ote, originally posted by World Car Fans »
BMW X3 is Afraid of Mercedes GLK but not Audi Q5

Just when it seems American SUVs and pickup trucks are in full retreat, the Germans are slugging it out in the premium segment. Since 2003 BMW took control of the segment, which is 7 percent at 395,458 units last year, selling 66,435 X3s and 52,466 X5s in Europe, and now the Mercedes GLK and Audi Q5 are set to hit the market this autumn.

According to Automotive News, a BMW spokesman said the company feels more threatened by Mercedes' GLK class than Audi's Q5.

"A typical BMW customer is not going to move down to a Q5. There is more chance that they would go for something like a GLK. Just because Audi will price the car in the premium segment does not make it a premium vehicle," the spokesman said.

An Audi spokesman said: "Audi makes premium cars so the Q5 is a premium SUV. We will see what the customers have to say."

Set to debut before the end of the year are two special edition X3 models containing new technologies. Then in 2010 the second generation X3 would make its debut.

 

thats low.

looks like its not just bmw drivers, its their workers too.

 

LOL, what a bunch of class acts. Yeah, the X3 and 1 series are oh sooooo premium, lol.

 

Nuff said.

 

I think the audi is nicer...

 

LOL @ the 04 X3. A lot of changes have been made since buddy including body colored bumpers, hill assist, satin nickel interior bits, etc... Get from behind that keyboard & come to a local NYC meet so I can take you for a spin..

Oh, the 2nd gen X3 will leave the competition in the dust with the inception of the N54 motor & the upcoming X3M. Yes an X3M with the M3's 414 hp V8 is in the works as well as the X5M with the M5 V10 pictured below.. Stay tuned...

 

I should. When are they happening, is that info in the NELOC forum? BTW, I went to that tire place, after I recently hit a huge pothole. They found two of my rims are bent. Im switching to 16's.

 

It is not the Neloc forum. It is the the revitalized North East Forum that is having the big gathering in Queens.. 70 CL members in addition to sponsors will be on hand.. There will be a raffle as well.. Hey, you can win some new rims (one of the prizes) Sign up here https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=352349

 

Damn, looks like all the spots are already taken...

 

...the picture above of the unmarked green bmw looks like an X5

 

them fighting words eh?

 

Because it is an X5.... Dashocker posted it in reference to an "M" edition of the X5.... read all the posts!

 

That statement from the BMW guy about customers "stepping down" to an Audi reminds me of when I dumped my M Roadster (good riddance!) and got my GS. SEVERAL coworkers asked why I was "stepping down" to Lexus. I don't think any of them were swayed from their blind roundel allegiance by my description of the many ways I felt Lexus was a step up in terms of product quality, customer service, and (compared to the 5-series of the day) even performance.

 

My friend has an X3, it is no big deal, I don't know what BMW is talking about Audi not being "PREMIUM"...

 

I know dashocker will disagree to this but I seriously can not understand how the X3 can be considered a premium vehicle. I sat in a new, 07 model a month ago, seriously the cheapest looking and feeling vehicle I've sat in in a while. Sure, it drove nicely, but the materials inside are just atrocious. And the nav system in the X3... don't even get me started. Sure, the next generation X3 might be nicer, but the next generation X3 is exactly that: next generation. No one knows how nice it will actually be, when it will come out, etc etc. Based on what is known right now, the X3 resolutely pales.

I find it very bold for BMW to say something like that to Audi, whose interiors are 100000000000000x times more premium-feeling than what you get in the X3 (and across the whole brand, for that matter). At least a classy answer from Audi.