[maDjzo]

Any owners of both here besides Joe-BMW33 ?

Looking to get owners opinions on the G05. We had an F15 before getting the G30, we have a Subaru Ascent now as a primary kid hauler. My wife and I are about to have twin boys , our daughter is 3.5. I love the M550i but if the right deal comes along I’m looking to offload it and pickup something a bit bigger, even with the G30 it gets a bit tight in the back.

We loved the F15 X5 but back then didn’t expect our family to grow this much this fast lol. Original plan was to get a CPO F95, but unfortunately that is out of the budget now. Even though the F15 was assembled here in the US, besides a light rattle in the trunk area I loved the build quality and overall car, and knowing the new G05 is a new platform I’m assuming it’s solid as well.

Any thoughts and input is as always appreciated!

[Joe-BMW33]

We are VERY happy with the G05. It’s so smooth with the B58 and it is remarkably more comfortable than the G30. I do have the upgraded vernasca cognac leather in it, not sure if that matters, but the seats are really comfortable, a balance between locking you in and sinking in.

The back seat has plenty of leg room and with the rear seat backs being angled, there just more airspace.

The tailgate still rattles, more like a knock when the car rocks from side to side over uneven pavement, so they haven’t fixed it. I put some felt pads on the areas where it’s hitting. Definitely helped, but we’ve learned to tune it out.

Really nice suv overall. If it were my daily, I may have gone for the M50, but the girlfriend drives it mostly. X7 was a consideration, but too big for our needs. A third row is overrated. I’ve had a Q7 and still have the QX60, both with third rows. Can count the times on one hand I’ve needed it, even when my kids were small.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

We are VERY happy with the G05. It’s so smooth with the B58 and it is remarkably more comfortable than the G30. I do have the upgraded vernasca cognac leather in it, not sure if that matters, but the seats are really comfortable, a balance between locking you in and sinking in.

The back seat has plenty of leg room and with the rear seat backs being angled, there just more airspace.

The tailgate still rattles, more like a knock when the car rocks from side to side over uneven pavement, so they haven’t fixed it. I put some felt pads on the areas where it’s hitting. Definitely helped, but we’ve learned to tune it out.

Really nice suv overall. If it were my daily, I may have gone for the M50, but the girlfriend drives it mostly. X7 was a consideration, but too big for our needs. A third row is overrated. I’ve had a Q7 and still have the QX60, both with third rows. Can count the times on one hand I’ve needed it, even when my kids were small.

It’s funny how preferences vary. Between the two, even though my wife already has one, I’d rather drive the X7 than the X5. I wouldn’t need another X7 and won’t own two at the same time, obviously. I’d just get something besides those two. But hypothetically if I had to choose between the two, I’d just own two X7’s. To me, the X5 isn’t very exciting to look at or drive (duh, it’s an SUV). So I’d rather just bump up and have the size. I’d probably never raise the third row.

Maybe driving an M50 would change my mind but I don’t know. I’ve only driven the 40i.

I like the X6 look and would like to drive it to see if it really does feel more engaging like some say. In the M50 trim, of course.

[aerof16]

I have both a 2017 540i and a 2019 X5 40i. Love them both but if I had to choose one, I’d take the X5.

Having the extra space is nice, I think the seating height in the X5 is just more comfortable, and the multi contour seats with Merino leather in my X5 are WAY more comfortable than the heated/cooled/massaging seats in my G30.

While the X5 works great for my 5 year old and 7 year old, it might be a bit tight with newborn twins. Strollers and baby bags are gonna fill the space in the back pretty quick!

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by NGT2

It’s funny how preferences vary. Between the two, even though my wife already has one, I’d rather drive the X7 than the X5. I wouldn’t need another X7 and won’t own two at the same time, obviously. I’d just get something besides those two. But hypothetically if I had to choose between the two, I’d just own two X7’s. To me, the X5 isn’t very exciting to look at or drive (duh, it’s an SUV). So I’d rather just bump up and have the size. I’d probably never raise the third row.

Maybe driving an M50 would change my mind but I don’t know. I’ve only driven the 40i.

I like the X6 look and would like to drive it to see if it really does feel more engaging like some say. In the M50 trim, of course.

