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| 04-17-2022, 06:37 PM | #1 |
zeeman335 Captain   90Rep 723Posts Drives: 2001 M3 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Massachusetts iTrader: (8) | X3 M40i to X5 xDrive40 I need some help. I love my 2021 x3 m40i. But I find the rear seats rather a bit tight, especially with a car. We are expecting another baby, and I just can't imagine what another car seat in the back would be like. I may have to push my seat up forward a bit to make some room for another car seat. I did check out the x5 at my local bmw dealership, but it doesn't seem THAT much more room than x3. Or is it ? I couldn't really tell. So my thoughts are to move to the X5, and I wanted to get your thoughts on the following: X3m40i vs X5 xdrive50 - engine performance - what would driving the X5 feel like after driving the x3m40i? Rear seats space (for car seats) between the x3 and x5 Exhaust pops - X3 M40i exhaust sound is beautiful. Would I get the same sounds in the x5 xDrive40? What are some other things I should be prepared for in case I do move to the x5? Any advice from you guys would be great! Thanks! |
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| 04-17-2022, 07:02 PM | #2 |
86Zed Get off my lawn   983Rep 1,201Posts Drives: 6MT Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: USA iTrader: (9) Garage List2022 BMW X3 M40i [10.00]2011 BMW 135i [10.00]2007 BMW Z4M Coupe [9.00]1998 BMW M3 [0.00] | The rear seat space in the X5 is only marginally larger, however the trunk and front seat feel a lot roomier. Car is much more docile, rides quieter and inputs are muted. My wife found it "a nice place to sleep" and chose an X3 M40i instead. If our lifestyle meant more road trips, camping or hauling that would be my choice. We are not overly tall or large people, the X3 is already a large step up in size from the GTI and BMW wagon that we started out kid duty with . Rear facing seats are a PITA and enormous, once you have a front facing setup it's fine. At the end of the day we chose the X3 M40i because of the connected feel to the ground and it drives more like a car than an SUV. Your needs may differ. I did like the X5 a whole lot more than the Cayenne I test drove. At daycare dropoff you can see the full USA "bought a minivan/suburban for 1 kid" on display |
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| 04-17-2022, 07:22 PM | #3 |
| br438 Infinite Boulder Roller 602Rep 413Posts Drives: 2020 Ford Raptor Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: TN iTrader: (0) | I shopped the X5 M50i for a long time before ordering an X3 M40i. The X5 does have more legroom in the back, and it should make a difference when fitting car seats. I drove (1) X5 40i. It was smooth and would've been a good interstate hauler, but it did not give me any grins when I stomped the skinny pedal. the M50i (now the 60 for 2023?) has the 4.4l V8, and it is a BLAST to drive. It's a fantastic people-hauler, and feels good on almost any road, but while it does give the smiles-per-mile, it does not respond as much like a sedan as the X3 does. I'm 6', and I tend to drive more in a "driver's position" than a relaxed one. ie... I'm usually way farther up toward the steering wheel than most folks I know - so that the heal of my palm rests on the steering wheel without my shoulder leaving the seatback. - so the X3 had plenty of room for me. At the same time, rear-facing carseats are tough in most mid-size vehicles. We brought twins home from the hospital in a camry. I remember sweating BUCKETS changing out carseats in the summer from one car to the other. hahahaa... because it was always 2... and we didn't have latches back then. While I can make room behind the driver's seat in the X3, the front passenger area starts to feel tight when I try to move the seat up to make more room behind it. In the end, the grins & gas mileage combo made the X3 m40i the one for me. |
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| 04-17-2022, 07:46 PM | #4 |
misterdom First Lieutenant  346Rep 379Posts Drives: 2022 X3 M40i AW/TacRed Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: USA, North Carolina iTrader: (0) Garage List2023 BMW X5 sdrive 40i [0.00]2022 X3 M40i [9.75] | I went through many of these calculations between X3 vs X5. The x5 felt larger and the drive was not as fun. I'm not a real car guy so I don't know how to explain it but the X3 just felt exciting and fun to drive vs the X5. The X5 was super nice and my wife loved it but it felt " soft". And I already have a 3 row suv for kids and grandkids so this is why we decided on X3. Fun factor. __________________ 2017 530i (G30) - Mineral White 2022 X3 M40i - AW/ TacRed |
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| 04-17-2022, 09:08 PM | #5 |
