Newbie to BMW need advice
Discussion
Hi all. I'm new here, be gentle ??
I currently drive a 2019 Q7. I very rarely make use of the seven seats so have been looking to downsize.
I've seen a 2018 520d msport at local dealership and it's very tempting (and cuts my monthly payments by 50%). Before I go on a test drive tomorrow, could I ask for everyone's opinion on the following:
- Am I mad "downgrading" from a Q7 to 5 series?
- will I miss having air suspension? The car I'm looking at only has the standard msport suspension.
- are there many differences between a 2018 model and 2020? Have seen a 2020 model but is £8k more, with the only difference really being the inclusion of Xdrive.
- is Xdrive something I should consider for UK roads? I wasn't sure if it was a bit of a gimmick for 4x4 converts?
I currently drive a 2019 Q7. I very rarely make use of the seven seats so have been looking to downsize.
I've seen a 2018 520d msport at local dealership and it's very tempting (and cuts my monthly payments by 50%). Before I go on a test drive tomorrow, could I ask for everyone's opinion on the following:
- Am I mad "downgrading" from a Q7 to 5 series?
- will I miss having air suspension? The car I'm looking at only has the standard msport suspension.
- are there many differences between a 2018 model and 2020? Have seen a 2020 model but is £8k more, with the only difference really being the inclusion of Xdrive.
- is Xdrive something I should consider for UK roads? I wasn't sure if it was a bit of a gimmick for 4x4 converts?
Edited by Leeppp221 on Wednesday 6th October 13:31
Leeppp221 said:
Hi all. I'm new here, be gentle ??
I currently drive a 2019 Q7. I very rarely make use of the seven seats so have been looking to downsize.
I've seen a 2018 520d msport at local dealership and it's very tempting (and cuts my monthly payments by 50%). Before I go on a test drive tomorrow, could I ask for everyone's opinion on the following:
- Am I mad "downgrading" from a Q7 to 5 series?
- will I miss having air suspension? The car I'm looking at only has the standard msport suspension.
- are there many differences between a 2018 model and 2020? Have seen a 2020 model but is £8k more, with the only difference really being the inclusion of Xdrive.
- is Xdrive something I should consider for UK roads? I wasn't sure if it was a bit of a gimmick for 4x4 converts?
Others will be able to tell you more about the suspension however I've always felt that if you can find one with the adaptive dampers they would be the ones to go for. Personally I like a softer suspension most of the time but when driving over a twisty road appreciate the firmer sport suspension. The 5 series has an adaptive suspension option which certainly on my car works very well.I currently drive a 2019 Q7. I very rarely make use of the seven seats so have been looking to downsize.
I've seen a 2018 520d msport at local dealership and it's very tempting (and cuts my monthly payments by 50%). Before I go on a test drive tomorrow, could I ask for everyone's opinion on the following:
- Am I mad "downgrading" from a Q7 to 5 series?
- will I miss having air suspension? The car I'm looking at only has the standard msport suspension.
- are there many differences between a 2018 model and 2020? Have seen a 2020 model but is £8k more, with the only difference really being the inclusion of Xdrive.
- is Xdrive something I should consider for UK roads? I wasn't sure if it was a bit of a gimmick for 4x4 converts?
Edited by Leeppp221 on Wednesday 6th October 13:31
In terms of Q7 -> 5 series I suspect that it might take some readjustment, in the same way going Q7 -> A6 would do. I suspect that rear passengers would be happier in the back of a Q7.
xDrive - I've no experience of a modern BMW without it as here in Switzerland we almost just get xDrive cars. My guess is that the issue will be low speed traction in slippery conditions and that the traction and a well-tuned right foot will be able to cope. Personally for winter I'd prefer winter tyres which always outperform AWD / summer tyres
The update brought new tech options and a slightly different look. Personally I prefer the pre-facelift version as the main driver display is a bit clearer with electronic versions of the classic round displays.
Estates have air at the rear suspension.
Like Audis what a modern BMW drives like will all depend on the options chosen.
That's really useful advice, thanks!
My thinking is that I use the car 90% for school runs, and the rest for shopping etc (working from home for the foreseeable). I'm paying an eye watering amount for the Q7 (as much as I like the car), it just doesn't make financial sense to keep it. I've test-driven a Merc E-Class, A6 etc and just didn't like any of them. The BMW 5 Series is the last on my list and since researching it, seems to have excellent reviews everywhere.
I'm just hoping I like it enough tomorrow to part with my Q7 and save some money!
My thinking is that I use the car 90% for school runs, and the rest for shopping etc (working from home for the foreseeable). I'm paying an eye watering amount for the Q7 (as much as I like the car), it just doesn't make financial sense to keep it. I've test-driven a Merc E-Class, A6 etc and just didn't like any of them. The BMW 5 Series is the last on my list and since researching it, seems to have excellent reviews everywhere.
