[Bimma360]

Originally Posted by TankerFlight

Great points, thank you! I like the idea of a fast SUV and it's still practical, which makes it an easier sell with the wife. Sometninbg low 4s and not huge is appealing as well. Though l have to try the M3, though that grill...
First thing is test drive the X3M and X5M, then I can narrow it down some.

If it HAS to be a SUV, the X3M will make you very happy. Good luck on your search! Let us know what you end up going with and what you think.

Originally Posted by Kevin_The_Clean1

The X3 MC is the same exact size as the very first generation X5. So it's the market that's growing & we no longer know what mid size anything is.

I originally thought this too but in reality the X3M and the first gen X5 aren't comparable. They indeed have very similar dimensions (wheelbase, width, etc.), but the X5 is a lot bigger on the inside. The E53 feels like an SUV, the X3M more so a car. There is also a ~400lb difference. Ironically, if someone were to ask me about replacing an E53 X5, I would tell them the true replacement is another X5 of any gen. For me at least I think that's a plus for the X3M.

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Originally Posted by Bimma360

I originally thought this too but in reality the X3M and the first gen X5 aren't comparable. They indeed have very similar dimensions (wheelbase, width, etc.), but the X5 is a lot bigger on the inside. The E53 feels like an SUV, the X3M more so a car. There is also a ~400lb difference. Ironically, if someone were to ask me about replacing an E53 X5, I would tell them the true replacement is another X5 of any gen. For me at least I think that's a plus for the X3M.

Perhaps that might be true about the older versions of the X5. But when you look at the interior space & volume of the current gen X5 compared to the X3 M, there' snot much of a difference.

https://www.bmwofstratham.com/bmw-x3...5-stratham-nh/

[Bimma360]

Originally Posted by Kevin_The_Clean1

Perhaps that might be true about the older versions of the X5. But when you look at the interior space & volume of the current gen X5 compared to the X3 M, there' snot much of a difference.

https://www.bmwofstratham.com/bmw-x3...5-stratham-nh/

The E53 roughly sits in between the two in measurements from that link. The shoulder room is the key. I haven't been in a modern X5 though, so I'll let those that own one speak to the comparison.

[Gfit]

I own both. Unscientifically, my X5M feels quit a bit roomier. Kids choose it every time over my X3M. A whole heck of a lot more comfortable too. Again, I enjoy both.

[JABCAT]

I haven't driven the X5M, but comparing the X5 to my wife's X3MC, there is nothing in the X5M that is worth the significant price difference, imo.

As far as ride, yes it is more harsh than her previous Grand Cherokees with air suspension, but nothing that is unliveable every day. Believe me, if it were, I'd hear about it & she'd trade it in a heartbeat.

Re: nothing down low, completely false. The X3MC takes off like a bat outta hell really in any mode. I also own a G87 M2 and a Callaway Supercharged Z06 (680 hp). The X3MC will launch with both of them.

[Addbuyer]

Ive had the X5M50i (not quite the X5M but almost) and it certainly feels its size.
Do you want to sit in a car or sit on it? If you want to sit in it then its got to be the X3