[Mattl0806]

Originally Posted by EWL5

Cost cutting across the industry continues. I am seriously considering getting away from luxury brands and opting for premium or mass market brands that offer decent performance. They're all trying to meet in the middle anyway when it comes to the interior but at least I'll feel better about not overpaying for plastic and hard touch surfaces!

Those that are so willing to buy 80000 tahoes and expeditions with all the plastic inside of them always astonished me — but now us bmw customers are going to be no different lol and At least with those trucks you’re largely paying for the utility.

[Hendoo]

Originally Posted by Jen4BMW

Everyone who drives a G01 M40i knows the G45 M50 needs a short list of critical upgrades to be a smart upgrade over a G01 M40i or X4M:
1. Better seats
2. Air suspension
3. Traditional gauges and buttons
4. A killer new design that one ups the Macan

I would add
5. A spare tire that doesn’t intrude into the cargo compartment

[OUGrad05]

Originally Posted by EWL5

Cost cutting across the industry continues. I am seriously considering getting away from luxury brands and opting for premium or mass market brands that offer decent performance. They're all trying to meet in the middle anyway when it comes to the interior but at least I'll feel better about not overpaying for plastic and hard touch surfaces!

That really seems to be model dependent. The new X5 (facelift) shits all over its competition in terms of materials. It's a stunningly nice vehicle IMO.

When going down market brands like Mazda and Acura come to mind but I can tell you with first hand knowledge they aren't the same.

[internalaudit]

After reading about some BMW PHEV-specific issues as recent as 2022/23 models (X5 mostly), I think my wife should be considering the M50 unless of course the xDrive30 can come with M Sport Differentials.

Hoping the G45 Premium Essentials Package, M Sport Differential and Driver Assistance Package will be sufficient (costs quickly add up) though the M Sport Brake, if it offer more braking power, may be a good option too seeing how powerful the B58 motor is and from what cars she is used to driving lol.

Hoping these vehicles can easily last 10+ years following recommended maintenance.

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by OUGrad05

That really seems to be model dependent. The new X5 (facelift) shits all over its competition in terms of materials. It's a stunningly nice vehicle IMO.

When going down market brands like Mazda and Acura come to mind but I can tell you with first hand knowledge they aren't the same.

I'm no expert on the X5 but major changes going from the pre-LCI MY23 to the MY24 X5:

1) Loss of shifter and multiple buttons.
2) Going from the M50i to the M60i, loss of leather seats, upgraded seats w/ventilation and massage, and HK audio (all standard).

Folks will gladly trade incremental performance for loss of standard items but it's still painful to lose standard creature comforts nevertheless.

I'm quite familiar w/Acura and how owners claim their cars check a lot of boxes. The semi-automated drive modes in a BMW are far superior to those in an Acura (agreed that they're not the same despite checking the same box)! The MDX is switching over to B&O audio and only time will tell if it was a good move or made the quality of one of their boxes (3D ELS Studio system) worse!

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by internalaudit

After reading about some BMW PHEV-specific issues as recent as 2022/23 models (X5 mostly), I think my wife should be considering the M50 unless of course the xDrive30 can come with M Sport Differentials.

Hoping the G45 Premium Essentials Package, M Sport Differential and Driver Assistance Package will be sufficient (costs quickly add up) though the M Sport Brake, if it offer more braking power, may be a good option too seeing how powerful the B58 motor is and from what cars she is used to driving lol.

Hoping these vehicles can easily last 10+ years following recommended maintenance.

If comparing a MY22/23 X5 to a MY25 X3, I'd get the X5 every time and twice on Sunday! As I noted in my last post, quite a bit of equipment is still standard up to MY23 and you retain the physical controls that are becoming extinct.

[internalaudit]

Originally Posted by EWL5

If comparing a MY22/23 X5 to a MY25 X3, I'd get the X5 every time and twice on Sunday! As I noted in my last post, quite a bit of equipment is still standard up to MY23 and you retain the physical controls that are becoming extinct.

Interesting. Depreciation is steep on the X5 but will need to step up to the M50i or was it on the 60i to get M Sport Differential.

TBH going used probably makes the most sense and just buy extended warranty for some piece of mind. Will check some X5 listings. Didn't know BMW decontented the X5 in 2024.

So 22 or 23 will be fine?

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by internalaudit

So 22 or 23 will be fine?

I’m no X5 expert. You’re better off posting in the X5 forum!

[internalaudit]

Okay, thanks. If buying a used X5, will probably look at the 45e, at least part of the powertrain is covered for eight years.

Forget M Sport Differential if we can get one at a considerable discount than a 2023 or 2024 X3 M40i haha.

My wife just admitted a few minutes ago she prefered an X5 even if used lol.

[Mattl0806]

Originally Posted by OUGrad05

That really seems to be model dependent. The new X5 (facelift) shits all over its competition in terms of materials. It's a stunningly nice vehicle IMO.

When going down market brands like Mazda and Acura come to mind but I can tell you with first hand knowledge they aren't the same.

That’s bc it’s just a facelift and the left most of the original g05 model unchanged.

When the x5 gets the complete new model in 2026 the materials will go to shit just like the 5 series and apparently the soon to be release x3…

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by internalaudit

Okay, thanks. If buying a used X5, will probably look at the 45e, at least part of the powertrain is covered for eight years.

