[Ravenous666]

We had 4 Audis over a timeframe of 8 years (3 TT s, 1 RS3).

We had the cars for a maximum of 4 years. All of them had issues which would have been expensive to fix without extended warrenty. The first TT roadster was towed in twice in the first year.

Defect we had: Rooftop breakdown (2 of the 3 roadsters), quattro defect (1 roadster), engine electronics fails with CEL and lipm mode (1 on a TT roadster and one on the RS3), catalytic converter blown after 3 years (RS3), suspension problems (RS3), break performance problems (RS3). Audi was unwilling to do anything about the brakes and I paid a full set of facelift discs and pads out of my own pocket to fix the cheap pre LCI break disc and pads and insufficient brake cooling on my RS3.

Software updates for the headunits where allways an endless discussion with the technician.

This together with the constantly high maintenance due to DSG and Haldex fluid changes where a reason to leave Audi and switch over to BMW.

All of the 3 BMWs (1 M240iX, 2 X3s) we had or have since 2016 are without any defects and only had regular service done.

Not to mention the great combination of the engine with the ZF8HP transmission in the BMWs

I would never ever go back to Audi again. No matter how nice these cars look on the inside and outside.

Also an equaly equiped SQ5 is aprox €7500,- higher priced than a X3 M50 and the discount on the BMW is 3-4% higher which makes a total difference of up to €10000,-

[BigRam7151]

Audi tends to always look better in pictures than a disaster to actually live with. That’s been my experience and most of the people around me. I don’t buy Audi and will never buy Audi unless I hear a significant change in reputation. I look at Audi the same way I look at Tesla. They are not much better in build quality. I actually like having a dependable car I don’t have to take the dealer every couple months.

The primary issue with all these discussions is putting way too much weight on material quality and throwing out the things that actually matter. Which are drivetrain, build quality, software etc.

Plastic handles don’t destroy a car. Keep in focus what actually matters in day to day usage.

At this point my primary concern is having to give this car up and having to buy a 6000 pound electric.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by BigRam7151

Audi tends to always look better in pictures than a disaster to actually live with. That’s been my experience and most of the people around me. I don’t buy Audi and will never buy Audi unless I hear a significant change in reputation. I look at Audi the same way I look at Tesla. They are not much better in build quality.

The primary issue with all these discussions is putting way too much weight on material quality and throwing out the things that actually matter. Which are drivetrain, build quality, software etc.

Plastic handles don’t destroy a car. Keep in focus what actually matters on day to day usage.

I could not agree more. Audi's (only?) strength is design, which is great if you're assembling an art museum display. As for a motor vehicle, I'm with you in the "Never Again!" camp. Burned twice, both times by quality and once by dishonesty of a technician telling me he was forced to falsify an RO so Audi of America could deny warranty. Did I say "Never" loudly enough?

[Montaver]

Originally Posted by Ravenous666

We had 4 Audis over a timeframe of 8 years (3 TT s, 1 RS3).

We had the cars for a maximum of 4 years. All of them had issues which would have been expensive to fix without extended warrenty. The first TT roadster was towed in twice in the first year.

Defect we had: Rooftop breakdown (2 of the 3 roadsters), quattro defect (1 roadster), engine electronics fails with CEL and lipm mode (1 on a TT roadster and one on the RS3), catalytic converter blown after 3 years (RS3), suspension problems (RS3), break performance problems (RS3). Audi was unwilling to do anything about the brakes and I paid a full set of facelift discs and pads out of my own pocket to fix the cheap pre LCI break disc and pads and insufficient brake cooling on my RS3.

Software updates for the headunits where allways an endless discussion with the technician.

This together with the constantly high maintenance due to DSG and Haldex fluid changes where a reason to leave Audi and switch over to BMW.

All of the 3 BMWs (1 M240iX, 2 X3s) we had or have since 2016 are without any defects and only had regular service done.

Not to mention the great combination of the engine with the ZF8HP transmission in the BMWs

I would never ever go back to Audi again. No matter how nice these cars look on the inside and outside.

