Next Car?

[sgtpeper]

Hi All,

I currently have a '16 X5d MSport with the M-Sport Diff, DHP, and pretty much every other possible option. I love it. I did a 3 year lease and I'm coming to the end of it in about 3-4 months. It's also my company car (my company though) so I like leasing for the write-off. I'm a realtor and I drive a lot of short distances in the city of Denver.

Currently, there is some recall that is unresolved so even if I wanted to buy the car at the end of the lease, I can't.

So, I need to find something new!

I want to really like the new G05 but I can't - no diesel option and you can't get all the fun suspension options like DHP unless you get the V8 now. I think this is a big miss for BMW. I truly loved that I could order a diesel with killer suspension that handles incredibly well.

So far I've test driven the following as a suitable replacement:
1. Range Rover Sport - this has the nicest interior by far. But, with the 6 cylinder, it's just slow feeling.

2. Range Rover Velar - also not particularly fast. I'm short (5'4) and I felt like I was sitting way too low in it to ever be comfortable.

3. Tesla Model S - This just drove like an old man's car to me for some reason. It's fast, but as others have said - it just didn't have a soul.
4. Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio - This is the best handling SUV ever built. I loved it. The things that fill it for me are that you can't get cooled seats, and the thought of the awful MPG for a city driven vehicle.

5. Jaguar I-Pace - I actually really like the new electric Jag. The size is nice, the interior is pretttty good, it's fast and handles pretty well. However, so far in cold weather people are getting like 150 miles out of a charge which just seems awful - even though I only drive about 50 miles per day.

6. Porsche Panamera - Fun to drive, and I like the new body style. With the options I want, this would be 145k and still get terrible MPG...

Any other thoughts on something to test drive? Any thoughts on the vehicles I've driven so far?

Thanks for your thoughts!

[DuSh]

Well, it's hard to beat a BMW x5d with DHP. The only thing better is M50d they offer in Europe, but not to us plebs here in US.

Panamera and Model S are not exactly SUV replacements IMHO.
Alpha Stelvio is a good small SUV, but it's small - it's more a X3 size. It has no projector screen, has cheap plastic and so on. It's not really a well rounded x5d replacement, not even close.
Jaguar I-pace same thing, too small (hello BMW X3) and electric - with limited range. As a second car in family maybe, but as a daily - no way. All just my IMHO lol
So Velar falls short for same reason - it's not x5d competitor, too small.
The only real car from your list is RR Sport. It looks good, has some space inside, has a diesel option, but probably falls short compared to x5d with DHP in terms of handling.

In short it's very hard to replace x5d with DHP with something offering same size, handling and diesel option. BMW beat everyone in that game, but if you are willing to downgrade so to speak, sacrifice handling and diesel option - then you have choice. Or if smaller size is not a bad thing for you - then even more options.

[sgtpeper]

Thanks for the response.

The size of the I-Pace isn't an issue. It has good enough space for my daily needs - as does the Alfa for that matter. For family duty I have my wife's XC90 and for weekend fun I have my 911 Turbo and Alfa Spider.

You're right, the X5D with DHP is really really hard to beat! However, I can't even buy my own car at the end of the lease as of now - it has a stop sale on it due to the unresolved recall - which is really frustrating!

The RR Sport does come in a diesel, but it's soooo much slower than my X5 - to the point it's boring to drive.

[LocksmithNick]

Benz G

[sgtpeper]

I don't really like the G-Wagon personally. If I was going MB, I'd really want the AMG Wagon - even though it's definitely over 100k!

I'm really trying to find that sweet spot between performance and fuel economy.

It's really hard!

[TheUltimateDrivingManiac]

Volvo?

[Kzang]

Porsche still offers diesels? I'd get a cayenne GTS or a macan S provided what your needs are in terms of space interior room.

[LocksmithNick]

Originally Posted by sgtpeper

I don't really like the G-Wagon personally. If I was going MB, I'd really want the AMG Wagon - even though it's definitely over 100k!

I'm really trying to find that sweet spot between performance and fuel economy.

It's really hard!

Fuel economy? Lol, why???

[sgtpeper]

Fuel economy matters when you're a realtor driving around short distances often. My diesel averages around 25mpg with mostly city driving. My old 335i X-drive 6mt used to get 14...

It's not about the money, it's just about being a bit more environmentally friendly... If I'm going to drive a huge SUV instead of a sports car, it better at least be somewhat efficient I figure.

I definitely don't check the fuel figures on my 911 Turbo

As for Macon - I have one as a loaner right now while my Porsche is in the shop. I've had it for 2 weeks or so. I really don't care for it that much - I want to, but I don't like it... The Alfa may have had a more plasticy interior, but it crushed the Porsche in driving experience. Macon is also at the end of it's design - even with the facelift.

Cayenne is definitely in the running and I would like to drive the new body style when they come in. With the right options though, it seems to really get up over 100k quickly.

[9mmkungfu]

Nice ride. Also in Denver. I have both the 50i and 35d and can appreciate your desire for balance.

Have you thought about one of the Land Rover SUVs w/ diesel powerplant?

[sgtpeper]

Thanks.

I have thought about the RR with a diesel. It's just amazing how much slower it is than my X535d - like almost a second difference to 60!

[positiveions]

I’ve been eyeing the new Cayenne or Tesla SUv. Have to test drive both. but if you’re a realtor that’s level make more sense .

[crackerjack15]

Lincoln aviator black label? Won't be out till summer though. 450hp/600 ft lbs tq. In hybrid version.

[sgtpeper]

Yea, I need something sooner.

Hard to find something as good as my current X5!

[Wavy]

MB GLE coupe
Jag XF Wagon
MB E-Class Wagon
Volvo XC90 makes a Plug-In Hybrid if I'm not mistaken
BMW 5 series Hybrid
Lexus LS500 Hybrid
Lexus ES Hybrid
BMW 7 Series Hybrid

Soo many nice looking cars these days.