SQ5 SQ5 vs X3 M40d

[JohnNW]

I went for a test drive in an SQ5 yesterday (pre face-lift version on a 70plate) and liked it a lot. Even without air suspension it rode well and was easy to drive. My only bug bear was the slightly lazy transmission, whereby when you put your foot down it pauses to decide how many gears it should drop instead of just dropping down one, then two, etc. It's the same with the DSG gearboxes.

Anyway, I'm close to placing an order for delivery next year, but just pondering whether I should also drive the X3 M40d. I don't expect universal praise for the BMW on an Audi forum, but wondered whether anyone else drove both and still selected the SQ5? If so, what swayed you this way?
I prefer the looks of the Audi and they are quite close on price (BMW does offer more by way of options, but it was roughly £2K more). Suspect the Audi residuals might be better and the DtD offer I've had is VERY good.

 

[Kam05]

I test drove a X3 M40i before settling on my SQ5 tfsi (both 2018 cars). TBH I found the SQ5 a better drive and the interior is much better on the SQ5.

 

[NevMan]

I went for a test drive in an SQ5 yesterday (pre face-lift version on a 70plate) and liked it a lot. Even without air suspension it rode well and was easy to drive. My only bug bear was the slightly lazy transmission, whereby when you put your foot down it pauses to decide how many gears it should drop instead of just dropping down one, then two, etc. It's the same with the DSG gearboxes.

Anyway, I'm close to placing an order for delivery next year, but just pondering whether I should also drive the X3 M40d. I don't expect universal praise for the BMW on an Audi forum, but wondered whether anyone else drove both and still selected the SQ5? If so, what swayed you this way?
I prefer the looks of the Audi and they are quite close on price (BMW does offer more by way of options, but it was roughly £2K more). Suspect the Audi residuals might be better and the DtD offer I've had is VERY good.

Definitely worth a drive. I sleepy M40i. That B58 is just legendary. Yes the Virtual cockpit in the Audi is probably nicer, but the overall interior and got in finish in the BMW is light years better than they used to me. I preferred the look of the M40i, more muscular, but wife prefers the Audi look.

For me I just didn’t want to go diesel, so SQ5 was out (didn’t want used petrol SQ5) and they had switched to diesel.

Drive a M40i/d or both, then you choose which of the 3.

 

[NevMan]

Definitely worth a drive. I had a M40i. That B58 is just legendary. Yes the Virtual cockpit in the Audi is probably nicer, but the overall interior and finish in the BMW is light years better than they used to be. I preferred the look of the M40i, more muscular, but wife prefers the Audi look.

For me I just didn’t want to go diesel, so SQ5 was out (didn’t want used petrol SQ5) and they had switched to diesel only. At least with the M40 you can choose.

Drive a M40i/d or both, then you choose which of the 3.

Lol - sleepy=owned

 

[isleaiw]

I'd drive both, they are both good cars, and what may make one "win" for one person might not be as important for you. Can I get the Audi interior with the BMW engine and chassis but in a bodyshell that is neither of them.... maybe the Stelvio...?

 

[NevMan]

I'd drive both, they are both good cars, and what may make one "win" for one person might not be as important for you. Can I get the Audi interior with the BMW engine and chassis but in a bodyshell that is neither of them.... maybe the Stelvio...?

Now THAT would be some SUV

 

[isleaiw]

Now THAT would be some SUV

I followed a Stelvio the other day and wanted one..... but when you look at the options the QF is too hard core for an everyday for me (and pricey) but the others are a bit dull.... and nothing beats an Audi inside, and little beats a B58 engine and box, and the chassis is great in the X3 M40.....

 

[SteveeeGee]

I tested an X4 M40d before the SQ5. I liked the X4 exterior style in full m sport trim, but the digital dash was a mess, and the secondary ride was a bit busy in my opinion, plus the wife just hated it. Coming out of a Alfa Stelvio with its very busy ride and hyper active steering I preferred the lazier far more comfortable SQ5, mine has air suspension. Really depends what your after, would recommend a drive in both.

 

[SteveeeGee]

I followed a Stelvio the other day and wanted one..... but when you look at the options the QF is too hard core for an everyday for me (and pricey) but the others are a bit dull.... and nothing beats an Audi inside, and little beats a B58 engine and box, and the chassis is great in the X3 M40.....

I liked the Stelvio design and flair. The steering and paddles shift experience is night and day from the SQ5, but quality wise it was pretty low rate inside. The facelift version is much better.

has often made me think of all the best features of different cars I’ve owned and the fantasy of being able to pick and choose the bits into one ideal car.
Stelvio styling, lightweight body and steering with alloy gearshift paddles. Audi build quality, ride and most of the interior. Lexus Fsport seats and reliability, plus dealer experience. BMW infotainment system (not dash, keep audi for that or maybe Lexus moveable dash from Is300) and gearbox/throttle mapping.

