[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by hans007

Audi's new Q5/SQ5 in the US, doesn't look like they cut anything. Oh but wait, they completely removed the 48V hybrid system from US models

Although I am an Audi rejecter, that would be a positive for them in my opinion. That keeps a fragile lithium ion battery out of my garage.

[MidnightLight]

Originally Posted by hans007

Audi's new Q5/SQ5 in the US, doesn't look liek they cut anything. Oh but wait, they completely removed the 48V hybrid system from US models. It only is a difference of 5 mpg. So I guess ultimately BMW just had a budget and they spent it elsewhere.

Yeah, that's undoubtedly the business reality they had to work with. I am glad that BMW recognizes that their brand's key selling point is the driving experience, and they chose to prioritize keeping/improving that when deciding what to cut.

[lfdal54]

We have a 22 Q5 Prestige edition. Quality has been rock solid so far except for an Audi-wide issue with their transfer case needing an early fluid change. It was covered under warranty and no problems since. In all honesty, we never keep a German car out of warranty. The build quality is several levels above my former 2023 X3 M40i. In fairness, the build quality of my 2019 X3 M40i was better than my 2023 X3 M40i. We won't talk about the unannounced de-contenting that happened starting in 2023. At least Audi listed any shortages on the Monroney sticker.

My issues go a little deeper than cosmetic in that I don't want to drive a cell phone on wheels. Neither do the majority of the other people my age according to AARP. So, I decided to roll the dice on a 2025 GV70 3.5 Prestige. I'm overdue for posting pics and a review in the GV70 thread in the G01 forum because I got a double dose of Covid right after I got the car and only now am getting back to normal.

Initial impressions are that the interior quality beats the crap out of my 2023 X3, and compares favorably with the 2022 Q5s. I've only got a couple hundred miles on the car but am doing a 500-600 mile road trip this weekend. I'm still within the 1200-mile break-in period so haven't pushed the car hard yet.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by lfdal54

We have a 22 Q5 Prestige edition. Quality has been rock solid so far except for an Audi-wide issue with their transfer case needing an early fluid change. It was covered under warranty and no problems since. In all honesty, we never keep a German car out of warranty. The build quality is several levels above my former 2023 X3 M40i. In fairness, the build quality of my 2019 X3 M40i was better than my 2023 X3 M40i. We won't talk about the unannounced de-contenting that happened starting in 2023. At least Audi listed any shortages on the Monroney sticker.

My issues go a little deeper than cosmetic in that I don't want to drive a cell phone on wheels. Neither do the majority of the other people my age according to AARP. So, I decided to roll the dice on a 2025 GV70 3.5 Prestige. I'm overdue for posting pics and a review in the GV70 thread in the G01 forum because I got a double dose of Covid right after I got the car and only now am getting back to normal.

Initial impressions are that the interior quality beats the crap out of my 2023 X3, and compares favorably with the 2022 Q5s. I've only got a couple hundred miles on the car but am doing a 500-600 mile road trip this weekend. I'm still within the 1200-mile break-in period so haven't pushed the car hard yet.

Good luck with the GV70. I came very close to making that choice, but the rear seat package was a bit tight for us. Otherwise, seemed an excellent vehicle. A friend who owns one loves it. As to Audi, glad that's working out for you. If you haven't had your technician admit privately that he was ordered to falsify a repair order to help them deny warranty, you're doing better than we did. Very pleased with my new G01 with real buttons (except the regrettable loss of the red/blue upper vent wheel becoming a three-deep function on the screen menu) and very happy with my excellent SA at the dealer, so I have time for BMW to do a course correction for my next vehicle, hopefully a solid state battery EV with a solid sunroof shade (unlike the iX foolishness).

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by lfdal54

We have a 22 Q5 Prestige edition. Quality has been rock solid so far except for an Audi-wide issue with their transfer case needing an early fluid change. It was covered under warranty and no problems since. In all honesty, we never keep a German car out of warranty. The build quality is several levels above my former 2023 X3 M40i. In fairness, the build quality of my 2019 X3 M40i was better than my 2023 X3 M40i. We won't talk about the unannounced de-contenting that happened starting in 2023. At least Audi listed any shortages on the Monroney sticker.

My issues go a little deeper than cosmetic in that I don't want to drive a cell phone on wheels. Neither do the majority of the other people my age according to AARP. So, I decided to roll the dice on a 2025 GV70 3.5 Prestige. I'm overdue for posting pics and a review in the GV70 thread in the G01 forum because I got a double dose of Covid right after I got the car and only now am getting back to normal.

