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Tags: bmw,bmw x5,audi,audi q7,land rover

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BMW X5 v Audi Q7 v Land Rover Discovery
The original BMW X5 made quite a splash when it hit UK showrooms in 1999. It wasnt the worlds first upmarket 4×4 the Range Rover preceded it by nearly 30 years but its arrival, more than that of any other model, helped to kick-start the surge in popularity for full-size SUVs.
The X5s blend of desirability, sporting attitude, BMW quality and class-leading road manners made it the first choice for more than 50,000 British buyers.

Environmental concerns mean the SUV sector is less fashionable now than it was eight years ago, but that hasnt stopped BMW predicting great things for its second-generation X5. The larger newcomer is cleaner and more efficient than its predecessor, has revised front suspension to improve dynamics and, perhaps most importantly, now offers family buyers the option of seven seats. However, the premium 4×4 market is flooded with talented machinery such as the Audi Q7. The manufacturer took its time to jump on the SUV bandwagon, but its seven-seat offering aims to be all things to all men, combining space, comfort and quality with real driver appeal. Yet its unlikely the Germans will have everything their own way in this test. Our current class champion is the Land Rover Discovery. It makes no pretence at being sporty, but its sheer versatility has won it a legion of fans.

The original X5 surfed the SUV wave when the market boomed, and sold in huge numbers as a result. The second-generation model wont have such an easy ride. Its still a fine car, though. Its increased practicality is welcome and it drives with the same verve and agility as its predecessor. Read Article
BMW X5 v Audi Q7 v Land Rover Discovery



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528i528i - 5/31/2007 2:13:18 AMView My AgentSpace
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printhanprinthan - 5/31/2007 9:11:13 AM
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bmw


sewingmachinesewingmachine - 5/31/2007 3:09:28 AM
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EnnNorakEnnNorak - 5/31/2007 7:05:44 AM
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I'd pick the Q7 from those three.

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LarryLarry - 5/31/2007 7:33:31 AM
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BMW X5, very good looking an easy first choice, next Land Rover, the Q7 is big and ugly, Mercedes GL looks better, Audi is out of its league

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ThaR8DonThaR8Don - 5/31/2007 7:17:41 PM
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Spoken like someone who hasn't realy looked at all of these cars side by side. The X5 while nice looked better before and the third row is a joke. The Audi I think is much better looking than all mentioned and has more practicality. But that was your opinion and this is mine.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 6/1/2007 12:24:02 AMView My AgentSpace
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Larry, I really liked the E70 X5 when it first came out, but if you don't get it with big wheels, it looks incredibly bland. Way too much like the last-gen. Q7 still looks fresh, as does the GL; both are hot with appearance packages.


JUGNUJUGNU - 5/31/2007 8:01:45 AMView My AgentSpace
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X5,Too good-looking to be getting dirty.

JUGNU

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r_driver04r_driver04 - 5/31/2007 2:48:33 PM
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Plus it's not real offroad suv, just a lifted 5 series wagon. Such a waste. The Rover is real deal!! Now if I can just get mine started.


ThaR8DonThaR8Don - 5/31/2007 7:21:26 PM
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R Driver that was funny but true about the Bimmer not being off road and for that fact the Audi although it could do ok is not and offroad vehicle as well. But then again who's spending 50k plus to go offroad?


M53RM53R - 5/31/2007 12:14:38 PMView My AgentSpace
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Can you please do me a favour and check my gallary?? You will change your mind about the tacky looking black bottom for sure......

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NeverfollowNeverfollow - 5/31/2007 5:43:23 PM
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Just to add an American point of view:

To Americans, size does matter. Having usable leg room in all three rows of seating makes a massive difference to those who are coming from full size offerings such as Cadillac, GMC, Lincoln, and Hummer.

When BMW introduced it's 7 passenger X5 to the US, customers where quick to point out that stretching the wheelbase only 5 inches over the previous generation wasn't enough to squeeze a 3rd row in and still provide legroom for everyone. The X5 ends up as a 2 passenger SAV with lots of cargo carrying potential.

The Q7 is really quite comfortable by comparison. The BMW drives very nicely but US soccer moms don't really care. The Q7 handles "good enough" for most US drivers because it's still a huge improvemeent over the domestics. Improved fuel economy, build quality and the ease of use of all technology are also huge selling points.

Audi's research showed that rarely do Americans take SUV's off road. Performance in adverse road conditions such as snow, ice and gravel are very important however. Audi therefore elected not to incorporate the very capable but heavy Porsche/VW 4WD system and opted instead to use the proven and much lighter Quattro AWD system.

Land Rover's Disco is a very comfortable, versatle, and capable off road vehicle. It is clearly the best off roader of the group tested here. It's so good in fact, that if off road performance was the main consideration for US buyers, there would very little competition from ANY other manufacturer. The "on" road performance is the major problem. At speed, an LR3 feels almost unstable. It's as aerodynamic as a brick and sits tall and proud on a narrow chassis and tires that are almost too small for it's mass. High speed accident avoidance manuevers are definately not this vehicle's forte. From the drivers seat, it feals like you should never exceed 65mph and should guide the car on as straight a path as possible so as not to upset anything. The tech side of the package also leaves a little to be desired. If anyone out there can figure out how to use the Navigation system comfortably then good for you because I had difficulty even with the owners manual in my lap. I think the capability of dropping electronic "cookies" along your off road path can be very useful if you can figure out how to do it. Turning around off road and finding your way back to civilization tends to look very different on the return path with nothing but a few rocks and trees to go on. Voice recognition for the "Bluetooth" system never seemed to work properly, however the very pleasant and kind voice (with British accent) kept me from getting too mad at it. It also doesn't download phone numbers into any kind of display, so dialing out is limited to using that frustrating voice command system or the phone itself. Dialing out usually causes most to wander into different lanes which brings that whole "sudden manuevers at high speed" thing into the f

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ThaR8DonThaR8Don - 5/31/2007 7:25:36 PM
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Wow, a thinker amongst those who follow.. I guess thats why they call you neverfollow.. Kudos to u my friend.


LarryLarry - 5/31/2007 8:42:30 PM
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audi upmarket volkwagen toureg, beetles and golfs, big deal

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S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 6/1/2007 12:25:42 AMView My AgentSpace
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Could we expect any less of a retarded comment from you? You and amazinBimmer just never stop. Don't you get sick of saying the same things, over and over? You're not convincing anyone.
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