Advice Requested - SQ5 vs. X3 M40i (circa 2018-2019)

[bpang1]

Looking at picking up a different daily driver in the $40K to $45K range. Formerly ran a B8.5 S4 (Stage 2 EPL Tune & AWE Exhaust) and now a Kia Stinger GT. I think I am pretty done with running a low sedan / hatchback for my daily duties and road trips. I have a track car so it would be rare to take this next purchase on a track day (but it could happen). I also want the option of limited towing (small trailers).

I'd really appreciate your advice regarding the SQ5 and X3 M40i. I've narrowed down to those two as the MB and Porsche are a bit outside the price range I am shooting for and I really don't want to go past $45K (track car needs to be fed).

Here's my thought process right now:

BMW Pros:
- Performance in most measurements of speed, braking and handling.
- Wireless Apple Carplay available (almost every X3 I am seeing for sale has it)
- Has a better aftermarket...not sure how far I would mod this as it is primarily a daily but also I am dumb enough to mod my daily as most of us on here are.
- Significantly more cargo capacity

BMW Cons
- I'm not a huge fan of the looks...looks too blunt nosed in the front but also gaudy. Like it is trying too hard to remind everyone it is a BMW.
- Seats not as comfortable
- Rides pretty stiff
- Slightly less reliable?

Audi Pros:
- Looks better, more sleek but also understated.
- Nicer Interior.
- More comfy seats.
- Slightly more reliable?

Audi Cons:
- Performance not up to par...roughly a half second slower straight-line.
- No Wireless Apple Carplay...I do have the Carlinkit that can get you wireless but it sucks to take phone calls with it (too much lag). For my daily, this is actually a huge disadvantage if the BMW has the real version of it not the jury rigged version with the Carlinkit.
- Less cargo space
- More common at least in my area.


I'd appreciate any thoughts you all would have. Am I right or wrong on my thoughts? Price-wise I am finding better deals on SQ5s by about $2K-$3K...I know for the money I could probably mod it beyond the X3's performance. But I am just not sure if I want to do that on what should be a daily driver that I only need to be fast enough on a road trip to not feel sad I left my other car at home (which is a terrible road trip car).

I will note that I am partial to Audi in general but the performance gap and lack of wireless Carplay is pretty hard to get over.

[DC Dawg]

Well so you sort of contradict yourself - one of the cons of the audi is it is slower and then later you say "I am just not sure if I want to do that on what should be a daily driver that I only need to be fast enough on a road trip " if thats teh case how is a half a second in a straight line even a consideration?

So throw that one out.

Reliability - its the same - neither is inherently reliable like a rav4 but if you maintain them both will be reliable. throw that one out too.

Do you need a good amount of cargo space? If you do then the SQ5 should not even be in the conversation and the BMW wins. End of story. If you dont need space, then throw that one out too.

BMW Has better aftermarket - this is flat out untrue. The aftermarket support for teh SQ5 is excellent and again you contradict yourself with "not sure how far I would mod this as it is primarily a daily but ...." So how much aftermarket support do you need then?
Plenty of tunes for the SQ5 and all sorts of other things - exhaust etc. So really throw this one out as well because it is simply untrue.

So in teh end it comes down to this: The SQ5 looks better and has more comfortable seats according to you but The BMW has car play. Well you can add real carplay to the SQ5 easily and since you are getting a better deal on the SQ5 , it wins out.
Oran option if you need cargo space get a roof box for the SQ5. Done

[383vett]

I came from a 2018 M40i to a 2021 SQ5. The M40i was a quick agile car, but the ride was horrible. This coming from someone driving a C7Z06 and a bracket car. The ride is overly stiff for a family car. The brakes were nonlinear and grabbed on application. The throttle had a dead spot and after a certain threshold, the car would jump forward. It was hard to drive it smoothly. We have always had BMWs and still keep a 2012 X3 35i. The Audi is not as quick and does not handle as well but it is a far more enjoyable and comfortable car in my opinion.

[bpang1]

Thanks to both of you.

Yes, I do find my thoughts contradicting. I guess I am in a place where I still love to modify my cars but now live at a point that I have a fast car for go-fast activities (Camaro Supercharged and Suspension Setup for road course) but still want a fast car for the daily. The mod-bug might never go away, I told myself I would keep the current car stock and that has not happened. I got a couple weeks before I need to decide and it looks like I have some soul searching to do. I am still partial to the Audi.

