[-JLT-]

after having a F80 M3, F83 M4 ‘vert, F97 X3M Comp, and F98 X4M Comp, i’m sad to say i’m probably leaving the BMW family. as much as i tried to love the new design of the G45 X3, i just can’t. the design direction, both exterior and interior, is just not attractive to me. i will definitely be back, if things change in the future.

i have loved modifying all my rides (see build threads below), but my next build will most likely be the new 2025 AUDI SQ5. i’m really loving their new design direction. both the exterior and interior designs are 10x better looking than the new X3 imo.

very sad to be leaving BMW. hopefully it will be short lived but we shall see. sorry for the rant and let me know your thoughts.

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1027512

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1346255

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1663179

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1946557

[avi66]

Originally Posted by -JLT-

after having a F80 M3, F83 M4 ‘vert, F97 X3M Comp, and F98 X4M Comp, i’m sad to say i’m probably leaving the BMW family. as much as i tried to love the new design of the G45 X3, i just can’t. the design direction, both exterior and interior, is just not attractive to me. i will definitely be back, if things change in the future.

i have loved modifying all my rides (see build threads below), but my next build will most likely be the new 2025 AUDI SQ5. i’m really loving their new design direction. both the exterior and interior designs are 10x better looking than the new X3 imo.

very sad to be leaving BMW. hopefully it will be short lived but we shall see. sorry for the rant and let me know your thoughts.

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1027512

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1346255

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1663179

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1946557

I also like BMW until I don’t, then I just switch to something with compromises I find more acceptable. So don’t be sad as BMW tends to have a cycle of crap design, followed by good design, and it looks like it’s entering a crap phase.

The Audi looks sweet, and the interior is classy. It definitely gives off a more premium sport vibe compared to the G45 M50, which is probably the least premium or sporting interior and seating I’ve seen from BMW.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by -JLT-

very sad to be leaving BMW. hopefully it will be short lived but we shall see. sorry for the rant and let me know your thoughts.

My requested thoughts are that for a forum with car enthusiasts, I find the balance of emphasis on aesthetics versus the actual capabilities and experience of owning and driving a car overweighted with concerns about appearance. I cannot imagine any bend to the sheetmetal or presence/lack of a piece of interior trim that would lure me back into an Audi showroom or any other brand that I don't actually enjoy driving as much. Having owned and driven VWs and once worked as an Audi salesperson long before I could afford to own one, I can't help but feel (when driving) that I have a VW below me, although a highly dressed one. When BMW stops feeling the way I want it to feel when driving, I will also look elsewhere, but shaping a fender or fascia one way or the other isn't close enough to being a cause.

[-JLT-]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

My requested thoughts are that for a forum with car enthusiasts, I find the balance of emphasis on aesthetics versus the actual capabilities and experience of owning and driving a car overweighted with concerns about appearance. I cannot imagine any bend to the sheetmetal or presence/lack of a piece of interior trim that would lure me back into an Audi showroom or any other brand that I don't actually enjoy driving as much. Having owned and driven VWs and once worked as an Audi salesperson long before I could afford to own one, I can't help but feel (when driving) that I have a VW below me, although a highly dressed one. When BMW stops feeling the way I want it to feel when driving, I will also look elsewhere, but shaping a fender or fascia one way or the other isn't close enough to being a cause.

i agree with you to a certain extent. i’ve had an AUDI A6 2.7t and B9 S4 in the past. i will say that i do love the way BMWs ride, especially the Ms i’ve had. but by no means were the AUDIs not enjoyable as well. regarding the VW comment, so do Porsche and Lambo owners feel like they’re driving a VW?

i drive my rides very hard and anyone that knows me or driven w/ me will attest to that. on a track, yes, the bimmer may be more gratifying. but we don’t drive “at the limit” most of the time. for me, it’s always been the total package- performance AND looks. i wouldn’t buy a car that i’m not attracted to. also, i love modifying my rides to make it look more aggressive and special to me so looks are very important to me.

i’m not a brand whore. i will always get what i enjoy driving but looks are just as important. to each their own. everyone has different priorities and should get a ride, regardless of brand name, whatever gets their passion going. just my $.02.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by -JLT-

regarding the VW comment, so do Porsche and Lambo owners feel like they’re driving a VW?

I did not mean emotionally, and this certainly would not apply to a 911 or a Huracan. But, if you could close your eyes and move from an A4 to an Arteon, A3 to a Jetta, a Q5 e-tron to a ID.6, or other similar vehicle type pairs, one would be hard-pressed to know the brand from the driving experience feel. I used the word "feel" very literally.

I never drive at the limit and only used to on tracks. But the feel of everyday driving is important and valuable to me, just as the feel of nice everyday clothing even if not a tuxedo, nice writing instruments, nice furniture in the family room, even if not for formal entertaining....daily life pleasures.

For me, looks are very secondary. Nice looking is great and aesthetic mods can be fun, but not as nice looking is not a veto if I love driving the car otherwise.

Whatever you do choose, I do hope you love it and enjoy the drive!

[-JLT-]

i agree that an A4 is more similar to the Arteon and A3 to Jetta but an S4, S3 or even RS4, RS3 isn’t the same at all.

[-JLT-]

i’m still holding out hope that when i see it irl, it will look better than the pics. if not, …

[DocMarshall]

I went away from Audi's Q5 series because the seats were uncomfortable to me and the exterior is dated. The one you posted looks great however.

