[Stockwell]

Different people have different opinions... I own a pre-LCI G01 (2021) and I don't like it... It is bit old style, the iDrive interface is outdated. I was thinking to switch to 2024 M40i but I feel same old style. Sitting in a 2024 X5, I can feel the material and style is more luxury, but still feel it's for 60s or may be 70s... I more interest with design like iX or Polestar 3 or 4, but still not comfortable with EV with Canada cold weather. So I just pick up my G45 M50 fully loaded... I know lots of opinion here, but I am OK with the new BMW design... JUST do not turn all interior lights to MAX brightness!

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Neusser

You still don't get it. I don't give a shit about official segment designations.

I commented only that the car is not compact, as it is huge.

Originally Posted by Neusser

The amount of stick you'll get from many folks simply for driving anything larger than a 1 series (with a premium-badge brand) is truly something to behold.

OK, unofficially, X5 is ginormous and X7 is gargantuan?

I guess my reaction is that it is all relative and subjective, and I get that X3 does not seem compact in your location. That is why letters instead of words are used internationally to group vehicle sizes. I recall the trouble I had fitting a Chrysler Pacifica through some streets/locations on a European driving trip, getting lots of looks. But over here, X3 is still considered on the smaller side, as are size-mates MB GLC, Genesis GV70, Porsche Macan, etc...all about 185-187" long. 193-197" long vehicles from typical Ford Explorers to BMW X5 are everywhere. Lots of Cayenne, GLS, and X7 as well. You have to get up into the 210"-230" range to be considered as "huge" here for still-common vehicles like Chevy Tahoes to Suburbans, Ford Expeditions, etc., although we don't give them a second thought when they intermingle in traffic. A 1 Series here might be the car you get for your kid or perhaps later on in retirement when there's not much or many others to carry.

[Ravenous666]

Originally Posted by Neusser

Over here in Germany, many would consider the 3 a luxury car, and most would consider it upscale without question.

The amount of stick you'll get from many folks simply for driving anything larger than a 1 series (with a premium-badge brand) is truly something to behold.

Even at work, I have gotten the side eye for privately owning a 5er, and this is at a tech company where everyone gets a 3er, 5er and so on as a company car. I have never driven the M2 to work.

Maybe you just live in the wrong part of town and work at the wrong company.

No one even cares what I drive around here and most of my colleagues are tech afficionados with similar cars. When ever I came to work with my Audi TT roadster, the M240iX or the Audi RS3 I was asked if the car is fun and the power and sound was apreciated.

A X3 is totally normal and not considered a luxury car. There are so many Volvo XC90s, Range Rovers and Mercedes GLE and M Class around no one will notice a X3. 5 series is considered a sales persons company car, especially if its not a sedan.

So maybe you should travel to the US and get yourself an impression that a X3 is for sure a compact SUV.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by RussB

Keep your G01 or purchase a 2025 X4, X5, X6, or X7.

Problem solved.

No way I would keep a recent BMW beyond the BMW new car warranty, so that rules out keeping the G01.

I like the X5 as it looks and feels quality, but I think the reality is, it’s just too big, which rules out the X7. Not a fan of coupe type styling on SUV’s either.

Looks like I’ll need to look at other brands, and moved brand in the past when I didn’t like what BMW offered at the time.

[Neusser]

Originally Posted by Ravenous666

Maybe you just live in the wrong part of town and work at the wrong company.

No one even cares what I drive around here and most of my colleagues are tech afficionados with similar cars. When ever I came to work with my Audi TT roadster, the M240iX or the Audi RS3 I was asked if the car is fun and the power and sound was apreciated.

A X3 is totally normal and not considered a luxury car. There are so many Volvo XC90s, Range Rovers and Mercedes GLE and M Class around no one will notice a X3. 5 series is considered a sales persons company car, especially if its not a sedan.

So maybe you should travel to the US and get yourself an impression that a X3 is for sure a compact SUV.

Nah. The Neidgesellschaft is quite real; so real that they gave it a name.

I have yet to own a car that hasn't been vandalised repeatedly. "Neidkratzer," dents, Kaufland cart to the door, etc.

Where I live isn't the issue. My house has a wall and a gate, and plenty of security lights. The issue is everywhere else. Any time you have to leave the neigborhood to go shopping, park in a public garage, etc. Don't even think about parking on the street in a large city.

Most of the cars on the road here are cheap hatchback runabouts. Lots of Opels, Dacias, VWs etc. Plenty of stuff over 20 years old. A nice car like a large-engined BMW will have the Neider out in force. Road manners are comical in these situations.

Been here for nearly 20 years, married to a German, etc., and the hatred the have-nots have for anyone that has, well, anything halfway nice is a phenomeon I have never seen outside of Germany (to such an extent).

The US has its own problems, but Germany is a land of massive social stratification. You are either a foreigner who has spent little time here, or just young.

[JoeyO]

There’s a lot of very good competition out there. I’d consider Volvo XC60 and Mazda XC-90 interiors to be more luxurious than BMW X3’s interior.

