[twssas]

My dealer finally got a X3 M40, so we did a test drive yesterday. Here are some of my thoughts;

Just to preface, I currently have a 2011 e70 X5 35d. Love it. Love the power/torque.Especially love the heavy hydraulic steering. But after 7.5 years, I think I'm done messing with the diesel fuel, adblue, etc. Looking to go to a gas vehicle.

Wife drives a 2015 535 MSport. Great car, but personally I do not care for the steering. Just doesnt do it for me.

So, the X3 M40 had 20 inch wheels. The entire vehicle was very nice. Fit and finish looked excellent. Wife and I split up a 30 mile drive up, some street driving, and interstate. Steering, was much improved over the F10 535. Not as good as my old E70, but very, very good. Power was very good, even though thisi vehicle has about 360 foot lbs of torque, it seemed when you punched it on the interstate, it would downshift. In all fairness, I'm used to the torque on my E70, and it just goes. The E70 torque is just about 50 foot lbs more the the X3, but nevertheless, the X3 performed great. Sport seats were very comfortable.Quite impressed overall.

Then, we drove a 2018 X5 35i, Msport with 22" wheels. Nice ride. At 300 HP, not as "peppy" as the X3 but more than adequate. Again, missed my torque of my E70. I was also quite happy with the steering with the X5, but wonder if it had to do with the 22 inch wheels. My plan would be 19" on either the X3 or X5. Very nice ride with the Multi contour seats.

BMW has done a great job with the X3. In some ways the cabin, electronics, and other features seemed to be nicer in the new X3 than the 2018 X5. For example, the dash in the X3 is either leather, or faux leather, and X5 is hard plastic. Lane warning light on X5 is on body of side mirrors (hard to see), while X3 warning light is in mirror. Very nice change. Wife f10 lane change warning is in body of mirror also, and I really do like what they did with the X3's location better. Also, appears the X3 controls have ceramic buttons, X5 does not. I could go on, but you get the idea.

Is the X5 worth $10k more? The X3 from a dimension standpoint, while smaller, isn't that much smaller. Oh, and the X5 had the Msport Steering wheel, X3 just the sport steering wheel.

I have some decisions to make. This is going to be a tough choice.

[BGT3]

Originally Posted by twssas

My dealer finally got a X3 M40, so we did a test drive yesterday. Here are some of my thoughts;

Just to preface, I currently have a 2011 e70 X5 35d. Love it. Love the power/torque.Especially love the heavy hydraulic steering. But after 7.5 years, I think I'm done messing with the diesel fuel, adblue, etc. Looking to go to a gas vehicle.

Wife drives a 2015 535 MSport. Great car, but personally I do not care for the steering. Just doesnt do it for me.

So, the X3 M40 had 20 inch wheels. The entire vehicle was very nice. Fit and finish looked excellent. Wife and I split up a 30 mile drive up, some street driving, and interstate. Steering, was much improved over the F10 535. Not as good as my old E70, but very, very good. Power was very good, even though thisi vehicle has about 360 foot lbs of torque, it seemed when you punched it on the interstate, it would downshift. In all fairness, I'm used to the torque on my E70, and it just goes. The E70 torque is just about 50 foot lbs more the the X3, but nevertheless, the X3 performed great. Sport seats were very comfortable.Quite impressed overall.

Then, we drove a 2018 X5 35i, Msport with 22" wheels. Nice ride. At 300 HP, not as "peppy" as the X3 but more than adequate. Again, missed my torque of my E70. I was also quite happy with the steering with the X5, but wonder if it had to do with the 22 inch wheels. My plan would be 19" on either the X3 or X5. Very nice ride with the Multi contour seats.

BMW has done a great job with the X3. In some ways the cabin, electronics, and other features seemed to be nicer in the new X3 than the 2018 X5. For example, the dash in the X3 is either leather, or faux leather, and X5 is hard plastic. Lane warning light on X5 is on body of side mirrors (hard to see), while X3 warning light is in mirror. Very nice change. Wife f10 lane change warning is in body of mirror also, and I really do like what they did with the X3's location better. Also, appears the X3 controls have ceramic buttons, X5 does not. I could go on, but you get the idea.

