X3 or X5: Which would you buy and why?
Discussion
Depends on your parking situation: the X5 is massive, whereas the X3 is the same length as a 3 series but slightly wider.
However, would always recommend the 3 litre engine in either, so if you can find the space to park it, X5 it is, unless you can push your budget to include the new 258 bhp diesel X3.
However, would always recommend the 3 litre engine in either, so if you can find the space to park it, X5 it is, unless you can push your budget to include the new 258 bhp diesel X3.
LeoSayer said:
Assuming you were in the market for a high riding SUV type thing, don't need 7 seats and have £35k to spend....would you buy a nearly new X3 2.0d or a 1-2 year-old X5 3.0d?
According to the price list I have - a X3 2.0d starts at £31.5K (£35.5 for M Sport) without options - and I wouldn't be surprised if you can get a couple of £2k of options for the price Personally I went for the new X3 3d, a X5 would be too large for what I want. If I was being purely logical about it (or I was pushing the budget) I'd just keep the current car
We've just moved from an X3 to an X5.
They are both very good cars, but the X5 is in a different league. Didn't bother going for a 40d, the 30d has more than enough umph. I wouldn't say it's huge but clearly it's no Fiesta and if my wife can drive it, so can anyone! 27mpg around town and The ride is silky smooth (see if you can get the 8 speed box). Like all BMW's everything in the car simply........works!
To be fair we wanted 7 seats which did influence our choice but my money would go X5 every time, and with the money you have you can get a very nice E70
They are both very good cars, but the X5 is in a different league. Didn't bother going for a 40d, the 30d has more than enough umph. I wouldn't say it's huge but clearly it's no Fiesta and if my wife can drive it, so can anyone! 27mpg around town and The ride is silky smooth (see if you can get the 8 speed box). Like all BMW's everything in the car simply........works!
To be fair we wanted 7 seats which did influence our choice but my money would go X5 every time, and with the money you have you can get a very nice E70
My wife prefers the X3 simply because it's smaller and has a 'normal' tailgate rather than the split tailgate on the X5. I hate the X3 because I can't bring myself to pay £30k+ for a 4 cylinder diesel and I can't afford the 30d! On top of that I love the X5, the interior is very classy and seating position is just spot on for my long legs.
However, the new X3 is supposed to be a very good car even with the 20d but I don't know if I can be happy trading a V6 twin-turbo petrol for that.
I reckon depreciation will be better for the X3 but as mentioned earlier there's probably little in it. The current model X5 is due to be replaced next year which may have a bearing.
We just need to get out there and drive them both.
However, the new X3 is supposed to be a very good car even with the 20d but I don't know if I can be happy trading a V6 twin-turbo petrol for that.
I reckon depreciation will be better for the X3 but as mentioned earlier there's probably little in it. The current model X5 is due to be replaced next year which may have a bearing.
We just need to get out there and drive them both.
HoHoHo said:
We've just moved from an X3 to an X5.
They are both very good cars, but the X5 is in a different league. Didn't bother going for a 40d, the 30d has more than enough umph. I wouldn't say it's huge but clearly it's no Fiesta and if my wife can drive it, so can anyone! 27mpg around town and The ride is silky smooth (see if you can get the 8 speed box). Like all BMW's everything in the car simply........works!
To be fair we wanted 7 seats which did influence our choice but my money would go X5 every time, and with the money you have you can get a very nice E70
You talking about the old X3 though??They are both very good cars, but the X5 is in a different league. Didn't bother going for a 40d, the 30d has more than enough umph. I wouldn't say it's huge but clearly it's no Fiesta and if my wife can drive it, so can anyone! 27mpg around town and The ride is silky smooth (see if you can get the 8 speed box). Like all BMW's everything in the car simply........works!
To be fair we wanted 7 seats which did influence our choice but my money would go X5 every time, and with the money you have you can get a very nice E70
gizlaroc said:
HoHoHo said:
We've just moved from an X3 to an X5.
