Looking to Buy Either Mercedes GLC 43 AMG or Audi SQ5

Hi OzBargain family.

I am debating between the new Mercedes GLC43 AMG vs Audi SQ5

Context - looking to buy SUV, budget 100-130k.

I did test drive BMW X3m40i but not feeling it, Volvo XC60 B6 but I don't think it is worth the 100k ish price tag. Looked at Macan S/ GTS - Porcshe sales suggest that the boot in Macan might be a bit small, better to go with Cayenne or Cayenne S/ Cayenne E-hybrid. RSQ3 - Audi is not taking orders, due to a supply shortage. I've driven a Porsche Cayenne over 10yrs ago, it is a great car without a doubt and fairly reasonable to maintain but fast forward to the 2018-2019 2nd hand price is around $120-$140k with 20-30k on the odometers.

For the price range around 100-130k ish, I'm leaning towards a new car due to the current market, 2nd hand / near new are a similar price to new cars.

As much as I prefer Audi myself but I'm a bit concerned about the Turbo Diesel resale of SQ5… and Merc dealer's customer service is such a snob compared to BMW, AUDI or Volvo.

I would like to seek some owners feedback from Merc or Audi owners.

Thanks

Poll Options

  • 39
    Audi SQ5
  • 125
    Merc GLC 43 AMG

Comments

  • +41

    I would like to seek some owners feedback from Merc or Audi owners.

    Here?

    Good luck…

    • +5

      Yes. Right here..

      • +8

        And here…

        Yep, it's the high yield investment car. Never gets old.

        • Came here just to see this comment.
          Part of ozbargain folklore like Broden and JV

        • Oh I remember that night..

          I bet he is running wespacs investment wing by now.

    • +7

      What do you mean? Everyone here drives either a MB, Audi or a Tesla….

      • +4

        nah, thats whirlpool

        • +3

          haha! might post this on Whirlpool n see what type of response.

    • +4

      There are a lot of second-hand (plus) BMW owners on here..

      • +25

        they are too busy arguing with the workshop for repair costs….

        • +1

          What do you mean my new favourite phrase should be "VANOS oil leak"?

        • +2

          I believe it's because the indicators break down as soon as they buy it.

          • @anonymous01: are they ever connected in the build process?

            • @pharkurnell: Question is, do they come with an extra monthly subscription that people can't afford, like their heated seats?

    • +1

      @spackbaceSurely you could help him out with a nice ‘pre-owned’ Camry?

    • +1

      i drive a 1971 ford fairmont and its solid in everyway! the other car will crumble like a toothpick in a accident and it has a lounge for a front seat, cant go past that.

      • +5

        They are meant to ‘crumble’,would rather be in a modern car than your Fairmont.

        • -1

          yes they are thats why they need so many airbags - fairmont still comfortable then the plastic chairs they sell you these days.

          • +6

            @Retarded Lunatic: Sorry Mario g, but you seem to have zero understanding of tried and tested crash testing results!

            We went through a bad period in the 80-90s where cars were both weaker and not very safe, particularly small cars… but 20+ years since then modern design is far far superior then anything seen before.

            They deliberately design in crumple zones to absorb the impact of an accident. If the car doesn't crumble, you do instead; However its more than that, then they design occupant protection for the cabin which doesn't collapse like an old 70s car would. Your old car would still crumple, just not in good planned places - Have a look at this video and see what happens to the supposedly solid old Bel Air - it doesn't have a collapsible steering column like a new car so the rod behind the steering wheel means the wheel even transfers the energy of the accident like a metal punch straight into the dummy's face and the roof bends down onto his head!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xmqVF9MVpY
            If the front seat is a lounge, your neck will snap as well…They design seats to support you in an accident too, because you aren't on your couch, you are in a moving vehicle!

            Time to upgrade mate

          • @Retarded Lunatic: Rubbish,I have had a few Fairmonts, most modern cars are just as comfortable.

      • -2

        And that's got what to do with my comment?

        The other car would need all the airbags it can get in an accident with yours, as there's no way your car has the same braking power as a new car. Good luck to them if you're going straight for them

      • More like a piece of junk!

      • +2

        If your car doesn't have crumple zones - you're the crumple zone.

    • sarcasm aside on some of the post reading between the lines I can recognise there are plenty of rich ozbargainers
      not just in Salary but asset rich as well

    • In Europe Audi is just a cheap car
      Throughtout the world Mercedes is very highly regarded.

      Enough said

  • +21

    Right. Get neither. Get an EV.

    • +6

      This and get on the lease rebate government incentive salary sacrifice thingamajig that I obviously dont know what it is called because my boss wont let me lease cars through them… :/

      In this price bracket it makes way more sense to get into an EV if you can dodge great swathes of tax and what not on it.

      • +1

        @Killer Inc Look into FBT novated lease. You can get a vehicle and pay before you pay tax. This is a significant incentive.

        It's also applicable for PHEVs for next 2 years.

        • +1

          I did, the company i worked for does not offer Novated lease.. :(

      • +2

        PSA: Gotta drop the budget from what OP stated in order to get the FBT benefit.

