[teaston]

Originally Posted by MashinBenzin

You do realise that a 630d xDrive is only 60kg more than the X3 M40d that you are toying with? Does anyone really notice a performance/handling difference when the wife gets in or out of the passenger seat

Exactly, it’s 60kg more than an SUV!

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by teaston

Exactly, it’s 60kg more than an SUV!

Because it's much bigger it's not rocket science. Plus weight is, I guess, marginally lower down.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by MashinBenzin

Because it's much bigger it's not rocket science. Plus weight is, I guess, marginally lower down.

Well the boot space is 60 litres bigger, but I bet the X3’s boot is much more useable.

[Tengocity]

I'm another of the minority thinks this doesn't look all that bad.

It shows how much image and "style" drives our car buying perceptions when a vehicle like this, which is objectively better in many ways than more popular cars, especially large SUVs, is so disliked.

I certainly would never have one, but if someone with a growing family said it was ideal for them, I'd completely understand.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by MashinBenzin

You do realise that a 630d xDrive is only 60kg more than the X3 M40d that you are toying with? Does anyone really notice a performance/handling difference when the wife gets in or out of the passenger seat

This is part of what’s putting me off the X3 a bit, the 30d is 200kg heavier than the 530dx, and M40d will be even heavier!

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by teaston

This is part of what’s putting me off the X3 a bit, the 30d is 200kg heavier than the 530dx, and M40d will be even heavier!

In the end though, it will have plenty of power to overcome the weight. Neither car (5 or X3 or even the next 3er) is going to be a 'handling' car, so better to focus on the other features?

A lot of the weight we feel, assuming the car is relatively over-powered, is just in the set-up. I was astounded that a 2400kg RRS felt less nose heavy than my 440i. No doubt it would have been a different story properly pressing on, but in day to day fooling around the far heavier car powered out of roundabouts in a better way and felt more throttle adjustable.

And back to the odd 100kg, do any of us notice a couple of passengers? Yes in something with 150bhp, but in a 1.5+tonne car with 300 +bhp then it's marginal.

Get the one you enjoy the most

[teaston]

Originally Posted by MashinBenzin

In the end though, it will have plenty of power to overcome the weight. Neither car (5 or X3 or even the next 3er) is going to be a 'handling' car, so better to focus on the other features?

A lot of the weight we feel, assuming the car is relatively over-powered, is just in the set-up. I was astounded that a 2400kg RRS felt less nose heavy than my 440i. No doubt it would have been a different story properly pressing on, but in day to day fooling around the far heavier car powered out of roundabouts in a better way and felt more throttle adjustable.

And back to the odd 100kg, do any of us notice a couple of passengers? Yes in something with 150bhp, but in a 1.5+tonne car with 300 +bhp then it's marginal.

Get the one you enjoy the most

I have driven both the X3 30d M Sport (adaptive suspension) and 530dx M Sport Touring (passive suspension) and the X3 was definitely the more nimble car, even in comfort mode.

I just wonder if a 530dx adaptive saloon would swing things the other way though.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by teaston

I have driven both the X3 30d M Sport (adaptive suspension) and 530dx M Sport Touring (passive suspension) and the X3 was definitely the more nimble car, even in comfort mode.

I just wonder if a 530dx adaptive saloon would swing things the other way though.

540i might. I thought it handled much more adeptly than the X3 I tried. Pushing the X3 hard didn't make for a more enjoyable blast, but pushing the 540i did.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

540i might. I thought it handled much more adeptly than the X3 I tried. Pushing the X3 hard didn't make for a more enjoyable blast, but pushing the 540i did.

Was it adaptive?

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by teaston

Was it adaptive?

Nope! The X3 was. The X3 ride comfort was sublime, but it was an inert and boring car to try and hustle. Not what it was designed for I accept. The 540i was ok ride comfort, not as good as I'd have expected, but the front end was really responsive, had more feel, and really clung on! It made me want to drive it harder and harder... not what expected of a barge like that.

[TouringPleb]

I actually like them. I followed a white one for a while a few months ago, as others have said a vast improvement on the 5GT but even that I had a secret soft spot for.

Guess I'm weird.

[Isow]

Originally Posted by TouringPleb

I actually like them. I followed a white one for a while a few months ago, as others have said a vast improvement on the 5GT but even that I had a secret soft spot for.

Guess I'm weird.

