[mim1]

Hi,
I am new to this forum and currently trying to make up my mind on which Bmw to buy. I have the following options:

530i - premium enhanced
x3 30i - premium enhanced

I have checked both of them out many times and like both of them. I personally like the 5 a bit better but can't argue with the cargo space etc the x3 offers.

I plan on driving the car myself. Which car would you recommend?

thank you

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by mim1

Hi,
I am new to this forum and currently trying to make up my mind on which Bmw to buy. I have the following options:

530i - premium enhanced
x3 30i - premium enhanced

I have checked both of them out many times and like both of them. I personally like the 5 a bit better but can't argue with the cargo space etc the x3 offers.

I plan on driving the car myself. Which car would you recommend?

thank you

530i. I am biased as I have been enjoying mine for 2 years now.

G30 5 Series is more of a premium car in the realm of BMW and manufactured in either Germany (Dingolfing) or Austria.

Cabin appointments and interior materials are superb on the 5 Series. Whether you go 530, 540, M550 or M5, you will be treated to one of the best put together interiors in the industry.

The X3 is manufactured in Spartanburg, South Carolina and Plant Rosslyn in Pretoria, South Africa.

X3 is competent and very good for a midsize SUV. But G30 is more luxurious and premium feeling looking both inside and out.

For example, you can get power tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustments with memory standard on the G30. This feature is unavailable, at any price, on the current X3.

SUVs are generally "me too" herd mentality vehicles. 5 Series is a luxury and sleek sedan which is the 7th generation of this series. The 5 Series was first introduced in 1972 and has sold over 2 million copies in nearly 50 years. The world's best selling business sedan.

Drive both, pick the one you like best. My own money is on the 530i and still thrilled with it after 24 months of ownership.

[Max_M]

Definitely the 530i as its simply a better driving car and more luxurious, more elegant and stylish and a lot better driving position compared to the X3.

BMW 5-serie "Freude am Fahren".....

[Bosstime]

I have a 2019 540i and love the car - 7th BMW but first 5 series and I can't see myself getting any other BMW models but 5 series cars in the future...

[Rotherd31]

Well, it seems like a no brainer to me. You said you like the 5 series better than the X3. If you do, then buy the 5 series!

[richard in NC]

The G30 is a great car with more premium features than the X3, both standard and optional. However I do miss the cargo carrying of the X3 I had. Depending on budget, the X3 could be loaded where the 5er would be fewer options at a given price point. or go for the X3 M40i at the same price point as a 530i.

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by richard in NC

The G30 is a great car with more premium features than the X3, both standard and optional. However I do miss the cargo carrying of the X3 I had. Depending on budget, the X3 could be loaded where the 5er would be fewer options at a given price point. or go for the X3 M40i at the same price point as a 530i.

That's most be a loaded 530i.

[530iDriver]

Remember OP is in Canada. Standard equipment and options may vary from those offered in the US.

[SteveinArizona]

The five will handle better than the X3.

I don't understand why 530i driver made a point of where the cars are made. I don't think that anyone has seen a distinct variation in quality between assembly sites.

[stein_325i]

OP, need some more details. How often do you plan on hauling cargo or needing the practicality that would render the X3 more useful? Also you can likely save more money on a similar spec X3 or get a higher spec X3 for the same money as a lower spec 5er, but in the end it depends on preference. I would shop around some options and test drive both.

[Rikes]

X3 is a small compact.
If you want to feel comfortable and have a bit of style...get the 530i

I love mine.
I love pulling up next to 3 series and watch them checking out my 5. lol

[r3amir]

X3 feels cheep and below quality compared to 530i

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

The five will handle better than the X3.

I don't understand why 530i driver made a point of where the cars are made. I don't think that anyone has seen a distinct variation in quality between assembly sites.

There is no apparent difference in assembly quality but there is more hard plastic in the X3.

Seats are not as good either based on a couple of new X3s in my dealer's showroom floor.

[ted99]

What do you value more-- carrying capacity and ground clearance or a smooth ride ?

[530iDriver]

Found this 2 year old post over at the X3 forum:


"I am sure I will get flamed for this, but am I the only one who thinks the interior quality of the new X3 is total trash?

I was super excited about the M40i until I drove it. I could not get past the low quality interior. The design is surely better than the prior model, but the materials quality is much worse.

The faux leather dash is much lower quality (and cost) than the standard non-leather dash of old model, which is why they did it. I think it looks very cheap, and if you push down on it, you can feel just how thin it is.

I thought the seats were very uncomfortable - nowhere near the support and quality of what you would come to expect from BMW sport seats.

The trim whether wood or aluminum seems like plastic. I wouldn't be surprised if it actually is.

The hard plastic of the lower door panels is totally inexcusable, not to mention the excessive uses of hard plastic throughout the rest of the interior.

