Door #1 or Door #2?

[Roundown]

Originally Posted by Kief

Still deciding, but I often custom build




Yeah I know it's no sports car, but what are you saying? You would rather have "floaty" power rather than handling? I interpret "floaty" power to mean like a "Buick" ride?

Didn't you just get an new F15? Which one and how was it spec'd?

I did- but that's besides the point. We're talking about your F15.

Of the two options you've presented -- in context of what this vehicle is meant to do -- I'd always favor the marginally slower, but better equipped X5 over a "faster", but stripped version.

Speaking from experience, I ordered one of the first F25 X3s and did my best to spec it to be something it wasn't... I optioned 35i, M-Sport, DDC, 19" ... the works (at the time). As fast as it was (and it was fast), I couldn't help but question my decision to build an SUV that was trying to pose as a performance car. The ride was harsh; fiddling with suspension, steering and throttle mapping to suit the circumstance was fun for all of 15 minutes I owned it and every time I drove a rough stretch of road, I wish I had the standard 18"s. The painted bumpers and outer wheel arches begged to be scratched and I could never get over the fact that it was littered with ///M logos.

For my X5 - I opted for what I needed ("wanted" is probably a better word, but you get the idea). Given the already-high level of standard equipment in the F15, I chose only the cold weather package, rear/surround view (for the wife) and harmon kardon (for me). In hindsight, I should have optioned the multi-contour seats and perhaps the driver assistance package... but I'm fine without them.

I know that it's hard to resist the urge to check boxes... but at the end of the day, are you really going to be bothered by your 6-ton SUV exhibiting a bit of body roll in corners? Bothered enough that's worth $4,500 to disguise? Is the satisfaction of knowing that you can beat a handful of mid-tier sports cars off the line worth the extra $7k for the V8?

Of course, if you can swing both, go for it.

[Bug Rx]

Originally Posted by riM3

I did- but that's besides the point. We're talking about your F15.

Of the two options you've presented -- in context of what this vehicle is meant to do -- I'd always favor the marginally slower, but better equipped X5 over a "faster", but stripped version.

Speaking from experience, I ordered one of the first F25 X3s and did my best to spec it to be something it wasn't... I optioned 35i, M-Sport, DDC, 19" ... the works (at the time). As fast as it was (and it was fast), I couldn't help but question my decision to build an SUV that was trying to pose as a performance car. The ride was harsh; fiddling with suspension, steering and throttle mapping to suit the circumstance was fun for all of 15 minutes I owned it and every time I drove a rough stretch of road, I wish I had the standard 18"s. The painted bumpers and outer wheel arches begged to be scratched and I could never get over the fact that it was littered with ///M logos.

For my X5 - I opted for what I needed ("wanted" is probably a better word, but you get the idea). Given the already-high level of standard equipment in the F15, I chose only the cold weather package, rear/surround view (for the wife) and harmon kardon (for me). In hindsight, I should have optioned the multi-contour seats and perhaps the driver assistance package... but I'm fine without them.

I know that it's hard to resist the urge to check boxes... but at the end of the day, are you really going to be bothered by your 6-ton SUV exhibiting a bit of body roll in corners? Bothered enough that's worth $4,500 to disguise? Is the satisfaction of knowing that you can beat a handful of mid-tier sports cars off the line worth the extra $7k for the V8?

Of course, if you can swing both, go for it.

Yes, the satisfaction of beating a handful of mid-tier sports cars is worth the extra $7k for the V8! Hahahahahaha

[Kief]

So I went and test drove a 50i M/Sport....very nice! Tremendous power. But a must (for me) would be the Dynamic Handling Pack, especially with this power plant. I could see my wife complaining of nausea even as you come off the line and all the weight is shifted back. You have to be gentle with the accelerator. I was impressed with the steering feedback when I finally changed the setting to Sport. It really firmed it up. The 35i Luxury Line I drove before was a tad too loose.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure my decision is any easier now after driving both. Obviously only I (I mean "we") can decide which would work best for our needs. To add more to my indecision, the new Porsche Macan debuted and I really like it. Of course it is significantly smaller, but I was also looking at the Audi SQ5 earlier and was quite impressed.

[Kief]

So I came to a decision last night (I think)...
As I mentioned above, I test drove the 50i yesterday, and although it had gobs of power, I came to the conclusion, that I don't need (or honestly maybe want) the new F15. My priorities for this next vehicle are: fast/sporty, handling, and some utility. What I really want (but cannot get) is a powerful wagon/avant/touring, like the Audi RS4/6 Avants or at the very minimum a 335i sport wagon.

So the next best thing, would be Audi's SQ5 or Porsche's new Macan which debuted yesterday, which I love! I test drove the SQ5 and was very impressed; however, I was disappointed by the look of the suspension (wheel gap), as we don't get the same euro-spec set up and really the SQ5 didn't look all that sharper compared to the standard Q5. So I'm seriously considering the Macan Turbo, or at the very least, Macan S. Yes, they are expensive and poorly equipped, but I as I mentioned before, I think these vehicles best suit our current needs.

[barcelona]

^ The Macan S will cost $49,900 when it goes on sale at U.S. dealers in the first half. The Turbo version will start at $72,300

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-1...11-demand.html