[Stockwell]

I was very interested on the Q6 e-tron.... then when I saw the ugly new Q5 tail light (side view) ??? I have been compare back and forth between the two, the interior looks very similar, but the Q6 is better to my eye. Both car is only via youtube or picture, not physical see one yet. The release of the new Q5 end up makes me decided NOT to spend my $$ with Audi This is my personal opinion.

[Xtabi]

I too am leaving BMW due to the awful designs. I was waiting for the nex X3 for quite some time with high hopes. And man did they not only lay a turd in the outside…but also in the interior. I just can’t believe the horrid looking design and cheap materials. Very sad as the electronics and drivetrain are unrivaled.

[HampshireUK]

I will be following you with either an SQ5 or S5, I had 4 Audis before my 3 BMWs and for me their design, materials and style fit my preference better than the latest BMW range.

[paimon.soror]

im really liking the sq5 as well - but while I have always loved the styling of Audi, - i have it in my head that every "issue" is an "engine out" lol

[Mavus]

sq5 is looking good … interesting update per Auto Blog

Audi says all models at launch will fit a seven-speed dual clutch, meaning the SQ5 would relinquish its eight-speed torque converter Tiptronic transmission.


Too bad BMW fkd up design

[Ravenous666]

I was on the edge of ordering a G45. Until the SQ5 TFSI V6 came up.

But after having two TT Quattro with DSG and a 2016 RS3 with dual clutch transmissions I can say i'm not so sure the SQ5 would fit. We had an M240iX and currently own 2 G01 X3s.

The ZF8 is unmatched by any VW/Audi dual clutch DSG gearbox and I would rather accept design flaws than the lag of the VW DSG gearbox.

SO I'll look at the demo car at my BMW dealer as soon as it's there and might order a M50 X3 G45.

[IAmSpeed]

Well life is too short to only drive one brand of car, car world is big, and there are definitely more than one best brand out there, cheers!

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by -JLT-

after having a F80 M3, F83 M4 ‘vert, F97 X3M Comp, and F98 X4M Comp, i’m sad to say i’m probably leaving the BMW family. as much as i tried to love the new design of the G45 X3, i just can’t. the design direction, both exterior and interior, is just not attractive to me...

Was surprised to read you're giving up your X4MC to step down to a lower performance series, esp with the slim pickings currently coming off production lines? Why not just keep it until better products become available in what seems a more 'distant' future? Hopefully battery tech (less wt, much faster charging and greater range), infrastructure and model designs will improve in the next 10 years or so to make EVs/hydrogen more attractive to those displeased with the current EV realm...

[ASAP]

If excitement or any sort of driving experience is a priority for you... or steering feel or throttle response... you better be prepared to get disappointed with audi lol... audi makes solid cars but unless you understand their philosophy of who they build their cars for... they are really not for you. (source owned an Audi S3... driven the entire Audi line... family members have a Q5 and Q7).

[BigMonkeyWrench]

I wish I can transplant the BMW drivetrain into an Audi. The interior blows away BMW interiors and the SQ5 seats are better than non-M BMW seats.

Hopefully the new SQ5 isn't like my old Macan GTS. Laggy throttle, squeaky steering wheel, non-stop parking sensor beeping behind Fords, etc.

[x622]

Originally Posted by BigMonkeyWrench

I wish I can transplant the BMW drivetrain into an Audi. The interior blows away BMW interiors and the SQ5 seats are better than non-M BMW seats.

Hopefully the new SQ5 isn't like my old Macan GTS. Laggy throttle, squeaky steering wheel, non-stop parking sensor beeping behind Fords, etc.

Literally you and everyone else can fix these problems with a
A) reflash
B) pedal booster

It's just the factory throttle mapping. VAG products are notorious for having mediocre throttles. I'd say Lambo is the only VAG subbrand I've driven that didn't have a shit throttle, and I haven't been behind the wheel of a Chiron.

As for the powerplants, that turbo V6 with a downpipe and tune makes 500+ all day. With a basic bolt on turbo people are pushing 700. Do some research. The only motor I'd keep from BMW is the s58.

[BigMonkeyWrench]

Originally Posted by x622

Literally you and everyone else can fix these problems with a
A) reflash
B) pedal booster

It's just the factory throttle mapping. VAG products are notorious for having mediocre throttles. I'd say Lambo is the only VAG subbrand I've driven that didn't have a shit throttle, and I haven't been behind the wheel of a Chiron.

As for the powerplants, that turbo V6 with a downpipe and tune makes 500+ all day. With a basic bolt on turbo people are pushing 700. Do some research. The only motor I'd keep from BMW is the s58.

Pedal booster isn't going to do shit. I can press the pedal further myself. The lag is there even if you floor it. It's somewhat tied to the traction control. With TC off, the lag was much reduced but still way too laggy. Every new car I've driven has some amount of lag that's reproduceable every time i do a rolling stop. Yes, even my current X3MC does it. But the Macan GTS had excessive lag where it would just sit there for a second when the gas is floored.

[nyalpine90]

i have 24 months to decide whether to stay with bmw or leave.
hoping by then, sunroof is back and interior is refresh slightly!

[srekal34]

Originally Posted by BigMonkeyWrench

Pedal booster isn't going to do shit. I can press the pedal further myself. The lag is there even if you floor it. It's somewhat tied to the traction control. With TC off, the lag was much reduced but still way too laggy. Every new car I've driven has some amount of lag that's reproduceable every time i do a rolling stop. Yes, even my current X3MC does it. But the Macan GTS had excessive lag where it would just sit there for a second when the gas is floored.

Isnt this also due to DSG? This is the main issue I have with Q5, otherwise I would change to Audi without hesitation.