Audi SQ5 or BMW X3 M40i...or both? :)

[BklynSQ5]

Hi everyone! So I just posted this over in the BMW forum and thought I would share if with you all here as well. I've had my SQ5 for just over a year now while my wife had a Q3. Her lease was up this month and we weren't using her Q3 as much because we needed something a little bigger to help lug around our infant son and all that comes along with him (stroller, bags, etc.) Last month we picked up our ordered 2019 BMW X3 M40i equipped as follows:

Carbon Black Metallic
Cognac Vernasca Leather w/contrast stitching/piping
Fineline Cove Matte Finish Wood Trim
21" M Double-spoke Cerium Grey wheels, style 718M
Executive Package
Premium Package
Adaptive M Suspension
Rear manual side window shades
Wireless Charging and WiFi Hotspot
Harman Kardon surround sound system
Space-saver spare
M Performance Alcantara Steering Wheel

I have to say it really is a tough decision each day as to which car to take. Both are such amazing all-around SUVs. They both sound, handle, and accelerate awesomely! I think I found the perfect stable-mate to my SQ5. And finally some pics of both after washing the X3 this sunny Spring morning:

[19birel]

Those new X3s are rad, the exhaust pops and crackles in Sport plus mode are great

[q5 dave]

Nice, my old neighbor had that car and it sounds good but dam BMW needs to update their interior. Looks fresh from 2002 lol

[BklynSQ5]

Those new X3s are rad, the exhaust pops and crackles in Sport plus mode are great

Yeah it's almost too aggressive sounding. I'm usually driving it in Sport which is a nice balance of pop and crackles.

Nice, my old neighbor had that car and it sounds good but dam BMW needs to update their interior. Looks fresh from 2002 lol

I think it's actually not too bad. I like the matte wood trim. I know the interior of the upcoming X3M is gorgeous with these super aggressive seats and come other cool features but for us, the X3 seems to suffice just fine.

[Blownfour]

Beautiful cars! How do you find the driving dynamics between the two vehicles? Do you find the x3 to drive with a larger RWD bias than the sq5? Audi has benefited tremendously from the Porsche effect on their interiors, but IMO bmw makes stunning interiors that stand the test of time.

[audirings4]

The lack of rear seat space is why we decided to wait for the Q7.
Since we have a 10 month old and plan to have another in the near future the rear facing seat leaves very little room for whomever sits in front of it. My wife actually is pushing for the X7 but I’d like to see the refresh first.
Too bad because I really like the SQ5 exterior styling.

[choppstixxx]

I'm surprised you went with the partial alcantara wheel on your wife's BMW. I only say that because it really is not practical on most DD, especially if you have kids/have to handle a lot of messes. Just the oils/dirt on your hands alone make it quickly dirty, even worse with ladies and their makeup/lotion.
What made you go X3 vs. X5? and a Boston fan in NY, terrible

[MK2SQ]

Both cars are super and I would love to have them both. If it was only one it would be the Audi but that’s just me.

[BklynSQ5]

Beautiful cars! How do you find the driving dynamics between the two vehicles? Do you find the x3 to drive with a larger RWD bias than the sq5? Audi has benefited tremendously from the Porsche effect on their interiors, but IMO bmw makes stunning interiors that stand the test of time.

I only have 1,000 miles on the X3 so I personally I haven't noticed a very large bias to the rear wheels or at least not any more so than the SQ5. I think both interiors are great. I love my diamond stitched seats in the SQ5 but everything in the X3 ties together so nicely as well.

The lack of rear seat space is why we decided to wait for the Q7.
Since we have a 10 month old and plan to have another in the near future the rear facing seat leaves very little room for whomever sits in front of it. My wife actually is pushing for the X7 but I’d like to see the refresh first.
Too bad because I really like the SQ5 exterior styling.

Yeah with two children I could see that the X5 or larger would be the way to go. For us, for now, this X3 fits us quite nicely.

I'm surprised you went with the partial alcantara wheel on your wife's BMW. I only say that because it really is not practical on most DD, especially if you have kids/have to handle a lot of messes. Just the oils/dirt on your hands alone make it quickly dirty, even worse with ladies and their makeup/lotion.
What made you go X3 vs. X5? and a Boston fan in NY, terrible

I really liked the way the wheel looks. I know it isn't the smartest move for long term but we usually only keep our cars about 2 years. I'll probably throw this on swapalease to get into something different down the line so I'm not too worries about the oils and dirt. And they are actually Brooklyn Dodger license plates, but everybody thinks they are Boston Red Sox!

Both cars are super and I would love to have them both. If it was only one it would be the Audi but that’s just me.

I had only the SQ5 for over a year and I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything. It was (and still is) a blast to drive and looks and sounds great!