X5 vs ML vs Q7

[opasha]

Originally Posted by Kzang

Very interesting.... my experience is the opposite on the brake dust on the rims.
My neighbor has a Q5 ( not Q7 ) with absolutely no brake dust on her rims.. but on my X5 ( E70 ) can go from nice silver to dark charcoal rims by one week.

Anyone else with a F15 with clean front rims?

Thanks.

Are you an aggressive braker? Like use your brakes at the complete end when you are about to stop or do you ease into them? My wheels have never accumulated brake dust of any kind so far, but I am someone who really knows how to ease into his brakes from a distance. My brother's ML63 and mother's ML350 both have brake dust quite often.

[Kzang]

Hey Opasha,

My braking habits are both aggressive and soft... it all depends on how I drive I guess. But I don't think it has anything to do with the way I brake.

Have you any experience with other BMW models? The reason I ask is because I have had a 2007 BMW 525i, 2010 535i, and currently own a 2013 X5. All 3 BMW's have had issues with excessive brake dusts more-so on the front wheels some on the rears. If you do a search here and on bimmerfest you will find a lot of threads on the brake dust issues which BMW is notoriously known for. And the reason for the excessive brake dust is due to BMW using high performance brakes from a certain vendor.

However so far on the F15 forums I have not heard much in regards to the dust accumulating on the rims and I was thinking maybe BMW switched to different brakes.

[opasha]

Originally Posted by Kzang

Hey Opasha,

My braking habits are both aggressive and soft... it all depends on how I drive I guess. But I don't think it has anything to do with the way I brake.

Have you any experience with other BMW models? The reason I ask is because I have had a 2007 BMW 525i, 2010 535i, and currently own a 2013 X5. All 3 BMW's have had issues with excessive brake dusts more-so on the front wheels some on the rears. If you do a search here and on bimmerfest you will find a lot of threads on the brake dust issues which BMW is notoriously known for. And the reason for the excessive brake dust is due to BMW using high performance brakes from a certain vendor.

However so far on the F15 forums I have not heard much in regards to the dust accumulating on the rims and I was thinking maybe BMW switched to different brakes.

You're right. This very well could be the case. Braking intensity actually does make a difference in brake dust accumulation, but you are also correct about the type of brakes as well. We had a 2011 X3 Xdrive and yes, the brake dust did accumulate on those, but I never drove that car. My younger brother (his car) and father did and both are aggressive brakers.

[kip1]

Heavier cars will have more brake dust I suspect, so X5 >Q5. I have black/chrome wheels on all cars and I think that helps with brake dust, I changed the q5 to the X5 so I will have first hand experience soon.

[Mathme]

I recently came from a Cayenne into a 35d. My rationale was pretty simple: Buying a new Cayenne would have penned out to about 20-25k more than an X5. On the Cayenne, it's a matter of what you pay for. Do you want a:
Panoramic sunroof: $1200
19 or 20" wheels: up to $4,000
Roof rails: $800
Bose Sound: $2,100
18-way adjustable seats: $2,500
LED lighting: not available
HUD: not available.
Service Costs: plan on at lest $300 each visit
New brakes: plan on $1,000 per axle.

You get the idea. Although the cayenne was a very dependable and fun car to drive, for the $20+k I'm pocketing in the difference, i'm not giving up all that much in my x5.

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by r33

Nope.
These are my principal.
Benz - Bad quality of Amarican car with German badge.
Audi - Overpriced entry level German car (VW).

I would compare X5 with Cayenne. It has more comparison between the two as far as quality and performance.

LOL... Great principals. Agree 100%.

[Buckerine]

Originally Posted by Mathme

I recently came from a Cayenne into a 35d. My rationale was pretty simple: Buying a new Cayenne would have penned out to about 20-25k more than an X5. On the Cayenne, it's a matter of what you pay for. Do you want a:
Panoramic sunroof: $1200
19 or 20" wheels: up to $4,000
Roof rails: $800
Bose Sound: $2,100
18-way adjustable seats: $2,500
LED lighting: not available
HUD: not available.
Service Costs: plan on at lest $300 each visit
New brakes: plan on $1,000 per axle.

