Deciding between X3 and 530i

mim1 · 03-23-2020, 09:36 AM

Hi,
I am new to this forum and currently trying to make up my mind on which Bmw to buy. I have the following options:

530i - premium enhanced
x3 30i - premium enhanced

I have checked both of them out many times and like both of them. I personally like the 5 a bit better but can't argue with the cargo space etc the x3 offers.

I plan on driving the car myself. Which car would you recommend?

thank you

willjames · 03-23-2020, 10:27 AM

Both great cars.

An option to consider, might be the 5 touring (best of both worlds)

MdW86 · 03-23-2020, 05:23 PM

This topic has been done before. Some good comparisons were give. Sure you'll find it with the search

animal.style · 03-23-2020, 06:27 PM

Really depends on your needs. Everyone will say the same. I have an M40i and I love it. I have no passengers or cargo I need to lug around. I prefer the suv/sav in terms of looks and comfort, and I prefer to drive something a little bigger than a sedan. I also drive it up to Tahoe in the winter and that's really the only time I need an sav. I've driven the 530i and the x3 30i for a few days as a loaner. The 530i is fast and a lot of fun to drive. The 30i was boring and didn't have the responsiveness that I was used to with my M40i. But it got about 4mpg more. Hope this helps! Just get the M40i lol. Second choice is the 530i.

satz · 03-23-2020, 08:05 PM

OP, you've almost answered your own question.

If you don't need the cargo space, or at least it's not a priority, and you prefer driving the 5 series, then get that.

If you do need the cargo space, then get the X3. It's still a fine car!

asyvan · 03-24-2020, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mim1

Hi,
I personally like the 5 a bit better but can't argue with the cargo space etc the x3 offers.

Easy. You like the 5-series better, then that is your choice.
Don't adapt your car selection to a cargo requirement you only need a few times per year. Adapt your packing to your car choice instead. You live with your car 365 days per year, but very very few of them require full cargo space.

huggy509 · 04-15-2020, 08:17 AM

I changed from my 2017 530D XDrive saloon that I had for almost 3 years from new to an X3 M40d and sooo glad I did, I thought my 530 was an amazing car bot this is better in every way except fuel economy, I got up to 62mpg out of it - conformed from fill up - and could get 900 mile range - alas X3 won’t do anything close, but I prefer it

03-23-2020, 09:36 AM	#1
mim1 New Member 9 Rep 11 Posts Drives: BMW X3 Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Deciding between X3 and 530i Hi, I am new to this forum and currently trying to make up my mind on which Bmw to buy. I have the following options: 530i - premium enhanced x3 30i - premium enhanced I have checked both of them out many times and like both of them. I personally like the 5 a bit better but can't argue with the cargo space etc the x3 offers. I plan on driving the car myself. Which car would you recommend? thank you
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03-23-2020, 10:27 AM	#2
willjames Lieutenant Colonel 699 Rep 1,696 Posts Drives: G01 X3 3.0d M Sport Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Dukinfield, Cheshire iTrader: (0)	Both great cars. An option to consider, might be the 5 touring (best of both worlds)
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03-23-2020, 05:23 PM	#3
MdW86 Second Lieutenant 114 Rep 213 Posts Drives: Bmw f30 320i 2012 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: NL iTrader: (0)	This topic has been done before. Some good comparisons were give. Sure you'll find it with the search
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03-23-2020, 06:27 PM	#4
animal.style Private First Class 92 Rep 194 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i Black Sapphire Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: San Jose, California iTrader: (0)	Really depends on your needs. Everyone will say the same. I have an M40i and I love it. I have no passengers or cargo I need to lug around. I prefer the suv/sav in terms of looks and comfort, and I prefer to drive something a little bigger than a sedan. I also drive it up to Tahoe in the winter and that's really the only time I need an sav. I've driven the 530i and the x3 30i for a few days as a loaner. The 530i is fast and a lot of fun to drive. The 30i was boring and didn't have the responsiveness that I was used to with my M40i. But it got about 4mpg more. Hope this helps! Just get the M40i lol. Second choice is the 530i.
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03-23-2020, 08:05 PM	#5
satz Lieutenant Colonel 395 Rep 1,680 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 M40i Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: A land down under iTrader: (0)	OP, you've almost answered your own question. If you don't need the cargo space, or at least it's not a priority, and you prefer driving the 5 series, then get that. If you do need the cargo space, then get the X3. It's still a fine car! __________________ 2019 X3 M40i, Sophisto grey, H/K, pano Previous: 2019 BMW X2 Msport, Mineral Grey, Adaptive Suspension, H/K Previous: 2009 335i LCI, Bluewater
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04-15-2020, 08:17 AM	#7
huggy509 First Lieutenant 149 Rep 310 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 M40d Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Preston iTrader: (0)	I changed from my 2017 530D XDrive saloon that I had for almost 3 years from new to an X3 M40d and sooo glad I did, I thought my 530 was an amazing car bot this is better in every way except fuel economy, I got up to 62mpg out of it - conformed from fill up - and could get 900 mile range - alas X3 won’t do anything close, but I prefer it
	Appreciate 0 Quote