Also an equaly equiped SQ5 is aprox €7500,- higher priced than a X3 M50 and the discount on the BMW is 3-4% higher which makes a total difference of up to €10000,-

As a counter point I have a 2020 S6 in the family, not a single issue. Its built like a tank, beautiful interior, the air suspension is a step above anything from BMW in this class, fun to drive, and the B&O sound system is incredible. Also have an 2019 A3 in the family, similarly no issues at all.

[BigRam7151]

I have two Mercedes in the family both significant issues. Two friends with an Audi rs6 and rs5 both had to go to the dealer for a prolonged period. It seems to me that bmw post 2015 have been very dependable. Early 2000s they had issues. This is anecdotal stuff.

Just when these issues happen to you it becomes a subconscious hatred of the brand. I will never buy Mercedes again. I had an e63 and I would take this x3 over that any day. Also when you have an issue the customer service side of bmw is actually very good as well. These can be expensive cars I assume most of us are busy people. That type of thing has a lot of value to me outside of the actual look and feel of the car.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Montaver

As a counter point I have a 2020 S6 in the family, not a single issue. Its built like a tank, beautiful interior, the air suspension is a step above anything from BMW in this class, fun to drive, and the B&O sound system is incredible. Also have an 2019 A3 in the family, similarly no issues at all.

Sincerely glad it has worked out well for you. It hasn't for many others.

[OBP]

well since this has become a slugfest between BMW, Audi and MB and I started the whole X3M50 vs Audi SQ5 thing, lemme join the fray. I left BMW 25 years ago because both my E36 Coupe and E34 sedan had fried ECUs and needed to be towed. So embarrassed ... They drove so well, but only when they were able to start.... Went to Honda/Acura/Lexus for a time and that was in the Honda reliability period of the early 20-teens. But my stout Acura 3.7 liter V6 was the ONLY engine in any car I have ever owned to burn oil. Gave up on Honda/Acura and I guess the list above shows they have dropped in reliability. Did MB European delivery, drank the German Kool Aid in Sindelfingen and became an MB person while still keeping my old Lexus convertible. Three MBs in the stable and I have to say they have niggly things that you have to deal with: CLS - misfires in first six months of ownership - fixed but took three visits. Never happened again after that though. GLK - some low quality cosmetic things needed to be replaced under warranty early in its life but most recently a coil spring broke at 74k miles with just normal use here in the US northeast. Imagine that - broken coil spring !! Gave MB a piece of my mind though I fixed it on my own dime. Known major weakness of the mid 20-teens MBs with V6 and V8 engines -oil leaks from the cam sensors and magnets which can eventually destroy the ECU via the wiring harness. Happened to me but I caught it early enough to save my wiring harnesses and ECUs in both cars and at this point there is enough literature out there to fix this using essentially $50 to $100 parts and some elbow grease. Got it done ... The beast of an E63 is just too young for me to know if it will start failing on me but some owners of 2018/19 vintage 4.0 TT V8 MBs have rear main seal leaks - $10-12 k fix if you're not in warranty. One of the reasons I am so carefully following the X3 M50 is because the B58TU engine in there has a good reputation. Would I return to BMW after 25 years - possible ... Would still want to learn as much as I can about the weaknesses of the model year and the engine and one of the concerning aspects of the B58 is the timing chain is at the back, up against the firewall when most other engines have the timing belt/chain up front. So timing chain work if ever needed for the B58 is an engine out situation. Most other B58 problems seem moderate and manageable - some rubber valve gasket thing that you can replace on your own and possibly injector issues over time. Committed to learning before I buy. If you want to read about the most ludicrous new engine problems, Google search Audi 4.0 TT V8 Belt Starter Generator issues. Some Audi owners of $140-150k vehicles from the 2021/22 and possibly 23 model year are left stranded because of essentially an alternator failure ... Supposedly fixed in the 2024 onwards model year. Poor chumps ... Learning as I go ....

