I am considering replacing my 04 TSX for something with a little bit more utility. I was looking at the A4 Avant and the Q5 and then I just found a BMW 09 3 series sport wagon with low mileage and in great condition. It is even CPO! This CPO 3 series wagon will be roughly $8000 less than a comparably equipped brand new Q5 or A4 Avant.

I like the Audi's better for they have a much better interior design (which is subjective) and a much better sound system. The Logic 7 system is the BMW really is not that great. The acceleration is also surprisingly better with the Audi's.

I like the BMW better for its better handling and very smooth engine. The wagon styling is also quite nice.

If you were me, which one would you get?

 

sounds like you like the Audi better...

 

I have always liked the Audi Avants best...

 

The Q5 is sweet, but maybe alil big, if you want to stay within a cetain size / gas mileage range... are any of them AWD? When you say utility, I always think AWD... but thats just me...

 

Of all of those, I'd go for the Q5.

 

I'm partial to the A4 myself, but I'd go for the Q5 if it isn't Quattro.

 

I'd choose a Q5 unless the Avant came with the S-Line package.

 

Yes, all these vehicles have AWD.

I think to be honest with you, I like the Q5 the best, but it's also the most expensive here!!! The BMW is a super deal. I know that I will like the Bimmer very much anyway, for its better handling and better gas mileage. However, the Q5 is sweet.... but can I justify spending another $8000?

 

If you see kicking yourself in the ass a year or two later because of the extra $8 G's, get what you want. But if you can live with any of the three, then pick the one that would serve you the best.

 

you like the audi, so i'd start with pricing the avant or Q5 now.

if i'm able to afford all 3 cars easily, i'd go with the Q5. then the avant.

 

My wife had a Q5 as a loaner while her car was in for an oil change and she loved it! I got to take it out for a spin as well and it was pretty awesome. She liked it so much that it may have just creeped onto her short list for the A6 replacement, which will be due late this year/early next.

But that is just our opinion. You'll need to pick which one you like and which one suits your needs best

 

the e91 is getting old looking, go Audi!

 

my friend has a 2010 3 series M sport edition or whatever it is called, wagon and it is actually a nice little car. Drives well, pretty quick but like you said nothing special about the stereo

 

i was about to say the same thing

 

wait for a CPO Avant

 

Audi FTW.

/thread

 

Audi ftw man.. my gf has 2010 A4 Avant.. it really is a great car. I'd love to get it with a manual trans. I don't know what's your budget, but go with premium plus with navi and sport. I think that's like the best trim with options. prestige is just way too many high tech stuff that you don't really need.

 

pictures for help?
my vote is for avant.


Bimmer

A4 Avant

Q5

 

^ wrong Q5

 

Q5

 

I love Audis. I love the A4.

But, I would have to say that my VW Sportwagen is not as huge a step down as I feared.

Yeah it's not going to have full boat leather and all that stuff but a Jetta TDI Sportwagen has a lot of nice features and while it doesn't have AWD it's going to be way less to buy, you can get it in a 6-speed manual, and has a $1300 rebate through June.

And the 30 city/41 highway ain't bad either.

But it's not AWD

 

^ Quattro FTW

 

Oh just so you know http://blogs.insideline.com/roadtest...e-testing.html

 

Q5 for sure. Say you own it for 4 or 5 years, it comes down to 2K a year extra you're spending for the car you really want. I can understand your financial incentive but I hope you don't become a victim of buyer's remorse and try to rationalize yourself into liking the BMW more. Buying any of your 3 choices is in itself not the most fiscally rational decision as compared to getting an Element etc.

 

I know

 

Are you looking to lease or buy?

If you want to lease then go with A4 avant, but if you are looking to buy then go with Q5.

Q5 lease isn't great right now, and probably stay this for a while.

If you got time then wait for another 3-4 months because Q5 is coming out with 2.0T engine in mid July or August....

 

A4 Avant hands down.

 

Listen to this guy OP.

 

thanks! How's your new apt?

 

its great man.. much better than Canvas LA for sure and like $400 cheaper at the same time. lol

sorry for hijacking OP.

tony i'll give you a call soon. i got my new lens!

 

Welcome back!

Avant FTW!

 

woooo!!! I will pm you!

 

Thanks, guys!

I listened to your advice, and went back to the Audi dealer tonight and test drove both the Q5 and A4 Avant again. OMG, what was I thinking? The Bimmer is completely out of the picture now!!! LOL! I loved both Audi's and the Bimmer, while it's a great car, does not come close to how much I like both Audi's!!! :-)

So, it's time to decide between the Q5 and the A4 Avant! I intend to purchase. I would like the Premium Plus trim + Nav + Bang & Olufsen + upgraded wheels for either. Here are the pros and cons:

A4 Avant:

Pros: great handling!!! This car is FAST!!! The engine is very responsive. It's very light on its feet - the low end torque makes city driving such a fun, fun, fun thing! I also love the lower seating position too. The car feels so much sportier than the Q5. Gas mileage is better.

Cons: it does not have the same level of cargo or interior space as the Q5, though I need to say that I am not sure if that is so important or not.... the interior is not as luxurious as the Q5. The seats are less comfortable. For just a little more money, you get a lot more (in terms of luxurious features) in the Q5. The engine is less refined.

Q5:

Pros: much better overall "package". More comfortable seats with plusher cushions. Interior space is great, you can move the back seat back and forth, and recline the back rest a little bit too. The engine is smooooooooooth! Very responsive once it's got going.

Cons: a bit slow right off the bat. The higher driving position is not something that I am used to, and the center of gravity seems to be high for me too, so the car seems more "tippy" than the A4 Avant... though of course it's not really "tippy" per se... LOL


So, should I go with the Avant or the Q5? In terms of waiting for the Q5 with the 2.0T, I really wonder if the Q5 is a bit too heavy for that engine anyway. From 0-60mph, the Avant takes 6.4s, but for the Q5 (tested in Europe) it's about 7.2s, which is not slow at all, but quite a bit slower than the Avant though.

So, what should I do!?

P.S. If only the TSX Sport Wagon would have SH-AWD and V6, I probably would have waited for that!!! Sigh....

 

so post the right one?

i was trying to help.. didnt see a year. so grabbed the first one, shoot me

 

Well, are you a driver or someone steering the ride?

Driver = A4 Avant

Rider that is steering = Q5

My based on your vehicle descriptions.

 

Hasn't the Q5 had some tranny problems? I'd probably go with the A4 Avant, given your 3 choices.

I'm in a similar situation (want a little more utility for my next ride), but will likely be choosing between a TSX wagon and RDX.

 

Other than the Q5 being taller I am really surprised it's bigger.

 

Me too. Honestly, I think given the size of the smaller SUV, cargo capacity is probably very comparable between it and the wagons. At least, that is what I found with the RDX loaner I had a couple weeks ago. It really wasn't that big inside. I think the Q5 is probably the same way. The nagging difference for me is the "tippy" feeling in the SUV. It made me slightly uncomfortable and afraid to push the vehicle.

 

 

Op, what's your budget?

Q5 ($38,175):
premium plus ($4,050), navi ($3,000), B&O ($850), and 19" wheels ($800) = $46,875.

A4 Avant ($36,175):
Premium plus ($3,500), navi ($2,500), B&O ($850) =$43,025

There is no wheel upgrade for A4... either you can get 18" sport package or 19" sport package.

let me know if you need any help..