serranot

I own a Q5 and a 2011 M3. I will tell you that I am not a CTO, but I am a tech fan/guy.

While the M3's iDrive logic makes more sense to me as far as direction to turn the ****, that's about where it ends. The Audi MMI is by far better. While I can hit the voice button on the Q5 and say "dial x," on the M3 it takes about four voice commands to dial a number.

And the BMW interior, while decent, doesn't hold a candle to the Audi.

The M3 is sublime in its driving experience. I would expect the X3 to drive well.

I think you're having buyer's remorse and you're trying to rationalize it. If you want the BMW, just get it. But I don't buy your reasons for doing so.

Coolieman1220

Has OP responded?

We're gonna have to get used to those shifters because transmissions are all electronic these days so whats the need for an actual shifter when a button will do?

I totally agree

I feel as if BMW is about driving experinece. Audi's to me seem heavy, especially upfront and the steering and brakes lack feel as well. In the Q5 I don't mind as it is not a sports car.

I feel as if the iDrive system is better than the MMI. The MMI direction is all wrong. I like the button layout of the MMI where it has the radio power and volume buttons right there but I like the iDrive having all of its buttons right behind the dial. The split screen option is nice and the menu's make sense.

I guess at the end of the day it all boils down to personal preference.

The G Man

Have you ever driven the new X3? Its not exactly a sports car either. You cannot compare a SUV to your 3 series as far as handling is concerned.

obtix

The wait (which was just pushed back again), MMI, and lack of features. I really think the X3 is going to win.

Btw, Audi emailed me this morning. Was pushed back until after the new year.

Coolieman1220

you are right, i was generalizing from my experiences with the BMW company and the many models I have driven and the Audi company and the many models i have driven from them.

Funny, I was going to test drive an X3 this weekend but they didn't have any 35i's to test.

obtix

Where did I say 8 weeks? The car was ordered mid Sept. The just pushed my date back to Jan. I am also past the 30 days on the contracted date of the car (11/14).

The G Man

Sounds like your mind has already been made up. You are now rationalizing why you should buy the X3 instead. This additional delay on the Q5 should finalize it for you. Go get the X3, you will be happier for a little while anyways. I hate waiting for things too

HaveBullDogWillTravel

Based on what you've reported here...
you prefer the interior
you prefer the tech
you can get it NOW
a few $$$ either way is no biggie
What are you waiting for...Get the X3.

The 35i engine is much more powerful than either of the Q5 choices...and silky smooth, too...all the way to redline. That's what I miss most about my 335i.
I can't speak for Audi's 8sp Auto but the 6 speed Steptronic that comes mated to the 35i engines is super smooth and FAST.
Have fun with your new ride whatever it ends up being!

spijun

Please go and buy a BMW X3 and the end of the story
You have already decided.

The G Man

Its funny you said that. I cross shop the 535ix with the new A6 fully expecting the 535ix to perform better. Boy was I wrong, the A6 handle better and it was also quicker in accelaration. Steering or steering feel use to be BMW's strong point, but BMW really mess the steering feel on the new 5 series. It is so isolated that I thought I was driving a Lexus. The X3 is a bit better steering wise, but the biggest selling point is the accelaration, the X3 35i blows away the Q5 3.2. I was expecting Audi to counter the X3 35i with a 3.0T engine in the Q5. I was very surprise that it didnt happed in the 2012 model year, but with Q5 supply bearly keeping up with demand, Audi can affort to waiting another year.