Len90 Private  71Rep 75Posts Drives: 2022 X3 M40i Tanzanite Blue Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Myrtle Beach iTrader: (0) | So my brother had a 2018 m40 and when his lease was up he got a 2021 X5 40. Size: The x5 is roomier as you go from a midsize suv to a standard/full-size suv. The car is wider which offers more space for 3 adults to fit in the back. It is also longer to allow for more space if you have a car seat. Power/Performance/Drive: it’s a totally different drive. X5 is a bit more top heavy and slower. You have a similar engine in a heavier larger vehicle. It’s not slow by any means but feels it when you drive an X3 m40 as your daily driver. Luxury: The X5 is geared to be more luxurious when compared to the X3. You get things like heated arm rest, ceramic controls, etc. When all is said and done: I’ll keep my X3 M40 as it is a true driver’s car and has way more thrill factor. |
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| 04-17-2022, 09:58 PM | #6 |
| 89macrunner New Member 29Rep 27Posts Drives: 2022 x3 m40i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NY iTrader: (0) | I’m going through the same thing right now. Front facing car seats take up WAY less room than rear facing. Vehicles of any kind that can fit a rear facing seat without having to move a seat forward are few and far between. You’ll probably still run into the same problem with an X5. Maybe to a lesser extent, but it will still happen. Some rear facing seats will take up less space if you seatbelt mount them directly without the base. |
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| 04-17-2022, 10:50 PM | #7 |
marseille82 Captain   411Rep 782Posts Drives: 2022 X3 M40i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: OH iTrader: (0) Garage List2022 G01 X3 M40i [10.00] | I bought my first SAV (M40i) because I needed more space for the kids (one front facing and one rear facing car seat). At 6.3 I would consider myself fairly tall. With the front facing car seat right behind the driver I did not have to readjust my seat position. However I can barely sit on the passenger side due to the rear facing seat behind it. I crossed shopped the X3 and the X5 and really did not see much difference in the back seats space (not enough to warrant picking the X5 at least). Also the X5 just felt too heavy for me. I suggest you bring car seats to the dealership and try them on the X5. |
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| 04-18-2022, 01:01 AM | #8 |
suby01 Cowboy Astronaut Millionaire  2495Rep 3,031Posts Drives: 2020 X3 M40i Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: CT, USA iTrader: (0) | Wow this is a great thread. I was just moments away from getting Carvana offer for my X3. With 2 rear facing seats and also not being tall the X3 space in the front is limited. I need my lean. But everyone here just reassured me that X3 is the way to go and were no longer shopping for a X5. __________________ The Youtubes Insta https://www.instagram.com/gatosandturbos/ |
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| 04-18-2022, 03:23 AM | #9 |
| kie120 Private 21Rep 56Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Leeds UK iTrader: (0) | I’ve just gone through a similar decision making process except we had a 3 series which was rammed with one 18 month old. Honestly, there wasn’t a great deal of difference in the rear space, which was my primary concern, and we have two 360 car seats in there. The boot area and front cabin are more roomy, and the cabin is def a little more premium. The ride, as others have mentioned, is smoother but less engaging (air suspension on the X5 is nice) but the M40 honestly feels as poised as my 3 series but with extra 😈 The extra width was also off putting for me, UK roads are narrow, as are our parking bays. With a sportier trim it looks great, best looking full sized SUV IMO but it’s not practical for the town I drive around at least. Finally there’s the cost, the petrol version would have been £15-20k more than the M40 and more thirsty. Given rises in inflation, cost of living, cost of gas and the cost of a second kid this was a big factor for he personally. No regrets with my decision at all |
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| 04-18-2022, 03:53 AM | #10 |
Alias1431 Lieutenant Colonel   819Rep 1,974Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 M40i Join Date: May 2019 Location: Washington iTrader: (0) | Who can speak to the X5 M50i? |
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| 04-18-2022, 06:54 AM | #11 |
