New X3 or old X5?

Pman1000

Hi All,

Thinking of springing for a new SUV - COVID be dammed! Have decided I finally want to go for a BMW.

Need a car that works as a family car with a toddler and number two on the way. With an eye to the future I am thinking maybe an old (2017) X5 with seven seats, though the new X3 looks great imo. I just couldn’t justify the price of a new Model X5.

Anyone have experience with the new X3 or old X5? Very thorn on this one.

Thanks

Ps I know a 5 Series Touring would be a great option too - but city living means an SUV is a must

Idbatterim

I'd wait and get a Tesla model y

carsfan2

Why a BMW X3 or x5?
Why not Audi Q7 or Q5?
What’s your budget and priorities/ use of the car?
Mainly city or any longer distance needs?

We are on our second f15 x5 and I’ve driven the x3 a bit too as well as loaner cars.

ofcork

At least you would have a warranty with new X3 would want a decent warranty with a 2nd hand X5 id say,saw a 171 being towed today.

freddieot

Got rid of my 2015 X5 last year (bought from new). Will never touch a BMW again. Think along and hard before buying if you need a reliable car.

Pman1000

carsfan2 wrote: »

Why a BMW X3 or x5?
Why not Audi Q7 or Q5?
What’s your budget and priorities/ use of the car?
Mainly city or any longer distance needs?

We are on our second f15 x5 and I’ve driven the x3 a bit too as well as loaner cars.

Mostly long distance - don’t use the car often but when we do it’s a long distance job. Live in UK so looking at £35k which would get a well specd 2019 X3 or a well specd 2017/2018 X5.

Had thought about Audi - do like Audi - but prefer the BMW. Need a 7 seater which points to X5 or Q7. Q7 is a nice car but just figure that you might as well go VW and save the cash vs Audi (IMO).

Heres Johnny

A guy I work with is on his 3rd x5. On each one he had, I was driving a 5 series about 3 years older than his x5. The plan was always for me to buy his x5 when he was trading up but both times they were causing big big problems and he traded into garage. Suspension problems really and they were eating through tyres too (which are absolutely massive on the m sport models). So I never took one off his hands and I have very little interest in taking his 171 when he trades later this year or next year. Wouldn't touch them, and I'm a big BMW fan. They're not a patch on driving a decently powered saloon or touring car from BMW either. Not even close.

I'm in an a6 audi now and if I wanted something with a bit more load capacity I'd be all over a 5 series touring or an a6 avant.

Pman1000

Heres Johnny wrote: »

A guy I work with is on his 3rd x5. On each one he had, I was driving a 5 series about 3 years older than his x5. The plan was always for me to buy his x5 when he was trading up but both times they were causing big big problems and he traded into garage. Suspension problems really and they were eating through tyres too (which are absolutely massive on the m sport models). So I never took one off his hands and I have very little interest in taking his 171 when he trades later this year or next year. Wouldn't touch them, and I'm a big BMW fan. They're not a patch on driving a decently powered saloon or touring car from BMW either. Not even close.

I'm in an a6 audi now and if I wanted something with a bit more load capacity I'd be all over a 5 series touring or an a6 avant.

A6 or 5 is a very good shout - would be in in new model for similar money and less on road tax/insurance. Only the raised driving position has me thinking about X5. And the seven seats.

Have you any child seats in the A6? How is it on long drives?

The Bishop Basher

I’m on my second X5 and never had any issues.

I’ve also had numerous BMW’s and with the exception of one of them, I’ve had no issues at all.

They were all bought second hand.

A lot of people here seem to be either very unlucky or have a habit of buying lemons.

fifth

Go for the X5. not cheap to run, have owned one. But loads of road presence, savage looking car. Far nicer than the audi equivalents.

I know I'd regret buying the X3 if I had the money for the X5.

carsfan2

Pman1000 wrote: »

Mostly long distance - don’t use the car often but when we do it’s a long distance job. Live in UK so looking at £35k which would get a well specd 2019 X3 or a well specd 2017/2018 X5.

Had thought about Audi - do like Audi - but prefer the BMW. Need a 7 seater which points to X5 or Q7. Q7 is a nice car but just figure that you might as well go VW and save the cash vs Audi (IMO).

