Non-Porsche: Audi Q5 vs. BMW X1?
11-12-2013, 02:35 AM
#1
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Non-Porsche: Audi Q5 vs. BMW X1?
Non-Porsche new car: Audi Q5 vs. BMW X1?
Why am I asking this in a Porsche Forum? Well if I ask Should I buy an Audi vs. BMW in an Audi forum, I can expect I'll know what the answer will be, and same for BMW forums. This forum seems to have some definite opinions, probably not as BMW or Audi biased so let it fly!
What I like about both the X1 and Q5 is that although relatively small, they both have enough room under the liftgate for our dogs without dropping the rear seats. Both (in the versions I'm considering) have 2.0L turbocharged engines and 8 speed ZF transmissions, offering very decent performance at altitude. Both can be had at reasonable (IMHO) prices if you are easy on the options. This will be a daily driver for my wife.
Here are the two options I'm considering:
2014 Audi Q5 Premium 2.0T
2.0 TFSI Turbocharged, direct injection engine (220HP, 258TQ)
8-speed ZF transmission
Quattro all-wheel-drive system
Leather, heated seats, HID lights, Pano roof, no nav
Black on black
About $41K sticker, $38K purchase.
2014 BMW X1 BMW X1 xDRIVE28i
2.0 Turbocharged, direct injection engine (240HP, 260TQ)
8-speed ZF transmission
xDrive all-wheel-drive system
Sport line package, Leather, Cold weather package (heated seats), Lighting package (HID), Premium package, no nav.
About $41K sticker, $38K purchase.
I could also wait for the Porsche Macan, built on the Q5 platform, but there is no way I'm getting a Macan for under $40K. Pricing isn't out yet, but my guess is at least $50K lightly equipped.
The BMW is definitely quicker. In fact it is a little rocket... About six seconds 0-60 in stock trim at Colorado altitude. And easy to bump the power even more. But the Audi is still pretty peppy. The Turbo 2L's and 8-speed ZF transmissions work really well in Colorado altitude.
The Audi is definitely roomier, particularly in the back seat. A bit longer, wider, and higher. Surprisingly, the X1 has extremely good rear cargo hatch space for a very small crossover/SUV, which is important for the dogs.
The Q5 is maybe a bit better looking, IMHO looks best in black. The X1 is a bit quirky looking, but I think it looks good in white. Even better if I move up to the M package.
Both are nearly identically prices with similar options... so let your opinions fly.
Why am I asking this in a Porsche Forum? Well if I ask Should I buy an Audi vs. BMW in an Audi forum, I can expect I'll know what the answer will be, and same for BMW forums. This forum seems to have some definite opinions, probably not as BMW or Audi biased so let it fly!
What I like about both the X1 and Q5 is that although relatively small, they both have enough room under the liftgate for our dogs without dropping the rear seats. Both (in the versions I'm considering) have 2.0L turbocharged engines and 8 speed ZF transmissions, offering very decent performance at altitude. Both can be had at reasonable (IMHO) prices if you are easy on the options. This will be a daily driver for my wife.
Here are the two options I'm considering:
2014 Audi Q5 Premium 2.0T
2.0 TFSI Turbocharged, direct injection engine (220HP, 258TQ)
8-speed ZF transmission
Quattro all-wheel-drive system
Leather, heated seats, HID lights, Pano roof, no nav
Black on black
About $41K sticker, $38K purchase.
2014 BMW X1 BMW X1 xDRIVE28i
2.0 Turbocharged, direct injection engine (240HP, 260TQ)
8-speed ZF transmission
xDrive all-wheel-drive system
Sport line package, Leather, Cold weather package (heated seats), Lighting package (HID), Premium package, no nav.
About $41K sticker, $38K purchase.
I could also wait for the Porsche Macan, built on the Q5 platform, but there is no way I'm getting a Macan for under $40K. Pricing isn't out yet, but my guess is at least $50K lightly equipped.