They are both very good cars, but the X5 is in a different league. Didn't bother going for a 40d, the 30d has more than enough umph. I wouldn't say it's huge but clearly it's no Fiesta and if my wife can drive it, so can anyone! 27mpg around town and The ride is silky smooth (see if you can get the 8 speed box). Like all BMW's everything in the car simply........works!
To be fair we wanted 7 seats which did influence our choice but my money would go X5 every time, and with the money you have you can get a very nice E70
You talking about the old X3 though??They are both very good cars, but the X5 is in a different league. Didn't bother going for a 40d, the 30d has more than enough umph. I wouldn't say it's huge but clearly it's no Fiesta and if my wife can drive it, so can anyone! 27mpg around town and The ride is silky smooth (see if you can get the 8 speed box). Like all BMW's everything in the car simply........works!
To be fair we wanted 7 seats which did influence our choice but my money would go X5 every time, and with the money you have you can get a very nice E70
Well I’ve done it – I’m due to collect our X5 30d SE on Saturday. It’s the facelift model so has a little more power, snazzy headlights and the 8 speed box.
There’s not much in the way of options ie. electric sports seats, sports steering wheel and the media pack. I would have liked heated comfort seats and sunroof but I didn’t want to wait for ages for something that might never turn up. It’s platinum grey with black leather so pretty dark!
The main thing I’m happy about is the ride which is nice and smooth thanks to standard suspension and 18” wheels. It feels very light on its feet, especially for something that weighs over 2 tonnes. It looks bit tame next to the M-Sports but I still think it’s a good looker.
There’s not much in the way of options ie. electric sports seats, sports steering wheel and the media pack. I would have liked heated comfort seats and sunroof but I didn’t want to wait for ages for something that might never turn up. It’s platinum grey with black leather so pretty dark!
The main thing I’m happy about is the ride which is nice and smooth thanks to standard suspension and 18” wheels. It feels very light on its feet, especially for something that weighs over 2 tonnes. It looks bit tame next to the M-Sports but I still think it’s a good looker.
Nice decision! They are great cars.
I've had mine for five years, bought it new when in the first year they were out and will run it for a few more yet I think. Might change it when the new model comes out but probably not.
Good choice on the wheels...I have the 20" wheels and the low speed ride is the worst part of the car. I do have heated comfort seats and a panormaic roof though
I've had mine for five years, bought it new when in the first year they were out and will run it for a few more yet I think. Might change it when the new model comes out but probably not.
Good choice on the wheels...I have the 20" wheels and the low speed ride is the worst part of the car. I do have heated comfort seats and a panormaic roof though
gizlaroc said:
The other thing he mentioned was 27mpg on the X5 35d vs 38mpg on the X3 35d.
X3 residuals are seriously good as well...
I know you've made your choice OP, but the X3 would've been top of the list for me and yes, I would've gone the extra few quid for a 6 cyl - either the 30d(0-62 6 secs) or 35d(0-62 5.6 secs) are stonking engines and very much better than the 20d. You can find a 35d for £36-ishX3 residuals are seriously good as well...
When we bought ours (old shape as the new one wasn't built with a 3.0 then) the X5 was just too big, it does handle well but you can feel the weight and the extra economy and agility from the X3 was important to us.
Zod said:
Make sure you buy a disclock or similar for your new X5.
Got that, thanks. I'm also thinking of glass sheild and an 'OBD disabled' sticker from ebay for the ultimate deterrent.
It's quite possible that an SE with plastic wheel arches and 18" wheels will put them off more than anything else!
LeoSayer said:
Got that, thanks.
I'm also thinking of glass sheild and an 'OBD disabled' sticker from ebay for the ultimate deterrent.
It's quite possible that an SE with plastic wheel arches and 18" wheels will put them off more than anything else!
good luck mate, the best alarm boys in the country are hooking up the clifford AG 5.5 or the Viper as this eliminates the sensor blackspots and also adds a couple more immobilizers. dont let this happen to you I'm also thinking of glass sheild and an 'OBD disabled' sticker from ebay for the ultimate deterrent.
It's quite possible that an SE with plastic wheel arches and 18" wheels will put them off more than anything else!
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