[MrMoo]

Hi all. I was wondering if I could get some feedback from everyone here who has purchased a X5 and why you opted to go for an X5 over an X3 or vice versa.

A little bit about myself and my scenario. I am currently driving a F80 M3 (2015 model) and would like to replace it with either an X3M, X5 M50i or a X5M.

I have 2 children, one 2 month old and one 4 year old.

I have firmly been a sedan guy but got my wife an X3 which I've been driving around on the weekend for the past year and have found the utility to be quite handy. Can get the daughter in, fit in a pram and have plenty of room for the shopping. Also I do not need to worry about ground clearance.

In Australia the X3M and X5 M50i are quite close in pricing so are directly comparable. The X5M is also most likely 1.5 + Years away.

I tend to drive cars for 5 years. If I want an X5M i'll need to extend my loan on my M3 for another 2 years while I wait.

Could I get some help / insights from those wiser than I.

[wtwo3]

We were debating between an X3 m40i and an X5 40i and decided to go with the X5 mainly because the jump in luxury is quite noticeable. Nicer, more comfortable seats, high quality soft touch materials everywhere, and just an overall more attractive and serene interior IMO.

So to answer your question, it depends on what you prioritize. The X3 is lighter, so a bit more engaging to drive. But the luxury in the X5 is above and beyond anything the X3 offers.

[dan321]

We recently sold our 2018 X3 M40i and bought an X5 40i. We like the ride, especially on trips, of the X5. The X5 has noticeably more room in the front. The multi-contour seats are much more comfortable; we found the seats in the X3 not all that comfortable on a long trip.

Although by the numbers the space in the trunk of the X5 seems only a little bit more, in practice we found it a lot more useful.

We are happy we switched to the X5. The only thing the X3 had over the X5 was that the X3 had more acceleration, but that's because of our engine choice in the X5. Basically, the X3 was a rocketship and the X5 is only a space cruiser

[omaralt]

the x5 is much more luxurious.. but for me the must have were the comfort seats. i've been driving M3s for the past few years and the comfort seats are amazing

[AndroidRobot]

I had an X3 M40i and upgraded to the X5 50i, hands down I prefer my X5 over the X3. It's much more comfortable, faster (love the V8 sound), and just a better ride

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by MrMoo

Hi all. I was wondering if I could get some feedback from everyone here who has purchased a X5 and why you opted to go for an X5 over an X3 or vice versa.

You may want to read this first, over 800 posts but skim through them or just download the spreadsheet I uploaded in post #807.

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1485010

[jphcbpa]

Echoing others here regarding the seats and luxuriousness of the x5 over the x3. I went from x3 to x5 50i. X5 is on another level of comfort and class.

[Tenac]

My wife has the X3 M40i I have the X5 50i. Perfect setup for the daily drivers in my home. Both are very fun to drive but for the long trips its the X5 for sure. Wife likes how nimble the X3 is to park and drive. I wouldn't have two X3's or two X5's to be honest but one of each is just right!!

[MrMoo]

Thanks everyone for your feedback! I had a read through it all.

The 800 post thread does seem a bit worrying. Maybe I am better off holding the M3 for a year until they kick some of the early model issues. That way I can also see how the new X5M Stacks up.

That aside, I think it really comes down to if I can drop my F80 M3 and forego the boy racer mentality and go with a more luxurious / comfortable ride versus a middle ground with the X3M.... Decisions decisions!

At least I know what I am trading to have one or the other.

It is funny I thought one of the big things would of been more space but it seems to be more luxury instead. My parents have a previous generation X5 but It didn't seem that much more luxurious to me.

[AndroidRobot]

Originally Posted by MrMoo

Thanks everyone for your feedback! I had a read through it all.

The 800 post thread does seem a bit worrying. Maybe I am better off holding the M3 for a year until they kick some of the early model issues. That way I can also see how the new X5M Stacks up.

