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      09-18-2011, 11:54 AM   #1
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X5 vs X3 $4k difference

With BMW offering a $1730 credit on navigation for the X5 I can purchase the premium with all the same options as a 35i m sport for about $4k more. Has anyone else considered this? Advantages to X5 that I see are that includes multi contour seats (how I priced it) and is obviously bigger but also gets 10-15% lower mpg...
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      09-18-2011, 11:57 AM   #2
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With BMW offering a $1730 credit on navigation for the X5 I can purchase the premium with all the same options as a 35i m sport for about $4k more. Has anyone else considered this? Advantages to X5 that I see are that includes multi contour seats (how I priced it) and is obviously bigger but also gets 10-15% lower mpg...
Whatever works for you best is.....best

Small price difference makes a tough decision
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      09-18-2011, 12:19 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by Mako View Post
With BMW offering a $1730 credit on navigation for the X5 I can purchase the premium with all the same options as a 35i m sport for about $4k more. Has anyone else considered this? Advantages to X5 that I see are that includes multi contour seats (how I priced it) and is obviously bigger but also gets 10-15% lower mpg...
X3 is smaller, more agile, take up less space in a parking spot and is a smaller target for people to hit with their doors.

X5 has better quality trim & space.

Drive them both and decide what you prefer, handling/speed/mpg or quality of interior and space?

I do like the running board the X5's come with. Looks nice and may serve as a barrier stopping some doors from hitting yours.
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      09-18-2011, 01:20 PM   #4
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I do like the running board the X5's come with. Looks nice and
Thats the one thing I dislike on the X5 (although it is an option/accessory)
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      09-18-2011, 04:15 PM   #5
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I was going to get a 28i X3 with nearly every package, including the Msport. After close consideration, decided to go with an X5 35d to have the diesel turbo. The X5 diesel came with a lot more that we wanted as standard. The only pkg we are going with is the premium in order to have the nav and some other things we liked. All in all we are getting a slightly larger, well fitted vehicle for our family and needs for only 4k more. Plus we like the running boards, so it works well for us. Very excited about the diesel engine. If and when the X3 is offered with a diesel a few years down the road, I could see myself driving that as my personal vehicle.
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      09-18-2011, 04:41 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mako View Post
With BMW offering a $1730 credit on navigation for the X5 I can purchase the premium with all the same options as a 35i m sport for about $4k more. Has anyone else considered this? Advantages to X5 that I see are that includes multi contour seats (how I priced it) and is obviously bigger but also gets 10-15% lower mpg...
I have driven the current X5 and find it too large for my needs, is more expensive to buy and operate, is over 1000# heavier, and less fun to drive. Since there are only 2 of us usually, why would I want the X5? Answer is I don't and am very happy with my X3 35i MSport.
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      09-18-2011, 04:45 PM   #7
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I have a 2 yr old E70 X5 (loaded), and even with the new X3, whenever it's my turn to take the X5 I always feel like "yippie, I get to take the X5!". It is a superior vehicle in every respect except economy. If $4k is not a budget buster for you, it would be a good choice to get the X5. However, if you decide on the X3 you'll still have a great vehicle.
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      09-18-2011, 05:25 PM   #8
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May want to read the X5 forums as well. LOTS of problems with the X5's. Something to consider. Not that the X3 doesn't have it share of quirks too.....
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      09-18-2011, 05:37 PM   #9
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I was considering a X5 prior to the debut of the 2nd gen X3 and once you load up some options you'll quickly realize the price difference between both cars really isn't that much.

I think main things to consider when choosing between the X5 or the X3 are what are your needs/how big of a car do you need and how old both cars are. While the X5 has better fit and finish the styling already looks somewhat dated and the car has been around since 2006.

Also depending on if you get the petrol or diesel model X5 the transmission is different, the petrol gets a 8-speed and the diesel gets a 6-speed with 2 overdrive gears I think.... I don't know much about gear ratios so perhaps Lotus or someone could answer this; 5th and 6th gear are both lower than a 1:1 ratio so they're considered overdrive gears right? To me the most exciting aspect of the X3 35i's performance isn't the twin-scrolled engine but the 8-speed auto, it provides fast accerleration and good gas milege, what's not to like?
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      09-19-2011, 10:28 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mako View Post
With BMW offering a $1730 credit on navigation for the X5 I can purchase the premium with all the same options as a 35i m sport for about $4k more. Has anyone else considered this? Advantages to X5 that I see are that includes multi contour seats (how I priced it) and is obviously bigger but also gets 10-15% lower mpg...
buy the X5 and let me recommend the 35d - my 35d gets considerably better gas mileage than my X3 35i no matter how I baby the X3 and flog the X5. I like the X3 (leased by my company for me) but the X5 is a better vehicle hands down, albeit not as "sporty" as the X3 (the X5 is no sloth though). The X5's steering feel is also much better
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      09-19-2011, 12:14 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by Beyu View Post
...Also depending on if you get the petrol or diesel model X5 the transmission is different, the petrol gets a 8-speed and the diesel gets a 6-speed with 2 overdrive gears I think.... I don't know much about gear ratios so perhaps Lotus or someone could answer this; 5th and 6th gear are both lower than a 1:1 ratio so they're considered overdrive gears right? ...
Absolutely correct. Both the X5 and X3 use overdrive ratios (less then 1:1) for their top two gear ratios. The main advantage is that the engine is able to operate in its most efficient rpm range at any given road speed. The X3's top gear ratio of 0.67 allows the 35i engine to turn only 2000 rpm at 70 mph, which is equivalent to having a final drive ratio of only 2.27. That keeps the engine running in a “low rpm/high load mode” which is the most efficient for a conventional petrol engine. The low rpms reduce frictional and viscous drag losses and the “high-load” allows wider throttle openings which reduce pumping losses.