Forget M Sport Differential if we can get one at a considerable discount than a 2023 or 2024 X3 M40i haha.

My wife just admitted a few minutes ago she prefered an X5 even if used lol.

Your wife is smart! I've been told many times an X5 is far more luxurious than an X3 is capable of (though passenger volume is just about the same and only 8% more cargo area)!

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by Mattl0806

That’s bc it’s just a facelift and the left most of the original g05 model unchanged.

When the x5 gets the complete new model in 2026 the materials will go to shit just like the 5 series and apparently the soon to be release x3…

Agreed. The opportunity for drastic change (i.e. cost cutting) will be in the completely new generation. Ever hate when restaurants change the printed menu? I can tell you it's not just to update the pretty pictures.

[Mattl0806]

Originally Posted by EWL5

Agreed. The opportunity for drastic change (i.e. cost cutting) will be in the completely new generation. Ever hate when restaurants change the printed menu? I can tell you it's not just to update the pretty pictures.

The x5 or x7 might be the best combo of refresh without cheapness we will see over the next 5-10 years. Get them now!

[snareman]

Originally Posted by Jen4BMW

I’ve had (3) X3’s now and driven the Macan extensively (2 weeks ago) so I am coming at this with a real world vantage point like many others are.

The X3 is not as refined as the Macan with steel or AS. Not even close actually.

It’s unfortunate that BMW didn’t invest R&D dollars to develop an all new and improved suspension in the new G45. If they had they wouldn’t be bragging about a new steering system that nobody really asked for in the first place.

I for one was hoping they’d reverse engineer the Macan suspension and finally give Porsche a taste of their own medicine.

With this said AS might not be the answer for the G45 in retrospect. AS would just make the M sport suspension feel more like a X5 when the high point is really the Macan. Who knows maybe BMW is saving the best news for last but I am betting this isn’t the case.

My money is on another amazing power train, even more power, decent looks but still a sub par suspension. Oh yeah and we’ll be missing all our convenience buttons.

Yippie skippie!

You're paying quite a bit extra for that added niceness though. I'm on an allocation wait list for a 911 and keep going and pricing Macan's only to realize how much of a relative value the X3's are in comparison.

[ContactPatch]

Originally Posted by snareman

You've paying quite a bit extra for that added niceness though. I'm on an allocation wait list for a 911 and keep going and pricing Macan's only to realize how much of a relative value the X3's are in comparison.

When looking at Porsche Options, you need one of two things: (1.) a bottle of single malt scotch or (2.) a bottle of Aleve, to help kill the enormous headache your about to get.

[snareman]

Originally Posted by ContactPatch

When looking at Porsche Options, you need one of two things: (1.) a bottle of single malt scotch or (2.) a bottle of Aleve, to help kill the enormous headache your about to get.

Yes, both from the dizzying amount of them and their associated prices. Although it might cost Porsche exactly the same amount if they think people will want it more they'll make it $700 more expensive.

[T_U_D]

As a Porsche owner with one only being a few months old, many individuals, including myself are rather shell-shocked by the Porsche tax and PAG appears to be rather proud of it too. As a seasoned European automobile purchaser it is a rather difficult pill to swallow.

I have spent ample time in the driver’s seat of a base Macan and Macan S and truthfully I feel that the X3 is a vastly better buy. The rear passenger seating as well as the cargo area in a Macan are nearly useless.

[snareman]

Originally Posted by T_U_D

As a Porsche owner with one only being a few months old many individuals, including myself are rather shell-shocked by the Porsche tax and PAG appears to be rather proud of too. As a seasoned European automobile purchaser it is a rather difficult to swallow.

I have spent ample time in the driver’s seat of a base Macan and Macan S and truthfully I feel that the X3 is a vastly better buy. The rear passenger seating as well as the cargo area in a Macan are nearly useless.

I haven't spent a ton of time in the Macan, but from looking at my friends it seems that with the sloping shape of the rear that is going to be nowhere near as useful for hauling semi big stuff as the X3 would be with it's more squared off rear. Seems like the Macan is more of just I want something sporty but in an SUV form versus the more utilitarian X3.

[T_U_D]

Originally Posted by snareman

I haven't spent a ton of time in the Macan, but from looking at my friends it seems that with the sloping shape of the rear that is going to be nowhere near as useful for hauling semi big stuff as the X3 would be with it's more squared off rear. Seems like the Macan is more of just I want something sporty but in an SUV form versus the more utilitarian X3.

For me personally the overall design of the ICE Macan is a little long in the tooth. It is unfortunate that the new design is going to be EV only because if they put some ICE in it they would sell like hot cakes! I have been told that the interest for the EV Macan has been rather lackluster.

[Skooba1231]

Love the ‘21 m40i we have. After watching this, made the executive decision and got on the queue for one 😆

[Mattl0806]

Do we have a release date yet? Seeing a couple of April articles saying “weeks away” - this happening in May?

Can they please just put the seats from the new 5 series in it?!?!

[Xtabi]

Originally Posted by Mattl0806

Do we have a release date yet? Seeing a couple of April articles saying “weeks away” - this happening in May?

Can they please just put the seats from the new 5 series in it?!?!

Mid-June will be the full reveal.

Start of production is in August.