 

[JohnNW]

I tested an X4 M40d before the SQ5. I liked the X4 exterior style in full m sport trim, but the digital dash was a mess, and the secondary ride was a bit busy in my opinion, plus the wife just hated it. Coming out of a Alfa Stelvio with its very busy ride and hyper active steering I preferred the lazier far more comfortable SQ5, mine has air suspension. Really depends what your after, would recommend a drive in both.

Did you try a standard SQ5 with the DCC and if so, how would you say it compares with yours? I really would like the air suspension but can't justify the significant increase (£11K + extra after discount) required to get in a Vorsprung over standard with C&S.

 

[SteveeeGee]

I didn’t, when I bought mine in Sept last year there was a glut of stock Vorsprung models at big discounts, local dealer had one in spec/colour I liked. I’ve watched as the facelift and then the current car price bonanza has driven discounts down and prices way up. I appreciate its now a huge ask for a SQ5 vorsprung and not really worth it at nearly £80k list.

 

[SteveeeGee]

Unless you really want a brand new one, there are a couple of nearly new SQ5 Vorsprung models from last year with less than 5k miles on Autotrader for about the same price as new std SQ5.

2.5k of Audi exclusive green paint on this one which is lovely


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107084785850

 

[JohnNW]

I've never been able to make the sums work by buying nearly new - you miss out on the manufacturers deposit contribution and the finance rates are usually higher than the manufacturer offers. So ordering new with a hefty discount at least matches nearly new prices and sometimes beats them.

That Vorsprung is nice but it's £2K more than the offer I've had for a new one with my spec. Agree the colour is nice, but green cars can sometimes be hard to sell.

 

[NevMan]

I've never been able to make the sums work by buying nearly new - you miss out on the manufacturers deposit contribution and the finance rates are usually higher than the manufacturer offers. So ordering new with a hefty discount at least matches nearly new prices and sometimes beats them.

That Vorsprung is nice but it's £2K more than the offer I've had for a new one with my spec. Agree the colour is nice, but green cars can sometimes be hard to sell.

Same for me. If you are buying cash can be a no brainier. An example being my ordered Mini JCW Countryman fully loaded is well under £300 p/m, admittedly with decent deposit, but a nearly new Cooper S 5 door for example is well north of £500+ p/m.

I did get a £6k discount which massively helps

 

[NevMan]

Jeez, the green SQ5 already had 2 owners

 

[isleaiw]

Same for me. If you are buying cash can be a no brainier. An example being my ordered Mini JCW Countryman fully loaded is well under £300 p/m, admittedly with decent deposit, but a nearly new Cooper S 5 door for example is well north of £500+ p/m.

I did get a £6k discount which massively helps

be interested in the view on the Countryman JCW, might be the car that gets me down to one car that does dog and station run....

I hesitate to say one car as no doubt I will find a weekend toy then but who knows, it might be a camper van!

 

[SteveeeGee]

I've never been able to make the sums work by buying nearly new - you miss out on the manufacturers deposit contribution and the finance rates are usually higher than the manufacturer offers. So ordering new with a hefty discount at least matches nearly new prices and sometimes beats them.

That Vorsprung is nice but it's £2K more than the offer I've had for a new one with my spec. Agree the colour is nice, but green cars can sometimes be hard to sell.

Agreed, depends on your plans and finance situation, but £2k more is better than £11k difference for a new model.

I think green is the new black. I also like the new green colour available on the facelift Q5. Not sure it is a hard sell, though my wife detests the Porsche green (mamba, viper not sure) on the Macan, but I think it’s not bad. I don’t like the shade you can have on the RSQ3 though, too bright or violent.

 

[SteveeeGee]

Jeez, the green SQ5 already had 2 owners

One was probably the dealer. Need to be mad to have consciously ordered a Q5 with exclusive paint.

 

[NevMan]

be interested in the view on the Countryman JCW, might be the car that gets me down to one car that does dog and station run....

I hesitate to say one car as no doubt I will find a weekend toy then but who knows, it might be a camper van!

No worries, will let you know, bit only due in Sept’ish

 

[NevMan]

Agreed, depends on your plans and finance situation, but £2k more is better than £11k difference for a new model.

I think green is the new black. I also like the new green colour available on the facelift Q5. Not sure it is a hard sell, though my wife detests the Porsche green (mamba, viper not sure) on the Macan, but I think it’s not bad. I don’t like the shade you can have on the RSQ3 though, too bright or violent.

Haha, kind of like kyalami green, but wouldn’t have one

 

[-Ju-]

The green on that SQ5 looks rather dull in the picture but may look better in real life.
I parked next to a kyalami RSQ3 in mine and it made mine look dull!
It certainly stands out