[Delrazdan]

I would like to get thoughts and opinions of fellow empty nesters (+/- a &#128021 …

We have an x5 and happy (plus a 328i which I am wanting to trade in). X5 is big enough but x7 is delicious with some of the features like air suspension soft closing doers etc. it is a bit big although more comfortable for travel. We anticipate 3rd seats will be folded most of the time.

Wondering if you all had similar quandary and what led to your decision. We could get a another x5 (45e) and most likely happy (it has air suspension).

Thanks in advance.

[ppnff]

I am in similar situation - except hauling kids stuff to college - back/forth for a few more years. So, sort of an empty nesters.

On the X5, the front passenger seats and rear seats were a bit cramped compared to our other vehicle - MDX. I also was unhappy with the decontenting of the X5 - my options are no longer available... but my lease term is up and my warranty is almost up too.

So, I went with the X7 and included the DHP - after making sure the X7 would fit in our garage.

I still think the X5 is an amazing SUV and my all time favorite. I just took delivery of the X7 a few days ago.

Good luck deciding - the order/wait/uncertainty are torture...

[MystroX5]

I would drive/own the X7 M50i even without kids. It’s a flagship luxury SUV that performs like a animal when the go pedal goes down. Get the DHP option and you won’t even feel the size of the X7. Like you mentioned, all the high end options and build materials are also only available at this level. I went from a almost loaded G05 50i M-Sport to a fully loaded X7 M50i and it was a hell of a upgrade. As good as the ride was in the X5, the X7 is in another league of smoothness. Really one of the best rides money can buy.

[Al Pinã]

With the price of a fully loaded M50i X5 approaching $100K, the X7 is a no-brainer to me.

Even if you go the M50i route with the X7 and add several options you'll only be about $10K over the price of that X5.

Shoot, a loaded 40i X5's is about $80 grand! If you don't mind the added size and lower fuel economy get the X7.

[Wanderer73]

I've got 3 kids; ranging from 9-17. I'm trying to figure out how to justify the X7 when I'm an empty nester . I love the car; loaded, DHP, etc., size never enters my mind.

[x7bmw23]

Originally Posted by Delrazdan

I would like to get thoughts and opinions of fellow empty nesters (+/- a &#128021 …

We have an x5 and happy (plus a 328i which I am wanting to trade in). X5 is big enough but x7 is delicious with some of the features like air suspension soft closing doers etc. it is a bit big although more comfortable for travel. We anticipate 3rd seats will be folded most of the time.

Wondering if you all had similar quandary and what led to your decision. We could get a another x5 (45e) and most likely happy (it has air suspension).

Thanks in advance.

The wife and I are late 40's with no kids. I had my eye on the X5 but they I saw the X7 in person and fell in love as it checked all the boxes for me. I've had a few sedans but mainly full-sized suv (1998 Ford Expedition, 2001 Ford Expedition and 2004 Lincoln Navigator) so I'm used to large suv's, which is weird because I'm average size male at 5'10/180 lbs and those three vehicles I had before I got married.

Anyhoo, getting back to the X7……once I saw it, I had to have it and ended up putting my AMG43 suv up for sale while still inside a lease with Mercedes. I had a buyer purchase the AMG which soon as the check cleared with Mercedes, I called my BMW salesman and gave him my build number from how I built it online and told him to submit it. I had been working with my salesman for couple months before someone bought the AMG, so all I had to do was call him.

I decided on the large X7 because it's a beautiful large suv, my salesman and the BMW experience with great staff (Mercedes staff was too stuff and arrogant) air suspension, 2nd row captains chairs, 22" wheels, driver's assist package tow package and roof rack.

My wife and I traveled a lot pre-pandemic anyway. So traveling out of the country often with excessive luggage, towing two large electric bikes on bike rack, two 14' kayaks and hiking gear……the X7 was the way to go. The X5 could've checked most of these boxes but my love for large suvs kicked in. It honestly doesn't feel as large as the Ford Expeditions or Lincoln Navigator that I had. I leave the captain chairs folded all the time so I call it a four seater.

With the extra long kayaks on the AMG suv, which is same size as X5…..the kayaks were almost as long as the suv which made me nervous. They fit much better on the X7. Tge gas mileage isn't that bad either on the 40i.

[PNWM3]

But get the DHP whatever you do. Our previous one did not have it but our XB7 does. I’m in NJ right now and got an X7 as a rental car from Sixt and it doesn’t have it. It’s such a different car without. Amazing the difference that you soon take for granted if you have it in your daily driver.

[X5M50D]

I'm in my late 50's, my boys old enough to their own things nowadays, and wife driving around in her Mercedes GLC. So 9 times out of 10 I'm on my own in my X7.
I've always had large SUVs (mainly X5s) whilst bringing up the kids, and now wouldn't think about getting anything smaller, even a sports car in my mid life crisis
I just love the high drive height, luxury and comfort of the X7 even though I'm alone in it. In fact I always drive it with all seven seats raised.
Where the SUV comes into its own, is when my wife and I with the two large dogs, drive down to Portugal in the summer and Switzerland in the winter every year - its just a beautiful car to cruise in for long distances and able to carry all my wife's luggage with ease!
Best vehicle I've ever bought

[Matt 335is]

Thanks for starting the conversation Delrazdan.
My partner and I don't have kids, and both she and I never want kids.
What we do want is an X7, even though 99.9% of the time there won't be more than 2 people in the car.
We've both only ever had smaller type cars, never even an SUV.
Waiting for LCI, so interesting to read these conversations in the mean time.

[Triple Action]

I have an X7 M50i with DHP on order (2 more weeks!) but I drove both the X5 and X7 (both in M50i) in the fall before I ordered.

