'05 X5, '07 X3 or a '07 328xi sportwagon. What would you get?

[PUZZ]

Who has compared the three and how did you come to your decision? I left out the 530xi because I want to stay under $50K

[gabethan]

Do you have kids? If you do, then my response will apply to you. I looked at all of these 3 models PLUS the 525. The reason I did not get the wagon was because the backseat offered very little legroom and was even worse when I tried to get 2 car seats back there. The 5 series, X3, and X5 all have or they are incredibly close to having the exact same backseat as far as length and legroom. If you want a sporty feel of a car, the 525 can be had for under $50k. It's a beautiful car to drive and has a much different feel than the SAVs. I test drove a 2006 X3, and I was not too impressed, and I really need good a/c where I live. The X3 did not have the rear climate like the X5. Ultimately, I chose the X5 because it sits up higher, feels as if it's built like a tank, and the floorboard is flat in the backseat which is nicer when you transport multiple kids in the back, PLUS the rear climate control!!!

If you like the 3 wagon and are buying your car, you might want to consider a 2006 530xit. It has the ride of a sedan and much better gas mileage than a SAV. We made our decision only a couple months ago, and there were many dealers trying hard to get rid of demos which had not been titled yet. I think I found this by searching on the bmwusa.com site for preowned or search inventory. The only reason we did not go with this option was that we leased and the rates for '06 X5 were just too good to pass up.

Hope that helps!!!

[schley]

Do you have kids? If you do, then my response will apply to you. I looked at all of these 3 models PLUS the 525. The reason I did not get the wagon was because the backseat offered very little legroom and was even worse when I tried to get 2 car seats back there. The 5 series, X3, and X5 all have or they are incredibly close to having the exact same backseat as far as length and legroom. If you want a sporty feel of a car, the 525 can be had for under $50k. It's a beautiful car to drive and has a much different feel than the SAVs. I test drove a 2006 X3, and I was not too impressed, and I really need good a/c where I live. The X3 did not have the rear climate like the X5. Ultimately, I chose the X5 because it sits up higher, feels as if it's built like a tank, and the floorboard is flat in the backseat which is nicer when you transport multiple kids in the back, PLUS the rear climate control!!!

If you like the 3 wagon and are buying your car, you might want to consider a 2006 530xit. It has the ride of a sedan and much better gas mileage than a SAV. We made our decision only a couple months ago, and there were many dealers trying hard to get rid of demos which had not been titled yet. I think I found this by searching on the bmwusa.com site for preowned or search inventory. The only reason we did not go with this option was that we leased and the rates for '06 X5 were just too good to pass up.

Hope that helps!!!

great post!