[oknish]

Hello All....

Noob here and will say it outright that I am not looking to start a flame war. Looking for a new car for wifey and so far X3 has left MB and Audi in dust. However, this is our first time venturing to BMW so wanted to get some opinions which could then possibly help with our decision.

I was wondering if any X3 owners here looked at MB or Audi and what made them go to X3. I can tell you that my wife was blown away by the way X3 drove. And I was impressed by the electronics in X3 which are at least a generation ahead of GLK and Q5.

All feedback welcome and feel free to flame me via PM

[Mingstar88]

we looked at all three. GLK < Q5< X3

Q5 interior may be a bit better but overall best bang for the buck was X3 and not to mention we had much better discount with our X3

[tuco44]

Drove the GLK and the Q5 before ordering my X3 35i. The X3 is miles ahead of the GLK, and better than the Q5 if you enjoy driving.

[ZGMF20A SF]

Originally Posted by Mingstar88

we looked at all three. GLK < Q5< X3

Q5 interior may be a bit better but overall best bang for the buck was X3 and not to mention we had much better discount with our X3

I agreed that the Q5 interior is a bit better in terms of more luxury. However, the sunroof shade is what cause me to order the X3. I'm just not comfortable having a slide of perforated cloth as my shade. Even tinting the sunroof will still have a lot of heat entering the car's interior.

As for GLK, I still don't like the fact that there are limited availability. I went to see the car and the sales person was pushing hard on getting a car without the lighting package. Majority of the cars in the lot has no xenon and navigation. Ordering the car needs to wait until November for 2012 production. They do have a campaign where existing BMW owner can get a 2000 to 4000 bucks off the car(depends on the model,c-class;e-class, etc). It is ending on July.

Overall, the X3 is by far the best pick. I ordered my car on July 7th and able to pick all the options I want.

[Powerrunner]

Looked at the same veihicals including others, and for my hands down the X3 won me and my wife over. The distinctive look, the responsiveness, the feel of the road and comfort of the interior looks and comfort are what we feel in love with. Also as a person that does not like to drive, I am looking for reasons to get behind the wheel. I know it's a personal preference but for me hands down the X3 is the best choice. Best of luck!

[tuco44]

I'm just not comfortable having a slide of perforated cloth as my shade. Even tinting the sunroof will still have a lot of heat entering the car's interior.

Oh, right, I forgot about the cloth shade on the roof. Definitely a no-go for here, where summer sun can get punishing. All the Audis seem to have this kind of shade, I don't understand why. Poor, IMO.

[Lamdog]

I've been down this road myself. At the end of the day, you should drive all three and make a decision that best fit you lifestyle and your needs. They all have their strength and weaknesses depending on what "you" look for.

For "me", I wanted a driver oriented car with impeccable road manner and the most up to date drivetrain that I can use as a versital family hauler and for long roadtrips. The X3 fit "me" like a glove. The styling and interior finish (though both are a huge improvement) were secondary. Others will prioritize things a bit differantly.

[buckeyebill]

I test drove all three and the most important factor was me fitting in the car.. I'm 6'4" and out of all 3 the X3 was the most comfortable.. From a driving standpoint and backseat room as well...

[guitarpath]

It came down to the Q5 and the X3 for me. I liked the Q5, but I wanted to like it more than I actually did. The X3 was simple the superior drive. Both had virtually the same price-point. I have had my X3 since May and I could not be happier with it.

[tagz]

There are a lot of reasons we went with X3. Here r some of them:

1) Please watch the video "The BMW X3 Difference"

http://www.bmwusa.com/standard/conte...iagallery.aspx

xDrive is miles ahead of Quatro and 4 Matic


2) The exterior of Audi is conservative whereas X3 is very stylish, IMHO

3) X3 has some very unique features (if you opt for them) like heads-up display which no other vehicle in this class has...

4) Although the rear seats recline in Q5, you can only seat 2 persons comfortably in the rear... the 'seat' in the middle was small and hard. In X3, we could seat 3 adults comfortably.

5) As mentioned by our friends above, the sunroof shade was cloth in Q5 which is a big no no. I currently drive a Mercedes benz which has a cloth shade too and it is a nightmare in Summer.

