[BeeMdblU]

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

If the X5 is within budget, in it you'll get the best of both worlds.

[en1gma]

Having only very recently gone from a G30 530i to an X3 (due to wanting to go hybrid, and the resultant reduction in boot space - and the wife Not Liking Estates/Tourings at all) I'd say in absolute terms a 530i is a better car.

You can't beat the build quality, passenger comfort and it is a really smooth, quiet and refined petrol engine.

If you need the space, off road ability and practicality of a SUV the X3 is a good choice (it's still a good car to drive). But the quality of interior materials is way better in a 5 series. And you don't get power adjusted steering wheel at all in the X3.

As someone above said, the X5 is probably the better SUV alternative, but is too big and expensive for me (those tyres are huuuuuuuge).

Considering the X3 is still a lot of money (in the UK at least), it's a real shame BMW chose profit over quality at this price point for this car. And it's apparently the most popular Bimmer, so an absolute cash cow for them.

Oh well…