BMW X3 v Audi Q5 or A5 Sportsback

ned10

Hi all, just looking for some info or comparisons on the above vehicles, anything regarding problems etc, any help appreciated!!

what recession?

I don't know much about the cars from a reliability point of view or anything as I don't own any of them and personally they're not really my thing, but..

Assuming you're buying a new car, I'd avoid the X3. They've been around so long, I personally don't like the look of them and they're being replaced in 2011 with the newer model.. which does just look like a facelifted version, but I have never really looked at it. A quick google will give you all the facts, I'm sure!

The Q5 is rediculously overpriced. I've seen like two different ones driving around Waterford since they were released. It's like an elevated A3 with a 50-60k price tag. It looks really nice, but I don't see many on the road so I'm assuming that I'm not the only one who shares the opinion! i'd definitely just buy a 2008 Q7 and save a few thousand or even a new X1, as they're a lot cheaper and there probably isn't much between them, although i have no idea!

The A5 sportback is nice, i'd definitely take it over the Q5 and also I've seen new ones on carzone for mid-40k with nice spec. I'd go with that if I was to choose between the three!

If you are buying them new, are you looking at all of them in a 2.0d? I take it that you're looking for something with cheap road tax, running costs, etc?

Drummerboy08

The A5 is my winner.

Q5 is too small and expensive, and the X3 is....well....an X3.

Anan1

It's an odd choice, TBH. Why accept the compromises of the X3 and the Q5 if you don't need to go offroad, and why include the A5 if you do? Assuming you don't, i'd take the A5 too.

what recession?

Anan1 wrote: »

It's an odd choice, TBH. Why accept the compromises of the X3 and the Q5 if you don't need to go offroad, and why include the A5 if you do? Assuming you don't, i'd take the A5 too.

they're all similarily priced and they're all available in smaller engines so they'll be cheaper to run. that's my guess anyway. Who actually uses Q5's and X3's for offroading, or even Q7's and X5's for that matter, ha.

Anan1

what recession? wrote: »

they're all similarily priced and they're all available in smaller engines so they'll be cheaper to run. that's my guess anyway. Who actually uses Q5's and X3's for offroading, or even Q7's and X5's for that matter, ha.

Very few people, but you'll have to live with the ride/handling compromises every day. An E90/91 will be a far nicer car than an X3 to drive on tarmac.

what recession?

true. but then again, cars are a big part of your image so if you want a jeep, you're going to get one regardless of the compromises! although the OP doesn't seem to *want* a jeep as such given the fact that the A5 is thrown in there.

Anan1

what recession? wrote: »

true. but then again, cars are a big part of your image...

Not mine.:)

what recession?

well i meant in general, I wasn't referring to you! ha.

shep1

ned10 wrote: »

Hi all, just looking for some info or comparisons on the above vehicles, anything regarding problems etc, any help appreciated!!

My brother in law has an A5 Sportsback and swears by it! 10/10
Good luck with whichever one you choose!:)
Shep

what recession?

also, if you are buying new and spending around 50k, you seem to like Audi's, so maybe you should look at the Audi Allroad? I know it's just a shinier version of the A6 avant but I absolutely love them. Bigger than all the above, although they have a 2.7d engine but they always grab my attention on the odd occasion I spot one! If road tax isn't an issue, the Jaguar XF is really sporty like the A5 sportback, it's a 3.0d... think there is/was a 2.7d option too. I see new ones from around 50k on carzone too. I recall them being a lot more expensive when they were released, so I think they're pretty good value!

Mr.David

The X3 is absolute gash to drive.

Anything else would be better

-Chris-

X3 will depreciate like a lead balloon.

Q5 aren't on the roads much because international demand is outstripping supply. Lead times in Ireland at the moment are 4-6 months. Also, they were launched at the perfectly wrong time - at the start of a recession and when customers became very sensitive to CO2 emmissions. Now that things are picking up, they just can't be got.
It remains to be seen what second hand values will be like.

A5 Sportback is the pick of the litter for me. Be happy that you can exist with just 4 seats, go for the 2.0TDi engine unless you need more power. Make sure you spec it up a bit (alloys, leather seats, bluetooth).

I'm not sure about reliability issues on the A5SB or Q5 because they're still relatively new. I'd steer clear of the X3 because, even with the best build quality in the world they're still a dog to sell second hand.

Moses7

A5 Sportback is a totally different car. What are you looking a small crossover or a saloon/estate kind of car?

X3 just got refreshed and the new model will be on sale soon. I dont like the look - still looks old.

Id get the Q5 over X3. You should also consider GLK as it is in the same league.

Zonda999

Moses7 wrote: »

A5 Sportback is a totally different car. What are you looking a small crossover or a saloon/estate kind of car?

