FX vs. Audi Q5 - Volvo XC60 - BMW X3 and X5

C

cblandin

Member
Hello all,

Been reading a lot of posts on here for a while. My first post on this forum so not surprisingly it is one of those "help me decide whether or not to buy one". Anyway, my wife drives an '01 BMW 530i (non-sport) and after one of our cars went in the shop for a while last year we had a rental (2011 Ford Edge) which prompted her to declare "I think I want an SUV for my next car". So the researching and hunt began. I generally buy used so we have test driven an '08 Honda CRV, '07 Lexus RX350, '09 Nissan Murano, '10 Volvo XC60 3.2, '11 Volvo XC60 T6, and (last weekend) an '08 FX35 with the sport pkg and now we are "test driving" an '11 FX35 (non-sport). The latter is actually a weekend long "test drive" we actually bid on at a charity event and won.

I am a BMW fan (my DD is an '02 M5 and I just picked up a '97 M3) and do all my own repairs (i.e. cooling system overhauls, brakes, sensors, clutch, etc.). Unfortunately, that is part of the problem. The BMWs I "enjoy" so much keep me busier than I would like when it come to repairs/maintenance/etc. They are also just more "sensitive" to issues than most cars.

The Honda CRV, Lexus RX350 and Murano have all been eliminated from the list due to either their cheapness or poor "drive" (at the end of the day, it comes down to "how does it DRIVE"). The Volvo was a complete surprise...we were barely out of the parking lot before my wife declared "Now THIS is what I'm used to". We first drove the non-turbo 3.2 and it drove well (if a bit firm) but power was just tolerable. The turbocharged T6 (3.0 I6 turbo) was perfect...very torquey (practically addictive), but since they came out in 2010 they are still a bit pricey.

The Audi Q5 (which will also be pricey) is still on our list to test, and I have been in denial about testing an X3 (1st gen) or X5 (1st or 2nd gen) as I'm afraid I'll love one and be saddled with repairs and maintenance forever.

The '08 FX35 test drive was short and I'd really like to go back and drive it again, but I did notice the somewhat bouncy ride, average power and road noise on the freeway. The '09 "test drive" is still in progress, but it is much quieter on the freeway, has better power, and higher luxury overall. It too (even in non-sport trim) has a bit of a bouncy ride though. In comparing it to the Ms in our fleet it has decent impact harshness, but the vehicle (and thus occupants) get more upset with bumps jostling everyone's heads around a bit.

Anyway, did any of you guys test drive the AUdi Q5, Volvo XC60, or BMW X3/X5 before you chose your FX35 - (of either generation) or possibly your FX45?

Thanks
 
Recently I took out a Q5 and didn't like it then a Q7, same thing. My wife and I both agreed our 09 FX35 is a much better ride.
 
It depends on what you mean by 'better ride'. The wife just traded in her Murano for a Q7 4.2 Prestige and I must admit that thing rides like a magic carpet. Very smooth. In contrast, my FX50s rides much sportier (read: sharp/tight)...but then again, that's why I Iove it. Q7 is the family car (3rd row) and the 50 is for fun. I find it hard to compare both as I think they are for different purposes.
The X6 is a more direct comparison to the FX as it relates to utility IMHO. In the end (to the OP), determine what the car will be for and decide accordingly. All pretty good choices!
 
Here's a simple breakdown:

If you want something that has an ultra smooth ride it's not going to handle well. Giving up a firmer suspension will make the car feel more "floaty" if you want to put it like that. The FX feels planted to the road more with the suspension setup it has while at the same time not being overly harsh. I consider the ride on the FX more along the lines of euro firm.
 
Last edited:
jdTrader said:
so how many kids you have? ;)
Click to expand...

1st one in 6 months. :). Which is why she got a 'mommy wagon...with style'. Third row because she carries a lot of work stuff all the time so we never had the back seat in the Murano. This way, her crap takes up long 3rd row + trunk and we still have the middle. :). That almost full length skylight sunroof also kicks a$$. BTW, agree with previous post about ride. Exactly why my FX rocks to me...and she hates driving it.
 
