[Nomana]

Which is which?

[Red Bread]

Show the side profile, the X1 goofball fwd proportions are all wrong.

[F80NJM3]

We are in 2017 & the x3 looks like it?s stuck in 2015

[Teutonic]

Originally Posted by sor

The Q5 and the X3 both have had relatively minor, evolutionary tweaks. They still want people to recognize them. As far as which has changed more, after reviewing both I'd say the X3 has changed more, but only just a little.

The Audi's headlights are more modern and now touch the grille, and at least in this photo the grille fins stand out more horizontally rather than vertically (it should be noted that certain trims and model years on the older style also have horizontal grilles). The grill trim is a bit thicker and has slightly different angles.

The venting and shape of the car overall remains the same, with only some slight curves added to the body creases.

The rear shape is almost entirely unchanged, with a minor update to the tail lights (mostly the same shape) and a slight change to the rear hatch shape, particularly along the sides where it meets the window. The exhaust has also changed.

(new on left, old on right)


Interestingly, where the Audi's headlights now touch the grille, the X3 has gone the other way between generations. The headlights are modernized and changed in shape enough to change the overall character of the face, the grille is much larger, and the venting system has changed. Overall the shape and creases are a little changed.

In the rear, going line by line from the spoiler down to the window, the hatch release, the side reflectors, etc all seem largely the same shape. The rear tail lights, however, have changed significantly, and the exhaust has changed. The angles on the rear side window have changed.

(new on top, old on bottom)

I don't like the headlamps touching the grille; they are not modern at all. Too much, unjustified extension of the headlamps looks like they were forced to stretched them just to make them connect.
Secondly, that horizontal Audi hatch line that flows with the taillights is terrible, boring and uninspired; nothing is happening in there. Actually nothing happens anywhere in Audi's design.
Also, the whole Audi hatch door that "eats" the lateral design looks awful. If you take a picture with the Q's hatch open you will vomit.

Audi design does not speak to me in any form or shape. Not evolutionary at all.

Also, I think that the new X3 is A LOT more beautiful than the old one. Hands down!

[Red Bread]

Funny, we just looked at the SQ5 and when I opened the hatch, my wife gasped and said 'it looks horrible!'

[Eddien123]

X1 actually looks more aggressive from the front

[Alan l.]

Is there a real side by side pic of two Msport X3 (Old vs New) posted anywhere?

I really can't get myself to like the ugly face of the new X3 and in this pic it really shows how disproportional the grills are to the rest of the front.

It has the same size headlights as the smaller X1 but has bigger grills than the larger X5 in the background.

[bunker]

I've loved the look of the X1 since the refresh. If only it came with a straight 6, I'd be all over it. Interesting to me how much lower its stance appears in these showroom photos than the X3. could just be the angle.

[JDMAF]

Jesus its all the exact same car in different sizes. Not just small and large. Now we have small, medium small, small medium, medium, large medium, small large, etc...

X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6. Really? I know people like crossovers, but talk about beating a dead horse...

[Noelified]

Originally Posted by ando

My dealer does as well it's the last thing he does before I leave but I'm in a front plate state so it's painful but something I just do

Originally Posted by ando

My dealer does as well it's the last thing he does before I leave but I'm in a front plate state so it's painful but something I just do

Im in a front plate state too and haven't run a front in over 20 years. I guess I'm lucky....never been pulled over for it and even when snagged for speeding they never mention it.

[Max Well]

Dimensions side-by-side

[JDMAF]

like I said its all the same car - those dimensions are so close it is insane that they make so many versions of the same thing

[Woolf]

I prefer X1 over X3 any time... It looks sharper and more agressive on the outside... It also has better interior for my taste... Not to mention the 10 K price difference..

[strike4A]

Originally Posted by JDMAF

Jesus its all the exact same car in different sizes. Not just small and large. Now we have small, medium small, small medium, medium, large medium, small large, etc...

