[Tengocity]

I have sold the X3, and it will go to our local BMW dealer on Friday, and then next weekend I will travel to collect its replacement. I wouldn't say it's like for like exactly, but it's fulfil the same duties as the X3 has in the fleet, which is mainly as our long distance car, and all rounder.

We love our Disco 4, which hasn't had a single fault in a year of ownership (kiss of death!), and I also adore the 911.

Once it goes, it'll be the first time I've not owned a BMW of some kind since I got my E46 320d back in 2003. I had a gap of a couple years back to my first BMW, which was a E30 325i. That's a run of about 14 cars, now broken.

Have I fallen out of love with my life long favourite car brand... probably a little, but also life has changed for us, and there are other cars that appeal more.

Specifically, the X3 was missing adaptive cruise, which I'd got used to over last few cars, and it was a mistake not ensure whatever car I bought had it. I also struggle with a worsening hip issue, and the G series seats seem to aggravate it (G01 and G20 and G30). No such problems in the Disco, and the 911 seats are somehow better too.

Anyway, I also missed the performance of my M3 in a daily car, so have thrown a little caution to the wind!

Any guesses? (And don't spoil it for those who already know!)

[MY340i]

macan/cayenne turbo s?

[F30Andy]

A Macan would be my guess too!

[JustChris]

An ICE SUV, probably a Porker?

Yeah BMW has rather lost its way for most of us. They just don’t offer the same ‘look’, ‘feel’ and ‘value’ they used to.

Economics meant the largest markets started to lead the design so instead of a nice compact work saloon with an inline six, we’ve seen ever more bloated, heavy and fatally rather ugly cars.

Loyalty can’t last forever. So many of us in the U.K. have voted with our feet.

Good luck with the new collection Terry.

[pmgreenwood]

Originally Posted by MY340i

macan/cayenne turbo s?

I would include those in my guesses plus Jag F pace SVR

I do not think of an X3 M40 i as exactly slow, a Macan Turbo is not quicker. So if he replacing it with a a Porsche it must be one of the quicker Cayennes

[F30Andy]

X3M?

Give us a clue!

[Tengocity]

I was torn between quite a few cars. Being sensible in one hand with perhaps a X5 hybrid or the Cayenne hybrid. Tried the new RRS, but it’s not really me. I also decided I was too tight to buy a new car on PCP, so it had to be approved used.

X5M ruled out as heard the ride isn’t great for a big SUV, and the X3M I found to be appalling on UK roads.

M3 touring is still too expensive, and Mrs T is now hooked on SUVs, and they do suit our needs better.

[davyk31]

Cayenne GTS

[davyk31]

Or V8 Defender

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by JustChris

An ICE SUV, probably a Porker?

Yeah BMW has rather lost its way for most of us. They just don’t offer the same ‘look’, ‘feel’ and ‘value’ they used to.

Economics meant the largest markets started to lead the design so instead of a nice compact work saloon with an inline six, we’ve seen ever more bloated, heavy and fatally rather ugly cars.

Loyalty can’t last forever. So many of us in the U.K. have voted with our feet.

Good luck with the new collection Terry.

I'm not sure I can quite put my finger on it. I don't mind the design as much as others, but it certainly doesn't feel like a big improvement.,It's a mixed bag overall though with the new M3 looking good to my eyes, but then the X5 facelift looks worse than before (yet the leap in the electric aspects being very substantial).

However, the chase for volume globally has definitely impacted them. I look at so many of the models with complete disinterest, and there's nothing that stands out at all really, except the questionable design flourishes.

They seem to be going backwards with idrive generations, the new hideous screens (the monobloc rectangular shape) seem really ugly to me, and then the weird graphic design on the current digital dash. All that has served to lose those simple, elegant, ergonomically excellent interiors that they had for decades.

And then for me the corners and costs they've been cutting over the last decade with suspension set up generally means to get a real drivers car you need to spend money on mods.

And I am fed up swapping runflats for decent performance tyres.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by davyk31

Or V8 Defender

It's not that, but I'd love one!

I suspect that if the Disco ever dies then a Defender would be a contender. A diesel suits it well, however for our use a hybrid would be perfect. It does 5-30 mile trips most days, with once a month perhaps something longer.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by davyk31

Cayenne GTS

I looked at a few of them, but too expensive as they launched them in 2020.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by pmgreenwood

I would include those in my guesses plus Jag F pace SVR

I do not think of an X3 M40 i as exactly slow, a Macan Turbo is not quicker. So if he replacing it with a a Porsche it must be one of the quicker Cayennes

Your logic is good.

F Pace SVR, RRS SVR, GLC63 AMG, and the X5 M50i all considered at various points.

X5 M50i look like a lot of car for the money, with quite a few nearly new ones kicking around for 70ish. That was a bit more than I wanted to spend however.

[Pond]

Dacia Duster?
SUV, good used values and cheap to own!

There, nailed it!

[pmgreenwood]

The one SUV with the performance and a price nearly new being hinted and not mentioned so far is the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Pond

Dacia Duster?
SUV, good used values and cheap to own!

There, nailed it!

I do think about something cheap for the local runs, so thought about these along with Yetis and such like. However, we are likely to sort solar panels in the next couple of years, in which case I fancy a little e-208.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by pmgreenwood

The one SUV with the performance and a price nearly new being hinted and not mentioned so far is the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio

Nah, you're getting colder now.

To be fair, there's been a couple of really close guesses, but just got the wrong version!

[JustChris]

F Pace S?

[pmgreenwood]

Cayenne GTs and Turbo S have been mentioned , Fpace was only once until Just Chris mentioned it again, leaves Cayenne turbo as Cayenne S quite slow comparatively

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by pmgreenwood

Cayenne GTs and Turbo S have been mentioned , Fpace was only once until Just Chris mentioned it again, leaves Cayenne turbo as Cayenne S quite slow comparatively

Got there eventually!

Cayenne Turbo

I had actually found a good Cayenne S, but then thought I’d always be wishing I’d gone for a Turbo.

Apart from the extra power the Turbos tend to have a lot more spec, and as a Porsche approved used look like decent VFM (a relative term I accept)

Air suspension was a must have along with adaptive cruise, and pano roof, amd thr fancy headlights, but I also really wanted PDCC, as I think that tech really makes these big SUVs be able to blend amazing handling with excellent ride quality.

[EvilDrPorkChop]

Well there's nothing better than the 18way adaptive seats in the Macan, so i'm going with that. A Macan S Diesel?

I too fell out of love with BMW, I don't know. They just seem to go off in the wrong direction a few years ago and never recovered.

[Tengocity]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-det...02307049275348

This is the actual car, though not sure how much longer the advert will be available.

It had all the spec I wanted. Higher miles, but the Porsche standards for approved used are very high and it will have a 2 year warranty, that’s extendable.