[knepsterd]

Originally Posted by AlpineWhite_SJ

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.

Add a Thule and box on top and you are fine

[cipher5]

X5 M50i would suit you just fine.

[T1M3LESS]

All points and feedback duly noted. Again thanks for all the input.

Think we're leaning towards leasing an X5 x40i Msport... m50 might be overkill.
My wife will be driving the X5 80-90% of the time and I will still be keeping my M3.

Thanks all!

[AlpineWhite_SJ]

Originally Posted by knepsterd

Add a Thule and box on top and you are fine

Maybe, I just don’t see it being As comfortable with 3 across in the back seat.

[JoM3z]

Originally Posted by spta97

Seems BMW set the model numbers per family members:

X3 = Family of 3
X5 = Family of 5

Originally Posted by spta97

Seems BMW set the model numbers per family members:

X3 = Family of 3
X5 = Family of 5

I guess X4 M = Family of 4 by your logic?

[CosmosMpower]

Originally Posted by AlpineWhite_SJ

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.

Off topic but how do you like the X3M compared to the F80? Thinking about replacing my F80 with a X3M. Obviously one is a car and one is a SUV. Does the X3M have the same fun factor? I'd guess interior is more upscale in X3M.

[Will Pwr]

Originally Posted by AlpineWhite_SJ

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.

My sentiments, exactly.

[strohw]

To see great used as an adjective to road trip car seems odd to me. I'm curious to see what qualities you use to define a great road trip car.

My wife and I did a 1700mi road trip on a liter bike I had. It had a decent back seat, we had a good time and made it around without issue. I still wouldn't define that as a great touring bike just because it accomplished the task.

[bonwit904]

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" ?!?

We are a family of three and it is tight, honestly. I would go X5 if this will be your primary vehicle for road trips and the like (if that's relevant for you). Sure you could do it in the X3M but if no one is comfortable it will not be enjoyable.

[AlpineWhite_SJ]

Originally Posted by strohw

To see great used as an adjective to road trip car seems odd to me. I'm curious to see what qualities you use to define a great road trip car.

My wife and I did a 1700mi road trip on a liter bike I had. It had a decent back seat, we had a good time and made it around without issue. I still wouldn't define that as a great touring bike just because it accomplished the task.

Comfortable seating, cargo capacity for everything we needed to bring, unmatched passing power on the highway, sports car handling for the twistys, adaptive cruise control, good visibility, panoramic sunroof for views, plenty of cup holders/storage in the doors that can also handle larger water bottles, roof rails for additional gear/equipment if needed, rear window shades so the kids can stay cool, 3 zone climate control, spare in case of a tire mishap. Did I miss anything?

[AlpineWhite_SJ]

Originally Posted by CosmosMpower

Off topic but how do you like the X3M compared to the F80? Thinking about replacing my F80 with a X3M. Obviously one is a car and one is a SUV. Does the X3M have the same fun factor? I'd guess interior is more upscale in X3M.

For me, they're very different vehicles. My F80 is manual, so driving is more of an engaged activity versus not having to think as much in the X3M. Power-wise, both deliver plenty, though the X3M seems a bit laggier off the line. Interior of the F80 seems spartan in comparison - X3M is better here. Handling is comparable, but the height of the X3M doesn't inspire as much confidence as the F80 does. Both are very fun but I do find myself having to consciously deciding to take the F80 out since we got the X3M. It's just as fun but a lot easier to drive around town. No worrying about scraping on driveways either. If you told me I could only drive the X3M, I wouldn't be overly upset.

[heavyD^2]

Originally Posted by AlpineWhite_SJ

It's just as fun but a lot easier to drive around town. No worrying about scraping on driveways either. If you told me I could only drive the X3M, I wouldn't be overly upset.

That's the thing for me as I'm one of those owners that has a bit of OCD. With my M2 and other cars I've always been paranoid of parking blocks, going over curbs, packed snow, etc. It's actually quite a relief for me to drive my X3M everywhere without ever worrying about this stuff.

[Lyndon_X3M]

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" ?!?

X3M owner with two young (3.5 years and 14 months) children. It's sometimes a struggle to fit everything in the boot if taking eldest bike and a pram.

Couldn't ever imagine keeping the X3M as a family car if our family increased in size. Perfect for now but not a larger family.

[Lenny_RDM]

For me.... family of 3 and dog x3 is perfect but..... comfortable for long trips x5 will be better

[T1M3LESS]

Again, thanks for all the feedback and input... Definitely helped with our decision.

Ended up with an X5 in Artic Grey (and yes, I am keeping the F80... for now)

[evo-mike]

Originally Posted by T1M3LESS

Again, thanks for all the feedback and input... Definitely helped with our decision.

Ended up with an X5 in Artic Grey (and yes, I am keeping the F80... for now)

Looks good

[allan1630]

I went from X5 to X4m with a family of 5, no problems at all, X5 was too big to use especially when it came to parking etc..

[Will Pwr]

Originally Posted by T1M3LESS

Again, thanks for all the feedback and input... Definitely helped with our decision.

Ended up with an X5 in Artic Grey (and yes, I am keeping the F80... for now)

Congrats! Looks great!

I’ve always loved your F80 too :thumbsup