[Alanintx]

Originally Posted by Mingstar88

we looked at all three. GLK < Q5< X3

Q5 interior may be a bit better but overall best bang for the buck was X3 and not to mention we had much better discount with our X3

+1

GLK did not even come close. Q5 was real nice, but the leasing rates, lack of discounts, and the way they package the car (had to have top of the line for what BMW calls Comfort Access) killed it.

I customer ordered my X3 (with a discount) and drove it off the lot 3-4 weeks later.

[sard]

Albeit you're asking on a BMW forum. Have you posted on the Audi forum also? Surprised some ppl here haven't flipped out you didn't use the search first.

[LEDZEP]

Looked at both, as a formality, but as this purchase is my fifth consecutive BMW - there wasn't much contest unless something else really turned my head.

The GLK is ugly - almost on the level of the Pontiac Aztek... It also seemed cheapish to me, like they really cut the quality of materials to put it in the target market they are after. The Q5 is a nice vehicle, but I didn't drive one.

In the end, the fact that I would have to take down my "BMW Parking Only" sign in the garage made my decision for me. I hate taking down signs.

[sard]

My wife was immediately sold on the X3. Said the back seat was much roomier. For me the X3 felt like driving a much smaller car than when I drove the Q5 which felt much bigger although both are the same size. I prefer the BMW iDrive and screen much more than the Q5 also.

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by sard

My wife was immediately sold on the X3. Said the back seat was much roomier.

Hmmm.... you might want to reconsider letting her take it out without you...

[sard]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Hmmm.... you might want to reconsider letting her take it out without you...

:

[momo28]

It was between the Q5 and the X3 for me. Test drove 2 and was equally impressed. Q5 interior is a little bit nicer(more luxurious) and I like the side mirror signaling feature. But after watching the youtube video of the Q5 vs X3 (to go on the steep ramp), I'm sold on the X3. Plus, the Q5 takes much longer delivery time than the X3. I have to tell you I am so happy about my choice.

[ZGMF20A SF]

another advantage of Q5 is the Bang & Olufsen sound system. I'm not sure what brand is our 875 permium sound system. At least I have the Harman Kardon system on my other BMW.

Nothing is perfect in this world. Go with what you feel best for you when test drive it. As you know, all the fellow members here either order or own a X3. So, we are definitely pro X3.

[oknish]

A BIG THANK YOU to all of you who responded. Appreciate the time and feedback.

We noticed the same things that most here mentioned like Sunroof shade, roomy interior, better drive, etc. I am gonna go check out the videos that couple folks mentioned too.

It seems like wife is sold on X3 and who am I to fault her choice

Thanks, again, and, have patience if I ask more questions. I am not very familiar with Bimmers since I drive a MB, you see

[sfax]

People generally rate the Q5 as having a nicer interior but I'm not entirely convinced. The doors are definitely worse, the pro nav looks much better and I read a review today that slated Audi's interior on an A4 Avant calling it cheap plastic whereas the 5 series Touring was seen as much better and classier. OK maybe an A6 is a fairer comparison with a 5 series (and the X3 is in line with the 3 not the 5 series) but the 5 touring and A4 Avant quattro were in the same price bracket and the "cheap plastic" would be the same as in the Q5.

The best looking exterior-wise of the X3/Q5 line up is the white Q5 S Line with 20" alloys IMO. Have seen one in the flesh and it looked stunning. Worse to drive, less economical and a real boneshaker, but looking good!

[jackab]

I test drove the Q5 and it simply didn't have enough 'poke'.

[greg2step]

I have spent the last 2 weeks deciding the Q5 vs the X3 - after today's test drive i decided i'm trading in my 328xi for an X3 - most likely 35i but haven't ruled out the 28i as a matter of economics.

The decision was based on 3 things mainly. first - i test drove 2 Q5's that had some miles on it - a 2.0T and a 3.2 both with 3500 ish miles. one was a dealer manager's ride, the other was for sale from corporate fleet. both had soft mushee steering that scared me away - the new 2.0T i drove felt tighter, if its going to loosen that much in 3000 miles, forget it. other factors - BMW Maintenance and last, i found the 2 nearby Audi dealers in Baltimore to be mediocre at best.

now i need to finalize my specs, make a decision on engine and order my X3. i picked a color though probably should pick a dealer too.