X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6. Really? I know people like crossovers, but talk about beating a dead horse...

Yep and they all sell.

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by JDMAF

like I said its all the same car - those dimensions are so close it is insane that they make so many versions of the same thing

My wife and I have often wondered how BMW can produce so many different models (and new ones coming out all the time) with so many variations even within one model line. And wouldn't it be better if they could just concentrate on a fewer number of models and variations. The logistics are mind-boggling but I guess that is what computers and automation allow.

But it does appear each segment has their ardent supporters, for whatever reasons those may be. I know the X3 hits that perfect blend of size, utility, and especially now with the M40i - performance, comfort, and luxury to exactly meet our needs. For us, the X5 is 'too big' and the X1 is 'too small'. I understand how ridiculous that must read, especially after I just posted the dimensions, but it is how the total package comes together with all of those boxes ticked.

[Bimar]

I recently drove an X1 was surprised how roomy it is inside for the size. If it didn’t have noisy tires, crappy seats and over firm suspension and be available with a proper i6 engine, you would be hard pressed to buy the x3 for more money.

[Teutonic]

Originally Posted by Woolf

I prefer X1 over X3 any time... It looks sharper and more agressive on the outside... It also has better interior for my taste... Not to mention the 10 K price difference..

Yeah, unfortunately it just looks. The driving, the seats and comfort, and the xDrive, total different story. They should have kept the old X1 xDrive system, that will be a nice vehicle.

[Slalom]

Originally Posted by Max Well

My wife and I have often wondered how BMW can produce so many different models (and new ones coming out all the time) with so many variations even within one model line. And wouldn't it be better if they could just concentrate on a fewer number of models and variations. The logistics are mind-boggling but I guess that is what computers and automation allow.

But it does appear each segment has their ardent supporters, for whatever reasons those may be. I know the X3 hits that perfect blend of size, utility, and especially now with the M40i - performance, comfort, and luxury to exactly meet our needs. For us, the X5 is 'too big' and the X1 is 'too small'. I understand how ridiculous that must read, especially after I just posted the dimensions, but it is how the total package comes together with all of those boxes ticked.

I am also puzzled about the effect of so many models on profit. For me it was E30 to F34 took 24 years. F 34 to G01 took 4 years. Am I getting old or did F time go fast?

[GuyOh]

x1 looks nicer

[sor]

They may have similarities, but the X1 is much more reminiscent of a station wagon. It also doesn’t have any good engine options.

[JSY]

Interesting so many folks like the look of the X1 over the X3 whereas I don't even think it's much of a contest in favor of the X3. The X3 looks far more aggressive where the X1 looks like a sporty wagon. The X1 still has those ugly round fog lamps that don't match anything else in the car except the roundness of the roundel and the wheels and the brake lights have that silver sliver that replicates the 2011 X3 brake lights. The X3 looks like it would eat the X1.

People say that the X3 looks outdated which I don't agree - it's not going to look like a mini X7 and it has to retain enough for people to recognize that it is a X3. I think it looks modern where it should and when I look at the SQ7 and hear people fawn about that big gigantic hexagon they have for a grill (which I think looks dated and a throwback to the 90s before designs went bulbous) then complain about the bigger kidney grills, I feel like the X3 just may not be for everyone. I guess BMW was wise to have 6 X models and an upcoming 7th.

I have to see mine in person but I will say that I am so far not sure I like the bronze side mirrors. It sticks out to me and looks out of place so far. Also, for the interior, I feel they skimped a bit on the wood.

Anyway, I find it hard to believe that the X1 has slightly more room inside because I'm 6' 2" and when I tried to sit in a X1, I could not feel comfortable in it and I did not find as much headroom no matter what I adjusted. Weird..

And I much rather have the regular sport steering wheel than that wheel that looks like a flat tire. lol

[Bimar]

I wonder if there was no M40i version, how many people in this forum would be dumping their 2year old LCI F25s for the new X3.