You get the idea. Although the cayenne was a very dependable and fun car to drive, for the $20+k I'm pocketing in the difference, i'm not giving up all that much in my x5.

Agreed. I ain't spending and extra 20k for better "driving dynamics." And BMW has a leg up on both Porsche and Land Rover with respect to tech.

As for the Q7? Nah, not a contender at this stage of its cycle. Also too minivan-ish for my tastes. And there's just something about the buttons in Audis that scream cheap plastic to me. I'm not sure why everyone raves about Audi interiors - I didn't find the Q7 to be any better than my F15. Cayenne definitely had a nicer interior, but not the Q7.

[HMN]

I haven't driven the ML but from what I heard it is astonishingly steady and comfortable.
I've driven the Q7 and it is no match for the X5, and Cayenne (GTS) handles better but performance-wise the X5 outdoes it in every aspect.

X5

[HMN]

Originally Posted by Kzang

Very interesting.... my experience is the opposite on the brake dust on the rims.
My neighbor has a Q5 ( not Q7 ) with absolutely no brake dust on her rims.. but on my X5 ( E70 ) can go from nice silver to dark charcoal rims by one week.

Anyone else with a F15 with clean front rims?

Thanks.

I've got the same experience.
I don't know if it is to do with the brake fluid or dust but my rims quickly get dusty and dark when I brake too often. I'm not an aggressive braker but It seems to happen all the time.

[Kzang]

Originally Posted by opasha

You're right. This very well could be the case. Braking intensity actually does make a difference in brake dust accumulation, but you are also correct about the type of brakes as well. We had a 2011 X3 Xdrive and yes, the brake dust did accumulate on those, but I never drove that car. My younger brother (his car) and father did and both are aggressive brakers.

Here we go... It appears that the F15 now has different brake set up which results in less brake dust.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=792055

[kip1]

Originally Posted by r33

Audi - Overpriced entry level German car (VW).

Or an underpriced Bentley/Lamborghini/Porsche (VW)
Remember that the Cayenne you want it to be compared to has all Audi engines...

[opasha]

Originally Posted by kip1

Or an underpriced Bentley/Lamborghini/Porsche (VW)
Remember that the Cayenne you want it to be compared to has all Audi engines...

Yeah, but that's why they should really start putting those engines into their own cars. Audis are way underpowered no matter how you look at it. Don't get me wrong, I think they're amazing vehicles in all other aspects, but you don't get your money's worth for the standard models. The overpriced ones are the only ones considering and at that point why wouldn't you buy a nicer Mercedes AMG or BMW M?

[HMN]

Originally Posted by opasha

Yeah, but that's why they should really start putting those engines into their own cars. Audis are way underpowered no matter how you look at it. Don't get me wrong, I think they're amazing vehicles in all other aspects, but you don't get your money's worth for the standard models. The overpriced ones are the only ones considering and at that point why wouldn't you buy a nicer Mercedes AMG or BMW M?

The only Audi i'd pick over an AMG or M is the S8.
The 2015 model is a real beast BUT it does go over the price range when you compare it to an M car.
I'd go for an S8 over an S63 AMG because of the price though.

[opasha]

Originally Posted by Hamad Nasser

The only Audi i'd pick over an AMG or M is the S8.
The 2015 model is a real beast BUT it does go over the price range when you compare it to an M car.
I'd go for an S8 over an S63 AMG because of the price though.

Yeah, true. Transporter .