I'm just hoping I like it enough tomorrow to part with my Q7 and save some money!
All I'll say is test drive a 530 or a 535 before you make a choice.
it's a fair sized bus with a 2 litre dragging it and mpgs wise 530 will be minimal.
I've got an X4 Mrs400 pilots and her journey to work is country lanes and she gets about 38 out of it.
long runs at 70 I've only seen about 43 but is it built like a brick.
It's Xdrive but we live in the sticks so for what use it might be, she ll never find out as she refuses to drive in any type of snow.
Only reason we bought it was her mother lives 150 miles away she's ever been that confident on the motorway and she liked being thst little bit higher.
Needless to say I've had many wife free weekends since we bought it as it she ll Potter off on her own.
5 series will feel like your on the floor after Q7.
it's a fair sized bus with a 2 litre dragging it and mpgs wise 530 will be minimal.
I've got an X4 Mrs400 pilots and her journey to work is country lanes and she gets about 38 out of it.
long runs at 70 I've only seen about 43 but is it built like a brick.
It's Xdrive but we live in the sticks so for what use it might be, she ll never find out as she refuses to drive in any type of snow.
Only reason we bought it was her mother lives 150 miles away she's ever been that confident on the motorway and she liked being thst little bit higher.
Needless to say I've had many wife free weekends since we bought it as it she ll Potter off on her own.
5 series will feel like your on the floor after Q7.
Leeppp221 said:
That's really useful advice, thanks!
My thinking is that I use the car 90% for school runs, and the rest for shopping etc (working from home for the foreseeable). I'm paying an eye watering amount for the Q7 (as much as I like the car), it just doesn't make financial sense to keep it. I've test-driven a Merc E-Class, A6 etc and just didn't like any of them. The BMW 5 Series is the last on my list and since researching it, seems to have excellent reviews everywhere.
I'm just hoping I like it enough tomorrow to part with my Q7 and save some money!
It's a a big car - pretty much 5m long and wide. If you're comfortable with the Q7 with that type of driving I suspect the 5 series will be OK. However we've just bought an old Mini as a local run-around as for where we live it was too much. The 5 now gets used just for longer trips and for the times when we want to go 4 up (we're all tall).My thinking is that I use the car 90% for school runs, and the rest for shopping etc (working from home for the foreseeable). I'm paying an eye watering amount for the Q7 (as much as I like the car), it just doesn't make financial sense to keep it. I've test-driven a Merc E-Class, A6 etc and just didn't like any of them. The BMW 5 Series is the last on my list and since researching it, seems to have excellent reviews everywhere.
I'm just hoping I like it enough tomorrow to part with my Q7 and save some money!
The other key issue is that it's got less ground clearance than a Q7. Mine is a sporty one and even lower than standard, with very expensive forged wheels and tiny profile. I was forever worried about hitting a curb or grounding the front. The cameras work well though.
I'd be interested in knowing why you didn't like the E-class and A6. Realistically it might be more to do with moving away from an SUV. Is it the estates you are looking at or the 4-doors?
i test drove a 2018 520d M-Sport today, well expecting not to like it. A) I'm extremely fussy and B) I've been spoilt! Prior to the Q7 I had an S-Class and nothing matches that in terms of comfort.
However, I was pleasantly surprised. It felt much "nippier" and agile. The comfort wasn't a million miles off the Q7 (despite my car having air suspension), and the steering is MILES better (to me, anyway!)
With the A6 - I think it's the fact I'm coming from a Q7 so I'm comparing Audis (maybe?) The E-Class I was obviously comparing with the S-Class, however, I've never had a BMW before so had nothing to compare it to, and went into it fully expecting to feel like I was making a compromise.
One other factor in my decision was finances. I'm paying too much for the Q7 (got carried away when I got it), and I really don't utilise the 7 seats as much as I expected so I'm essentially throwing money away. The BMW saves me £300 per month, and the insurance is cheaper.
First world problems, eh!
However, I was pleasantly surprised. It felt much "nippier" and agile. The comfort wasn't a million miles off the Q7 (despite my car having air suspension), and the steering is MILES better (to me, anyway!)
With the A6 - I think it's the fact I'm coming from a Q7 so I'm comparing Audis (maybe?) The E-Class I was obviously comparing with the S-Class, however, I've never had a BMW before so had nothing to compare it to, and went into it fully expecting to feel like I was making a compromise.
One other factor in my decision was finances. I'm paying too much for the Q7 (got carried away when I got it), and I really don't utilise the 7 seats as much as I expected so I'm essentially throwing money away. The BMW saves me £300 per month, and the insurance is cheaper.
First world problems, eh!
Edited by Leeppp221 on Thursday 7th October 14:24
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