs engine and is noisy on hard acceleration.
Volvo X60 I did not like the dash at all just not integrated. The driver aids were a pain in the butt on any twisty road.
I am staying with my X3 35i. Next vehicle that I will try is the Tesla Model X.

Oh! ok!

[The X Men]

Originally Posted by iride4u

Do to Cadillac offering a $100 incentive to drive the ATS I have done some other test drives as well.
ATS is not in the same class as the X3 in quality and ride. Performance is no as good.
Mercedes GLK Power and handling are not up to the X3 standards also the seats are not as comfortable. Very busy dash lots of buttons.
Audi SQ5 Very heavy handling, not as smooth riding, got upset on RR tracks. The engine is not as refined as the BMWs engine and is noisy on hard acceleration.
Volvo X60 I did not like the dash at all just not integrated. The driver aids were a pain in the butt on any twisty road.
I am staying with my X3 35i. Next vehicle that I will try is the Tesla Model X.

The Audi SQ5 is the high performance model, it should be compare to the X3M which doesnt exist. Just to be fair, the regular X3 35i should be compare with the Q5 3.0T.

[kozzi]

Originally Posted by The X Men

The Audi SQ5 is the high performance model, it should be compare to the X3M which doesnt exist. Just to be fair, the regular X3 35i should be compare with the Q5 3.0T.

We shouldn't be fair. The SQ5 is a direct response to the X3 35i and so is the Macan. Hurry the hell up BMW and give us an X3M!!!

[The X Men]

Originally Posted by kozzi

We shouldn't be fair. The SQ5 is a direct response to the X3 35i and so is the Macan. Hurry the hell up BMW and give us an X3M!!!

I don't think the SQ5 is a direct response to the X3 35i. The Q5 3.0T can keep up with the X3 35i, the SQ5 is design to force BMW into making a X3M.

[Tipsy McStagger]

Originally Posted by The X Men

I don't think the SQ5 is a direct response to the X3 35i. The Q5 3.0T can keep up with the X3 35i, the SQ5 is design to force BMW into making a X3M.

The 3.0t is a few ticks slower to 60. The 35i is almost smack between the two.

With a $300 plug in software tune, the 35i is actually faster than the sq5.

[iride4u]

Originally Posted by The X Men

The Audi SQ5 is the high performance model, it should be compare to the X3M which doesnt exist. Just to be fair, the regular X3 35i should be compare with the Q5 3.0T.

I also drove a Q5 with the supercharged 3.0 V6 and it is smoother but still does not have the acceleration of the X3 and also does not have a light feel when trying to push it in the Colorado foothills. All these vehicles were driven over the same loop.
Of the 5 vehicles the SQ5 has the nicest interior and the Cadillac has the worst fit and finish. My X3 35i is a 2011 with the sport package. If I had to buy a new vehicle at this time I would be unhappy since BMW does not offer the 8 speed with the 3.0 engine any more.

[kozzi]

The 35i is faster all around than the Q5 TSFI. Hopefully the SQ5 will force BMW to change its tune and give us a X3M/X4M sooner rather than later.

Originally Posted by iride4u

If I had to buy a new vehicle at this time I would be unhappy since BMW does not offer the 8 speed with the 3.0 engine any more.

What do you mean by this? Pretty sure the 8 speed isn't going anywhere.

[woodchuck1]

Originally Posted by iride4u

If I had to buy a new vehicle at this time I would be unhappy since BMW does not offer the 8 speed with the 3.0 engine any more.

You might be thinking of the X1, which gets the 8 speed when ordered with the 4 cyl engine, but comes with an older 6 speed transmission when you specify the N55 turbo 6 cyl.

[MrFargo13]

[/QUOTE]With a $300 plug in software tune, the 35i is actually faster than the sq5.[/QUOTE]

What $300 plugin tune can you get?

[kozzi]

http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=811882

I don't think much has changed since this.

[nonagon]

The one we can get is http://burgertuning.com/N55_Jb_BMW_P...nce_Tuner.html

[car_fan]

Originally Posted by kozzi

The 35i is faster all around than the Q5 TSFI. Hopefully the SQ5 will force BMW to change its tune and give us a X3M/X4M sooner rather than later.



What do you mean by this? Pretty sure the 8 speed isn't going anywhere.

Perhaps he means the 8speed sport shift automatic with paddle shifters that was formerly an option on 35i 's with ZAP package, which is not currently available on the 2013/2014 models "without" Msport

[iride4u]

Originally Posted by car_fan

Perhaps he means the 8speed sport shift automatic with paddle shifters that was formerly an option on 35i 's with ZAP package, which is not currently available on the 2013/2014 models "without" Msport

Yes this is what I have. My X3 was ordered by the dealer to show off all the new technology that BMW was offering in the X3. I bought it before they could put many miles on it and have been happy ever since.
My original post was trying to say that in spite of the other vehicles that are available that I have not found one that can take the place of my X3.