Moving on from M3 to an SUV (help?)

[Kief]

Originally Posted by tropicalypso

I’d be interested in hearing what sort of deal you got (we bought an X4 M40i about 6 months ago to)

Sure, PM me

[damnitBobby]

I love my SQ5. I've owned BMW, Mercedes, Lexus and am impressed with the build quality of the Audi. The car is very comfortable while still being relatively quick. Fantastic daily driver.

TBH though after exactly one year of ownership today I am thinking about going back to a sedan. No matter what sports SUV you get it will never handle like a sports sedan/coupe. Too much weight and higher center of gravity sap some of the fun out of the dynamics.

[dkhm3]

Originally Posted by damnitBobby

TBH though after exactly one year of ownership today I am thinking about going back to a sedan. No matter what sports SUV you get it will never handle like a sports sedan/coupe. Too much weight and higher center of gravity sap some of the fun out of the dynamics.

I second that last paragraph. I find the hi po suv thing boring to drive.

[JamesMA]

I recommend that the OP test drive an X5 desiel too. Wife had one for years and loved it. Handled great in the snow - live in NE so we might get a little snow too and with the crazy desiel torque, was very sporty when needed - the "butt dyno" felt very comparable to my old F30 335i / MPPK. We moved on to an MB GL450 for her for space / family reasons etc. We both agree that the X5 desiel was a better drivers car that was still a real truck when it counted and wish we did not need the extra space. We plan on looking at an X7 in a few years and will probably go that route if they make a desiel available in the US.

[sandwi54]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

I've known a couple of people who have tried to go this route and realized the lower powered versions were better for their use cases (e.g. when you have family in the car, you won't be hammering on it, and when you do hammer on it, it's still a porky SUV)

I fully concur with this statement since I've personally gone down this road. I have been so used to the power in my M3, so when I was buying a X5 back in 2015, I immediately went with the 50i. At first, the power was intoxicating and the car felt fun to drive. After a while, the reality started sinking in as there's just no way I could've driven the bulky X5 like the M3. The increased fuel consumption started bugging me, and after having a kid I rarely got the chance to drive fast anymore since the kid sleeps in the car a lot. We are expecting a second kid now, so we sold the X5 and got a Q7 instead since we also needed the third row for in-laws when they visit. The V6 335HP in the Q7 felt just right for this SUV - not so powerful that everything else in the car felt lacking, and yet when I needed the power to pass on the highway, it's right there. Fuel consumption is also much better than the X5 50i.

[JackieChiles]

Have driven or owned in the family many of those.

The jag f pace s drives great and sounds good. Excellent car.

My wife had a loaded up Macan s and this was epic. Handling with air suspension was unreal with flawless ride quality. Porsche suspensions are ridiculous. Pdk is phenomenal as well.

Downsides are a laggy engine and very small inside, too small for us with a second kid coming.

Traded that for an x5m, epic car. Sounds great good gearbox and handled well. Love this one.

For me, it would be Macan turbo / gts or x5m. depends how much space you want.

But for a sheer drivers suv, the way the Macan handles is something special. X5m is great but the size is noticeable.

I’d have an x5m because of the better engine and more useable space, but it’s close. And because I now am about to have 2 kids and a dog.

[M3BeamerVroom]

X3M

[Budget M3]

If you want the sports car feeling in an SUV, the Cayenne Turbo is hard to beat. Compared to its closest competitor, the X5M, it was no contest. I found the X5M to be quite harsh in all modes and the P-truck beats the BMW in interior finish quality, too.

In addition: With chassis in comfort mode, it rides with the comfort of a 5-series (even on 21-inch rims with 295 rubber.) Sport mode chassis is like an M3 in comfort mode—pretty amazing for a 5000 lb vehicle. Much more utility than the Macan or the other compact SUVs. Oh, and 500+ hp and 500 ft-lb = ‘nuf said.

[KZEVO]

Outgoing X5M is a great option. Was able to test drive one and it is a monster.

