I've just ordered a 30d X3 to replace my year old Q5. I love the Q5 and this was a really tough decision that I agonised over. I thought it might be useful to summarise my thoughts for anyone trying to chose between the vehicles in future.
Why I decided to replace the Q5
-Engine. I should have got the 3.0 from the start, the 2.0 is just not powerful enough. It never struggles but it never really flies and I can't deal with Golfs and Fiesta Z-techs hanging in my mirrors. I would stress to anyone considering an order to always go for the engine first and then spend the left over budget on options, not the other way around.
-S-tronic. What a disappointment this has turned out to be. The marketing material that bangs on about super quick shifts fails to mention that this is completely negated by the lag on taking off from standstill or the second or so it takes to think about dropping into lower gears when you slow down and then need to pull away again at city speeds.
-Ride. I'll admit it now, 20" wheels and S-line suspension is just way too hard.
On their own, I could have lived with these shortcomings (many of which are my own fault) but as a whole and plus the fact that I will only lose a few grand in changing in the next few months, it made sense to look around.
Why I went for the X3 (and what is better than the Q5)
-Engines. BMW build the best six cylinder engines in the world, period. I have not had as much fun in a long time as I did in the 30d loaner I had for a morning a couple of weeks ago.
-Transmission. The 8 speed ZF blows the S-tronic away. Warp speed take off from standstill and always in the right gear or if its not its realised and rectified it before you have.
-Tech. It is light years ahead of the 3G MMI. Beautiful wide screen sat nav. Forget 7 digit postcodes (which it has) - you can lock it, locate the car and turn on the AC remotely from your iPhone. I am a tech geek and even I am impressed.
What I will miss (and whats not as good in the X3)
-Looks. This is subjective but to me the Q5 in Sline is more beautiful and has more presence than the X3.
-Build quality. Forget what the half hour magazine reviews say, the X3 has nowhere near the build quality of the Q5. They seem to have used cardboard for the cubby hole under the wheel and the cheap plastic pull out boot lid cover is embarrassing (and rattles non stop).
-Rear seat arrangement. The X3 has an awkward low rear seat position that means your thighs are elevated into the air. I wouldn't want to ride for long in the back (as an adult) - but I never will
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...on balance its the right choice for me (and the thought of that engine and transmission combo excites above all else) but I think a facelift Q5 with better tech and engines would be a much more difficult choice!
I hope this helps someone.
regards
DNW
Why I decided to replace the Q5
-Engine. I should have got the 3.0 from the start, the 2.0 is just not powerful enough. It never struggles but it never really flies and I can't deal with Golfs and Fiesta Z-techs hanging in my mirrors. I would stress to anyone considering an order to always go for the engine first and then spend the left over budget on options, not the other way around.
-S-tronic. What a disappointment this has turned out to be. The marketing material that bangs on about super quick shifts fails to mention that this is completely negated by the lag on taking off from standstill or the second or so it takes to think about dropping into lower gears when you slow down and then need to pull away again at city speeds.
-Ride. I'll admit it now, 20" wheels and S-line suspension is just way too hard.
On their own, I could have lived with these shortcomings (many of which are my own fault) but as a whole and plus the fact that I will only lose a few grand in changing in the next few months, it made sense to look around.
Why I went for the X3 (and what is better than the Q5)
-Engines. BMW build the best six cylinder engines in the world, period. I have not had as much fun in a long time as I did in the 30d loaner I had for a morning a couple of weeks ago.
-Transmission. The 8 speed ZF blows the S-tronic away. Warp speed take off from standstill and always in the right gear or if its not its realised and rectified it before you have.
-Tech. It is light years ahead of the 3G MMI. Beautiful wide screen sat nav. Forget 7 digit postcodes (which it has) - you can lock it, locate the car and turn on the AC remotely from your iPhone. I am a tech geek and even I am impressed.
What I will miss (and whats not as good in the X3)
-Looks. This is subjective but to me the Q5 in Sline is more beautiful and has more presence than the X3.
-Build quality. Forget what the half hour magazine reviews say, the X3 has nowhere near the build quality of the Q5. They seem to have used cardboard for the cubby hole under the wheel and the cheap plastic pull out boot lid cover is embarrassing (and rattles non stop).
-Rear seat arrangement. The X3 has an awkward low rear seat position that means your thighs are elevated into the air. I wouldn't want to ride for long in the back (as an adult) - but I never will
...on balance its the right choice for me (and the thought of that engine and transmission combo excites above all else) but I think a facelift Q5 with better tech and engines would be a much more difficult choice!
I hope this helps someone.
regards
DNW
