[JX5]

Has anybody gone from an X5 to a 5 series with 2 kids, ages 2 and newborn? The X5 is getting a little old and almost out of warranty, so shopping my choices!

[NewM3driver]

I just turned in my '12 X5 35i and have a '15 535d xi on order due in Mid Oct.

I wasn't thrilled with the look of the new X5, and to be honest the updated 5 series has been growing on me. Driving both back to back, the 535d (with the dynamic handling package and the luxury seating package) just felt so much more athletic and nimble. The diesel was so smooth and strong.

The dealer had one with the M-sport package in Glacier silver metallic with the black nappa perforated interior. It looked so fresh.

I'm looking forward to the change.

[ezmaass]

The new X5 just isn't doing anything for me. I really liked the look of the previous generation, and I feel like they just squared it off too much with this one... probably better storage space or something, but the butt looks extra square/large.

With such small kids, I think the 5 would be fine. The newborns have the most "stuff" you're likely to be hauling - pack and play, diaper bags, strollers, etc. It'll fit a bit easier in an X5 due to the open cargo area, but the 5's trunk is pretty decent - with the right planning, it should all fit in my experience.

[SoDigito]

Sure you can manage two small kids with a 5 series, but it'd be so much easier putting them in and taking them out with an SUV. Chances are you've already made up your mind, but if you're really concerned about the space, I think you know which vehicle is most suitable for the job.

[r33_RGSport]

@JX5, I currently own F10 5-series and F15 X5. My kids are 5 and 2. I had the F10 since my 2 years old a newborn. I do wish to picked up an X5 first, since it is much more friendly on your back to load and unload the baby seat or even putting on their seatbelt.
But in my case, I waited since the F15 was 2 years away and F10 was only 1 year old.
I hope that help.

[JX5]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Good to hear feedback from real world owners and not just stats about cargo and leg room. Still a little ways away but shopping and taking my time. Will let everyone know result of the fun process of shopping for new vehicle!

[Don Juan]

Hi,
I went from a 2011 x5 35d with 3rd row to and f10 535i M sport. I have 4 kids (12,11,5,3)..I miss the space in the X5 and the ability to carry more people but love the power and handling of the F10. Not to mention the ride is a bit smoother and better mpg.
The new F15 does not do anything for me. Perhaps if you still need room wait a bit for the new Audi Q7 or the just announced Volvo xc90... my 2cents

[twelve535i]

Originally Posted by Don Juan

Hi,
I went from a 2011 x5 35d with 3rd row to and f10 535i M sport. I have 4 kids (12,11,5,3)..I miss the space in the X5 and the ability to carry more people but love the power and handling of the F10. Not to mention the ride is a bit smoother and better mpg.
The new F15 does not do anything for me. Perhaps if you still need room wait a bit for the new Audi Q7 or the just announced Volvo xc90... my 2cents

Do you have another car for family outtings or do you leave the wife or one kid at home? lol

[The Beast]

I went from an E70 X5 to a F10 530d (US 535D), I have a wife and two children aged 10 & 8.

The X5 was a great car and I only changed because someone crashed into me and wrote it off. The positives were the space, ride height and presence of the vehicle. The negatives were probably fuel consumption and trying to get it into UK multistorey car parks, had to once reverse it down the ramps to get it out!

I was initially slightly underwhelmed by the 5, mine is heavily modified and looks great but I missed the second turbo kick. I now love the car, cabin space is on par with the X5 and is more than enough for a family of four. The boot is a decent size, ride better than the X5, fuel consumption is a lot better, infotainment system is awesome and I now love this car.

Probably the best family vehicle out there imho...

[martin mustang]

For your kids you should be perfectly fine with the 5 series, remember they grow up fast, and for your younger ones the kids seats becomes more flexible and will fit better a 5 series once forward facing. The 5 is a perfect fit for 4 adults let along 2 + 2

I experience the E60 and F10 with my 2 kids perfectly fine until my 3rd kid arrived 3 months ago, and now all family trips are with my wife X3, not as big as the X5, but perfect for the job, and quite fun to drive compare to the X5 in my opinion a perfect compromise between space and drivability, in fact the current X3 is not far off size wise compare to the old X5.

If you after comfort the 5 will never beat the X5 just on the basis of hatchback cabin, they simple far more comfortable and spacious, the X3 interior is far bigger than the 5 F10 by miles!
.

[Don Juan]

Originally Posted by twelve535i

Do you have another car for family outtings or do you leave the wife or one kid at home? lol

Lol!! We were growing too in cars.. My wife had an x3 when we had 2 kids.. Then 3rd came on and went to an x5.. Then 4th cane and started driving a minivan ... So for the last 5 years she has been driving a minivan .. Lol.. As for me as soon as my oldest was big enough to ride in the front i down sized.. Since most of the time i just pock or drop them at schools or a few events.. So for me Not need for a bigger car .. But if i need to haul stuff or people my wife is very nice in switching cars...

[m_alnimah]

Originally Posted by JX5

Has anybody gone from an X5 to a 5 series with 2 kids, ages 2 and newborn? The X5 is getting a little old and almost out of warranty, so shopping my choices!