[DocOfTheDead]

Originally Posted by ASAP

beautiful is subjective... its not fast for a 100k car, doesnt handle... interior is hq for sure... untik you realize the infotainment system may have been good in 1995

LC500 owner here. If you use CarPlay is a non-issue, really.


I just saw the X3 M50i in person. If you like it then good for you. But for me, it’s a hard “yuck.”

[geddylee]

The LC500 is a modern engineering masterpiece

[BigRam7151]

At the time in my life where I need a bit more space. But if I didn’t I would get an lc500. Can’t complain on that one.

Just to respond to above bmw has improved a lot in the last 10 years or so. My dad had issues with bmw from the 90s to early 2000s. It’s a different car now in terms of reliability.

If the styling bothers you so much then obviously don’t buy. You don’t want to live with what you consider an eye sore. That is all subjective . I have some issues with the styling to but it’s not at the top of priority list and I have issues with styling on most cars. Cars aren’t designed only for me unfortunately. Lc500 is beautiful though.

[Tallest]

Originally Posted by iamvanja

Aggressive? This thing looks like it came out of a cartoon.

I was quoting someones reply. It wasnt my take.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by EWL5

It definitely feels like some sort of gamesmanship being played by BMW, which is par for the course these days (especially when it comes to the veracity of info on the US Build website)!

I wonder if the difference is due to changes in the way the MHEV motor is deployed in the G45 i.e. more like a BMW PHEV with the motor now an integral part of the ZF transmission ?

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by avi66

I wonder if the difference is due to changes in the way the MHEV motor is deployed in the G45 i.e. more like a BMW PHEV with the motor now an integral part of the ZF transmission ?

Could be related to the healthy increase in fuel economy for sure!

[avi66]

Originally Posted by EWL5

Could be related to the healthy increase in fuel economy for sure!

I think this is what changed, and looking at the launch info it sounds similar to this used in other models. It seems very similar, if not identical, to the way PHEV models within the same platform is driven.

I hope that ZF never goes wrong out of warranty.

[ModernAngel]

Originally Posted by avi66

The new SQ5 platform will available here in early 2025, and has a claimed 0-62mph of 4.5 seconds, compared to the M50 claimed 0-62mph of 4.6 according to Audi/BMW UK.

This guy was able to pull a 4.03 0-60 in an M50 so who knows. BMW legendarily underrates their motors.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by ModernAngel

This guy was able to pull a 4.03 0-60 in an M50 so who knows. BMW legendarily underrates their motors.

Who knows, 0-100kph on ICE is lost against a lot of EV’s these days. Once it was bragging rights, now we can’t get close to sub 3 seconds lol.

IIRC even the MG 4 XPower is something like 3.8 seconds, and Lotus SUV sub 3.

[solstice]

I saw the G45 at the dealer today…pictures don’t do it justice…I’m at loss for words, it’s so damn ugly, every angle, every perspective, every detail just wow.

[BigRam7151]

I would advise against you buying it. But I’m pretty happy with the way it looks.

[JoeyO]

Is that car reviewer guy wearing matching BMW sweatpants and top? What are the chances he’s wearing BMW underwear?

[JoeyO]

Also, that Savagegeese guy has a very serious yet funny demeanor to him. What are the chances he belches loudly, farts on command, and swears like a drunken sailer when that camera isn’t rolling?

[solstice]

Originally Posted by BigRam7151

I would advise against you buying it. But I’m pretty happy with the way it looks.

If it wasn’t for that incredible, fantastic, unparalleled, lovely B58 that you can put in an ice cream truck (like BMW just did ) and it should still be on anyone’s shortlist. BMW are now really testing the limits though

[BigRam7151]

Originally Posted by solstice

If it wasn’t for that incredible, fantastic, unparalleled, lovely B58 that you can put in an ice cream truck (like BMW just did ) and it should still be on anyone’s shortlist. BMW are now really testing the limits though

This car in my belief is the best version of the b58. I love driving this car. Looks will grow on you if the driving experience is enjoyable enough.