[kip1]

Not in the topic, but based on the pics I am myslf wondering waether I should have waited for the Volvo XC90 T8 plugin hybrid insteasd of the M50d...
400 Bhp, 40km with only electricity. The space behind the 7th seat looks really big... It even sort of looks like a X5
http://autohullut.fi/english/the-all...15-volvo-xc90/
EDIT: Then again the Audi Q7 3.0 TDI plugin hybrid is also coming and actually I think the plugin variants won't be the first to arrive and then there is the reliability question in all new gadget filled cars. The plugins will probably be ready just in time for me when I change my car the next time...

[opasha]

Originally Posted by kip1

Not in the topic, but based on the pics I am myslf wondering waether I should have waited for the Volvo XC90 T8 plugin hybrid insteasd of the M50d...
400 Bhp, 40km with only electricity. The space behind the 7th seat looks really big... It even sort of looks like a X5

I have to agree with you here. I saw this and was like we should have waited before buying our ML350. The thing looks really aggressive, and Volvo is one of the most comfortable vehicles interior wise. Here's some more pics: http://95octane.com/2014/08/26/2015-volvo-xc90-images/.

[DBV1]

Looks nice. Is it made in Sweden though, as there is no way will be buying if it is made in China.

Originally Posted by opasha

I have to agree with you here. I saw this and was like we should have waited before buying our ML350. The thing looks really aggressive, and Volvo is one of the most comfortable vehicles interior wise. Here's some more pics: http://95octane.com/2014/08/26/2015-volvo-xc90-images/.

[Armen383]

Originally Posted by kip1

It even sort of looks like a X5

Volvo can copy-paste the design all they want, but they will never be associated, nor actually compete in reality with ze German brands Bang for buck - maybe, but there's also stuff like Infinity in that area. However when you take a mix of everything into account - German car makers are untouchable, even though current day marketing (changes to M cars/etc.) is unfortunately starting to eat up into that.

P.S. My god that butt is ugly...

[paicapo]

Originally Posted by Armen383

Volvo can copy-paste the design all they want, but they will never be associated, nor actually compete in reality with ze German brands Bang for buck - maybe, but there's also stuff like Infinity in that area. However when you take a mix of everything into account - German car makers are untouchable, even though current day marketing (changes to M cars/etc.) is unfortunately starting to eat up into that.

P.S. My god that butt is ugly...

Have to agree, i live in Sweden and we have Volvos eweryvere and they are good for the money but 80000 euros for a Volvo is a joke and i think they are going to have trouble getting the car out there.

[Kzang]

oxymoron at its best!! To me it looks very close to the F15.. and many people think the F15 is also butt ugly...

[kip1]

Originally Posted by paicapo

Have to agree, i live in Sweden and we have Volvos eweryvere and they are good for the money but 80000 euros for a Volvo is a joke and i think they are going to have trouble getting the car out there.

I just heard that the prices in Finland are actually very similar to the BMW, I am also pretty sure that it is too much for good sales numbers. The XC90 doesn't seem so good as I originally thought. My original comment was based on the assumption that Volvo XC90 loaded would be about as much as a starting price for the X5, equally priced Id take the BMW again.

[radarguy]

Test drove the ML350 and the X5-35iX. Both were 2015 base models. Both my wife (the car will be hers) and me (she'll let me drive it) had similar opinions. The ML was comfortable to sit in. The ride was good although slightly harsh and the acceleration was adequate (better than the MDX that it is replacing). The X5 was much more comfortable to sit in than the ML, but that's really a question of your anatomy. The ride was slightly less harsh than the ML and the acceleration was comparable. The X5 really stood apart when it came to handling. Here the X5 felt far more stable than the ML in normal maneuvers and excelled when pushed a little hard. It was easy to make the ML's tires squeal and not so much on the X5. Both had all-season tires and the standard suspension.

Things like interior and exterior design are a matter of personal preference. I think the peripheral choices on the X5 were better. Things such as a better looking nav image, 4 zone vs 3 zone A/C, independent A/C fan control at each of four seats, independent dash temperature control and other things that slip my mind at the moment. However, these items didn't really affect the decision.

She made the decision to buy the X5 and in fact did. I concur.