That aside, I think it really comes down to if I can drop my F80 M3 and forego the boy racer mentality and go with a more luxurious / comfortable ride versus a middle ground with the X3M.... Decisions decisions!

At least I know what I am trading to have one or the other.

It is funny I thought one of the big things would of been more space but it seems to be more luxury instead. My parents have a previous generation X5 but It didn't seem that much more luxurious to me.

the new X5 is much more luxurious, I mean there's an option for a crystal gear shifter, idrive controller start button and volume knob... not to mention the better seats, leather etc

[sandcruiser]

I have a 2 month old 2019 X5 40i with just about every option including off-road, air susp., night vision, intergral steering. Its a great vehicle. I moved from an Outback to the X5. Much more substantial and can tow 7200 lbs. My wife started using the Outback to make Lowes trips at our mountain cabin and realizes the benefits of an SUV over her Audi A6 sedan.

She likes the X3 40i because its fast, lower to the ground- so easier to enter and exit than the X5, 19 in all season tires, and can tow 4000 lbs. She loves the small turning radius with integral steering though its not on X3s. She just ordered a 2020 X3 this past weekend.

My friend liked my X5 40i so much that he ordered a 2020 with same options.

Needless to say our dealer is very happy with us - 3 BMWs in 2 months - and gave us nice deals.

[///Pip]

Get the X5 coz it is a lot more luxurious, comfortable and has the latest iDrive 7

If you want to go fast, get the G80 M3 in a couple of years
Same engine as the X3M (likely with higher output) and a lot lower CG ;-)

[MrMoo]

Originally Posted by AndroidRobot

the new X5 is much more luxurious, I mean there's an option for a crystal gear shifter, idrive controller start button and volume knob... not to mention the better seats, leather etc

Thanks guys. I am not sure if it's because I am posting in the X5 forum (probably? lol) but there seems to be an overwhelming push for the X5. I am really feeling the X5 love! So I may seriously be going X5 M50I or the X5M. It does help narrow down the options for me. Also the X5 has been getting amazing reviews all over the internet. Where as the X3 seems to be just getting lukewarm reviews.

Also AndroidRobot. Thanks very much for your review. It was a great read! Also love the car, looks great in black. I was seriously tossing up going the black route because it looks so aggressive. I just don't know if I have the time / can handle the washes to keep it clean!!

@///Pip I've always wanted to go fast, but these 5 years with the M3 have really made me realize, when do I actually get to go fast? Almost never!!!!! Unless I decide to take a 1am cruise, which is rare with such young kids because I need all the sleep I can get. Paying the extra premium for an M really is just for the badge on the back and the look of the car. Hence why I am seriously considering an X5 M50i, save the $50,000 and be happy with a pretty damn fast fast.

So now I need to make the hard choice of X5 M50i end of this year or wait 1.5-2 years for an X5M and pay an extra $50k for the pleasure to drive it. Decisions decisions!

[OzJedi]

I was in a similar situation and test drove both X3 and X5. As everyone mentioned above X5 is more comfortable and spacious compared to X3. X3 M40i has a same engine as X5 40i under the hood. Given X3 is smaller in size therefore nimble and good to drive and park around but X5 is more spacious and have that luxury feeling without compromising the drive quality to a great extent as compared to X3.

[Auricom]

Originally Posted by OzJedi

I was in a similar situation and test drove both X3 and X5. As everyone mentioned above X5 is more comfortable and spacious compared to X3. X3 M40i has a same engine as X5 40i under the hood. Given X3 is smaller in size therefore nimble and good to drive and park around but X5 is more spacious and have that luxury feeling without compromising the drive quality to a great extent as compared to X3.

Technically both vehicles are using the B5830 engine - with more output with the X3/X4 M40i and even more for 2020, but you can't say that the X5 40i has exactly the same engine and output as the M40i.

Though the number of X5 badged M40i posers in the G05 forum might disagree with me.

I got a loaded X3 M40i loaner while my F15 was in the shop recently - nice engine, great drive but the cockpit and finish is just poop for a 67K vehicle. Plus the seats are just f'ing bad - granted my arse is padded, the standard sport seats are just f'ing hard.

