Audi SQ5 vs X3 35d (2015)

[dewey]

Hi there,

I've got 20k to spend on a family car. I had an M135i but had to sell as it was aggravating my wife's arthritis. So last year I bought a Honda CRV 2017. Very comfortable but soooo boring to drive. My wife loves 4x4s (the height, lifestyle, space). I want something thats still practical, reasonable to run and more grunt/fun to drive.

So we've decided to start looking. I'd narrowed to 2015 SQ5 or X3 35d.

I'd welcome people's experience of these cars, or is there another car I've missed?

Thanks.

[cerb4.5lee]

I like both cars and I've test driven the SQ5 and I really liked the way it drove. I've not had a X3 35d but I've had that engine in a 640d and it is nice and punchy/torquey.

Both are very nice cars for me, so I don't think that you will be disappointed with either.

[Nano2nd]

make sure the x3 has Adaptive Suspension, otherwise it will make the M135i look like a limousine ride quality wise

[lrarth]

Hey dewey, what did you end up going for? I may be looking at the same two cars in the next year and I would like to hear your thoughts!

[ZX10R NIN]

This is the answer:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[Dift]

I had this same conundrum just a few months ago.

We settled on a lovely SQ5.

Double check the exhaust sound generators work (pop it the gear selector to dynamic or on the drive select if fitted).

Our car had a fault with the exhaust so we waited ages for them to fix it, then some how I got strong armed into getting a disco sport instead

[lrarth]

Hi Dift,

Is drive selection an option then?

What do you think of the Discovery Sport?

[dirtbiker]

I've got a 2015 SQ5 and it's a pretty decent bit of kit - I don't think you'll be disappointed.

The interior is starting to look a bit dated but I've got a Bluetooth MMI adapter for streaming music which makes it tolerable.

Makes a good noise and really does get up and go OK when you boot it!

[lrarth]

Is the Bluetooth MMI adaptor what you need to play Spotify for example? Are there any issues you've experienced since owning the SQ5?

Ta

[dirtbiker]

lrarth said:

Is the Bluetooth MMI adaptor what you need to play Spotify for example? Are there any issues you've experienced since owning the SQ5?

Ta

Yep, exactly. I tried a cheap one from Amazon but couldn't get it to work so ended up having to shell out £100 on the Tune2Air one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bovee-Tune2Air-WMA3000a-B...

No real problems in 18 months of ownership, silly little things like the clips which hold the towbar cover on rusting away and the rear washer jet needing to be replaced but nothing major. I'm going to need brakes all round at some point which I'm not looking forward to paying for.

Mines running on 19s with Pirelli Scorpion Verde all-season tyres just now but came on 21s which look great.

[lrarth]

I’ll make a note of this, just in case I need to purchase one.

Ouch, that’s going to put a dent in the wallet. Are you happy with the performance?

[dirtbiker]

Yep, you can definitely feel the weight on country roads but it's amusing to boot it down a slip road now and then!