        "the first retail sale of the vehicle must be below the threshold (currently $84,916) "

      • +1

        Too bad FBT rebate does not work on OP's price bracket. On a serious note, EV is way forward. Aparently the higher end the car is, the gap between EV and ICE is smaller.

      • What Equivalent sized EV SUV's are in this price bracket though? most are either way more expensive and those that are in or below seem to all be considerably smaller or low end.

        • The ioniq5 or ev6 would be similar sized, maybe a little bigger.

          Fit and finish for those is fantastic. I drove an ioniq5 and the noise insulation is right up there with similarly priced German cars.

      • Now I think there is a catch? Being an FBT there's a reportable benefit summary report if it's over 2000$ at the end of every FBT year. Although you don't pay for the benefit, it's still reported. Don't you then have to pay it back through Medicare levy surcharge/ Help? Anyone got more info on this?

    • +3

      Lots of people in huge waitlists plus charging network still needs to ramp up over the next 4 years.

      • +5

        Wait lists for lots of popular cars. Charging network will ramp up as EVs become more common. If you’ve got a place to charge at home, you’d hardly need a public charger anyway.

      • Not correct. Tesla has cars in stock for immediate delivery right now

    • Exactly. Anyone who can afford an EV should be getting one. Most people can’t justify the $60k+ entry point, but for those looking at expensive cars, it’s just irresponsible getting a more polluting model.

      Anyone looking at a fast SUV will only really see benefits from an EV. Still tall, but a lower centre of gravity with the battery pack. Instant torque, faster acceleration.

      I’ve driven a couple, and in this price range are Ioniq 5/EV6, Model Y Performance, and Polestar 2 with performance pack. If you’re after 200kw+ as per comment below and you want decent handling, you’ll probably be happier with any of them.

      • +1

        I like EV's myself and look forward to getting one. But I'm not one to tell people what they should buy with their own money.

    • WHY ?

      Befor eyou tell me they are better for the environment, dont repeat like a parrot - show me WHO AND WHY actually says this ?

      • Here’s a different spin: my guess is that these ‘performance’ euro SUVs are going to drop in value way quicker than other types of vehicles. People who may have previously bought them for ‘prestige’ are right in the budget for a new EV instead.

        If you can get an EV for the same money as one of these second hand, why would you pay more for less performance, more in fuel costs and euro service and parts prices etc. plus snob factor is wanting the new next big thing and EVs are the next big thing.

        Sure, people will still be buying ICEvehicles, but second hand buyers will want tow capacity, off road ability, track performance etc. not something that is a big compromise.

        Most used car buyers will want much better value for money going forward. Big thirsty euro SUVs are not good value.

        (They are better for the environment. Scientists and engineers say it, because it’s true. Fossil fuel shills are the ones that say they aren’t. If can’t figure that out for yourself, no point me trying to tell you where to look

        • Never in history has a customer who is in the market for a euro SUV ever been concerned about “value”.

          • @[Deactivated]: True, but previously there were plenty lining up to buy them a few years old. I suspect the used market is going to quickly dry up for large thirsty euro SUVs as ‘luxury’ of EVs increase in the market at prices similar to what OPs choices might have been.

  • +62

    Have you considered buying four Camrys instead

    • OP is after an SUV, perhaps a Toyota Hilux?

      • +7
        • I love the pink “paint” job!

        • +1

          Thats not the offroad model… thats the Box Hill "Full License" special.

      • Hilux is not an SUV.

        • +6

          At least it's a U
          .

          • +6

            @Nugs: And certainly most, if not all, SUVs are not S.

            • @smartazz104: When I first started hearing the term SUV I pictured something like a TRD Hilux (but manual)
              https://www.redbook.com.au/cars/details/2009-trd-hilux-4000s…
              .

              • @Nugs: From rac.com.au:
                SUV is a relatively recent American term, popularised in the 1990s to refer to any high-riding four-wheel drive with greater ground clearance than a regular passenger car. Australia only followed suit using the term from about the mid-2000s.
                Before then, most people (including Americans) referred to such vehicles as four-wheel drives or 4x4s, because most had the ability for all four wheels to be powered at the same time by the engine.
                So, SUVs and four-wheel drives started off meaning the same thing.

      • +1

        If you tie all four Camrys together, one on top of the other - it'll be bigger and badder than any SUV on the roads. Other drivers will tremble in fear.

    • +7

      I vote for a RAV4 with roof racks

      • +6

        Does op kayak?

        • Op does everything except for Kayaking

      • Umm no thanks :\

        • RAV4 is the best, luxury vehicles are overrated and overpriced

    • You mean 2 camrys… with that budget

    • How would he drive four cars at once?

      • +1

        They can list them on car next door and then makes monies. From the earned monies they can buy more Camrys and keep on listing them on car next door they they are filthy rich. Once they have enough monies they can buy Camrys for us mortal OZBargainers.

        • Man comes to Ozbargain for advice on what car to buy to drive, gets investment advice worth what he paid for it instead.

          • @SolitaryMan: That’s how we roll here brotha. Ask for a nail and get a hammer for free without the nail.