Initial impressions are that the interior quality beats the crap out of my 2023 X3, and compares favorably with the 2022 Q5s. I've only got a couple hundred miles on the car but am doing a 500-600 mile road trip this weekend. I'm still within the 1200-mile break-in period so haven't pushed the car hard yet.

We've owned both in our family... they both have their advantages and disadvantages... as I've said before - if powertrain, driving experience and steering is of any sort of focus for you... stay miles away from the Audi... that's before you get into their maintanence which is more expensive than BMW and a service experience that is also subpar... and I think I'd prefer to deal with a Nokia phone before Audi MMI. If however, you want a well balanced comfortable car (that doesn't offer any thrills), it is a solid option.

[lfdal54]

Originally Posted by ASAP

We've owned both in our family... they both have their advantages and disadvantages... as I've said before - if powertrain, driving experience and steering is of any sort of focus for you... stay miles away from the Audi... that's before you get into their maintanence which is more expensive than BMW and a service experience that is also subpar... and I think I'd prefer to deal with a Nokia phone before Audi MMI. If however, you want a well balanced comfortable car (that doesn't offer any thrills), it is a solid option.

I don't disagree with the Audi, the MMI isn't up to BMW's standards which makes me wonder how well their 2025's with 2 screens will do. The Q5 handles competently, and when you beat on the accelerator, it is an adequate performer. I'd match it up with an X3 30i, certainly not anything with a B58 in it.

We've found a very good Audi dealership, thankfully as our selling dealership basically well, sucked. That makes a huge difference in the ownership experience. The experience I had with the ambient lighting in my last X3 soured me on both BMW dealerships. I hadn't seen that much finger-pointing since kindergarten.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by lfdal54

I don't disagree with the Audi, the MMI isn't up to BMW's standards which makes me wonder how well their 2025's with 2 screens will do. The Q5 handles competently, and when you beat on the accelerator, it is an adequate performer. I'd match it up with an X3 30i, certainly not anything with a B58 in it.

We've found a very good Audi dealership, thankfully as our selling dealership basically well, sucked. That makes a huge difference in the ownership experience. The experience I had with the ambient lighting in my last X3 soured me on both BMW dealerships. I hadn't seen that much finger-pointing since kindergarten.

do you drive in sport mode or comfort? in comfort tranny settings, the throtthle response makes me want to jump off a building

[lfdal54]

Originally Posted by ASAP

do you drive in sport mode or comfort? in comfort tranny settings, the throtthle response makes me want to jump off a building

Good point, Sport mode only for me. Even my wife hates Comfort mode and keeps it in Sport mode. Shift points are a Jekyll and Hyde experience.

[car_fan]

If BMW is on a new buyer conquest mission. I hate to say it, but even the Genesis GV70 is going to be strong competition. The interior is by far more luxurious- performance not as good with the Genesis, but outside of BMW brand loyalist, the competition has gotten that much stronger. This is coming from a decades long BMW brand loyalist - including but not limited to - G01 M40i, F97 now a recently acquired F98- C. The G45 just doesn’t appeal to me overall. I will say the exterior in certain colors I can tolerate, the drive/performance is decent I can deal with that. But the interior is way to gimmicky, additionally the interior no matter what anyone says does not impart the quality of it’s predecessor. New tech is an obvious improvement and animation with the ambient lighting- ok great. That’s just me I voted with my wallet, I was in the market when these hit the ground, could have easily spent less on a fully loaded G45 M50. But had no interest, not withstanding because I wanted a full ///M model.

[blackpear]

As I got into my current X3 (GO1) tonight, I noticed that all four door handles are illuminated at night and puddle lights illuminate the road by the doors. All of this is taken for granted but is very helpful in the dark.

I don’t recall seeing this on the UK spec of the new car.

Is it another standard feature discarded in the interests of saving cost?

[Mavus]

Originally Posted by blackpear

As I got into my current X3 (GO1) tonight, I noticed that all four door handles are illuminated at night and puddle lights illuminate the road by the doors. All of this is taken for granted but is very helpful in the dark.

I don’t recall seeing this on the UK spec of the new car.

Is it another standard feature discarded in the interests of saving cost?

looks that way

[avi66]

Originally Posted by blackpear

As I got into my current X3 (GO1) tonight, I noticed that all four door handles are illuminated at night and puddle lights illuminate the road by the doors. All of this is taken for granted but is very helpful in the dark.

I don’t recall seeing this on the UK spec of the new car.

Is it another standard feature discarded in the interests of saving cost?

Yup, you have led exterior door handle lights, led puddle lights on each door, and projection carpet lights. On the inside you even have ambient lights in the door bins.