Is the X5 worth $10k more? The X3 from a dimension standpoint, while smaller, isn't that much smaller. Oh, and the X5 had the Msport Steering wheel, X3 just the sport steering wheel.

I have some decisions to make. This is going to be a tough choice.

We're kind of in the same boat. Have an X5 now, looking at the M40i X3 since we don't need the larger size anymore.
I wish the X3 offered a version of the multi contour seats that we have in our X5, that's the biggest thing for us, the difference in the seats is big. Other than that it fits the bill very well.

[jjl]

Same boat here. If there were an X5 M40i available now I'd get that, but not the case. BTW if you spec the Mocha or Ivory Interior Design package you get a black leather dash with contrast stitching, i have the Mocha in my X5 and the dash is really nice. Also, my dealer suspects you could probably get discounts on an '18 X5 to the point where price wise it wouldn't be that much different than a M40i (especially for a lease) given the M40i is brand new and the X5 will be updated late next year.

[x5joe2013]

Originally Posted by twssas

My dealer finally got a X3 M40, so we did a test drive yesterday. Here are some of my thoughts;

Just to preface, I currently have a 2011 e70 X5 35d. Love it. Love the power/torque.Especially love the heavy hydraulic steering. But after 7.5 years, I think I'm done messing with the diesel fuel, adblue, etc. Looking to go to a gas vehicle.

Wife drives a 2015 535 MSport. Great car, but personally I do not care for the steering. Just doesnt do it for me.

So, the X3 M40 had 20 inch wheels. The entire vehicle was very nice. Fit and finish looked excellent. Wife and I split up a 30 mile drive up, some street driving, and interstate. Steering, was much improved over the F10 535. Not as good as my old E70, but very, very good. Power was very good, even though thisi vehicle has about 360 foot lbs of torque, it seemed when you punched it on the interstate, it would downshift. In all fairness, I'm used to the torque on my E70, and it just goes. The E70 torque is just about 50 foot lbs more the the X3, but nevertheless, the X3 performed great. Sport seats were very comfortable.Quite impressed overall.

Then, we drove a 2018 X5 35i, Msport with 22" wheels. Nice ride. At 300 HP, not as "peppy" as the X3 but more than adequate. Again, missed my torque of my E70. I was also quite happy with the steering with the X5, but wonder if it had to do with the 22 inch wheels. My plan would be 19" on either the X3 or X5. Very nice ride with the Multi contour seats.

BMW has done a great job with the X3. In some ways the cabin, electronics, and other features seemed to be nicer in the new X3 than the 2018 X5. For example, the dash in the X3 is either leather, or faux leather, and X5 is hard plastic. Lane warning light on X5 is on body of side mirrors (hard to see), while X3 warning light is in mirror. Very nice change. Wife f10 lane change warning is in body of mirror also, and I really do like what they did with the X3's location better. Also, appears the X3 controls have ceramic buttons, X5 does not. I could go on, but you get the idea.

Is the X5 worth $10k more? The X3 from a dimension standpoint, while smaller, isn't that much smaller. Oh, and the X5 had the Msport Steering wheel, X3 just the sport steering wheel.

I have some decisions to make. This is going to be a tough choice.

I'm in the same boat, but pretty heavily leaning X3 m40i

The extra size and cost of the X5 just doesn't seem worth it.

[BGT3]

Originally Posted by jjl

Same boat here. If there were an X5 M40i available now I'd get that, but not the case. BTW if you spec the Mocha or Ivory Interior Design package you get a black leather dash with contrast stitching, i have the Mocha in my X5 and the dash is really nice. Also, my dealer suspects you could probably get discounts on an '18 X5 to the point where price wise it wouldn't be that much different than a M40i (especially for a lease) given the M40i is brand new and the X5 will be updated late next year.

The X5 will be discounted more as we get closer to the release of the new model but then you'll be driving the old model but you're probably right it could very well be cheaper to lease than the M40i.

Test drove the M40i today. I wish it had a version of the X5's multi contour seats, much less padding, but it was very responsive, handles pretty well and although it's smaller than my X5 was big enough. The ride was quite a bit stiffer and I would like to drive one with the adaptive shocks to see the difference.

[Crassus]

If you are not in a rush to choose between the X3 and X5, wait 12 months for 4th generatio X5. The BMW X7 Concept is a good preview of it.

