[CselesXM]

I was originally going with the X5M comp but after the initial excitement of the order fell off and the price tag set in my common sense told me to go with m50i but that car lacked feeling.

Being that's is impossible to sit in or even see these cars has anyone driven both and able to provide feedback on the two issues that concern me most:

1) Ride quality , I see so many videos and posts about it. Had zero concerns with x5 after hitting some sketchy roads in north jersey.

2) Seats, normally not a huge fan of sport seats but I can tell you the X5m were some of the most comfortable I have ever sat in. Are they actually the same seat or different ?

[thestimp]

If you can afford the X5M get that, the X3M is just a 3 series lifted with a little feeling of being higher off the ground, solid car for daily and great space. The X5 is just another level up in luxury and comfort, the seats and space internally is bigger the car is heavier and planted a little better and the low end torque is fizzing sensation worthy.... my vote x5m, only settle for x3 if you are worried about cost.

[YolkyPalky]

Significant weight difference between the two. Maybe X3M feels a little more edgy & nimble relative to X5M. Both amazing obv. Can’t go wrong either way. If you need the extra space & cargo and the extra ~$30k is no biggie, X5M is awesome.

[dmanb2b]

I'm in the x3m camp, but I have always preferred smaller vehicles as a daily. I had the opportunity to drive a x5m a few times and while handling and power are amazing, it just reminded me too much of my G07 cabin, which is huge and not my idea of a nimble commuter cabin. Either way, you can't go wrong...the x3m is more go-cart-like.

[corbs09]

This is the same argument you see with the m3/m5... its really up to personal preference. The x5 will have a little nicer interior, more sound deadening and be a more compliant ride. The x3 is a little more nimble with similar power but delivered differently.

No one can answer this for you, I would keep trying to find one you can test drive.

[BobsM3Coupe]

I had a 2019 X3 M40i. I wanted a full M version of the SUV, so I was looking at the X3M and X5M.
I drove both (X3MC and X5MC) extensively before making a decision.
IF you have the money, the X5M is a lot more luxurious inside then the X3M. Both vehicles engine were great, though the V8 has instant torque and the intake and exhaust sounds great. Now on the luxury side, the X5M has such items as full merino leather (even the entire interior door panels) interior, alcantara A,B and C pillars and roof liner, a great optional B&W sound system, soft close doors (which I have to admit I thought would be ridiculous, but have quickly come to really love) and many other items that are not available at all on the X3M. Even though the front seats look similar, they are not. The X5M also rides better than the LCI X3M. But I guess for about $30K difference, those things should be included since it is a step up vehicle in the lineup.
The extra width inside the X5M is certainly appreciated over the much narrower X3M.
Good luck choosing between the two. They are both amazing vehicles in what they can do.
I chose the X5MC and have had no second thoughts on my decision.

[CselesXM]

Bob, agree with everything you said. Got a chance to drive the x4m last night and was surprised at how much I actually liked the car but I don't know that I love it. Guess the best way for me to it explain would be the x4m has no "chill" mode when its on its a blast but as a lux daily driver I think the car was lacking. Still not sure I want to spend the extra $$ dollars on x5m so I'm contemplating a m50I but that also lacks some feel on the interior and over the long term the true M may hold some better value?

[dmanb2b]

Don't forget about the F90!

[BobsM3Coupe]

Originally Posted by CselesXM

Bob, agree with everything you said. Got a chance to drive the x4m last night and was surprised at how much I actually liked the car but I don't know that I love it. Guess the best way for me to it explain would be the x4m has no "chill" mode when its on its a blast but as a lux daily driver I think the car was lacking. Still not sure I want to spend the extra $$ dollars on x5m so I'm contemplating a m50I but that also lacks some feel on the interior and over the long term the true M may hold some better value?

I got a 2022 X5 M50i for a loaner while having the annual service done on my car. It's a nice car but as expected, it is pale in comparison to the X5M. You also can't get the full merino interior, soft close doors and a few other items aren't available.
But it does cost less. And the V8 in the M50i is certainly no slouch.

