[Kalopop]

I know this is the x3 forum and you guys all love x3..and so do I. But just sharing thoughts...I really wanted a diesel and the x3 doesnt have it in NA. The x5 35d seems like a great choice..but is it really worth the extra 10grand?

I mean..we only spend about 2 grand/year on gas right? (hopefully this doesnt change too much)..but I hate worrying about wasting gas everytime i think about stomping my foot on the peddle

Btw the x5 35d msport looks awesome Sooo what about you? Is it worth it?!!

[Bimar]

You can't beat the size, price, performance and maintenance of the X3. was in the same predicament and X3 beat X5 in those areas. However if u want bigger car, higher maintenance and better status symbol, go X5

[WAY]

That is not a M-sport X5...that is a X5M! I loved ours, but unfortunately it was too big for where we live.

[gregoryw1]

FWIW here's a post I wrote on another board ...

One thing to remember ... the current model X5, which is the second generation E70, was introduced in 2006. Although it got a facelift in 2010 its still basically a design that was started in 2006. I think I read there will be a new X5 in 2012 or 2013. The X3 on the other hand is a brand new design and has a whole new styling to it, which in my opinion looks very sleek and modern - especially the downward sloping lines on the sides. I've had mine for two weeks and have had many people come up to me and comment about the look - its something new and different and something they haven't seen before.

I'm sure the X5s are great, don't get me wrong, but I like the fresh new look and feel of the X3. and if you plan on keeping your car for a long time, and if they re-style the X5 in 2012/2013, what you would end up with is the "old" model X5 for many years when others will be driving the "new" version X5s. kind of like the iPads, I really want one, but am going to tough it out for a few more months to get the new version

(now if you asked this question on the X5 forum you would probably get a totally different answer)

[acey81]

I'm curious about these posts "why didn't you get a 5 or the X5". So do you actually believe that the fact that BMW have a X5 in their range somehow came as a surprise for the people who have ordered the X3?

I'm quite sure, especially on the forum, that people are enthusiasts and spend quite a lot of time deciding on what car they want to buy. I'm quite sure that the X5 has been on that list and for some one reason or another decided against it.

And oh, if I wanted a car of that size I'd go for the new Cayenne.

[sfax]

The wife said it was too big (main reason!) and it costs a lot more to tax, insure and fuel. I do like the X5 though. This X5M (if that's what it is) looks awesome but I see plenty of X5s and think they're so so. I still haven't seen a single X3 2011 on the road here that wasn't:

a) mine in a reflection; or
b) a demonstrator

And long may that continue!

[Beyu]

Before deciding on an X3 I originally wasn't even considering the car. Cars that I were looking at were the X5, 135i, and Lexus IS 350. They're all very nice cars but the main problem I had was that they were all nearing the end of their current model. The X5's getting replaced in 1-2 years, 135i later this year, and about 2 years for the IS 350. In addition I wasn't sure if i could even fit the X5 in my garage lol. When test driving a 135i I decided to try out an X3 also and was pleasantly surprised how well it handled and how much nicer and roomier the interior was compared to the old model.

[kmarei]

too big
too old
slower
more expensive

[BIMMER UK 76]

Why buy a X5 over a X3?

[Lotus7]

Originally Posted by kmarei

too big
too old
slower
more expensive

kmarei,

You read my mind.
Exactly the right answer.
The X5 is sooo "2010"!

[MA78]

Originally Posted by kmarei

too big
too old
slower
more expensive

This.

[TuffLittleUnit]

Simple answer ... I couldn't afford an X5 and the X3 ticks every box for me.

I'm also not that fond of petrol stations that I want to be dropping in every couple of hundred miles

[note46]

I was all set to get a x5 3.5d but once the x3 was announced and with the 3.5i getting similar mpg as the x5d I chose the x3. I also didn't need/want the extra size/space of the x5.

[kmarei]

there are only 2 reasons to choose an X5 over an X3
X5d, and X5M

[Bimar]

Originally Posted by gregoryw1

(now if you asked this question on the X5 forum you would probably get a totally different answer)

I asked the X5 guys here were their reasons for buying X5 over X3. Basically everyone has their own preference over each so decide for yourself.

http://www.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=494939

[gregoryw1]

Originally Posted by inamik75

I asked the X5 guys here were their reasons for buying X5 over X3. Basically everyone has their own preference over each so decide for yourself.

http://www.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=494939

very interesting to see the different perspectives!

[mstevens]

X5's are too damned big! We've driven an E83 X3 for the last 7 years and recently did a 2-day test drive of a new X5. It just barely fit in our garage and was a pain to climb into and out of. We took delivery of an F25 X3 last night. It's roomier inside than the E83 but still the right size for us. It's much more car-like than the truck-like X5.

[AJWilson]

I've had an X5 3.0D Sport and an X6 35D, They're too big and big on fuel.

[acer2974]

Drove the X5 turbo. I was a heavy dog compared to the X3. Plus the X3 has newer nav and display systems. You add a few options to the X5 and the price skyrockets over $60K in a hurry. A little bigger on the inside, but clearly not worth the difference for a slower, older car.

[Babbage]

Originally Posted by Kalopop

but is it really worth the extra 10grand?

To equip an X5 similarly to my X3 would cost an extra $17,000 (tax included). Plus it would cost more to drive (gas), be harder to find parking for it, and not handle as well (larger car). It wasn't worth it for me.

But if you need the size, go for it.

[Batman2000]

When I got the E53 X5 it was in its last year of production (I didn´t know that!) and in less than a year my car felt "old" when compared to the E70...

I could buy either the X5 or X3, we were buying a second car... At first I was thinking about the E70 but it was 10K more expensive, very big and, despite being different from its predecessor the line feels tired...

Then I decided for the F25 for two reasons: first, it was the same size as my E53, and second, it is a whole new model. The E70 is going to be replaced soon, when that happens I will replace the E53,

[tuco44]

Originally Posted by kmarei

too big
too old
slower
more expensive

Yep. I drove several X5s but found it really large and ponderous IMO. The X3 feels "just right" to me, and the uses I have for it.