[TonySCV]

This current G01 X3 is similar dimensions to the first generation X5 (believe it or not), which I enjoyed owning and driving immensely. The current X5/6 are BIG cars, and about to get a bit bigger. If you don't need the space, the smaller X3 is plenty big and more fun to drive.

[Salespunk]

We looked at the X5, but size difference especially in the back seat was not that significant. When adding in the new X5 on the horizon we never seriously considered it.

[2045]

Testdrove the X3 M40i today. Very impressed with it. We had the last gen X3 35i & always loved it. Almost got a X4 M40i but decided to wait for the new one. We have a lease up so need a replacement soon. My problem is choosing between 440i GranCoupe, X3 M40i & M550xi. I was quoted $800/mo for the X3 M40i lease on a 65k-ish example, while a M550i would be $880/mo on a 81k-ish example. for $80 bucks difference I can't see why I wouldn't take the M550i instead. Just can't find the spec I want on the ground...

[Salespunk]

Originally Posted by 2045

Testdrove the X3 M40i today. Very impressed with it. We had the last gen X3 35i & always loved it. Almost got a X4 M40i but decided to wait for the new one. We have a lease up so need a replacement soon. My problem is choosing between 440i GranCoupe, X3 M40i & M550xi. I was quoted $800/mo for the X3 M40i lease on a 65k-ish example, while a M550i would be $880/mo on a 81k-ish example. for $80 bucks difference I can't see why I wouldn't take the M550i instead. Just can't find the spec I want on the ground...

Numbers aren't right. Assuming the same terms on each and a 2% lower residual on the X3, cost difference is about $160/mo. Assumes about 10% off on each. My guess is that the dealer was quoting you sticker on the X3 and a significant discount on the 550.

[2045]

Originally Posted by Salespunk

Numbers aren't right. Assuming the same terms on each and a 2% lower residual on the X3, cost difference is about $160/mo. Assumes about 10% off on each. My guess is that the dealer was quoting you sticker on the X3 and a significant discount on the 550.

Additional incentive on the 5 currently that I can use. both are discounted but more on the 5. X3 only $4,170 off including holiday rebate.

[bwcooper]

Originally Posted by 2045

Additional incentive on the 5 currently that I can use. both are discounted but more on the 5. X3 only $4,170 off including holiday rebate.

So many are getting slightly better deals on the X3. I got $5500 off MSRP, including the $2500 off for incentives.

[starbai]

I'm in the same place. Esp given the way I've personally optioned em' out the lease payments are dang near identical.

I want the space of the x5, but the tech/modern/sportier feel of the X3.

If I was willing to drop the coin on the v8 x5 it'd be an easy decision. But since I'm considering the gas 6 and the m40i... its a tough call.

[starbai]

Originally Posted by Salespunk

We looked at the X5, but size difference especially in the back seat was not that significant. When adding in the new X5 on the horizon we never seriously considered it.

I haven't been in the new X3 personally yet. But I feel like with a baby seat in the back of the x3 (looking at pics) it will be kinda cramped.. as in the front seat wont be able to be back to a comfortable position and has to be moved up in order to fit the baby seat.

I dont have a baby yet but this vehicle will likely see baby duty. My M3 is already on the smaller size, so its like do I go with the size of the X5, or hedge with more size than an M3 (less than an X5) but also more power than an X5.

Size out of the equation, it'd be M40i all the way.

I need to borrow someone's baby seat and take a trip to the dealer lol.

[ZHPsedan]

BWWBlog posted about spending a week with the new X3 and had thoughts and pics of dealing with a rear facing child seat in the review.

[starbai]

Originally Posted by ZHPsedan

BWWBlog posted about spending a week with the new X3 and had thoughts and pics of dealing with a rear facing child seat in the review.

Thanks, I gotta find that...

[2045]

Originally Posted by bwcooper

So many are getting slightly better deals on the X3. I got $5500 off MSRP, including the $2500 off for incentives.

cool. I didn't push hard. was just getting a quote since the car is not the spec I want. I like the car but think I'll wait for the X4 M40i. Ultimately I like the styling better & doesn't really need the additional room. In the meantime just need to come up with something to replace the soon to be retired C300 lease for the wife.