The absolutely gaudy X3 and M logos everywhere.

The lack of a power steering wheel adjustment (still).

Lack of M-sport wheel in a $65K car.

The shiny cheap thin black plastic around HVAC controls.

The floor of the trunk that lifts up is very cheap and flimsy - considerably lower quality than the X5.

I could go on and on. Every inch of the interior feels like it has been engineered to reduce as many pennies as possible from the production process.

Comparing the X3 to the Audi Q5 on interior quality is night and day. Audi really gets it right. BMW, it seems, never has and never will on the smaller models - it just gets worse and worse with each model redesign.

I'll say, though, that the X5 interior is phenomenal, so I know they are capable of making a quality interior. Why can't we get a smaller car with a nice interior, BMW?"

Post credit: The J Man 5/29/2018

[Bill530e]

Hi, not sure what your household status is, but something to consider would be what other vehicles you have. My wife used to have a Volvo XC90 and I had an Accord, then we both switched to sedans, with me getting a 530e. I miss having the extra storage capability an SUV afforded us (moving large bulky items, doing runs to Costco, etc.). Next time we purchase a car, I'll be looking to restore the SUV to sedan balance in the household.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Bill530e

Hi, not sure what your household status is, but something to consider would be what other vehicles you have. My wife used to have a Volvo XC90 and I had an Accord, then we both switched to sedans, with me getting a 530e. I miss having the extra storage capability an SUV afforded us (moving large bulky items, doing runs to Costco, etc.). Next time we purchase a car, I'll be looking to restore the SUV to sedan balance in the household.

Agree, the SUV/sedan balance is nice. My wife and I's cars aren't very practical so we use our son's X3 for transporting the dog, going to the dump, home depot, etc. Its proved to be very useful, especially since my dog seems to not throw up in the X3 (although put him in my car and he'll get car sick for some reason ) Like you I plan on getting an SUV/Wagon/Hatch of some sort when my son takes the X3 to Florida for college so I can "restore the balance."

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by joshuastein55

Agree, the SUV/sedan balance is nice. My wife and I's cars aren't very practical so we use our son's X3 for transporting the dog, going to the dump, home depot, etc. Its proved to be very useful, especially since my dog seems to not throw up in the X3 (although put him in my car and he'll get car sick for some reason ) Like you I plan on getting an SUV/Wagon/Hatch of some sort when my son takes the X3 to Florida for college so I can "restore the balance."

My balance is provided by a R55 2013 MINI Clubman S which has a surprising amount of cargo space due to the longer wheelbase and nearly vertical, squared off body shape. Got to love the quirky rear barn doors.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by 530iDriver

My balance is a 2013 MINI Clubman S which has a surprising amount of cargo space due to the longer wheelbase and nearly vertical, squared off body shape.

Nice car, pretty zippy too, I'm trying to find the perfect wagon/hatch to replace the CLS because I don't care for the raised ride height of an SUV, but with an upcoming grandchild, the CLS and M2 won't do, although with this virus, I'll likely have to push back on plans. The current X3 and X5 are very nice, but I'd prefer a "car."

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by joshuastein55

Nice car, pretty zippy too, I'm trying to find the perfect wagon/hatch to replace the CLS because I don't care for the raised ride height of an SUV, but with an upcoming grandchild, the CLS and M2 won't do, although with this virus, I'll likely have to push back on plans. Although the current X3 and X5 are very nice, but I'd prefer a "car."

I would recommend taking a new F55 MINI Clubman S for a spin. That thing drives really, really nice and would say it's size and demeanor is reminiscent of the old E46 3 Series touring.

189HP but flies down the road. I believe it uses the B46/48 4 cyl 2 liter turbo.

And unlike my 2013 R55, you can actually seat 5 passengers on this one. Very comfortable and the form factor marries fun and practicality quite well.

Here is the one I drove recently...

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by Bill530e

Hi, not sure what your household status is, but something to consider would be what other vehicles you have. My wife used to have a Volvo XC90 and I had an Accord, then we both switched to sedans, with me getting a 530e. I miss having the extra storage capability an SUV afforded us (moving large bulky items, doing runs to Costco, etc.). Next time we purchase a car, I'll be looking to restore the SUV to sedan balance in the household.

if you like the ride of a sedan, consider a station wagon (estate car in the UK). There aren't a lot sold in the US but Volvo sells one and Audi sells one. It will give you the carrying capacity of an SUV with the handling of a sedan.

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

if you like the ride of a sedan, consider a station wagon (estate car in the UK). There aren't a lot sold in the US but Volvo sells one and Audi sells one. It will give you the carrying capacity of an SUV with the handling of a sedan.

And Mercedes sells the E Class wagon here as well. Built to order only.