Advice please 2017/18 x5m vs 2020/21? Worth the squeeze?

[1Cerberus4u]

Wifey wants an x5m and test drove a 2020, loved it.

That said, she also suggests buying a 2017/18 as they seem to be significantly more affordable and she is pretty frugal.

Is there a significant difference between the 17/18 vs the 20/21?

Thanks for your input

[jab23]

At the risk of sounding flip, everything. Everything is different. It's a complete redesign inside and out.

I'm generally a want the newest shiny toy kind of guy, but I actually like the look of the F85 better than the F95. Both inside and out. F95 is too angular and forced on the outside and I don't love the dash layout or all digital guage cluster on the inside. Performance wise, I'd say they are too close to make the jump especially considering we will never reach the limits of either as a daily driver. The seats in the new one look pretty amazing and I'm sure the tech is better, but this is a situation where I like the older model better. Maybe I'm biased and maybe the new one will grow on me, but that's where I'm at.

[Skyracer]

The new ones are substantially more expensive (compared to the F85 new). Same goes for most things, I guess.

IMO they are still very desirable SUVs. I have to agree though that the styling is a (small) step in the wrong direction. But nothing like as bad as some of BMWs other missteps of late. More power of the sort I already can't use on the road, more tech most of which I couldn't care less about... not sure I would want to stomach the price hike.

[m3fuz]

I just went through this same decision-making process and ended up with an F85 primarily due to interior and exterior styling. It didn’t hurt the one I found had barely been driven and was Mineral on Aragon, which was an appealing color combination for me. Everything just kind of clicked with this car which also made life easier.

The power is there, as is the enjoyability of driving. It’s slowly turning into my DD and I’ve been happy with that.

[M_Bimmer]

Have you looked the new X3M?

I had to take a double look..I'm sure it's on purpose, but it has taken a lot of exterior design features from the F85. Most non BMW owners would be hard pressed to tell the difference....

A neighbor drove by in one, and it sounded awesome..and he was only doing 25MPH...

0-60MPH in 3.3 sec.....ummm...the F85 can't beat that on it's best run...but at $85K (maybe cheaper with less options), it's a bit more than a used F85, but cheaper than a new X5M...

There are other options!

[TZB///3]

I agree with jab23 100%. Question - has she also test drove the 2017/18 X5M? If not, I think she should and I think that would answer a lot of her questions, mainly if it's worth the extra jump in price especially her being frugal. If she's a car enthusiast like many of us here and performance matters most then F85 is the way to go IMO. But if she's more into tech then F95 may be the better choice. I personally just purchased a very low mileage F85 (Black Sapphire Edition) but I was on the fence between the two. In the end, I was more in love with the previous gen than the current one besides the fact I couldn't stomach paying much higher for the latter lol. I will love and enjoy my "almost new" F85 until maybe the NEXT gen comes out in 24/25. Either way it's a good problem to have! Good luck!

[gqgambler]

What about a 2020/21 M50i? You could get it for close to the same price as a 2017/18 X5M with an engine that is almost equivalent.

[Chris C.]

I wouldn't hesitate to buy the F85 - in fact I just did! - rather than pay up for the F95.

No one would notice/need any performance increases - they're both silly for street use.

Styling is personal, but I like the older body more. Be nice to have the new active cruise, but I don't love the busyness of the new cabin (esp in two tone)

X3M is substantially smaller in the cabin and rear, and I found it rode a lot worse than my 2018. At the time BMW had massive incentives on the X3M and I still couldn't buy one.

As performance cars have mostly > $100K new, I've just found it's more reasonable to buy em 2-3 years used unless you have to have the first of the new one in your town. Dubious honor, to the tune of $40K per purchase

[Yuille36]

Originally Posted by Chris C.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy the F85 - in fact I just did! - rather than pay up for the F95.

No one would notice/need any performance increases - they're both silly for street use.

Styling is personal, but I like the older body more. Be nice to have the new active cruise, but I don't love the busyness of the new cabin (esp in two tone)

X3M is substantially smaller in the cabin and rear, and I found it rode a lot worse than my 2018. At the time BMW had massive incentives on the X3M and I still couldn't buy one.

As performance cars have mostly > $100K new, I've just found it's more reasonable to buy em 2-3 years used unless you have to have the first of the new one in your town. Dubious honor, to the tune of $40K per purchase

I think that you made a wise and intelligent choice.

[Skyracer]

Originally Posted by M_Bimmer

Have you looked the new X3M?

Love the styling on the X3M.

But rock hard ride, laggy delivery and a whole shedload of reports of peeling paint... sheesh.

[Yuille36]

Originally Posted by Skyracer

Love the styling on the X3M.

But rock hard ride, laggy delivery and a whole shedload of reports of peeling paint... sheesh.

I didn't realize that the X3M were having these many issues. I really like the new styling, and would possibly consider purchasing one if I didn't already have my X5M.