[AndroidRobot]

Originally Posted by MrMoo

Thanks guys. I am not sure if it's because I am posting in the X5 forum (probably? lol) but there seems to be an overwhelming push for the X5. I am really feeling the X5 love! So I may seriously be going X5 M50I or the X5M. It does help narrow down the options for me. Also the X5 has been getting amazing reviews all over the internet. Where as the X3 seems to be just getting lukewarm reviews.

Also AndroidRobot. Thanks very much for your review. It was a great read! Also love the car, looks great in black. I was seriously tossing up going the black route because it looks so aggressive. I just don't know if I have the time / can handle the washes to keep it clean!!

@///Pip I've always wanted to go fast, but these 5 years with the M3 have really made me realize, when do I actually get to go fast? Almost never!!!!! Unless I decide to take a 1am cruise, which is rare with such young kids because I need all the sleep I can get. Paying the extra premium for an M really is just for the badge on the back and the look of the car. Hence why I am seriously considering an X5 M50i, save the $50,000 and be happy with a pretty damn fast fast.

So now I need to make the hard choice of X5 M50i end of this year or wait 1.5-2 years for an X5M and pay an extra $50k for the pleasure to drive it. Decisions decisions!

not a problem, I also wrote one on my X3 M40i. Even with the issues I've had with my X5 I still love it and that says a lot. This gen X5 feels more special than other SUVs on the market which is a good thing of course. I've put 13k miles on mine so I gave plenty of seat time if you have questions! my X3 M40i had 17k miles before I sold it.

[MrMoo]

Originally Posted by AndroidRobot

not a problem, I also wrote one on my X3 M40i. Even with the issues I've had with my X5 I still love it and that says a lot. This gen X5 feels more special than other SUVs on the market which is a good thing of course. I've put 13k miles on mine so I gave plenty of seat time if you have questions! my X3 M40i had 17k miles before I sold it.

I just read that one too. Very nice review there. Also love the pics! I like the time and effort you put into both reviews + Pictures. Makes them both very enjoyable reads.

What issues did you have with your X5? Also did you have that steering wheel shake issue with the X3?

[Aimster82]

I have both .. fully loaded so the tech is basically the same.

X5 is better. It just feels more luxurious.

X3 is still a great car.

[AndroidRobot]

Originally Posted by MrMoo

I just read that one too. Very nice review there. Also love the pics! I like the time and effort you put into both reviews + Pictures. Makes them both very enjoyable reads.

What issues did you have with your X5? Also did you have that steering wheel shake issue with the X3?

check my thread history (or I'll post links later if you remind me since it's 0012 right now). I didn't have the steering wheel shake on my X3. The X5 issue list is long but I think my case is unique and not necessarily indicative of the vehicle

[MrMoo]

Originally Posted by AndroidRobot

check my thread history (or I'll post links later if you remind me since it's 0012 right now). I didn't have the steering wheel shake on my X3. The X5 issue list is long but I think my case is unique and not necessarily indicative of the vehicle

Holy cow your issues sound seriously insane! These aren't little tiny issues too. I mean there is one thread where your car is literally falling apart (Gas pedal fell apart!!)

If you are still vouching for the X5 and how great it is then I Must say it must be SOME Car!

[AndroidRobot]

Originally Posted by MrMoo

Holy cow your issues sound seriously insane! These aren't little tiny issues too. I mean there is one thread where your car is literally falling apart (Gas pedal fell apart!!)

If you are still vouching for the X5 and how great it is then I Must say it must be SOME Car!

yes, I don't think they are a good cross section of the X5 experience. Th issues I'm having are not joke and BMWs handling of them is even more concerning. With all of that being said I stand behind loving my X5 50i. Everytime I get it back it's like a breath of fresh air. Call me crazy, the X5 is still my favorite SUV on the market unless Alpina decided to make an XB5 like they're making an XB7