Time to leave BMW…

[Aluminati]

I bought my first BMW in 1982 ( library pic)


A cashmere gold 323i. Since then, I have had most versions of BMW…










You get the idea. I did stray to a Jag XFS once, but it broke within a month.

So, with the 330d X Drive getting a little tired with 172k on it, I thought I would get a new shape X5 5.0d.

Enquires sent, follow up was lacklustre from BMW dealers, to say the least.

While waiting to cross a road while walking a couple of weeks ago, I heard an Audi SQ5 derv go past, and was amazed how they made a tractor juice engine sound so …. Enginy.

So, within an hour of seeing this one, dealer had contacted me and it was purchased . Well done Audi.

Going to be a lot to learn, my hand movements are geared to BMW, looking forward to learning again.

Edited by Aluminati on Saturday 11th May 19:15

[nordboy]

My monies on you being back in a beemer within 12 months.

[Luke.]

Yeah, don't do that again....

[2 GKC]

My commiserations.

[MattsCar]

I presume you had a good test drive and are happy?

BMWs have a very different feeling to Audis for sure. But you will get accustomed in no time I am sure.

Enjoy.

[r1ch]

Great choice.

[MDMA .]

Aluminati said:

I I heard an Audi SQ5 derv go past, and was amazed how they made a tractor juice engine sound so …. Enginy.

That’ll be the soundaktor.

[Mr Tidy]

To be fair there probably isn't a massive difference in how a 4WD SUV by BMW drives to how an Audi one drives.

I still like my cars to be RWD with manual gearboxes so there are very few alternatives to BMWs.

Anyway I hope you like it.

[NDNDNDND]

MDMA . said:

Aluminati said:

I I heard an Audi SQ5 derv go past, and was amazed how they made a tractor juice engine sound so …. Enginy.

That’ll be the soundaktor.

That was my first thought - fake noise pumped out to passers-by. Quite weird, with all the limbo'ing under the drive-by noise limits that manufacturers have to do, that they should choose to deliberately pipe sound outside the car.

Still, it fooled the OP so I guess it does its job.

I'd love that 323i, though...

[Ianbe46m3]

I have only heard videos, but the Audi 3.0 diesels can sound good.

https://youtu.be/2HWQEVsjYBM?si=KxRAnuKm9F4n5BGW

[Aluminati]

nordboy said:

My monies on you being back in a beemer within 12 months.

Do you want my PayPal address ?….

[OldGermanHeaps]

I have always been far more lucky with audis build quality and reliability wise than with bmws. Hope you enjoy the new purchase.

[Aluminati]

OldGermanHeaps said:

I have always been far more lucky with audis build quality and reliability wise than with bmws. Hope you enjoy the new purchase.

Appreciated.

[Aluminati]

Well, initial impressions are good. Build quality seems to put BMW to shame !

[AlpinaB5]

I am in the same position. Currently running a 2019 G31 530d and totally fed up with endless problems. Especially rattling seats/trims which dealer has no interest in trying to sort out ( car has BMW warranty ). This is my 15th BMW and 4th G30/31. So going to test drive an E350d Merc.

[Magnum 475]

Aluminati said:

Well, initial impressions are good. Build quality seems to put BMW to shame !

Not surprised. I'd had BMWs since 2003, and in 2013 decided to have a change - bought an E-Class that I kept for c.130000 miles and sold during the pandamic...

I replaced the E Class with an F30 330i. Ignoring the woeful reliability issues, and depite it being a much newer car than the E-Class, it's a massive step backwards in terms of quality. It actually feels worse than the E90s I had before my E-Class, much worse. Numerous rattles, that the dealer can't find. The rear high level break light cover fell off on one occasion, as did one of the A-pillar trims. I can't help but get the feeling that the F30 series went through a massive cost-slashing exercise before production started, as it's the worst built BMW product I've ever driven. Bizarrely, Mrs Magnum's 2 series AT seems to be built to a better quality standard.

[JAMSXR]

Recently made the switch from BMW to an RS4. I would have gone M3 if they didn’t look so awful. No regrets so far, nicer place to be for the majority of driving situations.