X3 vs Q5 - quirky key decision

I've spent the better part of a week going back and forth between the Q5 and the X3. I've been leaning towards the Q5.I currently have a 2010 A3 TDI, and want something a little less pokey. (Hey where is the A3 when I need it?)

Q5 pros: more comforable seats, quieter, nicer lines, adjustable arm rest, nicer wheels, closer dealer, $1000 loyalty, USAA pricing, 19" wheels

Q5 cons: no radio buttons, 4 spoke wheel, armrest covers cupholders, bad all weather mats, no start/stop 2.0

X3 pros: 3 spoke wheel, nicer dash and layout, radio buttons, more horsepower, better gas mileage?, faster 0-60, lighter, 4 year maintenance, made in USA, passenger lumbar, larger rear opening, weathertech mats, larger nav screen, $1000 holiday cash, USAA pricing, Spartenburg delivery

X3 cons: less attractive exterior, black body cladding, further dealer, run flat tires, 18" tires

But, crazy as it seems, my BIGGEST HATE of the Q5 is that I cannot just simply and quick change between the two or three radio stations I listen to. It seems crazy that this should be a deciding element, but unless I get some sense that is will not be a five step process, I feel I will spend years being frustrated over this simple item, and should go to the X3.

I expect I may get the 3.0 on both, but I felt that the 2.0 on the Q5 was MUCH quieter and smoother than the 2.0 on the X3. Am I way off base here?

Any thoughts on whether to NOT get the 3.0 on either?

Thanks in advance!

I don't know if this helps but when I read the "pros" list for the X3 I was smiling and nodding while for the Q5 I was like "ehh."

My 2 cents would be that this X3 is the best vehicle I have ever owned (my 4th BMW). I can't believe I get 23mpg with 300HP in an SUV and I have a lead foot. I would also add that while I hated the run flats in my 3 series cars, I don't mind them at all in an SUV. They don't don't punish you like they do with the low profile tires.

Three radio stations? That's so 20th century! You could find one and stick with it. Or you could stream via bluetooth from a smartphone.

Or you could get the better car. The dealer may be less convenient, but you won't be there often.

Originally Posted by raleedy

Three radio stations? That's so 20th century! You could find one and stick with it. Or you could stream via bluetooth from a smartphone.

Or you could get the better car. The dealer may be less convenient, but you won't be there often.

From your lips to god's ears. My only apprehension with buying the X3 was reliability. The Audis have a better reputation for reliability than the Bimmers, but compared to the Japanese vehicles they both are awful in comparison.

You need to know that I've been driving Japanese Bullet Proof vehicles for years. So, I decided to take a chance and buy a BMW which I've always found to be THE most fun vehicles to drive. I have many friend's that own and have owned various models.

Road in a friend's Q5 3.2Quattro (fully loaded) last night for the first time and I was really impressed. For context, I have a 2006 BMW X3 (3.0i, manual, m-sport, etc. fully loaded). The Q5 is strikingly attractive, compared with the X3. The current X3 has always left me saying "meh" in terms of styling. It's fine, but... I have not driven either, but the Q5 is in my opinion a more coherent, put-together package.
I do agree with your gripe though: For the number of buttons in the Q5, why is the radio so difficult to manage??? It's like Audi had a Button Fiesta or found a huge, going-out-of-busienss sale at Discount Buttonville for the number of buttons in there! All of that said, if I had to buy a mid-size SUV today, I would take the Q5 over the X3. But since neither is available with a manual transmission, this is just an opinion.

-James
San Francisco, CA
2006 X3 3.0i (manual, m-sport, premium, xenons, premium stereo, PDC) (currently with 43K miles)
2006 BMW 330Cic (manual, m-sport, premium, xenons, HK stereo, PDC) (sold)
2006 Mini CooperS convertible (manual, sport, premium, xenons, HK stereo, PDC) (sold)
1998 Audi A4 2.8Q (tiptronic, premium, bose stereo) (sold)

love this thread! i started off thinking i wanted the Q5 but with time it lost it's appeal and i was still drawn to the BMW brand. X3 is a good alternative but the look of the Q5 is nicer. i actually now am seriously considering the X1 because i like the look of it better than the X3 proportionally.
any thoughts on the X1? don't really need something of SUV size so considering the smaller X1. thanks everyone, appreciate any insight you can give

Originally Posted by lair12

I've spent the better part of a week going back and forth between the Q5 and the X3. I've been leaning towards the Q5.I currently have a 2010 A3 TDI, and want something a little less pokey. (Hey where is the A3 when I need it?)

