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      08-01-2013, 11:00 AM   #1
xDrive35i
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Drove an Audi SQ5: PICS

I had a chance to drive an Audi SQ5 yesterday. The car is incredible. Everything that's great about an S4, just with a higher COG.

As soon as you look at the thing, it immediately looks and feels special. It's an S model, and while not quite on par with an M model, it's pretty damn close. The rims are 21", but on Chicago's streets they weren't nearly as harsh as the X3's 19" 309s on the Goodyear LS2 Run-flats. I think the 20" wheels will be the optimal choice. I didn't get a chance to take interior pics, but it had the sport seats with Nappa leather practically everywhere. It's on the whole seat, the perforated flat-bottom steering wheel, the instrument panel, and the door cards and handles. Driving around, you'll need to open the active exhaust flaps via MMI because the car is rock solid and EXTREMELY quiet--these are Lexus LS levels of hushed. It's also blindingly quick--I'm not sure if the specs have been released, but 0-60 might happen in under five seconds. It has a boosted version of the S4's supercharged V6, making some 354 hp. Dealer says it uses a reprogrammed version of the ZF 8HP transmission, but I was surprised that shifts happen much quicker than in the X3 or any other BMW application; it feels like the 7-speed DCT. The X3 is fast, but this a whole other level. And it corners much the same as the X3, if not a little sharper...definitely not as floaty. Still getting word on if the adaptive dampers will be an option on this model.

All in all I'm very impressed. I got back into my X3 and felt right at home, but we'll see what happens when the lease is up in August 2014 Here are a few pics.
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Last edited by xDrive35i; 08-01-2013 at 11:24 AM..
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      08-01-2013, 12:31 PM   #2
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Looks smaller than the X3 (for cargo room). How was the rear cargo area compared to the X3?
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      08-01-2013, 01:11 PM   #3
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The UK will only get the diesel variant, I say only... It's a 3.0 BiTurbo Diesel and does 0-60 in 4.9 seconds with a stupendous amount of torque, and gets 39mpg...
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      08-01-2013, 02:08 PM   #4
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Thd Diesel SQ5 has only 20Nm more torque than the 35d. I wonder if the X3 acceleration figures are very conservative, BMW seem to do this to make more expensive vehicles (ie X5) more attractive.
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      08-01-2013, 03:18 PM   #5
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Just you wait until the X3M comes out !
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      08-01-2013, 03:55 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Teemo Panda View Post
Just you wait until the X3M comes out !
Yup, hopefully the Audi SQ5 as the likely new performance leader in the segment will put pressure on BMW to put out an X3M. Do it please!
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      08-01-2013, 04:36 PM   #7
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On the 'What Car test the X3 35D win....just

http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/new-...m-sport/265969

But if you want a quick X3 you want this:

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/alpina/xd3

Last edited by troggy1969; 08-01-2013 at 05:05 PM..
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      08-02-2013, 12:17 AM   #8
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Damn, if this thing was available when I purchased my X3 I might have 4 rings in my garage...
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      08-02-2013, 02:27 AM   #9
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ALPINA has the answer!!!


http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/alpina/xd3

I have just posted this on the forum but then read about the SQ5.......so I needed to redress the balance.....hence posting here also.


To those longing for the SQ5.......think again!!

Last edited by mac10; 08-02-2013 at 03:05 AM..
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      08-02-2013, 05:56 AM   #10
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Q5 is definitely smaller than the X3.
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      08-02-2013, 07:45 AM   #11
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We had a Q5 a few year back, its about the same size as the X3, maybe a tiny bit smaller. That SQ5 is a work of art, the engine is a gem, even compare to the N55. The SQ5 is about the same price as a loaded X3 35i, which makes the SQ5 somewhat of a bargain. Come on BMW, when is the X3M coming out?
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      08-02-2013, 08:09 AM   #12
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Looks pretty sharp! More power, similar price, supercharged vs turbo, great looks..... hmm, compelling.
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      08-07-2013, 03:35 AM   #13
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Reading between the lines of the Autocar review I get the feeling the "less mechanically refined" X3 is hampered by poor sound insulation some examples suffer from and because the X3 is relatively light it can feel a little flimsy vs the Q5. Quite how Autocar find the Evoque is the best option is another matter.....

Quoting:
The SQ5’s ride, too, leaves a little to be desired. The car’s chassis isolates you from noise well enough and reins in roll quite well. The ride quickly becomes restless as the road’s surface begins to rise and fall, though, as those new dampers attempt — and often fail — to keep vertical body movements in check with any subtlety.

While a BMW X3 xDrive35d is a less mechanically refined machine than this, it’s also a much more compelling one through a fast bend. And a Range Rover Evoque SD4 may not be able to compete on sheer urge, but its blend of compliance, responsiveness and control is also much more impressive.

So should you buy one? Well, it depends if you’re really looking for a driver’s car — because, according to Audi’s own figures, most Q5 owners aren’t.

.....snip.....

But those looking for a really great-handling SUV should probably either stick with plan A — buy a Range Rover Evoque — or gamble on plan B, which is to wait for Audi’s Q3 RS. Which, incidentally, is being developed by Quattro GmbH. ‘Nuff said.
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Last edited by clivem2; 08-07-2013 at 04:27 AM..
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      08-07-2013, 05:53 AM   #14
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Q5 looks good in the front, but the back is like this ->

And Q5 is quite old model, a new Q5 will be released within two years? I would wait for the new model.

But of course if you must have the S-version, that changes things.

Maybe the coming X4M would be the answer.
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      08-07-2013, 06:28 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rodion View Post
Q5 looks good in the front, but the back is like this ->

And Q5 is quite old model, a new Q5 will be released within two years? I would wait for the new model.

But of course if you must have the S-version, that changes things.

Maybe the coming X4M would be the answer.
My lease is up in a year, I'm hoping the LCI out by then will have a higher spec as often happens mid-model-lifetime. The 35D X3 is the most likely route for myself, especially if BMW throw xenons and some other goodies in at standard.
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      08-07-2013, 12:10 PM   #16
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Thumbs up

X3M
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      08-07-2013, 12:56 PM   #17
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X3M
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