[CselesXM]

Originally Posted by BobsM3Coupe

I got a 2022 X5 M50i for a loaner while having the annual service done on my car. It's a nice car but as expected, it is pale in comparison to the X5M. You also can't get the full merino interior, soft close doors and a few other items aren't available.
But it does cost less. And the V8 in the M50i is certainly no slouch.

Originally Posted by BobsM3Coupe

I got a 2022 X5 M50i for a loaner while having the annual service done on my car. It's a nice car but as expected, it is pale in comparison to the X5M. You also can't get the full merino interior, soft close doors and a few other items aren't available.
But it does cost less. And the V8 in the M50i is certainly no slouch.

Went for another test drive with X4m and made the mistake of being the wifey "explain later". Had it out for nice drive and confirmed my reservations. Although the car is phenomenal it's not for me. Going with my original want and gut the X5MC / X6MC . Wifey likes the styling on x6 better than X5 and gives a different look to the X7 she drives.

[anthemavm]

Originally Posted by CselesXM

Went for another test drive with X4m and made the mistake of being the wifey "explain later". Had it out for nice drive and confirmed my reservations. Although the car is phenomenal it's not for me. Going with my original want and gut the X5MC / X6MC . Wifey likes the styling on x6 better than X5 and gives a different look to the X7 she drives.

They are beautiful and can't go wrong. Congratulations.

[Blue By You]

This string is helpful. Although tempted to check out the X3M, my gut is to stick with an X5M for the size, comfort, and tax-deductibility. Stick with my F85 for a while, then an F95 when the time is right for me. Hopefully got plenty of time, so we'll see. Thank you guys for the input here.

[MackSea70]

I picked up a 22 X3MC that was on the lot when I needed a car to wait out an allocation.

My neighbor has a 21 X5MC - I've driven his.

Hands down 5 vs. 3. The 5 (and I found this to be true in the F80 vs F90 (owned both)) just is so much nicer, better materials, more lux. Everyone says, yeah, but you're missing the point, the X3 is supposed to be like the M3 - like a track car. I guess that's fine for some - but it's still a SUV for god sakes - tons of weight up high, tons of extra weight in general. I spent 2.5 years in a F80 M3C. The x3M is not it's lifted brother - it's a pretty basic / low end SUV with an awesome motor (and some clever suspension work to try to hide it's weight.

Now the same can be said about the X5MC - it's no M5 in terms of handling and braking. My neighbors had the 22s on it - and it is harsh - way harsh compared to an M5. Other than that - way nicer materials, seats in the 5 are some of the best in the biz (and in the 3 I hate them), etc.

[danniexi]

Originally Posted by MackSea70

I picked up a 22 X3MC that was on the lot when I needed a car to wait out an allocation.

My neighbor has a 21 X5MC - I've driven his.

Hands down 5 vs. 3. The 5 (and I found this to be true in the F80 vs F90 (owned both)) just is so much nicer, better materials, more lux. Everyone says, yeah, but you're missing the point, the X3 is supposed to be like the M3 - like a track car. I guess that's fine for some - but it's still a SUV for god sakes - tons of weight up high, tons of extra weight in general. I spent 2.5 years in a F80 M3C. The x3M is not it's lifted brother - it's a pretty basic / low end SUV with an awesome motor (and some clever suspension work to try to hide it's weight.

Now the same can be said about the X5MC - it's no M5 in terms of handling and braking. My neighbors had the 22s on it - and it is harsh - way harsh compared to an M5. Other than that - way nicer materials, seats in the 5 are some of the best in the biz (and in the 3 I hate them), etc.

well yeah, it's a $40K difference. I'd be highly concerned if the F95 wasn't better in terms of build materials.

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Originally Posted by MackSea70

I picked up a 22 X3MC that was on the lot when I needed a car to wait out an allocation.

My neighbor has a 21 X5MC - I've driven his.

