[T1M3LESS]

Hey guys
We're trying to decide between an X3M and an X5 as a second car..

We're a family of 5 so practicality says X5 clearly but the incentives currently are better on an X3M and dealers seem to have more flexibility on the latter.

Anyone here travel with 3 kids and drive an X3M? Is it comfortable or "too small" ?!?

[evo-mike]

I've owned 2 x5s your gonna want an x5 or even an x7. I only got 1 kid still at home. X3m works for me perfectly, but with 3 kids it'd be too small for sure. Cargo area isn't very big either. So traveling you'd need to fit bags and crap for 5 people. Not likely. It would be tight for sure.

[T1M3LESS]

Originally Posted by evo-mike

I've owned 2 x5s your gonna want an x5 or even an x7. I only got 1 kid still at home. X3m works for me perfectly, but with 3 kids it'd be too small for sure. Cargo area isn't very big either. So traveling you'd need to fit bags and crap for 5 people. Not likely. It would be tight for sure.

Thanks for input!
That's really the biggest concern - space.
Seems like the legroom in the back is just slightly roomier than the M3..

[AlexFL]

Take the X5.

[evo-mike]

Originally Posted by T1M3LESS

Thanks for input!
That's really the biggest concern - space.
Seems like the legroom in the back is just slightly roomier than the M3..

I often have 4 or 5 people in my car, taking friends/coworkers to lunch, etc. I got an x5 for a loaner during my service a few weeks ago and the legroom was not noticeably different from when I was checking out the x3m I bought. What is different is the x5 is a lot wider and has much more rear cargo space.

[Carmicro]

I was looking at x5 before I purchased the x3. Great car. I only have 1 kid so didn’t need a car of that size but for a fam of 5 I wouldn’t hesitate get the x5 cannot go wrong.

[RR-NYC]

For a family of 5, an X3 is way too small to be practical. 4 would already be pushing the limit for comfort

[RR-NYC]

Originally Posted by Carmicro

I was looking at x5 before I purchased the x3. Great car. I only have 1 kid so didn’t need a car of that size but for a fam of 5 I wouldn’t hesitate get the x5 cannot go wrong.

Same here. We only have one child and had an X5 but downsized to an X3.

[T1M3LESS]

Appreciate all the feedback. Super helpful!
X5 it is.

[Young04]

X5 or even X7. We have an X3M and X7. Other thing - you cannot hang an iPad on the back of the X3M's seats. Matters in our situation...don't know if it does in yours but something you should know in case it does.

[Transfer]

X3 leg room is very good. Total space for 4+ people and their stuff would not be ideal. X5 M50i looks super tasty for family duties.

[Will Pwr]

I came from an F80 and have a total family of 4 and the X3M works for us....be it that the kids are 11 and 8. I guess some of it will depend on the age of the kids and how much you carry with that. We needed more room when the kids were younger, ranging from car seats and strollers, but we have downsized both cars since then... Hope that helps a bit.

[Schooey]

I’d go for the X5 as a more family focused car. My X5 M50d (7str) did everything with space, comfort, economy and performance.

The X3M is a great car but in the next 2-3 months I’ll be back in an X5 as I need all those things again.

[spta97]

Seems BMW set the model numbers per family members:

X3 = Family of 3
X5 = Family of 5

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by spta97

Seems BMW set the model numbers per family members:

X3 = Family of 3
X5 = Family of 5

X7 = Family of 7

[spta97]

Originally Posted by AlexFL

X7 = Family of 7

Correct

[allinon72]

I'm worried about having enough space in the X3 with our family of 3....our recent trip to Florida damn near filled up our Raptor.

[DC X3M40i]

I went from an f15 x5 to an x3m. Family of four. Two kids 9 and 11 and the x3 is perfect for our road trips. New X5 was too big. Extra child in tow I would say X5 however.
You will notice the difference in cargo space

[Abbot26]

Originally Posted by T1M3LESS

Hey guys
We're trying to decide between an X3M and an X5 as a second car..

We're a family of 5 so practicality says X5 clearly but the incentives currently are better on an X3M and dealers seem to have more flexibility on the latter.

Anyone here travel with 3 kids and drive an X3M? Is it comfortable or "too small" ?!?

For the love of god don’t buy an X3M as a family car, nothing on this earth could be less appropriate

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by allinon72

I'm worried about having enough space in the X3 with our family of 3....our recent trip to Florida damn near filled up our Raptor.

X3M won't replace a pickup truck, that's for sure.

[evo-mike]

Originally Posted by AlexFL

X3M won't replace a pickup truck, that's for sure.

If anyone can do it...

[AlpineWhite_SJ]

Originally Posted by Abbot26

For the love of god don’t buy an X3M as a family car, nothing on this earth could be less appropriate

Respectfully disagree. Great road trip car and fit Our family of 4 with all our luggage for 1600 mile round trip.

5 would be pushing it and I can also see the point about not being easy to mount an iPad from the front seats, but my kids are old enough to hand hold their own iPads or share it on the fold down arm rest/cup holder.

OP would do better in the X5.