Definitely subjective. The X6 has always been a little off looking to me. Kind of an in between car (which I guess is the definition of the crossover), but overall, I am surprised they haven't cancelled it yet. Sales are so poor in the US. People that know I am enthusiast who aren't, often ask me about a BMW they saw. They describe it as weird and odd looking and think it is a new model. I tell them it is the X6 that has been around for ten years, but no one buys them. When I see an X6M on the other hand, it is definitely intriguing, if I were in my 20's/early 30's.

I like the X7 a lot, probably more than the X5, just too big for my needs. But at the end of the day, they are just SUV's to me. They serve a purpose.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Definitely subjective. The X6 has always been a little off looking to me. Kind of an in between car (which I guess is the definition of the crossover), but overall, I am surprised they haven't cancelled it yet. Sales are so poor in the US. When I see an X6M on the other hand, it is definitely intriguing, if I were in my 20's/early 30's.

I like the X7 a lot, probably more than the X5, just too big for my needs. But at the end of the day, they are just SUV's to me. They serve a purpose.

It’s funny. I’d still like to drive the X6 and check it out in person. But I think I’m kind of getting over that idea too. If I was not in a car I liked, I’d definitely be more motivated to search it out like I did going to Nashville to test drive an M550 before pulling the trigger.

I drive big SUV’s for a long time. I drove an Explorer in high school and college for a bit but everything else has been full size GM. I think I just can’t get excited driving a midsize SUV that doesn’t have some other upside than space and practicality. The X6 has a unique look and sportiness to it that makes it stand out to me. I think I prefer the X7 over the X5, even if I didn’t need it, because if I’m going that direction then I’d just assume go all the way. It’s taller and roomier and makes my ego feel better. I’m not afraid to admit the last part. It is what it is! I just like it better so I’ll be happier driving it.

[Gautam]

Bought the 5er when I had no kids, now very loosely window shopping the x7 and gls to add to the stable. (Leaning towards the mb because it’s bigger) We have a need for a comfortable 3rd row with ski trips and frequently local grandparents. Would rather get as much passenger and cargo space as I can if I’m getting an suv. But I’d go as far as to say that a midsize suv is the right choice for most people and there’s a reason why they’re so popular.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Gautam

Bought the 5er when I had no kids, now very loosely window shopping the x7 and gls to add to the stable. (Leaning towards the mb because it’s bigger) We have a need for a comfortable 3rd row with ski trips and frequently local grandparents. Would rather get as much passenger and cargo space as I can if I’m getting an suv. But I’d go as far as to say that a midsize suv is the right choice for most people and there’s a reason why they’re so popular.

Yeah, the third row does come in great when taking traveling locally to a vacation spot. For us, it's Maine or Cape Cod. So when we used to rent a house, it came in handy for packing up for a week and traveling with kids and friends. But as I look back and reflect on how many times I needed the third row in either the Q7 or the QX60, I probably could have rented a Suburban or Escalade.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Gautam

Bought the 5er when I had no kids, now very loosely window shopping the x7 and gls to add to the stable. (Leaning towards the mb because it’s bigger) We have a need for a comfortable 3rd row with ski trips and frequently local grandparents. Would rather get as much passenger and cargo space as I can if I’m getting an suv. But I’d go as far as to say that a midsize suv is the right choice for most people and there’s a reason why they’re so popular.

If those are your needs and you’re not hell bent on a Euro brand, you may as well check out the Yukon Denali and Escalade too. They will have a lot of 3rd row space. And you can get both in XL length that will afford 3rd row and Cargo.

I think I’d rather have the X7 and put a roof box on it if that did the job. But the other two are worth looking at. Especially if you want Super Cruise.

We didn’t test a GLS but we did test a GLE because it had 3 rows. The GLE was so boring to drive that we abandoned the MB option and never tested a GLS.

Of the aforementioned options in this post, the X7 was the best to drive. And that’s in 40i form, we didn’t go all the way with the M50. Wife likes the fuel efficiency of the B58. And after the fact, I figured out I also like the driving characteristics with the lighter front end. It’s pretty damn agile for its size and we don’t even have DHP with rear wheel steering.

[Gautam]

Originally Posted by NGT2

If those are your needs and you’re not hell bent on a Euro brand, you may as well check out the Yukon Denali and Escalade too. They will have a lot of 3rd row space. And you can get both in XL length that will afford 3rd row and Cargo.

