[drewxnyc]

Hey all,

How many of you narrowed down your car choice to the X3 vs Q5? I ultimately chose the X3 but it was very very close and came down to the wire when deciding. One of the deciding factors for me was that the Q5 interior needed to be updated a little (especially the NAV Screen size and layout), I know many like to say it has aged gracefully but I wasn't sure I could be content with it especially if driving everyday.

I've had the 2016 X3 for about 2 weeks now, I honestly did have a little bit of buyer's remorse but it goes away a little each day lol.

[jponline77]

I didn't look that hard at the regular Q5. My dad has one and it didn't have the acceleration that I was looking for. The SQ5 was good but the tech wasn't up to the BMW. So, it was the X3 in the end.

[FSociety]

X3 for sure!

[MichiganMike]

The cargo space in the Audi Q5 was too small for my needs. My wife also wanted the HUD, which is not available in the Q5. Having enjoyed the N54 engine in my 2010 535i wagon, I preferred the N55 engine over the Audi 6 cylinder. The X3 was an easy choice for me.

[brissim]

4.5 years ago when we eventually got our X3 30d - our first BMW - yes we looked at the Q5. At the time we really didn't consider it to be a contest. Even on runflats the X3 simply rode much better than the Q5. There were some good points about the Q5 (the interior being the main one) but overall the X3 was simply that much better. At the time what did come a close second to the X3 was the XC60 T6. Bit academic now that Volvo have discontinued the 6 cylinder T6 engine in the XC60 and across the Volvo range.

About 12 months ago I did have an opportunity to drive a Q5 3.0TFSI (3.0l 6-cylinder supercharged engine). The engine was superb but once again let down by an overly firm and jittery ride. Would I even consider the Q5 in the future? Probably not - largely because of the VW dieselgate and its potential impact on resale value of VAG vehicles. There's already evidence here in Australia that irrespective of whether the VW/Audi vehicle has a diesel or petrol/gas engine that dieselgate has impacted on rates of depreciation and resale values. Might be different in the US.

Tony

[FSociety]

For the money there's nothing better than the X3 35i in its class period!
The M-Sport its actually so nice that 8/10 ppl that see my car from far think its an X5 lol thats a compliment and once they sit in, WOW this is more spacious than I thought.

[J\\\Wright]

My wife and I briefly considered the Q5 while cross shopping the X3. We ended up getting her a 2016 X3 35i M Sport. Had it for about 2 weeks and couldn't be happier. I actually prefer it over my M3 for quick jaunts around town. It's an awesome car and quite a looker too!

[3002 tii]

Q5 styling seemed bland. Then again take out the A7 and R8 I think most modern Audi's look bland lol.

[drewxnyc]

thanks for the feedback all, yes definitely starting to love the car more and more each day!

[drewxnyc]

Originally Posted by ROBNYC

For the money there's nothing better than the X3 35i in its class period!
The M-Sport its actually so nice that 8/10 ppl that see my car from far think its an X5 lol thats a compliment and once they sit in, WOW this is more spacious than I thought.

Yes I did have a few people initially think it was the X5 at some angles haha. Saw some posts of your X3, love how clean it looks and what you did with it, I have Alpine White as well, I might need to hit you up on some RC questions and other mods lol

[Portimao318]

I had nearly bought a Q5! I think it looks smarter than the X3. But than I had read the German reviews about the Q5 . It seemed that the Audi petrol engines use a lot of oil. I did not buy the Q5 and went for the X3..... I have no regrets so far

And would you really want to buy a car from the VW company these days ??

[exon]

Honestly I liked the Q5's interior better, there is more driver knee/foot room (width) in the Q5. Ergonomics feels better too.

But once I drove the X3, it was pretty apparent that it is better made. More solid, more quiet, more natural steering.

I even test drove the spanking new GLC last week, after the brief drive I still like my X3 better.

[atrueb]

I looked at both models 2 years back. I choose the X3. Why?
1. The Q5 interior is nice, but only as an s-line.
2. The Q5 feels less spacious, because driver and co-driver sit closer together. The back also seemed to have less legroom.
3. The Q5 has crap ergonomics: Audi always puts important buttons (like AC) way down infront of the gear shifter. I don't want to look down so far to read the temperature while driving... I.e. the bottons that you need, have to be there where you see them and where they can be reached easily.
4. The Q5 looks too round... sort of like an overfeed a3 with big wheels. I prefer the agressive looks of the X3
5. Here in Switzerland the warranty package of BMW is much better: Audi is 3 years or 100'000km for parts and labor. BMW is 3 years or 100'000 for parts and 10 years or 100'000km for labor.
6. BMW's 50/50 weight distribution is great
7. BMW's rear biased all wheel drive is awesome:-)

