Why I sold my flawless '12 BMW X5 xDrive35d...

Originally Posted by sredhar

Hi Mike -

Is this yours?

http://bit.ly/V2OXCl

Yes... and AAAAWWWWWRRRRGGGG... they put a front plate on it!

I sold it to them for $47,000.

- Mike

Nice looking ride -- probably the chippies made them do it to sell/drive it legally in CA. You did have to give them your "extra" plate right? Not a bad markup -- everyone has to eat.

Originally Posted by Emission

Yes... and AAAAWWWWWRRRRGGGG... they put a front plate on it!

I sold it to them for $47,000.

- Mike

in front plate required states, carmax always slaps on a front plate when they take in a car.

at least they used the front bracket on your ex-X5. i've seen many cars where they just put two screws and the paper plate directly on the bumper

Originally Posted by kankou

in front plate required states, carmax always slaps on a front plate when they take in a car.

at least they used the front bracket on your ex-X5. i've seen many cars where they just put two screws and the paper plate directly on the bumper

Oh the horror!

Originally Posted by Stussy109

no, once you go diesel, you never go back...addicting torque

No complaint about the petrol torque in 50i form.

Originally Posted by pa50i

No complaint about the petrol torque in 50i form.

you mean "other than the 50% worse fuel economy vs. the Diesel"?

Originally Posted by ndabunka

you mean "other than the 50% worse fuel economy vs. the Diesel"?

And you mean "50% worse fuel economy with 150% better performance vs. the Diesel?"

Originally Posted by pa50i

Oh the horror!

Yes, and the fact they got grease on the engine cover and used Armor-All on the wheels. At this point, I never want to see her again. (Yes, I miss her already.)

- Mike

Originally Posted by Cdnrockies

And you mean "50% worse fuel economy with 150% better performance vs. the Diesel?"

Home office commute + X5 50i = great combo

Hey Mike,

How about an update on your new ride? I thought having 2 cars was overkill in your line of work????

Reason you chose the Q5 over the X3 (assuming the X5 was either too big or too much $$$).

Jay

Originally Posted by jashearer

Hey Mike,

How about an update on your new ride? I thought having 2 cars was overkill in your line of work????

Reason you chose the Q5 over the X3 (assuming the X5 was either too big or too much $$$).

Jay

We sold the '12 BMW X5 35d in November, and traded-in the '10 Audi A4 2.0T last month... and replaced two cars with one... a '13 Audi Q5 2.0T.

While the $47,000 Audi leased for only a bit less than a $62,000 BMW, Audi's conservative lease rates meant that I had just over $5,000 equity in my A4 (residual was $17,925 and they gave me $23,000 for it)! I rolled it all into the new Q5, and ended up with a very low monthly payment.

Quite frankly, I think the new X3 is ugly (and so does my wife). The interior of the Q5 is gorgeous, especially its updates for this year, and its Google-enabled MMI broadcasts WiFi to the occupants in the cabin (my kids stream Netflix on their iPads).

In any case, that leaves me with the '13 Audi Q5 and an '86 Porsche 930. My wife will drive the Q5 daily (she absolutely loves it, while I miss the X5) and I will drive press cars and leave my 930 covered in the garage — I get a new car delivered each week.

This week's car is a bright red 450-hp '13 Audi RS 5 Quattro (see pic below, taken last night). Next week's car is a '13 Infiniti QX56... I'm not complaining.

- Mike

Originally Posted by Emission

This week's car is a bright red 450-hp '13 Audi RS 5 Quattro (see pic below, taken last night)

I can't wait to read the review. Did the titanium pack come with upgrade exhaust? Add some sound clips!
Any insider updates on an RS4 avant coming to our shores?!?!?!? I'm still waiting.....

Originally Posted by Kief

I can't wait to read the review. Did the titanium pack come with upgrade exhaust? Add some sound clips!
Any insider updates on an RS4 avant coming to our shores?!?!?!? I'm still waiting.....

Yes, this has the Titanium Pack, MMI and the Sport Exhaust. Sounds bad-ass in Sport mode, but I do think the M3 is a better track rat (this is kinda nose heavy).

I'll be putting about 500 miles on it this weekend as I "commute" to a soccer tournament in Southern California.

No news on the RS4, but then again Audi would tell you more than me... as I have the means to tell the world.

- Mike

Please tell me it did not have AD......I have been searching for a 12 D with Ad for eight months, finally gave up and ordered a 13 yesterday ....

Originally Posted by Whippa

Please tell me it did not have AD......I have been searching for a 12 D with Ad for eight months, finally gave up and ordered a 13 yesterday ....

No AD.

- Mike

Love the new Audi A7 -- I know, it looks too retro (think Chevy "fleetline" of years ago) but I still love it. Also can't wait for the Q5 TDI -- that one I will buy. Enjoy the new ride(s) Mike!

I agree with you mike, the new X3 really sucks. The base model still comes with halogen. Come on BMW, it is premium vehicle and still has the old style halogen bulbs. One of my friends bought the X3 and realized the halogen bulb after he took the car out from the showroom.

Originally Posted by icuc

I agree with you mike, the new X3 really sucks. The base model still comes with halogen. Come on BMW, it is premium vehicle and still has the old style halogen bulbs. One of my friends bought the X3 and realized the halogen bulb after he took the car out from the showroom.

You have to option up Xenons. BUt yes, the new X3 is pretty terrible. No steering feel and the whole thing feels low-rent. The X5 drives much better than the smaller X3.

Most if not all of the base entry level luxury cars come with Halogens standard.

Originally Posted by boostedX5SAV

Most if not all of the base entry level luxury cars come with Halogens standard.

I know that was the case 10 years ago, but still?

Originally Posted by RockChips

I know that was the case 10 years ago, but still?

+1

HID lamps don't cost the automaker significantly more, but they use them as leverage to sell the higher trims. No secret — they tell me that!

- Mike