[summilux]

We have a Macan GTS that we cross-shopped against the Jaguar F-Pace and the Audi Q5. The Porsche was by far the better driving SUV. Yes it was costlier than the others but it felt faster, more luxurious and was much more fun to drive. The PDK is fantastic, it accelerates and brakes very quickly and there is very little body roll in fast, tight turns. But no way would I trade my F80 for a Macan. The rear is a bit roomier and there is somewhat more cargo room but the drive is nowhere near as involving as an M3. Don't get me wrong, the Macan is amazing for what it is. I would say that the GTS has the driving dynamics of the current 340i, quite a compliment given the Macan's height and size. I do like the Porsche interior more than my M3.

[Negtvions]

Curious about what you will pick. Let us know.

[Maitre_Absolut]

Originally Posted by summilux

We have a Macan GTS that we cross-shopped against the Jaguar F-Pace and the Audi Q5. The Porsche was by far the better driving SUV. Yes it was costlier than the others but it felt faster, more luxurious and was much more fun to drive. The PDK is fantastic, it accelerates and brakes very quickly and there is very little body roll in fast, tight turns. But no way would I trade my F80 for a Macan. The rear is a bit roomier and there is somewhat more cargo room but the drive is nowhere near as involving as an M3. Don't get me wrong, the Macan is amazing for what it is. I would say that the GTS has the driving dynamics of the current 340i, quite a compliment given the Macan's height and size. I do like the Porsche interior more than my M3.

Well said. Just got into my F80 from a GTS and agree completely.

[KevinM]

Since none are available with a MT, I'd gamble and go for the Alfa. From the reviews, it's almost as rewarding as the QV and faster due to AWD.

[M3GymNut]

Stelvio QV, best driving SUV anywhere. Just read about it...

[DS_BMW]

Has anyone driven and can compare both the Jeep trackhawk and X5M?

[georgere]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

What are your goals?

It seems like you want to spend a ton of money to try and have a fun SUV and 5 seats are enough, so my suggestions are E63S wagon, Jeep Trackhawk, P100D Model X

I've known a couple of people who have tried to go this route and realized the lower powered versions were better for their use cases (e.g. when you have family in the car, you won't be hammering on it, and when you do hammer on it, it's still a porky SUV)

100% agree.
Every time I try x5/6M I can't see the point. Perhaps regular x5 with biggest engine and m package is a better way to go in term of initial cost, depreciation, and maintenance. This is what my brother got and he loves it. His second x5 5.0

[hellrotm]

Motor Trend thought so highly of the Stelvio QV after a test. They entered it in this years Best Driver’s Car competition. First time for a suv to make the cut.

[captainaudio]

My "Beater" or more accurately my practical utility vehicle is a Cayenne GTS.

It is an enjoyable vehicle to drive and with the winter tires is a great vehicle for New England winters.

[hilld]

Originally Posted by damnitBobby

I love my SQ5. I've owned BMW, Mercedes, Lexus and am impressed with the build quality of the Audi. The car is very comfortable while still being relatively quick. Fantastic daily driver.

TBH though after exactly one year of ownership today I am thinking about going back to a sedan. No matter what sports SUV you get it will never handle like a sports sedan/coupe. Too much weight and higher center of gravity sap some of the fun out of the dynamics.

I went the other way, from my SQ5 to an M4 convertible, but it is also not my primary driver, more of a weekend fun car. The SQ5 was great after a few changes, such as sway bars, KW HAS springs, AluKreuz, exhaust, wheels and tires.



Good luck in your search, I really love the look of the X5M's though, they just scream badass.

[Ian1973]

Sharp with the HPE's.

[Nicky_do_it]

I can relate to the OP but think the GLC and Stelvio are too small to consider. There is reference to the SQ5 being too small but not those? My interest in an SUV is for a bit more passenger space, cargo space, and daily driving. I am not sure I get the point of something like the Stelvio. Is it the AWD and height, because cargo space is like 18 cu ft and passenger room should be the same as the Guilia. I wonder if there is demand for an AWD Guilia Q.V.? If not, why? I read some posts not understanding the point of a large high performance SUV. However, on a relative basis, I see more purpose in an X5m then the Stelvio Q.V..

[speedmaster20d]

it depends on if off road matters to you or not