[plymjack]

Not seen if this has been uploaded before but was picking up winter tyres today and saw the 3 side by side.

[nyalpine90]

[Mingstar88]

omg standard headlight on that X3. looks horrid

[lbjgh]

The X3 doesn't look too much wider than the X1 but haven driven both the X1 does feel much smaller inside.

The X5 looks like a tank compare to the other two cars.

[slyfox]

Yea, I think the colour does a lot though.
X1 looks so small next to these two

[jackaleyess]

Why is it halogen light? Over here, all bmw comes with standard xenon beam. Those with halogen automatically know its used car from grey importers.

[plymjack]

Xenon's are a $1000 extra over here!

[mark12345]

X5 all the way... X1 and X3 proportions look weird.
If someone is considering an X1 or X3, go for a 328XiT or a used X5.

[plymjack]

X5 just looks too big over here - and we Brits need economy and low emissions all the way.
Hence the X3 seems to be more popular over here.

[mark12345]

Originally Posted by plymjack

X5 just looks too big over here - and we Brits need economy and low emissions all the way.
Hence the X3 seems to be more popular over here.

Looks are deceiving...Latest X3 isn't much smaller these days

X5 X3
Length: 191.1" 183"
Width: 76.1" 74.1"
Height: 69.9" 65.4"

[lbjgh]

I don't think any of the cars are particularly attractive. The x5 looks bloated and bulbous to me though.

[mark12345]

Originally Posted by lbjgh

I don't think any of the cars are particularly attractive. The x5 looks bloated and bulbous to me though.

Exactly what a "SUV" should look like.

X1's shape is like a traditional jacked up station wagon
X3 shape is like a CUV (CR-V, RAV-4, etc)
X5 shape is more squared, bloated shaped

[plymjack]

Mark you cant have it both ways... you said "Looks are deceiving...Latest X3 isn't much smaller these days" and you said "X3 proportions look weird" and then you said "go for a used X5" (which is the same size as a new X3).
If you want a X5 get one but the X3 is not so different in size or shape to be worth worrying about. Purchase and running cost and engine size are much more significant.

[Antares]

The X3 is becoming a quite a strong face-lift, so this photo is going to look quite different in just a few days.

[mark12345]

Originally Posted by plymjack

Mark you cant have it both ways... you said "Looks are deceiving...Latest X3 isn't much smaller these days" and you said "X3 proportions look weird" and then you said "go for a used X5" (which is the same size as a new X3).
If you want a X5 get one but the X3 is not so different in size or shape to be worth worrying about. Purchase and running cost and engine size are much more significant.

Good points. I think what gets me about the current gen X3 is proportion of the front bumper (see attachment). The angle of the lower portion of the bumper angles inward. While the front end of the X1 and X5 mostly goes straight down (more squarish look).

[ExREX]

Originally Posted by Antares

The X3 is becoming a quite a strong face-lift, so this photo is going to look quite different in just a few days.

you mean LCI? i thought this is not due for another year?

[Antares]

Originally Posted by ExREX

you mean LCI? i thought this is not due for another year?

The X4 is coming out in one year; it should shoulder the selling volume of the "aging X3".
So the facelifted (bumpers) should come out earlier to keep strong sales volume till the X4 gains "momentum".

[ErnestHouse]

Originally Posted by mark12345

...I think what gets me about the current gen X3 is proportion of the front bumper ....While the front end of the X1 and X5 mostly goes straight down (more squarish look).

I think it's the angle on the window over the rear quarter panel that makes the X3 look less sophisticated and makes its odd proportion issue worse. Note the straight line of the X5, Q5 and many other luxury crossovers. The cheap end of the crossover market usually has the curved up window. This is also a design feature ridiculed by Jeremy Clarkson.

[Antares]

Originally Posted by ErnestHouse

I

X3 look less sophisticated and makes its odd proportion issue worse.

The cheap end of the crossover market usually has the curved up window-feature ridiculed by Jeremy Clarkson.

it's in line with modern human nutritional problems= fat butt; to make it look lighter, the designers propose "La Banana" side window line



the new X5 side line is something for gentleman (without this samba curves)


P.S.
the video was found using search; I would prefer to avoid somebody thinking I listen to such stuff

[Malbolge]

Size wise, even original X3 was bigger than original X5 (INSIDE). The new X5 is huge - in fact, parked next to Q7 audi (which looks like a bus) it doesn't look smaller, it looks same or even wider. Do yeah, X5 is a massive car and not for me, but I know people love how comfy and isolating from world it is.

X1 is quite cheap and cheerful looking car - except it's not that cheap, it's actually very expensive for what you get. X3 or 3 series touring with xdrive seem like better cars. You just overpay for X1 too much given how little car you get (and it's ugly-ish).

Also I believe the current X3 is almost identical in size to old X5!

[Shaw]

That's a good photo. thx

[czarmar]

I've been really liking the X3 lately, but admit that the X5 is generally better looking. The X3 front bumper and headlights looks meek in both regular and M sport iterations, and I agree that the swoop up of the lower edge of the rear windows cheapens the CUV. I think the dashboard could be a little nicer around the nav screen, and I wish I could get an F30 M sport steering wheel with an X3.

What I don't like about the X5 is the split rear hatch and I think X3 rear seat headroom is better than X5s. X5 3rd row seat is such a joke. I like the size and weight of the X3. The X5 uses the old generation gauge cluster.