[drewxnyc]

Originally Posted by Endre2

I had nearly bought a Q5! I think it looks smarter than the X3. But than I had read the German reviews about the Q5 . It seemed that the Audi petrol engines use a lot of oil. I did not buy the Q5 and went for the X3..... I have no regrets so far

And would you really want to buy a car from the VW company these days ??

valid points Endre2

[drewxnyc]

Originally Posted by atrueb

I looked at both models 2 years back. I choose the X3. Why?
1. The Q5 interior is nice, but only as an s-line.
2. The Q5 feels less spacious, because driver and co-driver sit closer together. The back also seemed to have less legroom.
3. The Q5 has crap ergonomics: Audi always puts important buttons (like AC) way down infront of the gear shifter. I don't want to look down so far to read the temperature while driving... I.e. the bottons that you need, have to be there where you see them and where they can be reached easily.
4. The Q5 looks too round... sort of like an overfeed a3 with big wheels. I prefer the agressive looks of the X3
5. Here in Switzerland the warranty package of BMW is much better: Audi is 3 years or 100'000km for parts and labor. BMW is 3 years or 100'000 for parts and 10 years or 100'000km for labor.
6. BMW's 50/50 weight distribution is great
7. BMW's rear biased all wheel drive is awesome:-)

yes good valid points atrueb! definitely agree with you.

[FSociety]

Originally Posted by atrueb

I looked at both models 2 years back. I choose the X3. Why?
1. The Q5 interior is nice, but only as an s-line.
2. The Q5 feels less spacious, because driver and co-driver sit closer together. The back also seemed to have less legroom.
3. The Q5 has crap ergonomics: Audi always puts important buttons (like AC) way down infront of the gear shifter. I don't want to look down so far to read the temperature while driving... I.e. the bottons that you need, have to be there where you see them and where they can be reached easily.
4. The Q5 looks too round... sort of like an overfeed a3 with big wheels. I prefer the agressive looks of the X3
5. Here in Switzerland the warranty package of BMW is much better: Audi is 3 years or 100'000km for parts and labor. BMW is 3 years or 100'000 for parts and 10 years or 100'000km for labor.
6. BMW's 50/50 weight distribution is great
7. BMW's rear biased all wheel drive is awesome:-)

+1

[Bob in IL]

This is an interesting thread for me. I'm in the process of looking for a replacement for our Q5. It's our first Audi and has exceeded expectations. I buy my cars and don't keep them much beyond the factory warranty period. The next gen Q5 is coming out later this year, BUT it will be coming from a new plant in Mexico. I've been pleased with our 328i X Drive (1st BMW) and have put the X3 on my short list. Going to look at one tomorrow.

[cheesebag]

My wife's got a Q5 S line Black edition. I've the X3... must admit both cracking motors. The Q5 will get a total revamp next year, a bit like the new Q7 just has.

I think its then that BMW will need to go to the drawing board.

[bichoo]

I've driven the Q5 and I don't care for it for many reasons. The better competitor at the moment is the new GLC.
My X3 lease was and I was excited to jump ship to the GLC after seeing all the promotional videos and pictures, very luxurious compared to the LCI X3; no competition! Even the reviews were good, until the moment I test drove and realized, this is not a drivers vehicle, the GLC is a passenger vehicle. Not to say that is bad, still great for the average person with better driving dynamics than say a Lexus, but for a spirited driver who demands the handling of a BMW, you won't find that replicated I the GLC.
I ended up getting a 2016 M-Sport X3 with no regrets!

[Bob in IL]

Originally Posted by cheesebag

My wife's got a Q5 S line Black edition. I've the X3... must admit both cracking motors. The Q5 will get a total revamp next year, a bit like the new Q7 just has.

I think its then that BMW will need to go to the drawing board.

Now in its 8th model year, the Q5 is in need of an update. Isn't the X3 due soon too?

[drewxnyc]

Originally Posted by Bob in IL

Now in its 8th model year, the Q5 is in need of an update. Isn't the X3 due soon too?

Yep I think Audi announced they will be making some type of Q5 unveiling or announcement this year. The next X3 is due soon as well, been hearing different things but BMW usually does every 7 years so look for a 2018 X3 that will be coming out sometime in 2017 possibly.

[drewxnyc]

Originally Posted by cheesebag

My wife's got a Q5 S line Black edition. I've the X3... must admit both cracking motors. The Q5 will get a total revamp next year, a bit like the new Q7 just has.

I think its then that BMW will need to go to the drawing board.

That new Q7 does look pretty good, like what they did with the interior. I do want to see how it looks in person instead of the audi website photos.