Hands down 5 vs. 3. The 5 (and I found this to be true in the F80 vs F90 (owned both)) just is so much nicer, better materials, more lux. Everyone says, yeah, but you're missing the point, the X3 is supposed to be like the M3 - like a track car. I guess that's fine for some - but it's still a SUV for god sakes - tons of weight up high, tons of extra weight in general. I spent 2.5 years in a F80 M3C. The x3M is not it's lifted brother - it's a pretty basic / low end SUV with an awesome motor (and some clever suspension work to try to hide it's weight.

Now the same can be said about the X5MC - it's no M5 in terms of handling and braking. My neighbors had the 22s on it - and it is harsh - way harsh compared to an M5. Other than that - way nicer materials, seats in the 5 are some of the best in the biz (and in the 3 I hate them), etc.

I've never heard anyone call the X3 MC a "pretty basic low end SUV" & if that were actually true I would've never put on in my driveway while waiting on the G87 M2. It's a touch heavier & has a high center of gravity. But with the right mods & proper driver behind the wheels the driving dynamics are much more agile then you "basic" words really portrayed here. But we each have different ways of looking at these machines don't we.

[MackSea70]

Originally Posted by Kevin_The_Clean1

I've never heard anyone call the X3 MC a "pretty basic low end SUV" & if that were actually true I would've never put on in my driveway while waiting on the G87 M2. It's a touch heavier & has a high center of gravity. But with the right mods & proper driver behind the wheels the driving dynamics are much more agile then you "basic" words really portrayed here. But we each have different ways of looking at these machines don't we.

I guess it's pretty obvious I'm not a fan of the F97 platform.

Maybe I should have stated it a different way.

Yes, the limits of the SUV are pretty high - even I can feel that. Though the weight up high sucks and the brakes flat out suck. Of course I knew I'd feel the weight.

My interpretation of the platform is this. It just doesn't "feel" special. My F80 M3C felt special - the way it drove, the way it looked, the fact that it shared very little sheet metal with the basic 3 series. Besides some bumper caps and a spoiler on the back, the F97 looks pretty much like every other X3 going down the road until you see it from behind and notice the fat tires and quad tailpipes. And that's sort of ok - it's under the radar, but it definitely does not feel special in any way.

[corbs09]

Originally Posted by MackSea70

I guess it's pretty obvious I'm not a fan of the F97 platform.

Maybe I should have stated it a different way.

Yes, the limits of the SUV are pretty high - even I can feel that. Though the weight up high sucks and the brakes flat out suck. Of course I knew I'd feel the weight.

My interpretation of the platform is this. It just doesn't "feel" special. My F80 M3C felt special - the way it drove, the way it looked, the fact that it shared very little sheet metal with the basic 3 series. Besides some bumper caps and a spoiler on the back, the F97 looks pretty much like every other X3 going down the road until you see it from behind and notice the fat tires and quad tailpipes. And that's sort of ok - it's under the radar, but it definitely does not feel special in any way.

Were you expecting the x3m to have the same luxury feel as your M5's? If so, maybe you had slightly unrealistic expectations? My dealer has made many comments when I brought the G80 into the dealer for rattles that lead me to believe the m5 is a much higher end car...

[95wildtt]

Originally Posted by corbs09

My dealer has made many comments when I brought the G80 into the dealer for rattles that lead me to believe the m5 is a much higher end car...

Gotta get something for that extra $30k, right?

[MackSea70]

Originally Posted by corbs09

Were you expecting the x3m to have the same luxury feel as your M5's? If so, maybe you had slightly unrealistic expectations? My dealer has made many comments when I brought the G80 into the dealer for rattles that lead me to believe the m5 is a much higher end car...

Definitely not. I grabbed the F97 to have something to drive while I was waiting for an allocation, and now waiting for that allocation to build.

However, the OP in this thread is asking for a comparison between a 3 and a 5. Having been in both, I'm shocked how great the difference feels - but also that even between the M3 and X3M - I think the M3 is a far superior product.

The X3M has a purpose too I guess - those who want a fast SUV. It just doesn't feel like a special M. To me at least.