Having fewer (6 instead of 8 speeds) simply means the engine won’t be in the absolutely optimal speed range as much of the time. However, having 6 speeds with a lock-up torque converter is still a dramatic improvement over older automatics that had only 2 or 3 speeds and an always slipping converter.

The latest generation automatic transmission equipped vehicles often are as, or sometimes even more, efficient than their manual trans equipped equivalents, and they are often even quicker accelerating since they shift faster than any 3-pedal manual can. (other than "dog-clutch" racing gearboxes).

For details of the X3's 8-speeds, see:
Speed in Gears Chart

Last edited by Lotus7; 09-19-2011 at 05:06 PM..
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      09-19-2011, 01:26 PM   #12
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It is impossible in the UK to come anywhere near a $4K difference from an X3 to 5. EU sales tax will make it impossible, even if the base price before tax and duty is not such a difference.
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      09-19-2011, 01:46 PM   #13
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I priced out an X5 diesel with all the same package choices I made for the X3, and it came out to $10,000 more.
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      09-19-2011, 02:22 PM   #14
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Say what you want about the 35d 6 speed transmission - this is a fact as an owner of both (X5 with almost 40k miles and X3 with 12k miles), the X5 averages a combined of 24.5mpg and the X3 22mpg with the same driving routine and habits. I would kill for the X5 40d that ships to Europe with slightly more power and the 8 speed transmission AND I will buy one if they ever become available in the US.
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      09-19-2011, 03:21 PM   #15
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I would kill for the X5 40d that ships to Europe with slightly more power and the 8 speed transmission AND I will buy one if they ever become available in the US.
We have 2 on fleet and it is an awesome diesel engine
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      09-19-2011, 03:29 PM   #16
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The size of the X3 relative to the X5 is what sold me on the X3. The performance and gas mileage benefit from the lighter weight is just a bonus for me...I wanted/needed something smaller than the X5.
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      09-19-2011, 03:55 PM   #17
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We have 2 on fleet and it is an awesome diesel engine
I am sooooo bitter!!!! I might kill for a X3 DIESEL, 1 series DIESEL, new 6 series coupe DIESEL - I think you get the picture. Now that I have owned this X5, I am forever sold on diesel. Maybe there is some small hope that the numbskulls at BMWNA will pull there head out . . . I am not holding my breath.
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      09-20-2011, 11:16 AM   #18
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Seems the lesson here is that BMW makes these two models for a reason. Not everyone needs the size, weight, or expense of the X5.... and some folks do. I'm lucky to have both, and there are things I prefer in both directions. Luckily, we do have the choice - and often a choice where there is no wrong answer!
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      09-20-2011, 11:26 AM   #19
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Seems the lesson here is that BMW makes these two models for a reason. Not everyone needs the size, weight, or expense of the X5.... and some folks do. I'm lucky to have both, and there are things I prefer in both directions. Luckily, we do have the choice - and often a choice where there is no wrong answer!
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      09-20-2011, 12:54 PM   #20
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thanks for the responses. My parents actually have a 2010 X5 and my wife and I really like it. I think the thing that stands out most to me is the interior quality, multi contour seats and interior trim (doors, dash...) just seem so much nicer than a fully loaded X3. I guess I keep going back to spending $55K for an X3 that doesn't seem like a $55K interior... Where the X5 does and is only $4K-$5K more depending on negotiations.

BUT as others have said the major advantages to the X3 are size and handling. Currently we are getting 18-19 mpg in our LR2, so the X5 will not cost us more to drive and will be faster (LR2 is a snail, 0-60 in close to 9 seconds I think). I might have to look into the 2012 Diesel if they do have the 8 speed automatic on it and honor the free navigation offer on it. But that will probably be more like a $6K-$7K difference.

just looked at the size difference (did some rounding):

LR2 177X75X68.5
X3 183X74X65.5
X5 191X76X70

I am guessing the additional length on the X3 to the LR2 is because of the I6 compared to a V6 since interior dimensions are very similar. height is a major difference in these as well, X3 is pretty short (not a bad thing). My biggest concern is my wife having too large of a car, she hit a mail box with the side mirror this weekend and said "I didn't see it" I did, I was in the passenger seat and it felt like slow motion to me, then I got in trouble for yelling at her
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      09-22-2011, 01:18 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mako View Post
With BMW offering a $1730 credit on navigation for the X5 I can purchase the premium with all the same options as a 35i m sport for about $4k more. Has anyone else considered this? Advantages to X5 that I see are that includes multi contour seats (how I priced it) and is obviously bigger but also gets 10-15% lower mpg...
I've been looking for a while, and I use $10k for the price difference b/w the two. The starting prices for the x5 35d and x5 35i Premium are both over $10 compares to the x3 35i.
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      09-22-2011, 02:47 PM   #22
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I've been looking for a while, and I use $10k for the price difference b/w the two. The starting prices for the x5 35d and x5 35i Premium are both over $10 compares to the x3 35i.
yes but the X5 includes so much more, you really have to load up the X3 35i to around $54K to compare it with a X5 premium, then take into account that you get $1730 back on the X5 before negotiating the price. And most BMW dealers will discount the X5 more than the X3.

So for people looking to get a $45K 35i, sure there is no comparison, but for people thinking about a loaded $54K 35i, you can build an X5 with the same options for around $4K-$5K more after dealer discounts, keep in mind thats with similar options, you can go all out on the X5 and pay $10K more...
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