From a personal standpoint i will never own a BMW again. I had a 3 series then got a X5. Both of those cars were the worst cars i have ever owned in regards to maintenance. I finally got so annoyed with the constant fixing of things that I finally went on the search for my FX. I can tell you that in the last 2 years(as long as I have owned it) have been the most trouble free years I have ever had with a car! I've had less trouble with my 06 FX then my brand new 3 series by far.
Performance wise it is better than my X5 (mine was a 3.0 though) in acceleration. Handling is not really able to be compared due to the fact that I lowered both the X5(coils front, bags rear) and the FX(BC coilovers). The other thing that I do enjoy about the FX though is the fact that they are a bit more rare than a BMW and seems to garner a little more attention and I don't have to deal with the elitist attitudes of the BMW guys on all their forums hahahah!
One thing that may be an issue to you though is loading a newborn in the back seat. My daughter is 9 so she gets in and out no problem but I will still hold the door edge for her if there is a car parked next to us, it seems that the rear is a bit harder to load things into due to the rear wheel arch.
Good luck with your search man and congrats on the impending sleepless nights!
 
If you are a BMW fan, I think you will be presently surprised with the FX's driving characteristics. Even in stock form. You sound like you know what you want and know what's going on. Audi and BMW will be very expensive to maintain and repair. That's why I never went back to Audi and BMW. The Infiniti FX is the best of everything. German "driving characteristics" you are used to and expect coupled with Japanese design and reliability. If you feel the 35 is average in terms of power, then look into a 45 instead. All of the cars you listed are great choices, but the FX is an entirely different beast and is really in a class by itself compared to your choices of Lexus, Volvo and Nissan.

This forum is filled with members who love to mod their FX's and handling characteristics is one of the biggest things we change. I am absolutely amazed what I can do in my FX with my current setup. I am a very spirited driver. The FX will be the closest car to your '97 M3 by a long shot in my opinion. I have a European friend that I get into with all the time about the FX. He's old school, loves BMW and Mercedes and is very obstinate when it comes to European vs. Japanese cars. He does like my FX a lot and is impressed, but hates it and will never admit the FX's full potential, compared to Euro cars, lol.

Good luck on your search! :nerd (2):
 
I have to agree the Infiniti has been the vehicle closest to the "Euro" feel of all of the Japanese and one American vehicles we have driven. The most significant difference has been that ride/handling balance that BMW seems to have perfected in its sedans (note: haven't yet driven the BMW or Audi SUVs so I can't comment on that). I used to think the whole BMW love affair in the media was ridiculous...until I bought my 97 328i...at which point I was like "oh...this is what they are talking about". Unfortunately, as folks like Aero and Inky have noted these cars are not GTOs (i.e. Gas, Tires, Oil) - the "shine" (bright as it might be) starts to wear as the cars age (annoying when you buy new, but annoying and EXPENSIVE when you buy used like me).

The '09 we are driving now does feel a tad bit bloated -definitely more than I remember the '08 feeling from a week ago. I remember thinking (when I got out of the '08) "maybe an FX45 with 80 lbs of sound deadener added would work".

Thanks for the responses so far guys...much appreciated.

p.s. ChiPhi is the one with the newborn on the way (congrats BTW!)...our "youngest" is 19! ;>
 
Last edited:
I would get this over a Audi 4.2 Q7, but that's just me :)
2011-infiniti-qx56.jpg

2012-audi-q7.jpg


http://www.newcars.com/infiniti/qx56
http://www.newcars.com/audi/q7

[video=youtube;0aWGBlKVC94]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aWGBlKVC94[/video]
 
You pointed out that you like a little power with your room. Test drive an FX45. They're quicker yet as sexy as the 35. I think most here will be biased on buying an FX (after all this is infinitiscene.com)
 
jdTrader said:
I would get this over a Audi 4.2 Q7, but that's just me :)
Click to expand...

Trust me, I tried to keep her in 'the family' but she said the QX was too big for her. :) (She is 5'3 110Ibs.) Even contemplated stalling for the JX but not sure if we wanted a brand new car.

