Difference between BMW X3 and X5

rich_g85 · 5 Sep 2006 at 19:00

What are the major differences between these two cars? Is the X3 just the poor man's equivalent of the 5?

Are they both 4WD?

[TW]Fox · 5 Sep 2006 at 19:03

The X3 is totally pointless, it's only a few k less than the X5 and nowhere near as good. Which is why you rarely see them.

BMW don't often make rubbish cars, but they did with the X3.

Both are 4wd.

Nozzer · 5 Sep 2006 at 19:05

[TW]Fox said:
The X3 is totally pointless, it's only a few k less than the X5 and nowhere near as good. Which is why you rarely see them.

Really? They're almost as common as X5s 'round 'ere.

Vertigo · 5 Sep 2006 at 19:06

I think TG summed it up pretty well when they said that you'd be an idiot to buy an X3 rather than a 5 series touring as the latter is superior in every way.

Trifid · 5 Sep 2006 at 19:09

The X3 isn't made by BMW though? From a contractor and badged as a BMW...

Why are you considering the X3/5 to make this thread go onto the right course.

The_Dark_Side · 5 Sep 2006 at 19:11

rich_g85 said:
What are the major differences between these two cars? Is the X3 just the poor man's equivalent of the 5?

Are they both 4WD?

when you see a BMW with an "X" as part of the badge it's 4WD.
X5, 325iX etc

[TW]Fox · 5 Sep 2006 at 19:12

Reasons to buy a 5 Series Touring over an X3/5:

a) They look better and don't give the impression you are somebody who thinks he is far more important than he really is
b) They handle better
c) They are faster
d) They are more economical
e) The ride quality is better
f) They offer the same level of space
g) They look more modern than pre 2003 X5's becuase they have Angel Eye headlights and the X5 doesnt
h) The equivilent 5 Series Touring will cost approx £10,000 (Yes, TEN THOUSAND) less than the same year/spec X5

Reasons to buy an X3/X5 over a 5 Series Touring:

a) You need to go off road*

* So buy a Range Rover, duh.

rich_g85 · 5 Sep 2006 at 19:13

Trifid said:
The X3 isn't made by BMW though? From a contractor and badged as a BMW...

Why are you considering the X3/5 to make this thread go onto the right course.

Sorry - I'm not considering buying one of these - I'm quite happy with my Focus! I had just seen an X3 and an X5 today and wondered why BMW had released two such similar cars.

Carry on amongst yourselves...

rich_g85 · 5 Sep 2006 at 19:15

[TW]Fox said:
a) You need to go off road*

Haha - How many X5s do you suppose really go 'off-road'?! Most of the ones I've seen are being driven by rich mummies picking children up from school - admittedly parked on the kerb so technically off-road.....

[TW]Fox · 5 Sep 2006 at 19:16

rich_g85 said:
Haha - How many X5s do you suppose really go 'off-road'?! Most of the ones I've seen are being driven by rich mummies picking children up from school - admittedly parked on the kerb so technically off-road.....

Exactly, which is why I just dont get the whole X5 thing. There are TWO in this Estate - both are slightly newer than our 5 Series, look much older becuase they have prefacelift front ends, and are probably worth £13,000 more at least....

£13,000 for what? What do you get thats worth £13k? All that anyone can ever come up with is 'Presence' and 'Looks'.

Nozzer · 5 Sep 2006 at 19:17

[TW]Fox said:
£13,000 for what? What do you get thats worth £13k? All that anyone can ever come up with is 'Presence' and 'Looks'.

The two things the majority of car buyers look for

rich_g85 · 5 Sep 2006 at 19:20

What are the different types of engine they could have? I presume there'll be a lowly 1.6 petrol, right up to a mighty 5.0 litre V87 TDCi Vtec LX Ghia Sport Extreme?!

rich_g85 · 5 Sep 2006 at 19:20

Nozzer said:
The two things the majority of car buyers look for

Not safety and reliability then?

Nozzer · 5 Sep 2006 at 19:22

rich_g85 said:
Not safety and reliability then?

Obviously they play a part, but with companies tailoring cars to the NCAP tests, and reliablity improving across the board people have to differentiate somehow.

[TW]Fox · 5 Sep 2006 at 19:23

Lets take a look at what you'd need to spend if you wanted a 'big 2003 BMW':

£15500, 70k miles, 530d Sport Auto with leather and Xenons - most desireable, best spec

£25k, 40k mile 530d SE Touring 2004 model from a BMW main dealer...

Compared with the X5 options..

£22995 X5 52 plate 3.0d Sport Auto

Wow look, slightly older, couple of k more miles than the 530d and a staggering £7000 more expensive

Why? Please explain it to me...

rich_g85 · 5 Sep 2006 at 19:24

Do people actually think "I'll buy that car because it makes me look aggressive/tough etc"?

[TW]Fox · 5 Sep 2006 at 19:25

rich_g85 · 5 Sep 2006 at 19:26

Does the X5 even perform that well off-road?

Nozzer · 5 Sep 2006 at 19:29

[TW]Fox said:
Why? Please explain it to me...

Wait 'til you have to keep a woman happy

The_Dark_Side · 5 Sep 2006 at 19:32

[TW]Fox said:
Why? Please explain it to me...

1 word explanation.

Demand.