The BMW is definitely quicker. In fact it is a little rocket... About six seconds 0-60 in stock trim at Colorado altitude. And easy to bump the power even more. But the Audi is still pretty peppy. The Turbo 2L's and 8-speed ZF transmissions work really well in Colorado altitude.
The Audi is definitely roomier, particularly in the back seat. A bit longer, wider, and higher. Surprisingly, the X1 has extremely good rear cargo hatch space for a very small crossover/SUV, which is important for the dogs.
The Q5 is maybe a bit better looking, IMHO looks best in black. The X1 is a bit quirky looking, but I think it looks good in white. Even better if I move up to the M package.
Both are nearly identically prices with similar options... so let your opinions fly.
Last edited by pfbz; 11-12-2013 at 02:51 AM.
11-12-2013, 02:55 AM
#2
Rocky Mountain High
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We've been shopping in this category also. I really think the Q5 compares more favorably to the X3 than to the X1.
I'm not sure yet, but I think we're going to buy the Q5 diesel.
I'm not sure yet, but I think we're going to buy the Q5 diesel.
11-12-2013, 03:41 AM
#4
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Thread Starter
11-12-2013, 03:49 AM
#5
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Thread Starter
She's going to be happy with either one... She was set on the Q5 until she drove the X1 and now can't decide.
On the Q5 diesel, the fueling experience is a bit of a deal breaker for us, on top of the price premium. Diesel pumps around here are invariably filthy and stinky, pretty much impossible to fuel your car and not end up smelling like fuel unless you keep a glove in your car. I wouldn't mind so much, but it will be primarily her car.
11-12-2013, 10:20 AM
#7
Rocky Mountain High
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
The X3 is certainly supposed to be the 'competitor' of the Q5, but the X1 seems also to fit pretty well in comparison. I've never been a big fan of the X3, and honestly didn't expect to like the X1 very much, but driving it was an absolute blast and it had much more 'usable' cargo room than I expected.
She's going to be happy with either one... She was set on the Q5 until she drove the X1 and now can't decide.
On the Q5 diesel, the fueling experience is a bit of a deal breaker for us, on top of the price premium. Diesel pumps around here are invariably filthy and stinky, pretty much impossible to fuel your car and not end up smelling like fuel unless you keep a glove in your car. I wouldn't mind so much, but it will be primarily her car.
She's going to be happy with either one... She was set on the Q5 until she drove the X1 and now can't decide.
On the Q5 diesel, the fueling experience is a bit of a deal breaker for us, on top of the price premium. Diesel pumps around here are invariably filthy and stinky, pretty much impossible to fuel your car and not end up smelling like fuel unless you keep a glove in your car. I wouldn't mind so much, but it will be primarily her car.
The thing I like about the diesel besides the mileage is the torque when driving up the hill. It's really nice.
The size of the Q5 is also important to us. It's smaller than our Cayenne but still big enough.
We have owned an Audi in the past, and it was great. I haven't owned a BMW, but they sure are nice...
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11-12-2013, 02:10 PM
#8
Instructor
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Wisconsin
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I have had a Q5 for a 1.5 yrs. and like it. No warranty work, very reliable for us. Leased it and will buy it at end, in another yr. - only has 12k on it now. It's the 3.0 and gets 26-28 on hywy @ 65mph. Good car and wife likes it!
11-12-2013, 02:40 PM
#10
Race Director
I did not enjoy my X5 with the Xdrive system. I'm sure the X1 is more responsive since it weighs a lot less, but the driving experience in that vehicle was non-existent.
11-12-2013, 07:05 PM
#11
Instructor
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Tampa, FL
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Had similar decision recently between x3 and q5. Q5 was nice but interior wasn't all that great imo and x3 isdue for refresh soon. Ultimately going with a 328i sport line. Fwiw, there are 2013 mso x3's out there with sub 10k miles in that price range. I like mso bmw's because they are usually highly optioned and offered for pretty good discount, and they'll typically extend the 50k mile warranty out a bit.