I think I’d rather have the X7 and put a roof box on it if that did the job. But the other two are worth looking at. Especially if you want Super Cruise.

We didn’t test a GLS but we did test a GLE because it had 3 rows. The GLE was so boring to drive that we abandoned the MB option and never tested a GLS.

Of the aforementioned options in this post, the X7 was the best to drive. And that’s in 40i form, we didn’t go all the way with the M50. Wife likes the fuel efficiency of the B58. And after the fact, I figured out I also like the driving characteristics with the lighter front end. It’s pretty damn agile for its size and we don’t even have DHP with rear wheel steering.

I test drove a gle 43 amg when I was shopping for my m550i. It was possibly the most disappointing car I’ve driven.

I’ve rented a Yukon xl Denali for a ski trip, didn’t like it that much, mostly on account of it being so, so large. But the fit and finish and comfort were pretty good. It’s still 12-18 months out but I wouldn’t be surprised if we end up with an x7. 3x in a row, each time I cross ship bmw and mb, mb starts out looking good but bmw wins. From what I can tell it’s hit a balance of practicality and agility that nothing else out there has.

To your point about bmw losing their identity in the other thread, like it or not, bmws identity today revolves primarily around their luxury family SUV’s. It’s where they’re making most of their money, and where they’re completely dominating the competition.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Gautam

I test drove a gle 43 amg when I was shopping for my m550i. It was possibly the most disappointing car I’ve driven.

I’ve rented a Yukon xl Denali for a ski trip, didn’t like it that much, mostly on account of it being so, so large. But the fit and finish and comfort were pretty good. It’s still 12-18 months out but I wouldn’t be surprised if we end up with an x7. 3x in a row, each time I cross ship bmw and mb, mb starts out looking good but bmw wins. From what I can tell it’s hit a balance of practicality and agility that nothing else out there has.

To your point about bmw losing their identity in the other thread, like it or not, bmws identity today revolves primarily around their luxury family SUV’s. It’s where they’re making most of their money, and where they’re completely dominating the competition.

I rented a Suburban and a Tahoe over the last year for business trips from Boston to NYC and back. Comfortable enough, plenty of room as they are beasts - but the stopping power is absolute shit. The brakes are dangerously inadequate for the size and weight of the car. American garbage at it's finest.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I rented a Suburban and a Tahoe over the last year for business trips from Boston to NYC and back. Comfortable enough, plenty of room as they are beasts - but the stopping power is absolute shit. The brakes are dangerously inadequate for the size and weight of the car. American garbage at it's finest.

The Escalade might get better brakes. If you can afford it, I think it’s clearly the way to go. But for that money, hard not to look more at luxury imports IF you don’t need the XL space. The Escalade does look pretty awesome.

People bitch about euro brands as far as maintenance. But GM full car warranty is 3 years and 36k miles. BMW backs their cars completely for 4 years, 50k miles. What does that tell you?

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Gautam

I test drove a gle 43 amg when I was shopping for my m550i. It was possibly the most disappointing car I’ve driven.

I’ve rented a Yukon xl Denali for a ski trip, didn’t like it that much, mostly on account of it being so, so large. But the fit and finish and comfort were pretty good. It’s still 12-18 months out but I wouldn’t be surprised if we end up with an x7. 3x in a row, each time I cross ship bmw and mb, mb starts out looking good but bmw wins. From what I can tell it’s hit a balance of practicality and agility that nothing else out there has.

To your point about bmw losing their identity in the other thread, like it or not, bmws identity today revolves primarily around their luxury family SUV’s. It’s where they’re making most of their money, and where they’re completely dominating the competition.

I have a feeling when you cross shop the X7 and GLS, you’ll continue your trend. MB is super luxurious and comfortable and they look good. But if you want to enjoy the drive beyond luxury and comfort, I think BMW wins out for the driver.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by NGT2

The Escalade might get better brakes. If you can afford it, I think it’s clearly the way to go. But for that money, hard not to look more at luxury imports IF you don’t need the XL space. The Escalade does look pretty awesome.

People bitch about euro brands as far as maintenance. But GM full car warranty is 3 years and 36k miles. BMW backs their cars completely for 4 years, 50k miles. What does that tell you?