    • and leasing them out $$$$

      • Why would need one car when you can have many and start a business using them.

        • yes agreed, at current pricing, probably only two camrys so for people out there living their life that want to make the most of it and not care about "investments" and making money, just go for the AMG, great cars imo

  • +7

    Owned a 2017 GLC 350 and absolutely loved it. Really comfy and great car that moves. I can only imagine what a 385 HP AMG version would do…

    Sometimes buying a car is more about your heart than your head. Try it and see if it's for you. That's all that really matters.

    • +2

      Thank you! will book a test drive this weekend!

      • New GLC is much nicer inside, if you get a chance, try to test drive one.

      • Just forewarning. The RHD GLC AMG 43 has potential issues with crabbing.

    • Sometimes buying a car is more about your heart than your head.

      Then OP would not be buying an SUV.

  • +12

    Macan GTS and don't worry about the boot space.

    • at least it comes with a spare wheel.

      • +2

        yea i want a Macan too… Boot space is future-proofing

        • +2

          Get the car you want now, then when the time comes for more seat/space buy a people mover.

          Extremely happy with my X3 M40i and Hyundai Staria Highlander combo.

          • +1

            @omguleh: As mentioned X3m40i is a bit dull /my partner is not impressed with the test drive..

            I personally don't mind X3m40i.. only issue is not X3M

            SQ5 feels nicer to drive overall.

            • @Killer Inc: Get the car you want now, come future trade it in or something and get a bigger car.

            • @Killer Inc: Did you put the bimmer on Sport+ mode during the test drive? I own a X3 M40i and absolutely love it. The X3M will cost you another $40k on top if I'm not mistaken.

            • @Killer Inc: Did you try the X3 EV? in your price range I believe.

              • @xdigger: Other half not a fan of BMW and we are not after an EV at this stage :\

        • future-proofing? In future, you earn more to by something better and the car you got now probably need replacing lol

    • +1

      Macan boot space 488/1503
      Sq5 boot space 520/1520

      I wouldn't take the sales people's word as gospel. The system volumes are very similar. It would be worth a look to see if they are both similarly practical eg wheel wells, loading lip etc.

  • +17

    Happy to help. What's the expected yield?

    • wonder whats the resell value gonna be like for Sq5 vs GLC43 amg say in 5yrs time? would it still be around 60-70k mark?

      • +15

        Think of it as an investment in yourself - because you’ve earned it (once you landed your first graduate job, that is)

        • +2

          Good giggle

      • +3

        Tricky times for ICE. I expect a cliff but who knows when.

        • +3

          The value of ICE ‘premium’ SUVs is going to drop like a rock. Anyone with a big budget that doesn’t tow long distance will be going EV in the next 5years. There will be virtually no market for these cars outside some diehard petrol heads that just have to have a V8.

          Budget ICE cars will still be reasonably popular because EVs are going to be more expensive for a while yet. Used car buyers will hang onto ICE until there are more used EVs at the price of a used Camry.

          • @Euphemistic: A great comment - it will be interesting to see what happens to older cars in the future.
            Perhaps our new envronmental issue will be how to dispose of all the old (mostly perfectly working) ICE cars.
            I wonder if classic cars will also drop in price - or maybe stay the same or increase further as more people want the old classic car experience?

            • +1

              @Gaz1: I think that there will be a market for used ICE for a few more years, but I can’t imagine people who can’t afford an EV to be paying more than 10yo Camry price for everyday transport especially if fuel prices stay high.

              Classic cars will be interesting to watch. Some will be highly sought after as original. Others will be popular for EV conversions, there are already kits available for Porsche and VW models. There will still be an enthusiast ICE market for classics for quite a while, but they’ll be driven less and less unless they can get cheap fuel and pollution tax doesn’t become a thing.

              • @Euphemistic: I think e-fuel like the one Porsche is currently wanting to create will also be an answer for the longevity of ICE cars:
                https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-07-10/efuel-plant-proposed-…

                Zero emission fuel that works in all ICE engines, created using renewable energy. Can't argue with that…..

                • @Viper18: Sounds OK in theory, but still not great for the environment. It’ll probably be good to keep old classics running but can’t see it being mainstream.

            • @Gaz1: Repeat your concern but replace ICE with EV….and in your answer show me ANY real GOV or EV company that actually shares their recycling program to customers.

  • I owned an Audi.
    Would never buy one again. Badges these days are barely worth the metal they're put on and i find being wedded to a brand for brands sake is not worth it. China is demonstrating that you can have luxury touches and ridiculous performance on a budget, see the Chery Tiggo 8 plus 0 to 100 in <5 seconds and 100km of electric only range plus 7 seats for around $35k. Admittedly they haven't had to invest in the R&D like the Euros have.

    Mercedes would be in the same boat for lack of reliability.
    But if reliability wasn't an issue i'd go for a Range Rover Velar/Sport in a heartbeat, looks sensational.

    I'd get a Tesla Model X or BMW IX3 if EV
    Or hands down the Genesis GV80 would wipe the floor and provide you with great reliability.

    Mind you Internal combustion cars are going to depreciate like a rock over the next decade.

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