Here's a follow up question, how would you describe the SQ5 handling? Neutral, Oversteer or Understeer? I know my B8.5 S4 had the sport diff so it would induce rotation through throttle inputs but without that diff the S4 was pretty nose-heavy so it understeered quite a bit.

[rdgrimes]

This is down to DRIVING them both and deciding. I'd suggest going for the sport package on the SQ5 for the air suspension and sport diff.
I'd be surprised if you didn't find the SQ5 to be more comfy and pleasant to be in. I'd also be surprised if you didn't find the SQ5 to be more than adequate for pick-up and responsiveness.

[itsfry]

This is down to DRIVING them both and deciding. I'd suggest going for the sport package on the SQ5 for the air suspension and sport diff.
I'd be surprised if you didn't find the SQ5 to be more comfy and pleasant to be in. I'd also be surprised if you didn't find the SQ5 to be more than adequate for pick-up and responsiveness.

Sport.
No brainer.
Air and dynamic steer then Tune.

Its storage at that point.
Thats the only “need”
Everything is whatever you desire.


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[itsfry]

Sport.
No brainer.
Air and dynamic steer then Tune.

Its storage at that point.
Thats the only “need”
Everything is whatever you desire.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine Forum

*everything else* is whatever you desire


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[grosen84]

Is the x3 on air? You can get a module for the air suspension to function like an aftermarket system, custom heights. A tune can easily get you to Ludacris street-speed. Or you can go stage 3 and make 700/700. Did BMW figure out how to stop making motors that kill themselves under 100k? I haven't been following them since e39s. Everyone usually tips the cabin experience towards Audi. Making enough power on the street is a non-starter. Storage is the only drawback. It's basically a sedan trunk except vertical with the rear seats up.

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[Hostile]

Did BMW figure out how to stop making motors that kill themselves under 100k? I haven't been following them since e39s.

The e39 hasn’t been in production for almost 20 years. Why even bring it up if you’re that out of touch?

[itsfry]

The e39 hasn’t been in production for almost 20 years. Why even bring it up if you’re that out of touch?

Hostile…
Hay-ohhhhhh!


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[grosen84]

The e39 hasn’t been in production for almost 20 years. Why even bring it up if you’re that out of touch?

Because I asked a question? Questions usually don't stem from prior knowledge. Way to live up to the handle!

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[Hostile]

Because I asked a question? Questions usually don't stem from prior knowledge. Way to live up to the handle!

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You honestly expected someone to unpack 20 years of BMW engine reliability data in an Audi forum?

[jawsofire]

I went through the same process last year. I ruled out the BMW because it didn't have Android Auto. It also felt like the gas/brake paddles were a bit too far to the left?? The SQ5 had a nicer interior, more comfortable, and better styling. As a daily, the SQ5 is perfect for what I needed.

[bpang1]

I went through the same process last year. I ruled out the BMW because it didn't have Android Auto. It also felt like the gas/brake paddles were a bit too far to the left?? The SQ5 had a nicer interior, more comfortable, and better styling. As a daily, the SQ5 is perfect for what I needed.

I actually read about that with the peddles...will go test drive both when I get my Stinger sold.

I think that, if I could get a SQ5 for a pretty decent savings versus the X3, I will pull the trigger and just get a JB4 or other tune to make up the straight-line difference. That would really be the only thing I would be thinking about in the back of my head.

[raudiace4]

I bought the SQ5 on looks alone. Its also the better daily driver IMO.

If speed and performance are at the top of your list then the X3M40i is kinda hard to beat.

Aftermarket support is about the same for both.
X3 has more room.
SQ5 looks much better, has nicer interior, slower.

[Mythos_SQ590]

Add a JB4 or get a Stage 1 flash and the SQ5 has plenty of performance

[grosen84]

You honestly expected someone to unpack 20 years of BMW engine reliability data in an Audi forum?

Nope.

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[loki757]

Go with what you think would make you happier. Personally, looks are very high on my list and the Audi looks better. Next biggest thing on my list is interior. Again, I prefer the Audi.

Obviously, this comes down to preference and I think most here would be biased toward Audi.