M40i4me Lieutenant Colonel  1077Rep 1,552Posts Drives: 2021 X3 M40i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List2021 X3 M40i [10.00] | We have both an X5 40i and X3 M40i. It is much easier to put in, and take out a car seat in the X5. It is wider if you need two car seats and an adult in the middle. Better for long trips with messaging seats and air suspension. Also have the 3rd row which is tight for adults, but works when we load it up with family. Not as fast at 5.3 0-60, but plenty of umph for daily driving. Feels and handles big meaning you are not throwing this into high speed corners. My M40i is only driven by me because my wife is spoiled by comfort and the luxury features in her X5. I am spoiled by the crazy fun, speed, and handling of my X3. I came from a 328 and it was too low to get in and out of with my back issues. I would have never thought of driving an SUV for myself until driving the M40i. My back feels great, I can tow and carry stuff, and after 1 year of ownership I still smile with every drive. __________________ 2021 M40i Phytonic Blue / Black Vernasca 2020 X5 xDrive 40i Tanzanite Blue / Coffee Vernasca 2011 328xi. Space Grey - Sold 188,925 great miles |
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| 04-18-2022, 07:27 AM | #12 |
| TJay74 First Lieutenant 288Rep 384Posts Drives: 19 Audi S4, 20 X3M & 24 M4xC Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Norman OK iTrader: (0) Garage List2019 Audi S4 [0.00]2020 BMW X3M [0.00]2024 BMW M4xC [0.00] | As someone who just cross shopped the X3 and the X5, here is my take. Based on specs that BMW provided, the X3 and X5 are dang near the same size based on measurements. Same length, same wheelbase, same width and height. By that they are within an inch of each other on all of those measurements. Now as said the interior is roomier on the X5, the rear doors are wider and have better ingress and egress as well. The X5 also has some more interior creature comforts the X3 doesnt get at all, so the X5 is the more technology rich than the X3 in those regards. My hang-up with the X5 was the engine options. The X5 weights 600lbs more than the X3 and yet in the X5 M40i option it only has a 335hp/330tq engine. The price point the X5 M40i is in puts it on par with the X3 M40i which is lighter and has the 382hp engine. Seeing those specs on paper and in person made me want to move up to the X5 M50i which then comes with the 523hp twin turbo engine, but at that point with any normal options you are nearing a $95K machine, well above a X3 M40i and also above a fully loaded X3M Competition. OP have you made sure to recline the rear seats in your current X3? I do get it though as we bought the X3MC to make it easier for my MIL to get in and out of the vehicle versus trying to get up in and jump down out of my 16 GMC Sierra 4x4 that I had previously. While the ingress/egress is easier for her, the narrower rear door openings make it to where she ends up sitting in the front seats as it is easier for her to get in/out of the X3. |
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| 04-18-2022, 07:46 AM | #13 |
EDWYER Yoda of mods  1699Rep 3,007Posts Drives: X5 RWD Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: NC iTrader: (40) Garage List2015 X5 RWD [10.00]2016 BMW M2 [10.00] | Quote: Originally Posted by zeeman335  What are some other things I should be prepared for in case I do move to the x5? Any advice from you guys would be great! Thanks! | You will feel the extra weight driving the X5. __________________ Current: 2020 Explorer ST (Agate Black Metallic) F15 SGM RWD (retired) Bone stock F87 AW (retired) F30 SBM 316rwhp/440rwtq (retired) Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/EdwyerCLT YT: https://www.youtube.com/@DWYERGARAGE/videos |
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| 04-18-2022, 07:51 PM | #14 |
admranger Retired Curmudgeon  3253Rep 4,389Posts Drives: ‘19 X3M40i Join Date: May 2011 Location: Las Vegas, NV iTrader: (1) | I have a 2018 X3 m40i and have test driven a 2021 X5 45e. The X3 is easier to use around town and sportier. The X5 45e is a great cruiser, handles like a BMW, accelerates nicely due to the electric motor, but is noticeably larger than the X3. I wanted the X5 but my wife insisted on keeping her X3. Since we use the X3 around town and the M550i is our road trip car, who am I to argue with what she wants? __________________  '19 X3 M40 Carbon Black/Oyster, '21 X7 40i AW/Black, Past BMWs: '18 M550i, '18 330 GT, '16 X5 40e, '11 E90M3, '06 X5 4.4, '03 330i ZHP, '02 M3, '97 Z3 2.8, '95 M3 (2x), '94 530i (manual), '92 525i (manual), '88 M3, '87 325iS |
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| 04-18-2022, 10:15 PM | #15 |
| br438 Infinite Boulder Roller 602Rep 413Posts Drives: 2020 Ford Raptor Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: TN iTrader: (0) | FYI: not a complete list - just what I had in some notes from cross-shopping 2022 X5 wheelbase - 117.1 length - 194.3 width - 78.9 cargo volume 33.9cu ft (+4.9cu ft from x3) x3 2022 wheelbase - 112.8 (4.3" shorter than x5) length 185.9 width - 74.4 passenger volume 99 cu ft cargo volume 29cu ft curb weight 4297 |
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| 04-19-2022, 12:24 AM | #16 |
