[1flossedm3]

Hey guys,

My BMW lease is up soon and I'm in need of a new daily driver. My daughter is 1 now, so car seat fitting comfortably in the back is required and four doors. I do a lot of driving for work, so it has to be comfortable. My wife has an SUV (Sportage) but will be getting a Grand Cherokee next year.

I really love the 550xi with the big V8 motor, but I know the X5 is also practical. I'm just not sure I NEED an suv as well as I don't tow anything, and other than grocery trips or signs I don't move all that much. Looking at 2013 models with CPO.

the X5 is $34K, 550i is $37k

Thoughts?

[phefner]

Had the X5 and it's a nice ride... Currently have the 550i xDrive M and it's a really fun ride..plus there is a TON of trunk space and we tow my 3yr old to preschool everyday with it.

Have some fun..no regrets on our 550.

[Sjcee]

Last year the lease ended on my '13 X5 Sport (w convenience, cold weather package, and 3rd row), purchased a 2013 550i. No regrets, even with 3 kids (2 in car seats).
X5 drove like a rampaging elephant running down the freeway, but I do miss all the cup holders and interior storage especially the deep middle storage that kept drinks cold.
550 easily fits our double stroller and travel bags, fits 2 child car seats side by side with room for my eldest son. It's no M5 but it's fast.

[Rogue916]

You'll get a bit of a biased opinion on this forum, but I'd pick the 550i just due to the fact that it's sporty and more fun to drive and still practical for a family.

Have you considered the 440i Gran Coupe? That one is sporty, has better mpg, 4 seats and doors, a hatchback and is decently functional for little kids in the back, and easier on the wallet all around. The trunkspace is actually a bit more usable than the 550i when you do need to haul stuff since you have more depth available when you put the seats down with the hatchback.

[EL Jeffe 5]

I have 2013 550i I love car if you follow I am currently in market of purchasing additional warranty just because I love my 550i and plan is to keep it for long time
I also have three children younger then 10

[lsturbointeg]

I think it's a no brainer... Do you want a SUV or Sedan? Now if you're asking between 528, 535 and a 550 than I can see the dilemma. I think you need to see what's going to work for you in your needs

[krautmeister]

I will add here that I love my car... it gives me the fun of youth with some adulting mixed in.

I will say though, once I got used to the power, I have a bit of remorse I didn't get a X5. I know they are a bit more coin, but schlepping baby stuff around, I hate swapping cars around with my wife's Land Rover. Plus if you're in a city, SUV is much better for traffic so you can see around you.

Any who... I just got a BMS Stage 2... we will see.

[1flossedm3]

Originally Posted by krautmeister

I will add here that I love my car... it gives me the fun of youth with some adulting mixed in.

I will say though, once I got used to the power, I have a bit of remorse I didn't get a X5. I know they are a bit more coin, but schlepping baby stuff around, I hate swapping cars around with my wife's Land Rover. Plus if you're in a city, SUV is much better for traffic so you can see around you.

Any who... I just got a BMS Stage 2... we will see.

Age of kids? We used to take my wifes car 100% of the time if we had the baby since my 3 series was no fun.

The wife gets the baby 90% of the time with daycare, I guess I need to drive a 550i and see if i like it. My mom has an x3 35i thats a good car.. few creaks and rattles... but has beeen solid. I just hate the X3 bodystyle.

[xxpanipuri]

Personally i wouldn't want 2 suv's i thought about the x5 diesel once i sold my e39, but it didn't make sense for us, as my wife has a 2013 acura mdx, and we use that on road trips etc, as it fits all our stuff and is very comfortable.

[corys530]

For our family the x5 4.4 worked out great while the kids were small, camping, soccer,beach, etc.... hauling all the accoutrements that go along with such.

But last year i traded the beast for my 535, really i was forced to, as the 4.4 started smoking (expensive fix) at 90k

i miss the power of that engine but its long lasting durability ..no

i think your question lacks info, whats the mileage on these two vehicles? and what engine on the X5?

maybe with an extended warranty the 550 would be a good choice

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Originally Posted by 1flossedm3

Hey guys,

My BMW lease is up soon and I'm in need of a new daily driver. My daughter is 1 now, so car seat fitting comfortably in the back is required and four doors. I do a lot of driving for work, so it has to be comfortable. My wife has an SUV (Sportage) but will be getting a Grand Cherokee next year.

I really love the 550xi with the big V8 motor, but I know the X5 is also practical. I'm just not sure I NEED an suv as well as I don't tow anything, and other than grocery trips or signs I don't move all that much. Looking at 2013 models with CPO.

the X5 is $34K, 550i is $37k

Thoughts?

They're both near the same price, do you want a car or another big asz suv in the family? Which is the better value though? Cant answer that without knowing options list, mileage etc...I would'nt own either one without an extended warranty or CPO'ed.

F'10 is capable (practically speaking) and a hoot to own too. Not sure an X5 is a hoot to own having owned F10:535, E60:550, E39:540, E70/E71: X5 and 2 X6's.

[SoDigito]

Go for a CPO LCI 550 (MY 14+). Many refinements over pre-LCI. Plus engine is more reliable from what I hear.

[STR8-6IX]

Originally Posted by 1flossedm3

Hey guys,

My BMW lease is up soon and I'm in need of a new daily driver. My daughter is 1 now, so car seat fitting comfortably in the back is required and four doors. I do a lot of driving for work, so it has to be comfortable. My wife has an SUV (Sportage) but will be getting a Grand Cherokee next year.

I really love the 550xi with the big V8 motor, but I know the X5 is also practical. I'm just not sure I NEED an suv as well as I don't tow anything, and other than grocery trips or signs I don't move all that much. Looking at 2013 models with CPO.

the X5 is $34K, 550i is $37k

Thoughts?

