[windmill]

Here's the more recent one ; http://www.autoexpre.../63549/audi-sq5

At least their memory loss wasn't as bad as the epic Autocar fail a few months ago (recycling old reviews). Muppets.

No excuse then. Not only reviewed in 2012 but again in 2013 with the same star rating. The pieces are very similar in the review.
Looks like they have more repeats than Dave!
This publication is an utter waste of money IMHO.

 

[ray.afzal]

I agree. So is there actually an SQ5 vs XD3 joint review or two separate ones?

 

[windmill]

I agree. So is there actually an SQ5 vs XD3 joint review or two separate ones?

I have not been able to find a joint review but then the search facility on the site is about as good as the reporting!

 

[ray.afzal]

Nice comparison ;-)

 

[Ransman]

It's a joint review in Auto Express - 25th Sept issue.

 

[Bonzoboy]

We're getting sucked in again. How can you really take what these so called car experts are saying. Take the merc A class, autocar rate it at 4 and a half stars, auto express rate it at 4 stars and what car rate it 2 stars, work that one out, well it's quite simple really, each person has there own view on things. I drove the Jaguar XF S diesel and thought it was rubbish yet most car review so called experts think it's great.
Each to there own.

However I do believe that these mags are sponsored by car companies. Which ever one you look on the best SUV's, audi's range don't get a look in and yet the Q5 as the best 3 year residual values, gets 4 stars and yet the Infiniti with one star still makes the top five.

I have a made a solemn promise to myself that where and when and with whom I choose to spend my money when buying a car will be made by me.

 

[ray.afzal]

Well said Bonzoboy. i'm guessing this joint review is in the magazine itself? If anyone is a subscriber I would be forever grateful if you could perhaps take a pic and upload? Would love to read it.

 

[Quattro]

I am a subscriber to Autocar, but I'm not clear if this is an Autocar or Auto Express article since the OP mentions both magazines at various stages in this thread......

By the way, overall I find Autocar to be fairly sensible and impartial. They often comment on Audi's ride quality and numb steering and they often comment on BMW's ride - particularly on run-flats. For sure, they are occasionally guilty of 'cut and paste' journalism, but generally speaking, I think their conclusions are reasonable.

However, it's also clear from the responses on this thread that nobody likes a journalist questioning their £40-50k buying decisions - which is hardly surprising.

I will have a look through a few recent issues of Autocar. If I can find the article, I'll post it on here somehow....

 

[ray.afzal]

Thanks a lot Quattro, I have a feeling it's Auto Express though...

 

[Quattro]

Having looked at the last 3 issues of Autocar, I think it must be an Auto Express article.... Ransman, perhaps you could clarify?

 

[Ransman]

Having looked at the last 3 issues of Autocar, I think it must be an Auto Express article.... Ransman, perhaps you could clarify?

I mentioned earlier in the thread I had made a mistake in the title (I blamed rushing to get ready for work!) and the article was in Auto Express - 25th September edition. Apologies for the confusion.

 

[Ransman]

Searching for the link to the article (which I couldn't find on-line) I came across this review of the XD3
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/alpina/xd3/65879/alpina-xd3-bi-turbo
dated 5th September. It pictures the same car as in the 25th September magazine article yet they give it 4* in the former and 5* in the later article.

As already mentioned in this thread, the same magazine rates the SQ5 4* in an earlier article and 3* in the 25th September article comparing the two.

Clearly the editor has a short memory.

I have been a subscriber to AutoExpress for a few years now but am thinking it might be an idea to get hold of a copy of Autocar and see what I think of that magazine.

 

[ray.afzal]

Its' up
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/alpina/xd3/66206/alpina-xd3-bi-turbo-vs-audi-sq5

 

[ray.afzal]

Obviously i haven't driven the XD3, but even though i disagree (as I await an SQ5), was an interesting read.

 

[José]

Its' up
http://www.autoexpre...rbo-vs-audi-sq5

As usual, poor research on from a journalist!

1.

BMW doesn't build a direct rival to the SQ5

Yes they do, its called the X3 35d and it costs the same and has IDENTICAL bhp! If that's not a rival I don't know what is!

2.

replacing the standard car's straight-six with the tuned 345bhp twin-turbo engine from its 5 Series-based D5 Bi-Turbo

Errr - its just a tweaked version of the X3 35d engine (which happens to be the same engine as the BMW 535d that is tweaked in the Alpina D5 bi-turbo)

3. What are they basing their estimated residuals on!!!!

I've said it already in this post and earlier in the thread, but the SQ5 shouldn't be compared to the Alpina XD3, only to the X3 35d IMO.
Here is a fairer match;
http://www.whatcar.c...m-sport/1201940

 

[dadio77]

Its' up
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/alpina/xd3/66206/alpina-xd3-bi-turbo-vs-audi-sq5

From a purely aesthetic viewpoint, why would you go for the X3?! Not being a committed car enthusiast like some of the posters on here, I tend to go with a shallow materialistic approach, and the Q5 wins hands down for me, despite having BMW's previously but never having owned an Audi in the past.

 

[ray.afzal]

I couldn't agree more, there is nothing I can say that the X3 has that Q5 doesn't. Q5 has the looks, engines, comfort and pleasant drive. Looking at the pictures on Jose's link on WhatCar and almost makes me chuckle at how the 35d looks so much less aggressive (aesthetically speaking), it lacks that low ride height, quad exhaust and speed!
Very good point though Jose looking at actually the flaws in their research, shows lack of care and poor workmanship. Anyone who writes like that in a firm similar to the one i work and they are outta there...

 

[José]

I couldn't agree more, there is nothing I can say that the X3 has that Q5 doesn't. Q5 has the looks, engines, comfort and pleasant drive. Looking at the pictures on Jose's link on WhatCar and almost makes me chuckle at how the 35d looks so much less aggressive (aesthetically speaking), it lacks that low ride height, quad exhaust and speed!
Very good point though Jose looking at actually the flaws in their research, shows lack of care and poor workmanship. Anyone who writes like that in a firm similar to the one i work and they are outta there...

I really don't know how they get away with it. Even if my editor didn't care, my own pride would make me do the 5 mins of Googling to get the correct info!
I can only assume they are being pushed to churn this stuff out at such a pace there is no longer time to make it accurate!?

Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

[Estoril SQ5]

I couldn't agree more, there is nothing I can say that the X3 has that Q5 doesn't. Q5 has the looks, engines, comfort and pleasant drive. Looking at the pictures on Jose's link on WhatCar and almost makes me chuckle at how the 35d looks so much less aggressive (aesthetically speaking), it lacks that low ride height, quad exhaust and speed!
Very good point though Jose looking at actually the flaws in their research, shows lack of care and poor workmanship. Anyone who writes like that in a firm similar to the one i work and they are outta there...

I'm afraid I don't like the look of the X3 and never considered it when buying my present vehicle. Purely a matter of looks but each to his own...

 

[ray.afzal]

I can't find a word to describe its looks...it's just...unappealing