[corbs09]

Originally Posted by MackSea70

Definitely not. I grabbed the F97 to have something to drive while I was waiting for an allocation, and now waiting for that allocation to build.

However, the OP in this thread is asking for a comparison between a 3 and a 5. Having been in both, I'm shocked how great the difference feels - but also that even between the M3 and X3M - I think the M3 is a far superior product.

The X3M has a purpose too I guess - those who want a fast SUV. It just doesn't feel like a special M. To me at least.

Lol you should drive a base X3, it'll make the x3m feel a little more special... but yeah... M5 is leagues above a x3 or m3.. its built for luxury.

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Originally Posted by MackSea70

I guess it's pretty obvious I'm not a fan of the F97 platform.

Maybe I should have stated it a different way.

Yes, the limits of the SUV are pretty high - even I can feel that. Though the weight up high sucks and the brakes flat out suck. Of course I knew I'd feel the weight.

My interpretation of the platform is this. It just doesn't "feel" special. My F80 M3C felt special - the way it drove, the way it looked, the fact that it shared very little sheet metal with the basic 3 series. Besides some bumper caps and a spoiler on the back, the F97 looks pretty much like every other X3 going down the road until you see it from behind and notice the fat tires and quad tailpipes. And that's sort of ok - it's under the radar, but it definitely does not feel special in any way.

Must be nice to just grab one for shit & giggles & then say it's "average" while you wait on another build. All while calling it a (low quality) SUV. It's no wonder you're not a fan of the F97. But if that were the case why did you go to the efforts of getting one in the first place... ? Seems a touch contradictory if you ask me. But yolo. Right?

Although you may not be a big fan of the F97, I sure am many of the guys / gals here are too. Yes, the front & rear fascias are pretty tame. But the seats are taken from the M8, a 6 figure coupe & sedan. And the brakes... don't get me started. For less then $2k I can directly bolt up the same 6-piston mono-block OEM calipers that the M3, M5, M8 & X5M all share together. Last but not least it runs mid 11's in bone stock form & can fit of family of 4 + luggage on a real road trip trip. Not just to grandmas house & back.

So at the end of the day you can poo poo the F97 all you want. But I love blowing the doors off of Corvettes & Porsches everyday. All the while driving past cops in a very inconspicuous manner. Never getting pulled over for doubling the speed limit on many city streets with absolute easy. You see, I think you may be missing the point. It's not a flashy car by all means. But the S58 under the hood & many other aspects DO make it feel special.

[Edgar_FriendlyX3M]

Originally Posted by Kevin_The_Clean1

Must be nice to just grab one for shit & giggles & then say it's "average" while you wait on another build. All while calling it a (low quality) SUV. It's no wonder you're not a fan of the F97. But if that were the case why did you go to the efforts of getting one in the first place... ? Seems a touch contradictory if you ask me. But yolo. Right?

Although you may not be a big fan of the F97, I sure am many of the guys / gals here are too. Yes, the front & rear fascias are pretty tame. But the seats are taken from the M8, a 6 figure coupe & sedan. And the brakes... don't get me started. For less then $2k I can directly bolt up the same 6-piston mono-block OEM calipers that the M3, M5, M8 & X5M all share together. Last but not least it runs mid 11's in bone stock form & can fit of family of 4 + luggage on a real road trip trip. Not just to grandmas house & back.

So at the end of the day you can poo poo the F97 all you want. But I love blowing the doors off of Corvettes & Porsches everyday. All the while driving past cops in a very inconspicuous manner. Never getting pulled over for doubling the speed limit on many city streets with absolute easy. You see, I think you may be missing the point. It's not a flashy car by all means. But the S58 under the hood & many other aspects DO make it feel special.

Don't forget the awd system from the m5. And the s58 engine which is rather stout to begin with. It's a purpose built motor as opposed to say a hemi that's used in almost every single Chrysler product. I've said this before, manufacturers make these suv/sav cars to appeal to a broad audience and try to make them do everything. But then people are pissed when they find out it's not the perfect vehicle. That type of thing doesn't exist though.