I do find some of the Caddy's intriguing, especially the CT5-V, but dollar for dollar, I have trouble getting there. I know the Escalade carries some cache, but at the end of the day, it is a Caddy. I'm definitely a car snob and the Caddy stigma in my here parts is one that involves a goomba behind the wheel with a wide open shirt and a gold rope chain. All that, plus they still aren't made well or engineered well.

There is no reason the brakes on those rentals needed to be that weak. It was like stopping a tank with drum brakes.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...-blackwing-53/

[maDjzo]

I do like the X7 a lot. There’s ton of them around our area, it’s nice to hear the B58 in that size is still agile and fuel efficient. I’m still on the fence as we have a 3rd row now, with that said and in hindsight, we probably should’ve gotten a minivan. With captains chairs now, and the Subaru being a bit tight in the third row, we will end up putting our daughter forward facing in the 3rd row, with the twins rear facing in the captain chairs.

Just like the idea of having another bigger vehicle that won’t be cramped in the rear and can still haul a bit of gear.

I’m not really liking anything from MB or Audi, although the GLE and GLS ride very comfortable and are amazing inside. I just don’t think they provide the overall ride BMW will provide.

[BlueSander]

We picked up a 24' X5 mid of last year. Lov it! Just did a family road trip from CT to DC over the weekend. We avg 28-30mpg the entire trip. The car is extremely comfortable. The new 40v system really helps with start-stop feature. You can barely feel it nowadays. Ours were fully loaded and came with 22" wheels & spare tire. While it amazes me every time on how comfortable the car is, I would avoid 22 wheels. Tires are crazy expensive. My biggest complain is that BMW cheaped out this round. Comfort access is for front 2 doors only. There is no sensor on the rear doors to unlock the car.

[BWilson263]

Originally Posted by maDjzo

Any owners of both here besides Joe-BMW33 ?

Looking to get owners opinions on the G05. We had an F15 before getting the G30, we have a Subaru Ascent now as a primary kid hauler. My wife and I are about to have twin boys , our daughter is 3.5. I love the M550i but if the right deal comes along I’m looking to offload it and pickup something a bit bigger, even with the G30 it gets a bit tight in the back.

We loved the F15 X5 but back then didn’t expect our family to grow this much this fast lol. Original plan was to get a CPO F95, but unfortunately that is out of the budget now. Even though the F15 was assembled here in the US, besides a light rattle in the trunk area I loved the build quality and overall car, and knowing the new G05 is a new platform I’m assuming it’s solid as well.

Any thoughts and input is as always appreciated!

I have both 2019 G30 Msport and a 2020 G05. Hard to decide which one I like better both have the B58 motor. I went Stage 2+ with the G30. The G05 is stock but still has plenty off pep. At my age the G05 is easier get in and out of and lots of space within when going to Home Depot.

[LuvMyE92]

I traded my G30 M550ix in on the wife's G05 X5. We ordered that one so that she could get her color and I made sure that it had HUD. We got the whatever-they-call-it-this-week fake leather product for the seats, and honestly, you can't tell that it's fake. Very nice.

As noted above, the cheap no comfort access sensors on the rear doors are annoying, but that's about it. The B58 has more power than you need, honestly, this thing is a rocket. It's extremely quiet too, so great for road trips.

The only problem with the car is that we get getting recall notices, nothing major, but it's annoying. OK, "keep getting" now means 2, but it annoys the wife.

The only other downside is that it is a big car and takes a lot of time to wash, and I can't reach the roof.

[pmsteinm]

We have a 7 & 5 year-old. I drive an F90 (same back seat as G30) and my wife has a '19 G05. I don't find the backseat to be much bigger in the G05. When we had 2 rear-facing I felt like there was no leg room in the front passenger seat of the G05 (my knees were touching the glove box). Now that they are forward facing the passenger seat is fine but when I drive her car on long trips my hips and lower back kill me because I cannot position the seat where I want to. In the F90 I am very comfortable and can put the seat where I want. The only issue is when I exit the car it moves the upper backrest all the way back, which almost ends up in my kid's lap and would be a real problem with rear-facing seats. Once she moves to a booster she will be lower down and that will be less of a problem.

We also made my wife's 07 E90 335 work for 2 years with the first kid. The rear-facing fit fine and I was comfortable in the passenger seat.

I'm not a fan of SUV's, but my wife loves her G05, and we have had no issues in the first 5 years of ownership, which is a record for any new car for me. I do all my own work, and so far, all I've needed to do besides oil/brake fluid/air filters was plugs and coils. This summer I plan to change all driveline fluids (diffs, xfer case, transmission) since we are almost at 60k miles, and it will be good practice for doing it on the M5.

