5-series or X5?

[BimmerGuyFL78]

For the same price and same features would you get a new G30 540i or a new F15 X5 sDrive35i

Would like people's opinions on how'd they choose?

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by Alpine535Msport

For the same price and same features would you get a new G30 540i or a new F15 X5 sDrive35i

Would like people's opinions on how'd they choose?

That would be depending on what is your goal to achieve.
I came from F15 X5 sDrive35i and I just picked up G30 540i.
Both of them are a nice car.
If it from price point, you should be able much2 better deal on the F15 since it is already on its 4th year.

[Kzang]

It all depends on what you are using the vehicle for.

Most people here probably are driving a X5 because of its utility of cargo space, room, and ground clearance for snow etc. People that like the 540i probably doesn't need the utility or has another SUV..

[MotorWerkz]

X5 all the way.

The cabin space is the biggest consideration. The 2nd most important issue in my area is the road quality, I need higher clearance.

[BimmerGuyFL78]

Originally Posted by MotorWerkz

X5 all the way.

The cabin space is the biggest consideration. The 2nd most important issue in my area is the road quality, I need higher clearance.

I meant more as in which do you enjoy driving more. Which feels more solid, rides better, more comfortable, which one feels more "Premium".

[SCA]

A recent Car & Driver review of the G30 540i was fairly unflattering. See Highs & Lows at the end of the article.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...0i-test-review

I would avoid the first year of production as well. Given that BMW currently cannot meet the demand as production is still ramping up, do not expect much of a discount off MSRP.

Ultimately the decision is solely upon you.

[Kzang]

I haven't spent anytime in the G30 yet but in terms of drivaeability ( comparing with the F10 and F15 ) I feel and actually many others do as well that surprisingly the F15 drove better and more planted than the F10. As far as build quality is concerned... consider this the 5 series is assembled in Germany while the X5 is done in South Carolina. In terms of luxury... I would say the 5 series in par with the X5... Obviously the G30 is the newer chassis so it may have better tech than the current X5, but when the G05 is released, I am sure it will be equal if not better.

Also Since the G30 was just released, I would suspect you won't find much information as of yet.

[MotorWerkz]

Originally Posted by Alpine535Msport

I meant more as in which do you enjoy driving more. Which feels more solid, rides better, more comfortable, which one feels more "Premium".

I've driven F10 5 series and I think it's not as luxury as X5.

highway drive, X5 feels more commanding on the road. X5 is more solid. level of comfort is about the same.

[Almaretto]

Originally Posted by Alpine535Msport

I meant more as in which do you enjoy driving more. Which feels more solid, rides better, more comfortable, which one feels more "Premium".

The F10 & X5 have the same engine (N55). I have the 40e & 35i.

I like them both for different reasons. They are both very comfortable, but F10 & G30 are more fun to drive and handle the road better. Although the seats of the sedan fold down, the X5 has superior storage/transport ability. I do not spend any time in the rear seats, but the X5 has more leg room.

sdrive35i = 300 HP
xdrive40e = 313 HP
540i = 340 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque.

[F15GorDe]

Originally Posted by Almaretto

The F10 & X5 have the same engine (N55). I have the 40e & 35i.

I like them both for different reasons. They are both very comfortable, but F10 & G30 are more fun to drive and handle the road better. Although the seats of the sedan fold down, the X5 has superior storage/transport ability. I do not spend any time in the rear seats, but the X5 has more leg room.

sdrive35i = 300 HP
xdrive40e = 313 HP
540i = 340 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque.

^^^^+1

But then we have a F15d and F10 550, nice having both for whatever mood strikes me, and the wife is happy, too!

[Almaretto]

Originally Posted by F15GorDe

^^^^+1

But then we have a F15d and F10 550, nice having both for whatever mood strikes me, and the wife is happy, too!

D is definitely the way to go if you do a lot of highway driving.

[F15GorDe]

Originally Posted by Almaretto

D is definitely the way to go if you do a lot of highway driving.

Absolutely!

But I also enjoy sticking my foot in it in the F10 and leaving it there when there's enough open road. First time I did that and it finally shifted into 8th at 140 I was hooked.

While the d gets along down the road I really like the 800+ range, I know why I can only pass three gas stations in the F10!

[IndyJer]

I had the same dilemma 2 years ago and chose the F15. My wife even commented as we were test driving that it looked like I enjoyed the F15 more.

Haven't driven the new 540i, but my wife somehow stole the X5 from me so I just ordered another one. So I suppose it's obvious I prefer the X5 in terms of comfort, ride, and driving experience. In the 5 series I felt like a real estate agent driving people to a showing. Not that there's anything wrong with real estate agents, just wasn't the driving experience / feel I was after.

[Snow-Kidney]

If any car is more realtor, it is the F15. It's more spacious and comfortable and gives a better view while driving. Also more space for open house signs and supplies.

[Flying Ace]

how much room do you need or have? If you need and have a lot of room, then the X5 for sure.

The G will probably feel more premium. The next gen is always an upgrade in the interior.

Hard to say which one would drive better. BMW's electrical steering in the F15 is terrible (if you're used to the old school E series BMWs). The G will continue to have electric steering. Also the G will weigh less, if that matters to you, which I doubt.

[Flying Ace]

Originally Posted by Snow-Kidney

If any car is more realtor, it is the F15. It's more spacious and comfortable and gives a better view while driving. Also more space for open house signs and supplies.

also if you're driving other people around, old people, etc, you want someone to step into the car, not feel like they're falling down into the car. So the X5 is definitely a great realtor car if you're driving your clients around.

You should see my parents and in-laws try to get into my M3....it's a struggle with bolstered seats and all. I never understood this aspect until I bought my first SUV, the X5...now for the rest of my life, I would own an SUV/Van for this very reason.

Also with an SUV, the utility is so much more useful. I can count at least 20 times over 2 years when I needed every cubic inch of interior space in the trunk or the entire back to move stuff around (furniture, road trips, baby gear, tires) in 1 trip vs hiring a Uhaul, paying for delivery, making multiple trips, or carrying less stuff.

[DesertRat Az]

I recently went from a 2018 G30 540i to a 2018 X5 3.5d. I really liked my 540i, more responsive and lighter on its feet than the X5. However, I find the seating position in the X5 is just more comfortable for me (6'2" and 205 lbs). I love the diesel ( had a 2011 X5 Diesel) for my missions. Both are fantastic cars, comes down to what you value more, which in my case was comfort vs handling. I really don't think you can go wrong either way, depends on personal preferences. It is interesting though that the x5 is getting better mpg, even adjusted for the price differential for premium vs diesel.