Hello everyone,
Short version. I went to the dealer the other day for my wife x5 service and she got an X3 30i loaner and she like it. Not bad interior and comfy seats, outside not bad either compare to the oldest x3, which I personally don't like.

Now of course not gonna let her go from x5 m50i to a 30i as I will drive it too with my kid. not happening.
Now the X3 50i is more appealing in performance and looks more aggressive of course.
So, I started looking around to see how much the run for and see some post in here that are getting some % off as deal, WHy?
I see also a lot of complaining on cheap plastic, looks bad, this and that, but hey, people always complain like the g80 grill
So, found this one but not sure if this CS styling strips are from factory or someone did it. Hard to believe as it only has like 400 miles on it. What version is this one?
Also the seat color looks like kyalami orange? I do like it tho.

Final question, Will this downgrade trade make me regretted it? Pic of the x5 below also.

X3 is considerably more nimble, I have'nt driven the X5M but I had two X5 Msport before. The X3 steering is better, and yes since it is lighter, it also brakes better (even tho the X5 brakes are considerably larger).

You might miss a few things like heated armrests -the comfort level is defo a downgrade- the more shocking thing will be room at the back, if you are used to have passengers -- X3 is considerably less roomy at the rear. And yeah smaller boot, no split tailgate, and no opening roof -- I still grumble a bit about that after 6 weeks of X3!

But, it is a bundle of fun to drive!

However, I think your X5 looks a hell of a lot better than that X3!

Keep the X5--looks awesome

The leather is Amber Merino.

But the outside with the black portions and red details is aftermarket Vinyl and looks a bit tacky.

Ravenous666 wrote

The leather is Amber Merino.

But the outside with the black portions and red details is aftermarket Vinyl and looks a bit tacky.

That's what I though. Yeah not a fan either, not even on M3 CS.

All I can suggest is to test drive the X3M50. Personally I wish I had the Amber merino instead of black but the leather seating is gorgeous and comfortable. Everybody to their own taste but I think that X3 is sporty and beautiful.

I am currently in a x30 m40i coming directly from x5 40i.

The x5 is much more in comfort and space, but drive wise if you want something quick and nimble that you can throw about then the x3 for sure.

For lazy cruising and comfort x5.

Btw your x5 looks stunning.

You couldn’t pay me to drive that X3.

tested X5 M60 earlier, the power difference didn’t feel huge to me (though the S68 definitely sounds a lot better). If your wife prefers the smaller size, then the X3 makes total sense. Other than that, I really don’t see any reason to swap out that awesome X5.

wouldn’t swap either and even less for the “CS style” one!

We're in same boat too. We recently traded our beloved '23 X5 M40 for the new '25 X3 M50. It was a hard choice as we loved the luxury, roominess, and ride of the X5. But as it was reaching the end of warranty, our SA made us an offer on the very low mileage demo X3.

To be honest, the G45 X3 wasn't really on our radar due to the negative social media reviews it received. But one drive totally changed my mind.

The chassis is so nimble, responsive, well damped, the handling best I've ever encountered in an SUV. Also, that mild hybrid is so well integrated with that amazing B58 engine as I have trouble refraining myself from tossing it around like I'm driving my other cars.

There are a few quirks we dislike though. To name a few - steep iDrive9 learning curve, stupid vent controls, lack of some very useful physical buttons, etc.

If you haven't driven one, do so to judge for yourself.