Audi e-tron or BMW iX3
Discussion
Afternoon all,
Over the next few weeks, I’ve decided to make the switch to an EV. I’ve had a home charger installed and also have access to a charger at the office, which is about 20 miles away.
My budget is around £25k, and I’ve narrowed my search down to two options: the MY21/22 Audi e-tron Black Edition and the MY22 BMW iX3.
I know looks are subjective, but I personally prefer the styling of the Audi—especially the alloys. That said, the BMW seems to have a slightly better range and appears to have fewer reported issues overall.
Has anyone here had experience with either of these models? I’d really appreciate any insights or recommendations to help with the decision.
Thanks in advance!
Over the next few weeks, I’ve decided to make the switch to an EV. I’ve had a home charger installed and also have access to a charger at the office, which is about 20 miles away.
My budget is around £25k, and I’ve narrowed my search down to two options: the MY21/22 Audi e-tron Black Edition and the MY22 BMW iX3.
I know looks are subjective, but I personally prefer the styling of the Audi—especially the alloys. That said, the BMW seems to have a slightly better range and appears to have fewer reported issues overall.
Has anyone here had experience with either of these models? I’d really appreciate any insights or recommendations to help with the decision.
Thanks in advance!
Went for the Audi here - albeit younger model. Personally it felt like a more premium car so hoping (incredibly naively) that it may do a better job of retaining some value. Came from an i-pace which I really rated, albeit the value dropped like a stone.
So far no issues with the Audi, feels nice and solid (though not as fun as the i-pace, which deployed power more aggressively).
As for Audi vs BMW - would note that Audi do the 55 which gives you dual motors/silly EV power (400hp) whereas I think the BMW only come with a single motor (280hp?).
So far no issues with the Audi, feels nice and solid (though not as fun as the i-pace, which deployed power more aggressively).
As for Audi vs BMW - would note that Audi do the 55 which gives you dual motors/silly EV power (400hp) whereas I think the BMW only come with a single motor (280hp?).
I can't speak for the Audi e-Tron but we've had our iX3 for 3 years and it has been absolutely fantastic. Plus points are a very premium feeling and well put together interior, not too heavy on touch screens, infotainment system is excellent, it rides nicely and average efficiency over 35,000 miles has been 3.2 miles per KWH. I really can't think of anything I don't like about it!
Another vote for IX3 had mine for a while and it’s been faultless. It’s excellent in range and loves motorways.
It’s a nice place to be. I’ve got the M sport model.
I’ve had i3’s as well p, but this is more car like. I looked at the Audi but didn’t like the dealers and the e cars reminded me of the VW range of electric, which isn’t good.
You can’t go wrong with the electric BMW range.
It’s a nice place to be. I’ve got the M sport model.
I’ve had i3’s as well p, but this is more car like. I looked at the Audi but didn’t like the dealers and the e cars reminded me of the VW range of electric, which isn’t good.
You can’t go wrong with the electric BMW range.
Had my ix3 for about 10 months now and can’t fault it.
Only issue I’ve had (fixed under warranty) was the sunroof rubbers had shrunk and caused quite bad wind noise. Even if out of warranty the dealer quoted low 200s to fix.
I sometimes wish it had an extra 20-30 miles range but on the whole it’s not been an issue.
If I were to get one I’d for either the prefacelift ones (premier or premier pro), as they basically look the same other than different headlights, or the facelift M sport Pro.
The facelift M sport (IMO) looks gash with the smaller wheels and silver grilles. The pro gets bigger and nicer wheels with black grilles and dark headlights.
Only issue I’ve had (fixed under warranty) was the sunroof rubbers had shrunk and caused quite bad wind noise. Even if out of warranty the dealer quoted low 200s to fix.
I sometimes wish it had an extra 20-30 miles range but on the whole it’s not been an issue.
If I were to get one I’d for either the prefacelift ones (premier or premier pro), as they basically look the same other than different headlights, or the facelift M sport Pro.
The facelift M sport (IMO) looks gash with the smaller wheels and silver grilles. The pro gets bigger and nicer wheels with black grilles and dark headlights.
Had a similar choice recently and went for the etron. The looks, performance, extra space, air suspension and 4WD were all factors in the Audis favour. For me it feels like a car from a class above the ix3.
