Volvo XC60 or BMW X3

[Scubacollie]

Hi All, i'm after some impartial advise.

I'm in the market for a new car, have a family, and have some outdoor hobbies that see me sometimes off the beaten track, and also visit Scotland (the Highlands) a lot during the Winter months and therefore
also need the car to drive well up hills/roads in the snow.

I understand the Volvo's are good in the snow, however i'm having trouble finding a low mileage used one in my Budget, whereas i can find very low mileage X3 X Drives in my budget but i'm not sure how they perform in the snow and off the beaten track?

I've seen You Tube vids of the XC60 being taken up Gold Mine Hill, therefore i have no doubts about the ability of the XC60 but what are your thoughts on the X Drive X3?

Also with the XC60, they do two engines, the D4 and the D5. The D5 has loads of power and i know i would be very happy with the power from that engine when over taking, however the D4 although enough power to accelerate, i didn't feel as confident in it as the D5 with over taking?

But i understand that both the D4 and the D5 are the same engine? Therefore would the D4 last longer as its not under as much strain as the D5? Also the D5 has some sort of compressed gas device to fire to help with the turbo lag therefore this could also need replacing in the future?

What car would you go for out of the BMW X3 X Drive and the Volvo XC60 for off road and snow driving?

And if it was out of the XC60 what engine would you go for the D4 or the D5? And which one would you consider would be more reliable for longer?

Many Thanks guys!

[Roboticarm]

Theres a Jeremy Clarkson video on YouTube showing how poor the x3 is off road.
I also watched my old boss tow 3 out of a muddy field (nothing more than a flat wet field) using his RR sport.
Thes were the original ones, later models might better

[Roboticarm]

https://youtu.be/u2LLMxlkT-Y

[NewUsername]

The correct tyres for the job make a world of difference

[dmsims]

NewUsername said:

The correct tyres for the job make a world of difference

This

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfuE00qdhLA

[Scubacollie]

Thanks guys watched the video but obviously this is an older X3 than the one I was thinking although probably not that much better....

What's the Quattro system of the Audi like? For example the Q5??

Looks like the Volvo XC60 will be the best choice then?

[ZX10R NIN]

How much are you looking to spend that'll determine which one will best suit your needs.

The X3 is as capable as an XC60 off road with the equivalent wheel & tyre combo.

[Scubacollie]

Hi Mate, 33K max.....

Also whats your opinion on the D4 and D5 engine, as they are both the same engine but the D5 is a lot more powerful, do you think that D4 would last longer all things being equal?

[ZX10R NIN]

Scubacollie said:

Hi Mate, 33K max.....

Also whats your opinion on the D4 and D5 engine, as they are both the same engine but the D5 is a lot more powerful, do you think that D4 would last longer all things being equal?

In a word I'll say no mainly because you'll actually be working the D4 a little harder than the D5 which with it's extra torque will actually be less stressed than the D4.