White is a good colour for the 6.
It makes it look a lot less bulky.
A terrific used car buy.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Nope! The X3 was. The X3 ride comfort was sublime, but it was an inert and boring car to try and hustle. Not what it was designed for I accept. The 540i was ok ride comfort, not as good as I'd have expected, but the front end was really responsive, had more feel, and really clung on! It made me want to drive it harder and harder... not what expected of a barge like that.

Strange, I found the X3 handled superbly, felt just like a large hatchback!

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by teaston

Strange, I found the X3 handled superbly, felt just like a large hatchback!

To be fair, I had the opportunity to drive both on superb Scottish twisty B roads, and I drove them both pretty hard, and not how most folk drive. Up to 7/10ths you wouldn't notice much difference. Beyond that then it's the 5 by a mile for me.
And that's what sits in the back of my head about SUVs.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

To be fair, I had the opportunity to drive both on superb Scottish twisty B roads, and I drove them both pretty hard, and not how most folk drive. Up to 7/10ths you wouldn't notice much difference. Beyond that then it's the 5 by a mile for me.
And that's what sits in the back of my head about SUVs.

Oh man, I don’t know what to get!

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

To be fair, I had the opportunity to drive both on superb Scottish twisty B roads, and I drove them both pretty hard, and not how most folk drive. Up to 7/10ths you wouldn't notice much difference. Beyond that then it's the 5 by a mile for me.
And that's what sits in the back of my head about SUVs.

Definitely see where you are coming from.

I've not driven the latest models 'back to back'. so can't make a judgement on these specific examples. Has always been my conclusion in previous tests, that a Five is better for harder driving than the SUV.

At lower speeds and loadings, the SUV gives little away, particularly if we expect something like a Five to be better for low speed refinement. But drive an SUV harder and it changes. Makes sense for the dynamics of even a well sorted SUV to tail off as we load them up, CoG being against us for a start. Whereas a similarly set up Five will hunker down and get on with the job in hand.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by TouringPleb

I actually like them. I followed a white one for a while a few months ago, as others have said a vast improvement on the 5GT but even that I had a secret soft spot for.

Guess I'm weird.

I don't understand the hate, not everyone's choice, but what a vehicle for space, comfort, practicality, cruising 1,000's of miles with a family aboard.

[RickLS7]

[Kal101]

Originally Posted by teaston

Well the boot space is 60 litres bigger, but I bet the X3’s boot is much more useable.

Needs the bigger boot to accommodate the guide dog

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Kal027

Needs the bigger boot to accommodate the guide dog

Or the piano!

[Lux700]

My choice of car is significantly influenced by the roads and the volume of traffic on them. If it was different I’d have a proper driver’s car, but there is so much traffic these days, not to mention idiots who crash into each other (even on straight bits of road) in broad daylight, in fine weather?! There are so few places where you can actually drive... and I mean drive. Sure there are some nice roads around the UK here and there, but doing proper driving on them is often thwarted.

The driving culture has also changed and it seems that speed limits are generally being reduced - very few roads have their speed limits raised, but many have them reduced.

I used to race motorcycles so have had my fix, besides not much else comparing re giving that buzz. I could’ve bought an M4 and been frustrated but I’ve ordered an X3 M40d instead. Still quick and reasonably fun to drive, as well as practical. Also, nice to see over many of the other vehicles when stuck in those traffic jams I was eluding to.

A 540i xdrive M Sport Touring would by my other choice.

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by Lux700

My choice of car is significantly influenced by the roads and the volume of traffic on them. If it was different I’d have a proper driver’s car, but there is so much traffic these days, not to mention idiots who crash into each other (even on straight bits of road) in broad daylight, in fine weather?! There are so few places where you can actually drive... and I mean drive. Sure there are some nice roads around the UK here and there, but doing proper driving on them is often thwarted.

The driving culture has also changed and it seems that speed limits are generally being reduced - very few roads have their speed limits raised, but many have them reduced.

I used to race motorcycles so have had my fix, besides not much else comparing re giving that buzz. I could’ve bought an M4 and been frustrated but I’ve ordered an X3 M40d instead. Still quick and reasonably fun to drive, as well as practical. Also, nice to see over many of the other vehicles when stuck in those traffic jams I was eluding to.

A 540i xdrive M Sport Touring would by my other choice.

This entirely for me. I drive about 13k miles a year in my decent car - I reckon 10k of them are motorways and dual carriageways! refined, comfortable, quick if I need to change lanes when its busy, with a high seating position are my key requirements.

640i GT ticks a lot of boxes, just a bit bigger than I need.