First was the X5, and after I drove it I told myself that it was by far the smarter choice. Smaller, easier to park/less space in the garage, cheaper, the perfect fit for my life. I have 2 kids 9 and 12 and we never but never use the 3rd row seats in our Toyota SUV. No brainer.

Then, I test drove the X7, and it was love. I had to have it. For one thing, I love the front end styling. The X5 is nearly indistinguishable from the new X3 from the front, and they are everywhere. They are good looking vehicles, but the X7 is unique and to me, a blend of mean/aggressive front end but also well proportioned. And it's not nearly as big as the Yukon, Navigator, Range Rover etc.

The fit and finish in the X7 are also better imo, it's more comfortable and you don't feel the extra size. MystroX made a comment in another thread about the X7 being by far the best full size luxury/performance SUV you can buy, and that is how I feel. I think it's also why Car & Driver has it #1 overall against the likes of Range Rover, etc.

[TsunamiFury]

If you don’t need the third row or the massive cargo area the X7 is a waste. The driving feel of the X7 is nicer than competitors in range but not at all great. A Porsche Cayenne would be a far better choice, or even a Macan, which is the king of the driving feel SUV segment.

I have an fully loaded X7 50i and it’s very nice, but even my Taycan has a better suspension. Don’t read too much into all the over exaggerations here of owners who way over sell this vehicles driving dynamics and comfort. It’s comfortable but no where near the best in the segment. It’s sporty but also no where near the bear compared to two row. It’s for seating 6-7 people or four with captains chairs.

If you really want comfort for the 100k plus price range a Bentyaga is a far better choice.

[X5M50D]

Originally Posted by X5M50D

I'm in my late 50's, my boys old enough to their own things nowadays, and wife driving around in her Mercedes GLC. So 9 times out of 10 I'm on my own in my X7.
I've always had large SUVs (mainly X5s) whilst bringing up the kids, and now wouldn't think about getting anything smaller, even a sports car in my mid life crisis
I just love the high drive height, luxury and comfort of the X7 even though I'm alone in it. In fact I always drive it with all seven seats raised.
Where the SUV comes into its own, is when my wife and I with the two large dogs, drive down to Portugal in the summer and Switzerland in the winter every year - its just a beautiful car to cruise in for long distances and able to carry all my wife's luggage with ease!
Best vehicle I've ever bought

I forgot to add that its by far the rarest vehicle on the road in the UK. You don't see many X7's compared to Range Rover, Mercedes and X5'S which have become very popular SUV's.
The X7 is a head turner

[Al Pinã]

Originally Posted by TsunamiFury

If you don't need the third row or the massive cargo area the X7 is a waste. The driving feel of the X7 is nicer than competitors in range but not at all great. A Porsche Cayenne would be a far better choice, or even a Macan, which is the king of the driving feel SUV segment.

I have an fully loaded X7 50i and it's very nice, but even my Taycan has a better suspension. Don't read too much into all the over exaggerations here of owners who way over sell this vehicles driving dynamics and comfort.

If you really want comfort for the 100k plus price range a Bentyaga is a far better choice.

Yeah, get the Bentayga…it's only another $100K!

[TsunamiFury]

Originally Posted by Al Pinã

Yeah, get the Bentayga…it's only another $100K!

A base bentyga is the same price as an Alpina X7 and maybe 30k more than a M50i

[X5M50D]

A new base Bentayga is over $200,000+
If you are comparing one to a XB7 maybe a 2 year old with 15-20k miles
No comparison!

[TsunamiFury]

Originally Posted by X5M50D

A new base Bentayga is over $200,000+
If you are comparing one to a XB7 maybe a 2 year old with 15-20k miles
No comparison!

In America a base Bentyaga is 160k — alpina is 156k

[Al Pinã]

Originally Posted by TsunamiFury

A base bentyga is the same price as an Alpina X7 and maybe 30k more than a M50i

I'll have what you're smoking. Must be some strong shit.

Base model bentayga is $185k with zero options.

My fully loaded Alpina was $154K

I'll pass on the tarted up VW Atlas that looks like a Kia from most angles.

[TsunamiFury]

Originally Posted by Al Pinã

I'll have what you're smoking. Must be some strong shit.

Base model bentayga is $185k with zero options.

My fully loaded Alpina was $154K

I'll pass on the tarted up VW Atlas that looks like a Kia from most angles.

Man I don’t get how bmw owners get so butthurt over other models. It’s a bmw. Jesus dudes get a life

https://www.kbb.com/reviews/2020-ben...ntayga-hybrid/

[Al Pinã]

Originally Posted by TsunamiFury

In America a base Bentyaga is 160k

WTF are you even talking about? Do us all a favor and delete your account.

https://www.bentleynorthbrook.com/se...=new&mk=7/

Cheapest one in Chicago is $253K.

[Al Pinã]

Originally Posted by TsunamiFury

Man I don’t get how bmw owners get so butthurt over other models. It’s a bmw. Jesus dudes get a life

https://www.kbb.com/reviews/2020-ben...ntayga-hybrid/

That link was from 2020……….

[Triple Action]

TsunamiFury I think the Cayenne is a great alternative to the X5/X7, albeit at a higher price point when similarly optioned. Porsche makes great cars and the Cayenne does handle better than the X5/X7 imo. I don't think anyone here is making extravagant claims about handling.

Now the Macan is not comparable to the X7. It's much smaller and I would expect it to handle differently.

As for the Bentayga et al - I suspect that most of the people on this could afford just about any SUV on the market. I'm just not interested in being that guy in the neighborhood who drives around in a Urus or a Cullinan or even a Range Rover.

What I love about BMW is they make great cars that aren't super flashy. There is something for everyone in the marketplace.

[toddwalton]

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