I would go for a sedan over an SUV.

[lsturbointeg]

i know sometime this year the wifey wants a SUV. she's been eye balling the SUV that BMW has to offer. for just day to day driving for her going to work and running errands a X5 sounds ideal for us. For cruising around on a Sunday and just enjoying a nice day through the country side the sedan is where it is! so it'll be nice to have both

[M5Beast_NYC]

I cant comment on the performance of the 550 but from a space perspective, i have a pretty good reference as ive owned a F10 535Msport and now F10 M5. We also have an F15 X5.

From a space perspective, the X5 is more roomy from a cabin perspective. its just more open unlike the cockpit type cabin in the F10. trunk space i think its similar in size, just different shape. if you have a tall stroller or you load a lot of boxes then the X5 will be better for you. Obviously the X5 will be higher so loading the kids in and out is much easier on the lower F10 platform.

Performance wise, i found our 2015 X5 35 was more responsive than my 2012 535M sport. not sure if it was software change from the factory as they are practically the same engine and transmission. it was weird but it is what it is...

handling, hands down the F10 will win.

not sure what else to compare other than the obvious. let me know if you are looking for anything else specific.

[krautmeister]

Originally Posted by 1flossedm3

Age of kids? We used to take my wifes car 100% of the time if we had the baby since my 3 series was no fun.

The wife gets the baby 90% of the time with daycare, I guess I need to drive a 550i and see if i like it. My mom has an x3 35i thats a good car.. few creaks and rattles... but has beeen solid. I just hate the X3 bodystyle.

My daughter is 8 months old. We are first time parents so baby gear is probably excessive so I may not be the best benchmark!

[bobmos]

Having traded in my 2013 535 for an 2016 X5 35 (with a silly side trip featuring an X4), I can tell you that I was shocked at how comfortable the ride is, as well as how easy it is to drive it quickly around town. It is much more spacious in every way.

But, if I were you I would only consider a '14 or newer X5, as the changes were sweeping.

Having driven 5 series cars from 1994 to this fall, I am, sad to say I don't miss them at all. The X5 (at least with the 18" winter tires on) reminds me of the ride that I last had on my '03 540i. Smooth as silk, and unruffled by bumps and potholes.

[BigKutta]

Sounds like for your needs you should get the 550 (but maybe the LCI). The 5er is a great car, and I have the 528. Not too big, not too small, and the 550 will be a beast to drive. I cant imagine you will regret it.

The X5 drives very well imo, but its been refined to the point to appeal to women

[vpatel867]

Went skiing today and BMW had the tent outside with all SUVs for winter xDrive experience.

I took the X5 out for a spin and loved it!

[Takumi587]

I would probably get the X5 if I could do it again. Does the X5 you are looking at have Nappa Leather? Or that Variation color LEDs in the interior?

Putting the kids in the back seat of an X5 is much easier and their feet are distanced away enough from the front seats. If you need to throw stuff in the trunk then there is much more room especially for strollers. There are moments where I put the back seats down in the 535i but the overhead space is too short that I end up having to drive the ML550 instead.

Long trips wise I'd rather be in the X5 because of the space, no issues with bumps, floods or even dips. You don't even know how many times I worry about those parking lot curbs or dips coming out of them.

Now if you are looking for something that can weave through traffic and show off then the 550i may be the one. For most useful and still fun then the X5 is the way to go. I've been looking for one grey exterior and mocha Nappa leather interior...

[chrisny]

I've had both and literally had both at the same time for about a year and a half up until we turned in our X5 a few months ago. You truly can't go wrong on this one, just depends on your personal preferences and slightly upon priorities. Both cars will work for a family, though the X5 obviously a bit better given the taller height and flexible cargo space. The 550 wins on "fun factor" quite easily unless you get into an X5 50i with all the suspension upgrades, then both can be fun to drive. Both are/can be extremely comfortable depending upon options (I'd say the 5 series does this a bit better without having to add upgrades to the interior but top levels on each will be comparable).

I take my kids to and from school a couple days a week in my 550 and I will say, at times, I've grown tired of the bending getting them in and out of their car seats. Can't say I feel that way every day, given how much I do still love the car. But now and then I think maybe my next car will be an SUV/cross-over like an X6 or something, even though my wife has the primary family SUV and I swore I'd never have 2 SUV's in the garage instead of 1 and something more fun.

All in all, I would vote 550 if it is the second car, X5 if it is to be the primary family and/or road trip car.

[rntaylor]

Originally Posted by 1flossedm3

Hey guys,

My BMW lease is up soon and I'm in need of a new daily driver. My daughter is 1 now, so car seat fitting comfortably in the back is required and four doors. I do a lot of driving for work, so it has to be comfortable. My wife has an SUV (Sportage) but will be getting a Grand Cherokee next year.

I really love the 550xi with the big V8 motor, but I know the X5 is also practical. I'm just not sure I NEED an suv as well as I don't tow anything, and other than grocery trips or signs I don't move all that much. Looking at 2013 models with CPO.

the X5 is $34K, 550i is $37k

Thoughts?

My 2 cents…I currently drive a (13) 550ix M Sport and my wife drives a (15) X5 50i M Sport. We have 2 young daughters, one in a car seat and the other uses a booster. They both fit comfortably in both vehicles with no issues. I say get yourself a 550ix, as you stated you will love the V8 motor and instead of your wife getting a Grand Cherokee she should think about get the X5. 35i or the 50i, depending on which one she likes. My wife’s previous daily driver was a E70 35i M Sport Package; which drove like a tank (which I loved and miss), but it’s funny when she gets home from work now with the 50i and she tells me story’s about how she had to smoke somebody today! haha! Unless you know BMWs most people don't realize what the X5 50i can do.