Q5 pros: more comforable seats, quieter, nicer lines, adjustable arm rest, nicer wheels, closer dealer, $1000 loyalty, USAA pricing, 19" wheels

Q5 cons: no radio buttons, 4 spoke wheel, armrest covers cupholders, bad all weather mats, no start/stop 2.0

X3 pros: 3 spoke wheel, nicer dash and layout, radio buttons, more horsepower, better gas mileage?, faster 0-60, lighter, 4 year maintenance, made in USA, passenger lumbar, larger rear opening, weathertech mats, larger nav screen, $1000 holiday cash, USAA pricing, Spartenburg delivery

X3 cons: less attractive exterior, black body cladding, further dealer, run flat tires, 18" tires

But, crazy as it seems, my BIGGEST HATE of the Q5 is that I cannot just simply and quick change between the two or three radio stations I listen to. It seems crazy that this should be a deciding element, but unless I get some sense that is will not be a five step process, I feel I will spend years being frustrated over this simple item, and should go to the X3.

I expect I may get the 3.0 on both, but I felt that the 2.0 on the Q5 was MUCH quieter and smoother than the 2.0 on the X3. Am I way off base here?

Any thoughts on whether to NOT get the 3.0 on either?

Thanks in advance!

You didn't state your budget but the ghastly (IMO) black body cladding is removed when you get the M-Sport package. You also get the sports seats (as well as with the Sport Activity package) which are light-years better than the non-sport package/MSport seats (once again, just my opinion).

I cannot do anything with sports seats. Do to my wife's shoulder issue, anything with a bolster like that cause lots of pain. She does find the regular seats comfortable in both the Q5 and the X3.

If it helps, I'm trading my 2010 Q5 Prestige in tomorrow and heading to the PDC on the 20th for a new X3. I really thought the Q5 was cool when I bought it 3 years ago and it's pretty much loaded to the gills, but it's just feeling so ho-hum these days that I decided it was time for some change. That, and my warrantee is toast due to mileage...

Good luck with your decision.

OP, take both vehicles out for an extended test drive and decide which is best for your needs. In general, both vehicles are very good with pros-n-cons. BMW is the better overall performer but Audi has strong points.

Regarding the maintenance plan, it is standard with BMW, optional with Audi with their AudiCare.

I was prepared to commit to ordering a Q5 (for my wife). Had some extra time two weekends ago and took at X3 28i for a test drive. Overall, my wife like it better. Still need to look at option packages (Sport Activity, Premium Sound and DHP) but otherwise planning for PCD in April.

I was leaning heavily to the X1, then I drove the X3. The interior quality is night and day.

Owned an Audi and crashed it. There was no nice BMW Assist person to help coordinate the police and the ambulances. I loved my Audi but won't go back into them until they support telematics like OnStar, mBrace, or the like. Q5 is nice, nice interior and nice ride.

Personally, living in San Francisco, the smaller size of the X1 is a huge benefit. But then I'm single without kids. The shorter length helps with parallel parking and the width helps in tight garages or supermarket parking lots. To my eye, the proportions of the X1 look just right where the X3 looks a little off. I drive a 2006 X3, so clearly quality of interior materials was never high on my list of criteria. The new X1 is a step up from my '06 X3.

James
San Francisco, CA (and Seattle, WA)

Originally Posted by iamthewalrus

Personally, living in San Francisco, the smaller size of the X1 is a huge benefit. But then I'm single without kids. The shorter length helps with parallel parking and the width helps in tight garages or supermarket parking lots. To my eye, the proportions of the X1 look just right where the X3 looks a little off. I drive a 2006 X3, so clearly quality of interior materials was never high on my list of criteria. The new X1 is a step up from my '06 X3.

James
San Francisco, CA (and Seattle, WA)

James, glad you like yours, but can't concur with styling. I too would love a short car (have 168" A3 TDI now), but find the X1 reminds me of M-roadster coupe which I never liked (I had the M-roadster convertible). Every time I walk up to my A3, I love the look, and don't know if I can get this same feeling for the X3...I keep seeing the Hyundai Tucson and Subaru outback with all that black trim. And the nicer chrome window trim disappeared after 2011. Why?