X3 just got refreshed and the new model will be on sale soon. I dont like the look - still looks old.

Id get the Q5 over X3. You should also consider GLK as it is in the same league.

They dont sell the GLK over here, they couldnt be bothered making it RHD...

And my vote would go for the A5 Sportback too!

Moses7

Zonda999 wrote: »

They dont sell the GLK over here, they couldnt be bothered making it RHD...

And my vote would go for the A5 Sportback too!

my bad. I thought they will be selling it with RHD from this year.

Not a big fan of the A5 Sportback, Id rather get the regular A5 Coupe, but that's me:)

ned10

Thanks for all your replies lads, some fair points there!!

bmw535d

don't buy an x3 anyway. all your saying is you cant afford an x5. they are ****e looking are useless i mean useless off-road. its the only BMW i have a bad opinion of and the only really pointless BMW.

Mr.David

bmw535d wrote: »

don't buy an x3 anyway. all your saying is you cant afford an x5. they are ****e looking are useless i mean useless off-road. its the only BMW i have a bad opinion of and the only really pointless BMW.

cough.....ahem.......X6......

what recession?

-Chris- wrote: »

X3 will depreciate like a lead balloon.

Q5 aren't on the roads much because international demand is outstripping supply. Lead times in Ireland at the moment are 4-6 months. Also, they were launched at the perfectly wrong time - at the start of a recession and when customers became very sensitive to CO2 emmissions. Now that things are picking up, they just can't be got.
It remains to be seen what second hand values will be like.

There's at least 6 of them sitting on carzone right now

Mr.David wrote: »

cough.....ahem.......X6......

haha, was just about to say that. I saw the head of BMW Ireland or something saying in the paper a few weeks ago that it, and the Z4, would have sold so well were it not for the recession. I love the new Z4, but I don't think that even an economic boom could make people want the X6! I do like how uncommon they are, though.

Yakuza

bmw535d wrote: »

don't buy an x3 anyway. all your saying is you cant afford an x5. they are ****e looking are useless i mean useless off-road. its the only BMW i have a bad opinion of and the only really pointless BMW.

I remember Clarkson trying to go up an incline in one, it couldn't manage it. He ended up getting stuck in the wheel ruts, and couldn't open the doors as they were banging against the side of the track.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2LLMxlkT-Y

(Jump to about 5:30)

what recession?

they're so horrible without colour coded bumpers! i have to admit that i don't completely hate how they look once the whole car is actually painted and not just half plastic, half paint!

Anan1

Yakuza wrote: »

I remember Clarkson trying to go up an incline in one, it couldn't manage it. He ended up getting stuck in the wheel ruts, and couldn't open the doors as they were banging against the side of the track.

That's entertainment, I don't think it's intended to be a serious reflection on the car's abilities.;)

bmw535d

Mr.David wrote: »

cough.....ahem.......X6......

the x6 serves a great purpose. its for 40+ milfs to show other milfs their husband did well in the boom. the reason why they didn't get the x5 is because its to big for them to drive. It's like one of those expensive handbags that hold nothing more than expensive lipstick.

but with the x3 it doesn't fit in anywhere. infact they are really uncommon.

copacetic

weird options OP, how would an A5 sportback work for you if you need the space of an x3 or a Q5?

It'd be the A5 for me, but maybe an A4 avant quattro might suit you if you need a little more space and the 4 wheel drive for poor surfaces? Or even the A4 allroad, it is a bit pointless and overpiced but I really like them for some reason..
The X1 is also basically a slightly raised 3 series estate which might be worth looking at.

ned10

May be weird options but none the less needed to be asked, that's what a forum is for isn't it basically something in that price range that's spacious, practical, reliable and worth the money lol

what recession?

ned10 wrote: »

something in that price range that's spacious, practical, reliable and worth the money

then definitely avoid the Q5! haha. Are you buying a new car or used?

ned10

what recession? wrote: »

then definitely avoid the Q5! haha. Are you buying a new car or used?

New one..

what recession?

ned10 wrote: »

New one..

nice are you still interested in those three cars?

ned10

Yeah, although A5 seems to be the best it not the most spacious.

what recession?

what do you think of the A4/A6 allroad? too big?

ned10

Not bad, plenty of room there too!!

Yakuza

Anan1 wrote: »

That's entertainment, I don't think it's intended to be a serious reflection on the car's abilities.;)

The car genuinely seemed to have difficulties with the slightest rough terrain. Yes, the whole getting-the-car-stuck-so-he-couldn't open the doors was a bit of light relief, but it served to illustrate the point that the car has no business off the tarmac.

The more recent review of the even more pointless X6 had footage of one struggling to get up an incline, while a Range Rover just pootled its way up the hill in the background. No comments needed. (about 4:30 in)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npdwQhWyBFo