The 5 Series is a GREAT choice but the fact you have A Infant and a Newborn i would have Recommended the X3 because up to what i've heard from Family Members who Own the X3 (F25) it is just like the 3 and 5 Series but the difference is that its bigger and they find it very spacious but not too spacious... But otherwise any Bimmer is a Great Choice!

[m_alnimah]

Originally Posted by martin mustang

For your kids you should be perfectly fine with the 5 series, remember they grow up fast, and for your younger ones the kids seats becomes more flexible and will fit better a 5 series once forward facing. The 5 is a perfect fit for 4 adults let along 2 + 2

I experience the E60 and F10 with my 2 kids perfectly fine until my 3rd kid arrived 3 months ago, and now all family trips are with my wife X3, not as big as the X5, but perfect for the job, and quite fun to drive compare to the X5 in my opinion a perfect compromise between space and drivability, in fact the current X3 is not far off size wise compare to the old X5.

If you after comfort the 5 will never beat the X5 just on the basis of hatchback cabin, they simple far more comfortable and spacious, the X3 interior is far bigger than the 5 F10 by miles!
.

I agree. The X3 is like Best of Both Worlds, you get a little from the 5 Series and a little from the X5 and combined it makes the car Perfect!

[Grover432]

My kids are 7 and 4 (both on the smallish side). Both kids sit in a forward facing car seat. I'm 5'8". My son (4) has to sit behind the front passenger seat because his legs are not long enough to drop down and out of the way of my seat back when I am in a comfortable position. My daughter (7) fits fine behind me as her legs are longer. It is true that the 5 series has lots of room for 4 adults, but you can't say the same for 2 adults and 2 kids. Why? because the adults feet sit on the floor (and a bit under the front seats) and there is enough knee room. The front seat backs slope at an angle - less rear room at the rear sear cushion height and much more as the kids legs get longer and drop lower), so the taller your child is, the more leg room they will have.

When I got my car in November, my son was sitting behind me and every time I drove him to school, I had to move my seat 3" forward to accommodate his legs. As soon as I put him on the passenger side and my daughter behind me I was able to drive with my seat in a comfortable position (my wife usually sits further forward than I do).

A word about the newborn; It is recommended that infants and very young children be in a rear facing car seat as long as they can fit in their car seat that way. It is simply the safest position to be in in the event of an accident. The problem is fitting one into an F10. I haven't tried but our 2003 Accord had 3" more rear seat space and our rear facing car seat just fit. You might be forced to put it in the centre seat position with your other child right beside.

The bottom line: Take your car seats and kids to the dealership and fit everything in place and then go for a test drive to make sure everyone is comfortable. You don't want to buy a car and then find out you have to put your seat in an uncomfortable position, or turn the rear facing seat around before the recommended age, just to fit it into the car.

[Don Juan]

Originally Posted by Grover432

When I got my car in November, my son was sitting behind me and every time I drove him to school, I had to move my seat 3" forward to accommodate his legs. As soon as I put him on the passenger side and my daughter behind me I was able to drive with my seat in a comfortable position (my wife usually sits further forward than I do).

The bottom line: Take your car seats and kids to the dealership and fit everything in place and then go for a test drive to make sure everyone is comfortable. You don't want to buy a car and then find out you have to put your seat in an uncomfortable position, or turn the rear facing seat around before the recommended age, just to fit it into the car.

+1
I had also to sit my daughter behind my seat in the F10. She has a booster and her legs hang and fit perfectly behind my seat. My 3 year old son is behind the passenger seat.
Another thing to point out and that made my descision was to bring the car seats into the dealership to try out, since i needed to fit 3 kids in the back seat and 2 car seats. This not possible in the f30 . Not sure about the x3.

[bkM3]

i have a 3 month old and when we travel we need to take the stroller+bassinet which takes up almost the whole trunk, diaper bag, pack n play, etc . all of his stuff wont fit int eh trunk so we need to use the backseat as well. i hear that once they get a bit older you wont need so much stuff but if i had to do it again i would go with an suv.

[NewM3driver]

With 2 little ones the X5 is probably the better choice. when I responded earlier i neglected to see you had children that travel with lots of "stuff".

[The Beast]

My kids are older and very tall so don't have the issues with their feet hitting the seats. Didn't have this issue with the X5 when they were younger so I see the point some of you are making.

X3 is a very boring looking car in my opinion, despite being a very good SUV. I personally would not have one...

[NewM3driver]

I think the new X5 is looking more like a minivan every day.

[gtmassive75]

5er might work for you now.. but wait until they turn 7-10, and try taking a road trip.. can be very uncomfortable.. i was actually force to buy a SUV(2014 Pathfinder love it, extra seat and handles great). My F10 now becomes a go to the mall car. Buy my F10...

[twelve535i]

Originally Posted by bkM3

i have a 3 month old and when we travel we need to take the stroller+bassinet which takes up almost the whole trunk, diaper bag, pack n play, etc . all of his stuff wont fit int eh trunk so we need to use the backseat as well. i hear that once they get a bit older you wont need so much stuff but if i had to do it again i would go with an suv.

That's not very encouraging for me. I have a spare tire in there that takes up a good amount of space already. Stroller, pack-n-play.....I don't think so ha ha

[BavariaExclusive]

It should've been X5 to 7 series not X5 to 5 series. Especially with a household of 5 people. Gluck!!