[zedman]

Players, been looking round for a new car for the old man, he's expressed interest in a 4wd so we went to look at a few options and found the following

Q7 - too big
Cayenne - too pricey
RRS - too big and maybe a bit old in the tooth?

this left the X5 and after having an initial look we went on down to have a chat about figures, when we were in the showroom we came across this



its an X3 M Sport and I have to say pretty nice, comes in a 2.0d which apparently does 50mpg (prob 40 day to day) but specced up costs about 39k. This versus the X5 which we could get a specced up demo for about 45k. Now I always dismissed the X3 as a bit of a wifes car and not something i'd like to have cos it seems like a bit of a compromise. But these new ones seem pretty damn nice.

I think if the X5 had better mpg we'd prob just bag it but theres something about that X3 that impressed me and the mpg is a great bonus.

Anyone got any advice, bear in mind car will do approx 12k miles a year?

We also came a across a cheap 730d lease deal. This may be what he ends up with if he cant choose between the X's!

[kaishang]

X5 looks fugly if you ask me.

Does he want 4WD or does he want the high driving position which usually comes with 4WD?

[rogerxp]

I think you've summed up the X3 perfectly. It's essentially a baby X5 so you get get almost as much space but better efficiency (fuel, tax, etc) plus it's cheaper in the first instance. The new X3 is a huge step-up from the old one and I'd have one in an instant if I had more spare loot. In fact, I could probably get one, but I'd save nothing monthly which is something I'm hoping to acheive.

[creepy coupe]

X5 with the straight 6 diesel, all day long.

[dxb335d]

X5!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[zedman]

Originally Posted by kaishang

X5 looks fugly if you ask me.

Does he want 4WD or does he want the high driving position which usually comes with 4WD?

he wants a posh car with some presence (sp)

[davyk31]

What model of X5 is he looking at, is it an MSport and which engine?

X5 is sublime IMHO, bit of bias though as I have one! also had an old model X3 which was a great car but changed it after 8 months because I just wanted the bigger brother. While the new X3 is great and a big step up I think the same issue would arise if I bought the little bro.

Economy on X5 is not something to boast about though, mine is the 35d, great power, low 20s around town and tops out at about 30 on a run. Having said that at his 12k miles per year a few extra mpg isn't going to transform the decision or make it worth choosing a 4 pot 2.0d over a 6 pot 3.0d.

[zedman]

its a 3.0d MSport xdrive, the book says an average of 38mpg but i cant see it myself, i think it'd be more like 30 max

fair point on the mileage though, suppose it wouldn't matter a great deal

[rich1068]

Those 730d offers seem to be a bit of a bargain. The 5GT too. And have you had a play on the configurator with the 7? There's virtually nothing to add apart from weird stuff like suede headlining and otter skin door caps.

Anyway, I had a good look at the new X3 recently and it does seem streets ahead of the old one. About the same size as the first X5 too. I'd have one. It comes with the new auto gearbox too doesn't it?

[rogerxp]

...yes, it's got the new gearbox, plus adaptive suspension (soft, normal, hard) which makes the M Sport comfort streets ahead of mine. The M Sport looks great too. Oh, must resist trip walking over to new sales when I collect the X3 from service tomorrow .

[RichardM]

Having had two Range Rover Sport's and a 2011 X5 3.0D M-Sport I'd say don't discount the RRS, I enjoyed driving it more and the latest updates have kept it up to date. The X5 is also aging now and you can tell from the interior it’s based on the older generation cars. I was disappointed with the X5 overall and never really loved it. It also struggled to do 30mpg. The X3 on paper looks more impressive, either in 2.0d or 3.0d form.

[chrisbin]

New X3 is indeed waaaay better than the old one, but as you've discovered not exactly cheap for its size.....

If you liked the Cayenne aside from the price, I'd heartily recommend a Touareg.

We've had ours for just over a year now having run our other one (old shape) for 6 years. We loved the old one, but this is even better - roomier, faster, more economical, more refined, better equipped....

Wife spends most time in it, short journey's in and around town, still averages over 30 mpg (real world).

[rich1068]

Originally Posted by chrisbin

I'd heartily recommend a Touareg.

I have to say I was very impressed with the one I drove.

[marlie]

X6 lol

[davyk31]

Residuals on the Touareg are a bit frightening unless you buy one that has already lost a packet.

3.0D M Sport X5 with the 8 speed auto would be pretty hard to beat, perhaps a 40d if he wants more power as they are quite heavy but the deals might not be as good on them.

[rogerxp]

Oh, you've got me looking now (not that I can afford one ), but I hadn't realised the X3 engines already boasted the 35d engine. I knew only the 20d was available from launch, then the 30d joined it, but the 35d snook out without me noticing - bet that's a peach .

But, the cheapest 35d's are £45k on AUC which is a bit steep, but then again, my X3 rolled off the production line (with all its extras) about a fiver short of £50k .

[zedman]

That one i took the pic of is the 35d, nice but approc £49k. I coudn't quite believe it when I read it.

[davyk31]

The X3 only really makes sense in the smaller engines as the bigger engines are very near X5 money when new. However, if you do like Roger and I both did which was buy the 3.0d second hand they are generally near to the 2.0d prices and a much nicer vehicle.

£49k on a new X3 would be kinda crazy to my mind.

[jonw]

I've just gone from a X5 to a GT both 3.0d.
X5 returned average of 25, GT currently with 900 miles on it showing 34 mpg.
The GT is leagues ahead of comfort and refinement over the X5.

[Sir_Pigley]

Originally Posted by davyk31

The X3 only really makes sense in the smaller engines as the bigger engines are very near X5 money when new. However, if you do like Roger and I both did which was buy the 3.0d second hand they are generally near to the 2.0d prices and a much nicer vehicle.

£49k on a new X3 would be kinda crazy to my mind.

£39k is already bonkers for a mid size 4wd, never mind £49k. Bloody stupid money.

[chrisbin]

Originally Posted by davyk31

Residuals on the Touareg are a bit frightening unless you buy one that has already lost a packet.

Really?


Bought ours (old shape) for £38k, sold it for £16k just over 6 years later.....while that obviously hurts, it doesnt seem that bad....???

X3 and X5 prices are silly high, even before adding kit...

[rogerxp]

When you compare the X3 2.0d M Sport, in standard guise, at £34,135 I don't think it's all that expensive when compared to a 320d M Sport with leather (standard on an X3) which weighs in at £32,285. So for an £1,850 increase you get more space plus 4x4 if that floats your boat. I think the X3 looks expensive on the face of it but not really when you compare it to an alternative Beemer.