BMW already started deleting many of these from the MY23 G01, along with gesture control, outer dash vent dial illumination, USB C data capability.

Again, cost cutting, and you can compare how much of the above is included in the G45, which already has little things like back seat angle adjustments, door sill protectors, trunk load lip metal skid, cargo rails, opening sunroof, reduced rear ambient lighting, cabin wide trim elements, etc, etc missing.

It’s the little things that make the difference between premium and run of the mill rental.

[Mavus]

what’s the story with audio and speakers? cut that too??

[avi66]

Originally Posted by Mavus

what’s the story with audio and speakers? cut that too??

According to BMW there are 15 speakers (1 less than the G01) with the G45 HK option, and 6 speakers with the standard audio.

[BigRam7151]

Originally Posted by avi66

According to BMW there are 15 speakers (1 less than the G01) with the G45 HK option, and 6 speakers with the standard audio.

Per the bmw press release. It’s a large pdf and I just screenshotted it. Overall speakers likely improved. Wouldn’t know until I actually listened to them.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by BigRam7151

Per the bmw press release. It’s a large pdf and I just screenshotted it. Overall speakers likely improved. Wouldn’t know until I actually listened to them.

I read the BMW Group release, which mentioned 15 speakers for HK and 6 for standard as I mentioned above.

There’s also conflicting information published by BMW depending on which website you visit re output, and number of speakers. Although BMW USA website quoted 600w for the G01 HK as well.

I’ve no idea about the quality of speakers, I can only go by the quality, or lack there of, of others interior elements. So far, the overriding theme is cost cutting.

I would also assume the system will require tweaking to taste via the DSP settings, which is usually an iterative process.

[BigRam7151]

Originally Posted by avi66

I read the BMW Group release, which mentioned 15 speakers for HK and 6 for standard as I mentioned above.

There’s also conflicting information published by BMW depending on which website you visit re output, and number of speakers.

I’ve no idea about the quality of speakers, I can only go by the quality, or lack there of, of others interior elements. So far, the overriding theme is cost cutting.

I would also assume the system will require tweaking to taste via the DSP settings, which is usually an iterative process.

Yes the quote showed 15 speakers within the pdf. I trust the pdf is correct over each individual countries builder. Just because they have plastic handles and less metal in the car doesn’t mean the entire car has been cheapened. We’ll have to see if more watts means higher quality speakers as that isn’t always the case but we’ll see.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by BigRam7151

We’ll have to see if more watts means higher quality speakers as that isn’t always the case but we’ll see.

It’s also not clear how the output is split between the HK RAM, which typically powers all but the under seat woofers, and the ALEV 3 HK booster module, which powers the under seat woofers only. So you need to consider this in your statement above.

Some BMW audio options also push more output through the booster than the RAM.

[BigRam7151]

Originally Posted by avi66

It’s also not clear how the output is split between the HK RAM, which typically powers all but the under seat woofers, and the ALEV 3 HK booster module, which the powers under seat woofers only. So you need to consider this in your statement above.

Some BMW audio options also push more output through the booster than the RAM.

Hence the we’ll see increased watts is a small part of the story and doesn’t tell us too much. I think it will likely be an improvement though. Just a suspicion.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by BigRam7151

Hence the we’ll see increased watts is a small part of the story and doesn’t tell us too much. I think it will likely be an improvement though. Just a suspicion.

Kind of a feeling in your bowels type thing.

Like I said, the overriding theme of the G45 is cost cutting. It is what it is.

[BigRam7151]

No just not so overwhelmingly negative on the car. You have feelings one way and I have feelings the other way. We’ll get some empirical evidence soon.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by BigRam7151

No just not so overwhelmingly negative on the car. You have feelings one way and I have feelings the other way. We’ll get some empirical evidence soon.

I don’t have a “feeling” apart from what the material felt like to touch, and how it looked in the M50 in the flesh. I just call a spade a spade.

Is it negative to call out all the cost reduction BMW has made ?

This from a new M50 owner that collected the car yesterday -

“ My opinion on the interior is complicated. It isn't universally bad. In fact, if you accept the minimalism thing, it is mostly okay. But some parts of it are abysmally awful. Like criminal. I'm looking at the doors and the door handles and the incredibly cheap plastic where the door controls are. The seat memory buttons feel like a shitty kid's toy. I wouldn't be surprised if this is fixed by 2026 MY.”

Is that not cost cutting ? What’s worse is it’s in a highly visible touch interaction area, so if it cut costs here in such an area what has it done elsewhere……..