My advice would be to test drive a few cars whenever lock down ends. VW have no seven seater equivalent of the Q7 so I would try one too.
I wouldn’t recommend buying outside the approved used market and get as long and comprehensive a warranty as you can.
They are all expensive to put right when things go wrong.

Theboinkmaster

Pman1000 wrote: »

Hi All,

Thinking of springing for a new SUV - COVID be dammed! Have decided I finally want to go for a BMW.

Need a car that works as a family car with a toddler and number two on the way. With an eye to the future I am thinking maybe an old (2017) X5 with seven seats, though the new X3 looks great imo. I just couldn’t justify the price of a new Model X5.

Anyone have experience with the new X3 or old X5? Very thorn on this one.

Thanks

Ps I know a 5 Series Touring would be a great option too - but city living means an SUV is a must

I’d go x5 for sure

Heres Johnny

Pman1000 wrote: »

A6 or 5 is a very good shout - would be in in new model for similar money and less on road tax/insurance. Only the raised driving position has me thinking about X5. And the seven seats.

Have you any child seats in the A6? How is it on long drives?

I've 1 child seat in the A6 yeah. It's great on long drives, I take it to Antrim, Limerick and Cork once a month. All from Dublin.

If you want 7 seats go for the x5. But there's a big premium on them over a similar engined similar spec 5 series just for a raised driving position. But if its important to you go for it.

I've never once even been in an x3 so can't comment on them but they'll be a class below an x5 and 5 series and defo no 7 seat option.

Pman1000

Heres Johnny wrote: »

I've 1 child seat in the A6 yeah. It's great on long drives, I take it to Antrim, Limerick and Cork once a month. All from Dublin.

If you want 7 seats go for the x5. But there's a big premium on them over a similar engined similar spec 5 series just for a raised driving position. But if its important to you go for it.

I've never once even been in an x3 so can't comment on them but they'll be a class below an x5 and 5 series and defo no 7 seat option.

After doing some research, looks like we will need the 7 seats to use 3 car seats (including a bulky swivel one).

Booking in a test drive. 2 year old F15 3.0d with plenty of spec for £33k

Heres Johnny

Pman1000 wrote: »

After doing some research, looks like we will need the 7 seats to use 3 car seats (including a bulky swivel one).

Booking in a test drive. 2 year old F15 3.0d with plenty of spec for £33k

Yes I think you're right about needing a 7 seater, I didn't realise you needed 3 child seats.

carsfan2

You will struggle with three car seats in the x5 middle row, the Audi Q7 is much bwtterr in this regard. It has three individual seats and lots more isofix points.

California Dreamer

freddieot wrote: »

Got rid of my 2015 X5 last year (bought from new). Will never touch a BMW again. Think along and hard before buying if you need a reliable car.

Currently on my 3rd X5. I have gone from the E53 to E70 to F15!

No major problems apart from the E70 have 20" wheels there were always cracking!

The rear diff went on the E70 but that was my own fault due to oversized loads I was carrying.

Have had the F15 for about 3 years now and I love it! Probably buy another but the G05 is well out of budget for now.

Heres Johnny

California Dreamer wrote: »

Currently on my 3rd X5. I have gone from the E53 to E70 to F15!

No major problems apart from the E70 have 20" wheels there were always cracking!

The rear diff went on the E70 but that was my own fault due to oversized loads I was carrying.

Have had the F15 for about 3 years now and I love it! Probably buy another but the G05 is well out of budget for now.

They are a lovely bus but driving something that big and heavy when I don't personally need it gives me the heebie jeebies. I had the same problem with cracked alloys on 19 inch wheels in a BMW E60 however. The low profile doesn't work well on rough surfaces.

Immortal Starlight

My car is an X5 40d and I love it. I was in the same situation trying to decide between a new x3 v second hand X5. Went with the X5 and am glad I did. Have a good long test drive and ask every question you can think of. Make sure you cover yourself with a good BMW warranty.

millington

X5. No question.

Pman1000

In the end - a one year old 520d touring

Wailin

Hardly get 3 child seats in that?

Pman1000

Wailin wrote: »

Hardly get 3 child seats in that?

Three across the back row - outer two isofix and middle one with seatbelt

Chiparus

Moved from the E53 to F15, build quality is not the same with f15, that said it is a great drive allthough would avoid the 2 lit version.