[teaston]

I'm currently trying to decide between an X3 and 5 Series to use as my daily/work car and as our family car, I've always had saloons/sedans before and would like to hear if any of you had any regrets in choosing an X3 instead of a typical car?

Also any big advantages you've found from having one? Or anything else that could be useful in my decision making?

[FCBayernFTW]

I got tired of winters, tires, gas, and parking lot anxiety.

I don't shovel my driveway anymore, just the sidewalk. More than enough reason for me NOT to miss having a sedan/coupe.

[mjdth]

I always forget when I'm driving it that it's actually a small SUV. Came from years of having coupes. For me there is literally no downside to it. Also we can fit medium sized objects (small furniture, etc) into it now which has been incredibly useful many times since we bought it.

My wife and I share one car. We had a rocking chair we were unable to fit into my 435 but wanted to move to storage. First day we had the X3 we finally took the rocking chair to our storage unit. Obviously there are many other ways we could have gotten it there but the convenience of being able to fit things into a car that handles like a sedan/coupe and is a joy to drive really makes me happy with our choice.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by FCBayernFTW

I got tired of winters, tires, gas, and parking lot anxiety.

I don't shovel my driveway anymore, just the sidewalk. More than enough reason for me NOT to miss having a sedan/coupe.

How does an SUV help with winters, tyres, gas & parking lots, compared to say a 5 series xDrive?

[BMWX3DRIVER]

Originally Posted by teaston

How does an SUV help with winters, tyres, gas & parking lots, compared to say a 5 series xDrive?

Ground clearance, I guess.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by BMWX3DRIVER

Ground clearance, I guess.

X3 only has 1.5" more ground clearance so I'm not sure if that would make much difference? We had a freak winter last year and got 7" of snow one day & my lowered F30 got through it fine (on winter tyres of course).

[BMWX3DRIVER]

Originally Posted by teaston

X3 only has 1.5" more ground clearance so I'm not sure if that would make much difference? We had a freak winter last year and got 7" of snow one day & my lowered F30 got through it fine (on winter tyres of course).

I don't think it makes a ton of difference, and I am not sure even if my guess is right.
Just coming from a typical family sedan, though, last winter here in Toronto area had a couple of quite heavy snow and for sure there were times I could just ignore the snow in my driveway because I could go out and come in without much hassle.
For the same amount, my FF sedan (with winter tires of course) sometimes would get stuck, slip, etc.

[Jayf30]

No regrets.

Came from an F30 335xi and don't miss it one bit. Maybe just a little (because it was my first car).

Love how getting in and out of it is a breeze.. not that I ever had problems in the f30.. it's just effortless now.

More comfortable ride than the f30. Not the smoothest but definitely night and day from it.

The utility has definitely proven itself as my gf and I have already moved/ transported a bunch of furniture around in it that definitely wouldn't have been able to be moved in my F30.

Being able to drive comfortably while having rear passengers is the icing on the cake. Unless my rear passenger was tiny or one of my little nieces or nephews, the F30 wasn't fun to drive with someone behind me. I do appreciate this would be different compared to a G30.

These are just the things that come to mind.

[dan321]

No regrets at all. Now that we have an X3 I'm amazed at how little space there was in the sedan it replaced. Also on trips I like riding higher on the road... it gives you a much better view of what is ahead of you. In our sedan even the smallest pickup blocked our view.

[383vett]

Not having to pack things in a trunk makes it all worthwhile.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by 383vett

Not having to pack things in a trunk makes it all worthwhile.

Yea I guess you can pretty much just chuck everything in rather than having to play tetris with the luggage!

Man there's just so many good & bad points to both, I think I'll just end up getting quotes for both and go with whichever is cheapest! If they're similar price then probably a coin toss!

[verysideways]

Putting aside other considerations, i think the X3 M40i is more fun to drive that the 540i.
All other things being equal, that alone would be enough to make my choice.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by verysideways

Putting aside other considerations, i think the X3 M40i is more fun to drive that the 540i.
All other things being equal, that alone would be enough to make my choice.

What, how?!

[verysideways]

Originally Posted by teaston

What, how?!

Go drive them.
My F31 340i was fast but dull.
My F22 M240i is MUCH more lively.
The G30 540i is as dull as the 340i was, though is much more refined.

The G01 30d is comparable to the G30 530d - quiet, comfy, etc.
That would be a tough decision.

But the X3 M40i is so much more lively than the 540i when you're in the mood, but isn't noticeably less refined or cosseting when you're not (especially with adaptive dampers).

[teaston]

Originally Posted by verysideways

Go drive them.
My F31 340i was fast but dull.
My F22 M240i is MUCH more lively.
The G30 540i is as dull as the 340i was, though is much more refined.

The G01 30d is comparable to the G30 530d - quiet, comfy, etc.
That would be a tough decision.

But the X3 M40i is so much more lively than the 540i when you're in the mood, but isn't noticeably less refined or cosseting when you're not (especially with adaptive dampers).

I've driven an X3 30d M Sport adaptive and a G31 530dx M Sport non adaptive and I did find the X3 handled flatter in the corners, but I assumed that is because the 5 was a tourer and non adaptive.

I really need to drive a G30 530dx M Sport adaptive, not always easy to get such a specific model to try though.

[SSIMPS]

Don't think it applies to your situation but literally the only thing I miss is a manual transmission.

[nogren]

When comparing luggage space to my current F31, the G01 is just slightly bigger.
So put the touring models into your equation as well. G31 is supposed to be much larger inside ...

But the thing that started me on the G01 journey was not only the need for more space in the back seat (baby chairs) than F31, even though it's marginal; the main thing was my wife requiring a SUV, to be able to sit higher, and don't get down into the car...

/n

[thestuarts]

Originally Posted by teaston

What, how?!

Watch: 2018 BMW X3 M40i: Unsuspecting, Surprising and Shocking

[teaston]

Originally Posted by thestuarts

Watch: 2018 BMW X3 M40i: Unsuspecting, Surprising and Shocking

Yes I’ve seen that one, I think you have to take youtube reviewers opinion with a pinch of salt, afterall they get given cars to review by the manufacturers, and if they don’t say how great it is they risk not being given any more cars to review!

[thestuarts]

Originally Posted by teaston

Yes I’ve seen that one, I think you have to take youtube reviewers opinion with a pinch of salt, afterall they get given cars to review by the manufacturers, and if they don’t say how great it is they risk not being given any more cars to review!

That particular YouTuber is almost always pleased with whatever he's reviewing, so I agree. Even if it isn't genuine, I like his reaction because that's how I feel when I drive my M40i.

[No1Cares]

I usually like sedans more, but we decided on an SAV this time for more practical use. We've already dropped the rear seats multiple times for unexpected furniture purchases! It also sits higher which makes it more comfortable for the lady. Don't have any regrets but I was a little hesitant. Favorite car I've owned to date...

[Tony]

Originally Posted by teaston

Yes I’ve seen that one, I think you have to take youtube reviewers opinion with a pinch of salt, afterall they get given cars to review by the manufacturers, and if they don’t say how great it is they risk not being given any more cars to review!

I've driven the BMW 540i at a BMW autocross event and also on test drives. The 540i feels dull compared to the X3 M40i. The X3's M40i's exhaust is way more sporty sounding than the 540i. The X3 M40i is even faster than the 540i. After a test drive of the 540i I realized that I would be bored to death of the car. The SUV puts a bigger smile on my face.