As for the OP's question, interesting that no one has commented on the Volvo. In doing our search, we too couldn't find many who could speak to that option but it sounds like it has a solid reputation.
 
I sold my 98 M3 to purchase a 2006 FX35 and while I miss my fast, nimble car.. the FX has been great with needing little maintenance, and since I've saved a ton in that regard I've spoiled it with new parts recently. I only have one car and the FX does the job everyday. I put 20k miles on the FX and only NEEDED gas, oil changes and car washes.

I have driven 1st gen X3's and they aren't anything special, I prefer the FX.. Non-M BMW's are really soft these days, and I wouldn't purchase another used BMW again, unless its a built street/track car with the right history. The cars drive well new because the parts are designed to wear out and be replaced.. high mileage BMW's need frequent and constant repairs on everything wear related, which is.. everything.

The Q5 is nice, but you get almost as much car for half the price out of a deal on an 08 FX. I think FX's with painted lowers look nearly identical to a Q5 anyway. I'm also not a big VW fan, but thats a personal preference.

Volvos just depreciate so much I wouldn't want to purchase one. Having owned Volvo turbo wagons from 1990 and 1997 and knowing about them, now my sister has a Volvo C30, etc.. I can't get behind Volvo either. Even if theres a major engineering flaw ( upper motor mounts on the 850/s70) they just keep using the same stupid setup and NEW Volvos present very well, especially on the interior, but they lose that feel rapidly.
 
Ah yes that makes sense! Phil we may end up meeting up in Aurora jan 29. Just keep your eye on the handy Andy and any Chicago threads. :)
 
More power is, well, always a plus! Even though my wife isn't a fan of the stick shift in my M5 she does LOVE the torque (or in her words "the way it just goes!"). Regular - thanks for the feedback on the Volvos. Hard to find too much info on them, but I have already noticed the depreciation rate is steeper than the "equivalent" Audis and maybe even FXs of the same vintage (2nd gen) - at least at the "asking price" level. Would be interested in any more details on your Volvos. The turbocharger has me a little concerned on the Volvo (yet another part to brake), but I would hope they have turbos figured out by now since they've been doling them out since the dawn of time.

Our 2 day test drive completes today so I'll try to get some kind of feedback from my wife (warning: instead of words like "torque", impact harshness, and passing power I'll get things like "zippy", or "drives like the van", and "noise when it hits those things"...which I will try to decipher).

The feedback is definitely appreciated!

p.s. I haven't noticed any oddities in the shifting of the 7 speed (and BELIEVE me I would notice as I have a 12 page thread on the M5Board about a jerky throttle situation I'm trying to solve on my car).
 
I'm sure I speak for a lot of us when i say we are looking forward to both your wifes and your feedback as well as potentially having a new member to the already phenomenal :iS:!!!
 
Thought I would like the Q5 but it was just , eh on the test drive.
Also, very strange stories with them, like the stereos just stop working for no apparent reason,the roof shattering without provocation, then the horror stories of water getting in those roofs and causing all manner of mayhem.
 
Squishymedic said:
Thought I would like the Q5 but it was just , eh on the test drive.
Also, very strange stories with them, like the stereos just stop working for no apparent reason,the roof shattering without provocation, then the horror stories of water getting in those roofs and causing all manner of mayhem.
Click to expand...

My experience (as well as my wife's since she always before wanted Audi but not after the test drive) with Audi test drive versus Infiniti test drive (the cars specifically not the people) was different also. As a matter of fact, we were looking to buy Audi first. We were looking between Audi Q7, Grand Cherokee Limited or SRT8, and then the test drive at Infiniti sprung a whole can of works on the actual test drive.

It's funny how for 5+ years you are dead set on a car, then go for test drives and then within a week buy something that you didn't even consider in the first place for 5+ years. It was funny because she does not like Mercedez or BMW and always wanted an Audi....myself as well. After she test drove it and I did, we both looked at each other like without actually saying it "what are we going to do now....this is what we both wanted for so long". And just in that hour, bam no more Audi considerations for either of us.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top