The G05 does seem to go through tires very fast (for a non-performance car). We have the standard (in 2019) 19" run flat Bridgestone. I don't love them, but I wanted RFT for her. She gets ~25k miles per axle set. I blame the RFT and high curb weight.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by pmsteinm

We have a 7 & 5 year-old. I drive an F90 (same back seat as G30) and my wife has a '19 G05. I don't find the backseat to be much bigger in the G05. When we had 2 rear-facing I felt like there was no leg room in the front passenger seat of the G05 (my knees were touching the glove box). Now that they are forward facing the passenger seat is fine but when I drive her car on long trips my hips and lower back kill me because I cannot position the seat where I want to. In the F90 I am very comfortable and can put the seat where I want. The only issue is when I exit the car it moves the upper backrest all the way back, which almost ends up in my kid's lap and would be a real problem with rear-facing seats. Once she moves to a booster she will be lower down and that will be less of a problem.

We also made my wife's 07 E90 335 work for 2 years with the first kid. The rear-facing fit fine and I was comfortable in the passenger seat.

I'm not a fan of SUV's, but my wife loves her G05, and we have had no issues in the first 5 years of ownership, which is a record for any new car for me. I do all my own work, and so far, all I've needed to do besides oil/brake fluid/air filters was plugs and coils. This summer I plan to change all driveline fluids (diffs, xfer case, transmission) since we are almost at 60k miles, and it will be good practice for doing it on the M5.

The G05 does seem to go through tires very fast (for a non-performance car). We have the standard (in 2019) 19" run flat Bridgestone. I don't love them, but I wanted RFT for her. She gets ~25k miles per axle [...]

My X7 40i runs through those run flat Bridgestones too. The weight is part of it.

[Gautam]

Originally Posted by pmsteinm

We have a 7 & 5 year-old. I drive an F90 (same back seat as G30) and my wife has a '19 G05. I don't find the backseat to be much bigger in the G05. When we had 2 rear-facing I felt like there was no leg room in the front passenger seat of the G05 (my knees were touching the glove box). Now that they are forward facing the passenger seat is fine but when I drive her car on long trips my hips and lower back kill me because I cannot position the seat where I want to. In the F90 I am very comfortable and can put the seat where I want. The only issue is when I exit the car it moves the upper backrest all the way back, which almost ends up in my kid's lap and would be a real problem with rear-facing seats. Once she moves to a booster she will be lower down and that will be less of a problem.
.

I’m glad someone else feels like g30/f90 is actually more comfortable than the g05. At first, I went searching for an suv, despite having no kids at the time. But surprisingly, not just me but my wife also found the 5er more comfortable. The rear seats, because of the incline of the back cushion, and the front due to front cushion being lower. One needs to sit more upright in the x5. The 5 makes you feel like you’re lounging. It’s about 3 inches longer iirc so this shouldn’t be a surprise.

What I hate to admit I liked about an ix loaner I had is that its dimensions were aces. Perfect length, perfect seating position, more usable width too. Car seat was a very comfortable fit. Unfortunately its seats ruined the experience, forget about lumbar support, forget about leather altogether.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Gautam

I’m glad someone else feels like g30/f90 is actually more comfortable than the g05. At first, I went searching for an suv, despite having no kids at the time. But surprisingly, not just me but my wife also found the 5er more comfortable. The rear seats, because of the incline of the back cushion, and the front due to front cushion being lower. One needs to sit more upright in the x5. The 5 makes you feel like you’re lounging. It’s about 3 inches longer iirc so this shouldn’t be a surprise.

What I hate to admit I liked about an ix loaner I had is that its dimensions were aces. Perfect length, perfect seating position, more usable width too. Car seat was a very comfortable fit. Unfortunately its seats ruined the experience, forget about lumbar support, forget about leather altogether.

I agree. Sitting in the G30 feels like you’re lounging. If you have knee problems then I get it being worse for entry and exit. But when you sit down in the driver seat or passenger seat of the G30, it’s like a glove. I’ve never gotten uncomfortable, no matter how long the drive. Including very long road trips. I test drove a 750 and honestly it wasn’t as natural feeling as the 5.