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Building a MY17 43 and MY18 SQ5 how I'd like them and they come in within a couple hundred dollars with the Benz being more. It seems like the Audi comes with a lot more for about the same money (electronic rear diff, digital dash, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto). Now there are some things that are much, much nicer on the Benz and the very, very fake exhaust blows on the SQ5, but it's hard not to lust after the feature set the Audi brings.
Anyone else having the same thoughts? Also, MB hasn't released pricing on 18's yet, so it could be a lot more or it could remain about the same.
To be honest the Audi was actually where I was focused until I came across the Benz in my research. I didn't think the SQ5 would be on lots until later this year, but it seems there are a few out there. I might go give one a whirl to see what I think, but I know I already like the 43 since I have taken one of those out.
As far as HP it has remained the same but TQ has increased some. It seems the Benz is still a touch quicker, but I'm not focused on speed so much. Really looking at quality and feature set. Not sure I could go wrong with either and really it might come down to something as simple as I have owned an Audi before, but never have owned a Benz.
Well, here is what I said when my Mother asked about different cars
BMW: Sure, let's go look at the X4.
Porsche: Macan looks great, let's go.
Mercedes: The new GLC43s look great. Do you want to test drive one?
Land Rover: Do you really like being on the side of the road?
Audi: Stop it. Audis are for boring people and their design is fit for a 2010 SUV.
Agreed. Not sure why I am not a fan of bimmers, but they lost my loyalty/interest at some point in the 90s.
BMW lost my interest a while back as well. I used to like their cars, but they seem very boring to me now.
I also shopped around a little bit before settling on the GLC. The Audi seems nice, the Mercedes just pulled me a bit closer. At least the Audi won't age seeing that I don't remember the last time that car legitimately looked any different lol.
Well, I just got MY18 pricing for my build today and the Benz is a lot more than the SQ5, to the tune of $2400.......
$2400 is nothing if you know that you won't have the car stuck in the service center frequently.
I used to drive a B9 A4 in Melbourne and it spent more time in the shop than on the road. Sold it off and replaced it with a GLC43 (was considering to push my luck with an SQ5, but then remembered that my C300 in Malaysia was practically problem free). And besides, I was already pretty used to the COMAND system (as terrible as it may be).
$2400 is nothing if you know that you won't have the car stuck in the service center frequently.
I used to drive a B9 A4 in Melbourne and it spent more time in the shop than on the road. Sold it off and replaced it with a GLC43 (was considering to push my luck with an SQ5, but then remembered that my C300 in Malaysia was practically problem free). And besides, I was already pretty used to the COMAND system (as terrible as it may be).
You shouldn't discount a whole brand of cars just because you had a bad experience with a specific model. Generally speaking, Audi outperforms Merc in reliability. You can see for yourself: http://www.consumerreports.org/car-r...they-stack-up/
You shouldn't discount a whole brand of cars just because you had a bad experience with a specific model. Generally speaking, Audi outperforms Merc in reliability. You can see for yourself: http://www.consumerreports.org/car-r...they-stack-up/
Well, I have a slightly different vantage point being a wrench in a Euro shop. I will say BMW are our consistently highest ticket, but it's normally just wear and tear combined with some breather issues that cause oil leaks. Mercs tend to be just maintenance, but I have seen some stuff lately that demonstrates a move towards profit instead of building an engine that can run on forever (timing chains and gears). The VW group on the other hand are a nightmare of CELs, oil leaks, and mechanical issues.
This is all demonstrative of models that are at least 3 years or older. So, things could have improved or worsened in the last few years for any of the aforementioned brands.
Now, I have owned enough cars and worked in the industry long enough to know that a lot of what I see is an issue of neglect. Furthermore, any brand can spit out a problem car and it can be down to the luck of the draw. I try not to get hung up on what may come and tend to gravitate to what moves me. If I like it and I can swing it, then I buy it. I then do my best to maintain said purchase and treat it like I need it to last a lifetime. So far, I've had minimal issues with all my purchases. And I have owned four products from the VW group (2 porsches, 1 audi, and 1 vw).
I'm cross shopping vehicles in this segment and the GLC43 is a frontrunner for sure. Also looking at the F80 M3, new SQ5, and the upcoming redesigned X3 M40i.
Few things turning me off from the SQ5: fake exhaust situation, 1st year model from a brand new facility in Mexico, playing it too safe exterior, plastic galore interior (although good quality plastic), single turbo motor (as opposed to twin turbo), and the diesel scandal makes me a little hesitant to trust Audi/VW in general.
The X3 will have the B58 engine in it. And that engine is an absolute beast judging by it's performance in other applications (m240i, 340i, 540i). But I never really was a fan of the X3 body style. And judging by some of the spy shots it looks like the rear end won't be as aggressive as the GLC43 with it's 285 rear tires.
It's very unlikely I'll ever by a first year model of any car make so that eliminates the SQ5 and X3 M40i. I seem to be satisfied with the GLC43 because it does everything really well. It looks good in and out, sounds good, and entering second year of production I feel better buying one.
I wish I could have crossed shop but at the time there was no competition for the GLC43. The 18 Audi SQ5 wasn't out and I don't know what the heck is taking BMW so long to bring out the new x3 M40i.
I don't regret my purchase at all for my GLC43 (and I just got a tune) but I would like to have at least driven the new 2018 SQ5 and X3. I like the updated interior of the Q5/SQ5 but I have never driven either one. My cousin has a S4 and I really like his car. I think if the new SQ5 was out, it would have been a toss up for me.
I don't think estates/wagons sell well in America. Even the rare e-class estate did't sell that well but they still make them. I have seen maybe a handful of e-class wagons in person and I still haven't seen an E63 wagon. If you look at all of the Luxury car brands, there are not many wagons left. America likes cars that are like hatchbacks like the GLA or they favor an SUV instead. I have only seen very few of those Audi all terrain wagons like two in the whole DMV. Few people would probably buy c43 estate or A4 Avant but not enough to justify selling that car here state side. If I was living in Europe I would probably got a c43 estate over a GLC43.
Wagons are cool but I don't think I could bring myself to own one. They remind me too much of a hearse.
Americans want something that sits up high and has utility. That's why pickup trucks and SUV's are so popular here, and also why crossovers are gaining huge momentum in our market.
I finally saw a new Q5 on the road yesterday. I have to say it looks much better in person. I think the SQ5 will look even better. This is a certainly a tough decision between the GLC43 and SQ5.
Someone posted this picture in the Audi Q5/SQ5 forums asking the same question, and unsurprisingly most of the Audi members preferred the looks of the SQ5.
I think that picture is much more flattering to the GLC43 however, since it has a nicer shape and looks much more muscular, but that's just my opinion. I've seen previous and current generation Q5's and SQ5's on the streets of Boston and they look decent, but a bit too round for my taste.
I'm not sure how anyone could think that the bloated, dated egg looks better than the GLC.
Their reasons ranged from:
1. SQ5 looks classier/more elegant.
2. GLC43 is an older design (wtf?!?!) which is funny considering that the Q5/SQ5 looks nearly the same as the original.
3. GLC43 looks too aggressive/too much
4. SQ5 has more up-to-date tech (they use that virtual cockpit as justification, but GLC will get the double monitors during facelift).
5. SQ5 has nicer interior (yet they're complaining about seat comfort on the regular seats and of reduced material quality in the interior - which I'm presuming might have something to do with dieselgate).
Considering the SQ5 has fake rear exhaust ports, I think their criticisms are unfair, because fake vents to me are just absurd in general, and especially on vehicles at this price point.
05-24-2017, 11:21 AM