[ModernAngel]

Originally Posted by JoeyO

There’s a lot of very good competition out there. I’d consider Volvo XC60 and Mazda XC-90 interiors to be more luxurious than BMW X3’s interior.

The Volvo XC60 has a very nice interior. I love it. Problem is their infotainment is trash compared to BMWs. And the BMW's performance is in a totally different league.

Just depends on what you're looking for.

[hyde]

Originally Posted by AGONXF30

The G01, especially the LCI is NOT peak BMW interior. The upgrades made it look derpy and it does NOT look or feel like a G05 inside. The M40i drives marginally better than an X5 in a sporty setting and drive a lot work around town in comfort setting (why you buy an SUV, to have space and be comfortable).

Seems like your opinion vs mine when it comes to the interior, vs garbage they are putting in 25 models.

X5 lacked the torque and punch of X3 m40i and like I said I had air suspension on my x5 and it was not a good feeling, the reaction felt slow.

[srekal34]

Originally Posted by avi66

No way I would keep a recent BMW beyond the BMW new car warranty, so that rules out keeping the G01.

Diesel - yes, its a risk with potentially enormous mechanic bill. But petrol r4 and r6? They are one of the most reliable on the market right now.
In US, in terms of reliability BMW now sits only behind Toyota and Lexus, even though N63 V8 is not that great - so I think BMW is not more of a risk than any other modern car - certainly less than Audi or Mercedes.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by srekal34

Diesel - yes, its a risk with potentially enormous mechanic bill. But petrol r4 and r6? They are one of the most reliable on the market right now.
In US, in terms of reliability BMW now sits only behind Toyota and Lexus, even though N63 V8 is not that great - so I think BMW is not more of a risk than any other modern car - certainly less than Audi or Mercedes.

Unfortunately it’s not mechanical engine reliability that’s my primary concern, but the electronic systems that make it all work, of which there is a vast amount in more recent models, irrespective of fuel type.

Issues with electronics is often difficult to pinpoint, can brick the car, and can be very expensive to fix out of warranty.

It’s also a lottery down to individual car, so looking at a reliability league chart is little comfort if your car has a costly issue.

Hence, I wouldn’t want to own a complex, expensive to fix car, be it BMW, or any other costly to fix brand out of new car warranty.

[mikeoz]

Originally Posted by Neusser

Nah. The Neidgesellschaft is quite real; so real that they gave it a name.

I have yet to own a car that hasn't been vandalised repeatedly. "Neidkratzer," dents, Kaufland cart to the door, etc.

Where I live isn't the issue. My house has a wall and a gate, and plenty of security lights. The issue is everywhere else. Any time you have to leave the neigborhood to go shopping, park in a public garage, etc. Don't even think about parking on the street in a large city.

Most of the cars on the road here are cheap hatchback runabouts. Lots of Opels, Dacias, VWs etc. Plenty of stuff over 20 years old. A nice car like a large-engined BMW will have the Neider out in force. Road manners are comical in these situations.

Been here for nearly 20 years, married to a German, etc., and the hatred the have-nots have for anyone that has, well, anything halfway nice is a phenomeon I have never seen outside of Germany (to such an extent).

The US has its own problems, but Germany is a land of massive social stratification. You are either a foreigner who has spent little time here, or just young.

Jeez Germany has really changed since i lived and grew up there. What you descibed sounds like parts of UK now.

[TXSurfer]

Well pulled the trigger on an M50 for the wife yesterday. We traded in her 2020 M40. Not my taste but she seems to love it. Personally I’m a truck guy but do love taking out my M2. I will say it does drive really well and the interior seems ok. Don’t get why people are knocking it so much. I honestly like it better than the interior in my M2. Guess I’m in the minority. lol

[Ravenous666]

Originally Posted by TXSurfer

Well pulled the trigger on an M50 for the wife yesterday. We traded in her 2020 M40. Not my taste but she seems to love it. Personally I’m a truck guy but do love taking out my M2. I will say it does drive really well and the interior seems ok. Don’t get why people are knocking it so much. I honestly like it better than the interior in my M2. Guess I’m in the minority. lol

Congratulations and I'm sure she will enjoy the new car.

Most of the time when new models are bashed in the forums it's people trying to justify why they will not change to the newer model or it's owners that recently in 2023/2024 purchased the old G01 X3.

Trade in values of G01 X3s are dropping currently with the new G45 on the market. So maybe sometimes it's buyers remorse when you realize that you are actually sitting in the 7 year old model no matter it's a LCI or not.

And to be honest the only thing realy arguable on the G45 is some plastic bits and pieces of the interior. Technically it's the much better and modern looking car compared to the G01. But that's personal taste for sure.

My new M50 is scheduled for mid of January. I'll be trading in my 2020 X3 which was flawless for the past five years. I'll not miss it as I'm up to something fresh and new and I don't mind the few plastic parts of the interior.

[TXSurfer]

Originally Posted by Ravenous666

Congratulations and I'm sure she will enjoy the new car.

Most of the time when new models are bashed in the forums it's people trying to justify why they will not change to the newer model or it's owners that recently in 2023/2024 purchased the old G01 X3.