| kipsate New Member 11Rep 12Posts Drives: BMW X3 Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Europe iTrader: (0) | If you’re looking for a real step up on the the rear bench a 3-series GT is the biggest you will find unless you move up to a 7-series or X7. BMW cars are sporty/drivers cars, so roomier interiors are not a preference. |
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| 04-19-2022, 11:19 AM | #17 |
sbt007 Major   672Rep 1,130Posts Drives: 2021 X3 M40i Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: CA iTrader: (0) Garage List2021 BMW X3 M40i [10.00] | BMW SUVs have less interior space than a comparable FWD based made by (say) Toyota. So the X5 has more space than X3 for sure but not as much as some similar sized SUVs (in terms of 2nd row legroom). I'm also going to throw in the option of X7 which has significantly more second row legroom than X5 because the seat slides back for an additional 4-5 inches or so (assuming 3rd row is not used at that time). The other option is look into a X5 with 3-row option, because that one has sliding seats as well, to see if it increases leg room (I have no experience with it). |
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| 04-19-2022, 11:41 AM | #18 |
| zeeman335 Captain 90Rep 723Posts Drives: 2001 M3 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Massachusetts iTrader: (8) | Wow! Thank you all for your responses, advice, thoughts. This is extremely helpful! I appreciate everyones responses very much. Here is my conclusion based on what I have read above: -X3 M40i more exciting/sportier/thrilling to drive than X5 (i test drove it and can agree) -X5 more heavy, more luxurious, relaxed, smoother drive -The X5 may have a tad bit more space, but not THAT much more, and i still may run into the same issue with rear facing car seat space with the X5 -X5 is wider, so if wife sits in back with kids, maybe a bit more space for her to move around with the car seats in the back -Rear facing car seats are a pain in the ass -Front facing car seats will make life a lot easier -X3 trunk does seem tight, with a stroller, but whatever, can still make it work -X3 is easier to drive around town I will research a bit more, but based on everyones post here, i think i should be fine with the X3, and wont need to spend $ for X5 for just tad bit more space! |
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| 04-20-2022, 08:58 PM | #19 |
| admranger Retired Curmudgeon 3253Rep 4,389Posts Drives: ‘19 X3M40i Join Date: May 2011 Location: Las Vegas, NV iTrader: (1) | Quote: | Originally Posted by kipsate If you’re looking for a real step up on the the rear bench a 3-series GT is the biggest you will find unless you move up to a 7-series or X7. BMW cars are sporty/drivers cars, so roomier interiors are not a preference. | Yes! My 330i GT rear seat leg room was substantial. Like 1960's Chevy 4 door large sedan. Plus, the hatch adds a lot of usability. I loved mine, though the 4 cylinder was a bit less than I desired. Hard to find one loaded w/driver's assistance, etc. __________________ '19 X3 M40 Carbon Black/Oyster, '21 X7 40i AW/Black, Past BMWs: '18 M550i, '18 330 GT, '16 X5 40e, '11 E90M3, '06 X5 4.4, '03 330i ZHP, '02 M3, '97 Z3 2.8, '95 M3 (2x), '94 530i (manual), '92 525i (manual), '88 M3, '87 325iS Last edited by admranger; 04-22-2022 at 08:58 PM.. |
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| 05-08-2022, 08:01 PM | #20 |
zillymc Second Lieutenant  202Rep 274Posts Drives: 2018 BMW M3 | Tanzanite Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0) | If you want something actually noticeably larger in the back seats you need an X7 or need to look at another manufacturer. __________________ Current: 2018 M3 ZCP Tanzanite / 6MT | 2022 X3 M40i Brooklyn Gray Old: 2016 M4 / Yas Marina Blue / 6MT / Dinan Stage 1 / EDC / Black Kidney Grilles / MPerf CF Spoiler / Exec Pack |
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| 05-09-2022, 10:51 AM | #21 |
JonF1 Enlisted Member  73Rep 47Posts Drives: 2022 X3 M40i Join Date: May 2022 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) | It also highly depends on the car seat so you may want to choose carefully what you end up buying to maximize space. I'm 6-4 and we have 2 rear facing car seats: a Nuna something and a Diono Radian for travel (its packable and good for rentals). The Nuna is short and fat and its lower height allows the passenger seat to slide much farther back. So much so that I can ride in the passenger seat fairly comfortably. The Nuna lives in my X3 so we can get the most space for family driving. The Diono is narrow but very tall and you have to slam the passenger seat so far forward i simply cannot ride shotgun if needed. We keep the Diono in my wife's car (a little GTI) since we don't really use that for family travels (though the wife can sit in the passenger seat if needed despite the lack of legroom). |
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