katzjamr

I love my Q5, but if its reliability you like the Lexus RX with the third row might be a consideration. I had an RX for thirteen years before the audi and I loved it. It has 180K now with lots of life left for it's second owner. Unfortunately Lexus has also made a great vehicle ugly with that front end monstrosity, that is what drove me to audi.

BigKutta

Fully agree with this!! I fail to see the comparison of any German luxury auto to any of these other comparisons that are being made here...i.e., Hyundai, Kia, Lincoln, even Caddy. Nothing ages as well as a German auto! I've had BMWs and MBs long-term (10+ years), and can assure you that even after that long they are rock solid and drive great. Look after them and they'll age very well and look great. Cant say that about any of the other brands...

gsobol

Can't necessarily wholly agree with this. I used to have many Lincoln, Ford and Mercury products and did hold them 6~10 years at the time. Never got stuck anywhere and they held up quite well with some TLC, even leather interiors (with some visible wear in the lower portion of the driver seat). Granted, these were the products from 80's and 90's, later after that they turned to ****, but from all appearances they are making a comeback. Don't dismiss it out of hand. Look how long Crown Vic held up as a taxi or a police cruiser even though they stopped making them back in 2012 - although maybe that's not a right example of a quality product :-)

BigKutta

I'm not trying to trash these brands, just stating my observation that these vehicle do not hold up well when compared to the Germans. Right from the body panel gaps and alignment, paint, and the quality of the interior materials and fit and finish. And then the overall drive quality.

I'm sure the Crown Vic example is not a good one. I'm pretty sure I dont want to own that cop car or cab. They served a need, and I'm sure the price was right.

Audirings4

I can't agree more. Having owned many German and US manufactured vehicles (one of each currently) I wouldn't put my money into a US luxury brand.

swedesc

You'll be surprised to find out that a fully loaded X7 40i is $1k cheaper than a loaded Q7.
https://www.bmwusa.com/byo.html#!/bu...tions/dtrhqtvp
https://www.audiusa.com/models/audi-...R1|8X1|8RF|1D6

RJC 1

Most of these are still running but burning oil/lots of blue smoke coming from the exhausts and transmission whine from what I see of those remaining.

AudiFanFL

Well, if you literally check all the boxes on the X7 40i, you are at $110K - so it depends on how full "fully" really is...

I checked the configuration and on the X7, you would have to add the $4,200 for the sound-system and about another $2,500 for the night-vision. The trailer-hitch on the X7 is missing, too. Not sure the Alcantara headliner is on that X7, either.

So equally equipped, the BMW is probably $6K more but certainly not $1K less.

RJC 1

Plus the X7 is bult here vs overseas...significant cost saved by BMW

swedesc

I just optioned the car so had it had the same features as a loaded Q7 which I think is a more fair comparison since the X7 seems to have a bit more features than the Audi. That being said, I think the X7 is a pretty good value for what you're getting.