Originally Posted by lair12

James, glad you like yours, but can't concur with styling. I too would love a short car (have 168" A3 TDI now), but find the X1 reminds me of M-roadster coupe which I never liked (I had the M-roadster convertible). Every time I walk up to my A3, I love the look, and don't know if I can get this same feeling for the X3...I keep seeing the Hyundai Tucson and Subaru outback with all that black trim. And the nicer chrome window trim disappeared after 2011. Why?

If you don't like the black trim just order an X3 with the Msport package, it doesn't have the black trim.

Start/stop function is crap, people hate it.

thank u for the great insight from everyone! so much to consider. wanted to take advantage of the december deals but don't know if i'll be able to decide in the next couple of weeks although i've been pondering for the last 6 months a tougher decision since i won't be leasing and want to buy, more of a long term commitment. leaning toward the X1 but that start/stop function is annoying...i'll ck out the infiniti ex and mercedes glk. porsche cayenne? nice! but out of the price range! thanks! happy holidays!

Originally Posted by prosgal73

thank u for the great insight from everyone! so much to consider. wanted to take advantage of the december deals but don't know if i'll be able to decide in the next couple of weeks although i've been pondering for the last 6 months a tougher decision since i won't be leasing and want to buy, more of a long term commitment. leaning toward the X1 but that start/stop function is annoying...i'll ck out the infiniti ex and mercedes glk. porsche cayenne? nice! but out of the price range! thanks! happy holidays!

Regarding the stop/start function, I thought that I read on the forum that it could be programmed to remember the last state/position. If so, have your CA agree to the program prior to taking delivery. I don't (yet) own a X3 but perhaps others can comment.

I dont get the issue with the radio and stations, all you have to do is program in settings and it's less than a click away, ask your dealer to show you. the MMI on the Q5 is very different from the A3 nd it's a lot easier and more functional to scroll through. In my opinion and I own both an A4 which has a similar interior to the Q5 and an X3, and let me tell you the controls in MMI are more interesting than the idrive, the radio is easier to work it, the nav is better, you can actually control auto lamps delay were you have a lot of complaints in x3, in terms of sirius radio you can actually see song title and artist when you highlite station no need to select unlike the x3, and the audi is a lot easier to code if you like to change more advanced settings. The facelift on the Audi is really nice BMW's comingg very soon, the new 3.0T engine on the Audi is also one of ward's top ten. In terms of gadgets and electronics it's audi hands down, but I give the drive to BMW. but again I haven't tried the 3.0T engine with the 8 speed.

Wally, if you need a shorter/smaller car then why not look at the new Ford Focus ST! Only available in a stick and it is shorter and smaller than the '06 X3 -- probably the X1 too. Another choice for a stick is the Mini if you want to stay "foreign". Both would be great in the city, what with all the hills and all -- which by now you have mastered I am sure!

There are multiple ways to change radio stations on the X3, but my favorite when I know the exact station that I want is to use the voice command. Simple as saying 'FM 91.3'.

I could have written the exact same letter, I drove each vehicle twice but once I drove the x3 35i the decision made itself. I love my 35i

My two previous vehicles were Ford Explorers. I wasn't happy with the new version and after test driving a few other vehicles, I went to the internet to see what was available. I saw that BMW was having a difference event the following day. I had never considered a BMW, but decided to check it out. They had a Cadillac and an Audi Q5 to drive and compare. I drove the Q5 first, and then the X3 35i. The Audi wasn't bad, but I fell in love with the X3 immediately. I decided that day to buy it and ordered one the following week. I'm normally not an impulse buyer and do lots of research before I buy anything, but the X3 was so much more fun to drive than anything else I had driven. I've never regretted my decision and absolutely LOVE driving this car. My only regret is that neither I nor my salesman knew anything about DHP. Reading now what others say about it, I probably would have ordered it or at least waited to order until after I took a test drive with an X3 equipped with it.

I was torn between the Q5 and X3 myself; when I went to BMW they had a Q5 on the lot so I got to drive both. The Q5 was very smooth; however transitioning from a CLK 500, the X3 won hands down. Leased my X3 28i today; wanted all the bells & whistles so I'm waiting for it to come in. Can't wait, super excited.