BMW SUV or Estate

[mma-Monkey]

Our Volvo XC60 goes back early next year after 2 years on an amazingly cheap lease deal and have decided that the next vehicle will be a BMW diesel of some description due to the high mileage we tend to cover over the weekends and holidays with a 3 year old and one on the way with all the associated equipment we need to lug around.

Budget is around £30-35k and we have narrowed it down to either a X5 40d of the F15 generation which I managed to get a test drive in today which was lovely but felt a little dated in terms of the console and speedo's, think the digital speedo's would help improve this though. The other option would be a 530d touring of the current G31 generation which is very up to date in terms of technology and gadgets and again a very lovely car.

Before the SUV bashing starts it is the wife as always that likes the higher driving position and mainly the one getting the kid(s) in and out of the car otherwise I'd have the 5 series in a heart beat.

So what are the PH masses thoughts and opinions on the 2, what one would you go for or are there other marques that offer a similar package that I have missed?

Edited by mma-Monkey on Saturday 9th November 19:25

[ZX10R NIN]

Get the one the OH likes the best.

[cerb4.5lee]

I've had both a E53 X5 4.8iS and a E61 520d Touring, and from a driving enjoyment perspective the 5 series was the much better steer(ignoring the gutless engine). It was lighter/lower and it just felt so much better under braking and going around corners.

I do love the higher driving position of the X5 though and the increased ride height/ground clearance is handy down tight country lanes if you have to go onto verges etc. I still lust after another X5 and I'm a big fan of the 40d engine(had it in a 640d), I also find it easier lifting kids into a SUV.

You can't go wrong with either for me and it is down to your personal preference.

[Jamescrs]

Who is driving it most?

If it's your wife and she's not a very bothered about the more dated interior set against the benefits of the SUV then go X5 if your driving it most and are going to have to live with it then it sounds like the estate is the better option.

I'd probably go estate personally but I do like estate cars

[S54Love]

Would a 6GT work? Sort of halfway house between both iirc

[hyphen]

Why does it have to be a BMW SUV only?

Could understand about the estate, but if you do decide suv and so driving fun isn't a priority, then why not other brands.

[ninjag]

hyphen said:

Why does it have to be a BMW SUV only?

Could understand about the estate, but if you do decide suv and so driving fun isn't a priority, then why not other brands.

mma-Monkey said:

what one would you go for or are there other marques that offer a similar package that I have missed?

Couple that came to mind which may be less SUV when it comes to handling but still gives you the ride height, load capacity, performance and economy:

Porsche Cayenne 3.0TD
Jaguar F-Pace 3.0d V6

[Fastlane]

I really don't understand why people use the "I have kids so it is easier having an SUV" or the "I like the higher driving position" arguments. What they really mean is "an SUV makes me feel important and better than other people"

Go on, just admit it! (And buy an estate.)

Edited by Fastlane on Tuesday 12th November 18:02

[hyphen]

Fastlane said:

I really don't understand why people use the "I have kids so it is easier having an SUV" or the "I like the higher driving position" arguments. What they really mean is "an SUV makes me feel important and better than other people"

Go on, just admit it! (And buy an estate.)

Edited by Fastlane on Tuesday 12th November 18:02

Often true, but it's a debate done to death so let's not start another one!!!

[alfabeat]

Try an Alfa Stelvio. Lovely cars and great handling. A very good compromise. And it stands out from the normal BMW stuff.

[ninjag]

alfabeat said:

Try an Alfa Stelvio. Lovely cars and great handling. A very good compromise. And it stands out from the normal BMW stuff.

Oh I saw one of those in the Eden Mills car park about two months ago, I'm sure it had quad exhausts and it looked lovely. Really caught your eye without being ostentatious.

[mma-Monkey]

hyphen said:

Why does it have to be a BMW SUV only?

Could understand about the estate, but if you do decide suv and so driving fun isn't a priority, then why not other brands.

Was only considering BMW SUV's as seem to have the best economy and performance ratio than others I had looked at.


Thanks for all the constructive input. Goalposts have moved somewhat, good news I no longer need a diesel, Bad news the mother in law is moving closer meaning my wife's weekly drive from London to hastings which accounts for the lions share of our mileage turns into a short 20-minute drive. So to console my self of the fact I will be seeing the mother in law more often I have slashed the family car budget a bit and told the wife to get any petrol SUV she wants and now on the lookout for a weekend toy for myself.

Edited by mma-Monkey on Wednesday 13th November 17:57

[Jag_NE]

I have the new 530d. With your budget you could comfortably get a nearly new one. That being said, I don’t think that stylish women like estates, they want a saloon or an suv. The estate fetish is most strong in the predominantly male PH community.