As previously mentioned perhaps the best option is to take each car for a test drive.

Go for the one which suits your driving style. It's an important point. Every poster here has their own driving style which may favour diesel or petrol options. After driving go for the one which feels nicer to drive.

Actually Clarkson has a particular downer on the Q3 - compared it negatively to the A3 on grounds of weight, handling, looks, cost and I'm not sure what else in the last series.

Also to whoever commented that diesels have shorter service intervals - no longer true for most engines.

I can see that most statements in this thread is based on feelings and not on facts.

The price of gas/benzin vs. diesel is very similar but a diesel do more kilometers per liter and the service intervals is also close to the same.

When I look for a new/used car I use the 80/20 rule. I value 80% with my heart and 20% with my technical knowledge.

Not so long a go my GF was in the market for a Audi Q5. Basis price in CH (3.0 tdi, quattro) with no extras was CHF 73.000.

Same car...brand new directly from the Audi importer in DK.....CHF 46.000 swiss custom/tax and VAT INCLUDED.

My next new car will for sure be a imported one from DK.

Warranty is still granted locally for 2 years and service I have to pay myself anyway (unless I would pick and pay the Swiss Plus Package).

PM me if you want to have details of whom to contact at Audi Denmark. They are very friendly and will be happy to make you an offer.

Why not buy the car you love and save 35%?

At least its not me alone then. As you mentioned, ideally you have 2 cars, but cant afford 2, not in CH at least - parking alone is a bugger.

That's right. There are no other options for 4WD estates. None at all... no really, no point in looking. Nada. Zip.

You don't have to go to Denmark to save that sort of money, I bought my new audi in Luxembourg and saved around 30%, buying in the UK would have made it cheaper still.

Up until I got my current car I would have avoided an automatic, but I love the s-tronic gear box on my new audi

Audi are bringing out an SQ5 soon, so they well bring out an SQ3 as well

I meant in Audi. But feel free to recommend something else. I am open to all ideas. It is really difficult actually. A class merc is too small. B class uses cheapest materials known to men. The Mrs gets sick in bmw.

I know, i know... Some folks have a tough life

On the highway! At 120 km/h a modern turbo diesel purrs like a pussycat, and is doing less RPM than an equivelent petrol. Another thing to consider is that residuals on a diesel are usually always better than petrols. This might in part be due to the perception that diesel engines can withstand higher mileage, more abuse and therefore make better 2nd hand cars.

It's my perception, (I've no facts as backup) that when the time comes, a diesel is easier to get rid of (or keeps a higher residual value if leased) than an equivalent petrol-engined.

For me , this plus the tax has been an annual consideration.

Volvo XC60?

At least -in my opinion- it is the most beautiful of the SUV bunch...

You want a Yaris-sized SUV-ish rocket? Nissan Juke anyone (the 190ch version?)

Chemically regenerated diesels + hybrid? Peugoet 508RXH

You want a speedy 4x4 that handles corners and snow like no other? Subaru Impreza STI

You want a hybrid monster with Japanese reliability and german-like luxury? Lexus RXH series....

In the end it's all your choice, your priorities, your budget... Ideally I would like to have a Swift for the city, a Land Cruiser for the excursions and a Pagani Zonda for the highway, but.... c'est la vie...

Subaru Forester or Impreza (not the new one ). Underneath all the "hype" and they are good cars.

I had a Nissan Juke as a hire car and found it to be completely impractical in terms of storage. The boot is an absolute juke (), with space for a single suitcase.

My wee 1-series carries two suitcases and a pushchair in the boot. With the Juke, I had to put the pushcair and second suitcase on the back passenger seat. On seeing us and our bags the guy at the rental desk did warn us that we would be better off taking a Focus, but I ignored him

Yes it purrs like a pussycat attached to a Tractor, with a good petrol engine in a quality car you will not even hear the purring

Dear DUS,

Firstly, congratulation on your choice of car. The Audi Q3 is brilliant, which is why there is such a long waiting list for them everywhere around the world. I ordered mine a few months ago. I like that fact they are so look so understated and chic - not like those flashy Range Rover Evoques with their weird looking squashed down backs, or the rather ugly BMW X1. Plus the Q3 has Quattro.

Regarding the fuel version, I would avoid Diesel. Every time I go on a long trip in a diesel powered car - even a new one - I always feel a bit queazy at the end of it. Have a read of this article about the dangers of diesel fumes. Its quiet scary. Hope you enjoy your need Q3.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/ar...ncer-risk.html

It's also the hatemail....need I say more?

(if I do need to say more just try googling the number of things the hatemail has claimed cause cancer).

Not all of them.

The article just states that it has now been proven that diesel fumes cause cancer.

However, there is no evidence as to how much is needed over how long a period.

If the OP smokes, is overweight, takes no exercise or eats unhealthily then whether his car is diesel or petrol is really immaterial.

LIFE is a sexually transmitted, terminal disease.

I used to own a 2000 VW Golf TDI - that car left a fine black dust all over everything in my garage. When I replaced the Golf with the 2007 Audi A3 TDI (with a DPF), the situation got much better. The stuff in my garage is now dusty, but no longer covered in fine soot.

Benzin (Petrol) can also cause cancer, so that's no argument. In the past, there were concerns about "Feinstaub" (micro-dust particles) caused by diesel engines, but since 2007, every diesel has a DPF which captures most of this. But if you spend your day with your nose on the exhaust of any internal combustion engine, you're going to have a bad time.

Last winter with temperatures at -30 , most diesels were out of action for a few days in the mountains. The diesel additive is fine down to -20 or so but when really cold petrol is better

Surely it's not just the driver that's concerned by diesel fumes causing cancer, but anyone walking in the street, right?

It would be great to think that but seeing the sorts of cars that people rave about on here with their bloated bodies and over-sized engines, I'd say it's more like every man for himself.