My only advice would be to make sure you go for the 55 as the battery in the 50 is way too small for a car of that size. And it not buying from Audi get an official warranty.
My only advice would be to make sure you go for the 55 as the battery in the 50 is way too small for a car of that size. And it not buying from Audi get an official warranty.
Edited by SWoll on Friday 30th May 08:15
Luke. said:
I've had an EQC for almost 18 month and can't fault it. Would take it over the BMW and Audi every time...
Nice car, and was on our list but found it a bit pokey inside compared to the etron (much like the iX3), and with 80kWh useable the range was even worse than the Audi as is the fast charging soeed. Also no option to alter the suspension height or stiffness which is one of the things I love about the eTron with living out in the sticks.SWoll said:
Nice car, and was on our list but found it a bit pokey inside compared to the etron (much like the iX3), and with 80kWh useable the range was even worse than the Audi as is the fast charging soeed. Also no option to alter the suspension height or stiffness which is one of the things I love about the eTron with living out in the sticks.
That's only true for the 55 though, seems very comparable to the 50?ZesPak said:
SWoll said:
Nice car, and was on our list but found it a bit pokey inside compared to the etron (much like the iX3), and with 80kWh useable the range was even worse than the Audi as is the fast charging soeed. Also no option to alter the suspension height or stiffness which is one of the things I love about the eTron with living out in the sticks.
That's only true for the 55 though, seems very comparable to the 50?I was in the fortunate position to be able to have an EV through my company car scheme, I had the option of a Q4 or iX3 and went for the iX3
It was returned to the lease firm in March after 3 years and 93k miles, a Sophistico Grey Msport.
In the 3 years it was great, it does have an appetite for tyres though, including punctures of which I had 4, it must have gone through 16 tyres, and being on a maintained lease these were always replaced with new.
We got used to the average range being around the 200 mark, when the weather was good 220 ish, highest ever seen on the display was 240
It was used for pretty much 100 miles per day, and the very occasional long trip, I probably used a rapid charger maybe 10 times in total in 3 years. it was charged over night at home and it was great as my first EV experience being able to go to a car that is always ready to go in the morning and the preheat is a game charger for the winter
It was still on the original brake discs and pads.
Only issue it had was a clunk that developed to the suspension and it needed a lower arm as the bushes had gone, covered under warranty.
It had one fault with a wire that split in the front that ran to the coolant pump for the batteries which cause it to to not move, which was fixed by BMW assistance within the hour. No other faults.
Power was great, as a car its excellent as in reality it is just an X3.
I now have an i4 M50 which in all honesty I don't like as much as the ix3, mostly due to the space, but the extra range is really the added usability it adds is really good. I is also too fast and I think the i4 40 would be enough.
I miss not having the radar guided cruise control, the heated steering wheel and the sunroof the at the ix3 had. The kit levels are great on the iX3 compared to to others.
I optioned a tow bar on mine from new, with the intention of using it for a bike rack, but never actually used it.
It was returned to the lease firm in March after 3 years and 93k miles, a Sophistico Grey Msport.
In the 3 years it was great, it does have an appetite for tyres though, including punctures of which I had 4, it must have gone through 16 tyres, and being on a maintained lease these were always replaced with new.
We got used to the average range being around the 200 mark, when the weather was good 220 ish, highest ever seen on the display was 240
It was used for pretty much 100 miles per day, and the very occasional long trip, I probably used a rapid charger maybe 10 times in total in 3 years. it was charged over night at home and it was great as my first EV experience being able to go to a car that is always ready to go in the morning and the preheat is a game charger for the winter
It was still on the original brake discs and pads.
Only issue it had was a clunk that developed to the suspension and it needed a lower arm as the bushes had gone, covered under warranty.
It had one fault with a wire that split in the front that ran to the coolant pump for the batteries which cause it to to not move, which was fixed by BMW assistance within the hour. No other faults.
Power was great, as a car its excellent as in reality it is just an X3.
I now have an i4 M50 which in all honesty I don't like as much as the ix3, mostly due to the space, but the extra range is really the added usability it adds is really good. I is also too fast and I think the i4 40 would be enough.
I miss not having the radar guided cruise control, the heated steering wheel and the sunroof the at the ix3 had. The kit levels are great on the iX3 compared to to others.
I optioned a tow bar on mine from new, with the intention of using it for a bike rack, but never actually used it.
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