Trade in values of G01 X3s are dropping currently with the new G45 on the market. So maybe sometimes it's buyers remorse when you realize that you are actually sitting in the 7 year old model no matter it's a LCI or not.

And to be honest the only thing realy arguable on the G45 is some plastic bits and pieces of the interior. Technically it's the much better and modern looking car compared to the G01.

My new M50 is scheduled for mid of January. I'll be trading in my 2020 X3 which was flawless for the past five years. I'll not miss it as I'm up to something fresh and new and I don't mind the few plastic parts of the interior.

Thank you! Very good point, I would probably be a little salty as well in that situation. The wife’s 2020 X3 was a great vehicle as well no issues at all. Main reason we decided to get a new one. As for the plastic it honestly doesn’t bother me. I do love all the tech it has in it. My old M2 seems like something from the Stone Age when in her vehicle. lol

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Ravenous666

Most of the time when new models are bashed in the forums it's people trying to justify why they will not change to the newer model or it's owners that recently in 2023/2024 purchased the old G01 X3.

Trade in values of G01 X3s are dropping currently with the new G45 on the market. So maybe sometimes it's buyers remorse when you realize that you are actually sitting in the 7 year old model no matter it's a LCI or not.

And to be honest the only thing realy arguable on the G45 is some plastic bits and pieces of the interior. Technically it's the much better and modern looking car compared to the G01. But that's personal taste for sure.

That psychology certainly does happen for some. In my case, I rushed to get a 2024 as the last purely gas engine without a lithium ion battery hybridization, therefore, for us, the 2024 was technically the better choice. Even the base 4 cylinder engine in G45 is now a 48V mild hybrid for the first time. We are running out of choices if we don't want that chemistry in our garages. To get my wife set, as I noted on another thread, we found that the 2025 base Macan engine is also still not at all hybridized, so that's coming in a few weeks. All BMW, MB, Volvo are now off our list until solid state or at least LFP arrives. But for the battery chemistry concerns, I'd probably be full EV by now and/or ready for the Neue Klasse. I already had the 240V outlet installed in my garage quite a while back. It sits empty.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by Ravenous666

Congratulations and I'm sure she will enjoy the new car.

Most of the time when new models are bashed in the forums it's people trying to justify why they will not change to the newer model or it's owners that recently in 2023/2024 purchased the old G01 X3.

Trade in values of G01 X3s are dropping currently with the new G45 on the market. So maybe sometimes it's buyers remorse when you realize that you are actually sitting in the 7 year old model no matter it's a LCI or not.

And to be honest the only thing realy arguable on the G45 is some plastic bits and pieces of the interior. Technically it's the much better and modern looking car compared to the G01. But that's personal taste for sure.

My new M50 is scheduled for mid of January. I'll be trading in my 2020 X3 which was flawless for the past five years. I'll not miss it as I'm up to something fresh and new and I don't mind the few plastic parts of the interior.

Maybe for some, but in my case liking the G45 would make life easier as I will be swapping out my G01 at the end of it’s term.

Residual is baked into my PCP, so if it’s worth only $1 when I change, that’s BMW’s issue, and I don’t want the risk/hassle with out of new car warranty ownership.

For me it’s the nagging feeling that BMW’s priority on the G45 was cost cutting, and that’s most visible on the interior, but more concerning is what we can’t see. Psychologically it doesn’t sit well with me paying more for cheaper.

I noticed the replacement cost of G45 adaptive headlight unit is over 1000 euros cheaper per unit, and wonder what they cut to achieve that ?

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by avi66

No way I would keep a recent BMW beyond the BMW new car warranty, so that rules out keeping the G01.

I like the X5 as it looks and feels quality, but I think the reality is, it’s just too big, which rules out the X7. Not a fan of coupe type styling on SUV’s either.

Looks like I’ll need to look at other brands, and moved brand in the past when I didn’t like what BMW offered at the time.

there is no other brand w decent offerings lol... mb is a dump at this point... audi is great if u want a boring car... the rest of the field doesnt even come close

[avi66]

Originally Posted by RussB

That sounds very expensive (new $70k car every 4 years). I don’t think I’d buy any car I felt was going to be a money pit after the standard warranty expired. Buy an extended warranty and stop leasing (renting) cars.

My current Japanese daily is over 7 years old, long out of factory warranty, and still runs and works like new. I plan to keep my M50 after the standard warranty expires.

Maybe you should be looking at a Honda or Toyota?

It’s not my first rodeo with BMW, I’ve had plenty.

I have other daily cars and one is 7 years old. I have no issue with cheap to fix cars out of warranty, but I have a problem with very complex, expensive to fix cars, especially one that is focused on cost cutting.

BTW it doesn’t cost anything remotely near £70k every 4 years, that’s the benefit of PCP.

[AGONXF30]

Originally Posted by hyde

Seems like your opinion vs mine when it comes to the interior, vs garbage they are putting in 25 models.

X5 lacked the torque and punch of X3 m40i and like I said I had air suspension on my x5 and it was not a good feeling, the reaction felt slow.

I agree to disagree. The X5 is a MUCH better car than the X3. The X3 (G01 LCI) has a very pedestrian interior so its not any better than the 25.