Might be time to say goodbye

[RyBMW]

I'm looking for a SUV with a usable 3rd row as my 2012 X5 is now considered small. I will not get a minivan.

I would love to get another X5 with 3rd row seating but that 3rd row is just too small. I won't be able to wait for the X7 and even if I could, it may be a little out of my budget. Priorities!

I debating between the XC90 and Q7. Has anyone gone this route?

I got my X5 in July of 2011 and only have 37K miles right now. I missed most of the service maintenance, such as the front and rear brakes, when it was still covered. I just recently had them serviced.

We used to live in the city and didn't drive much but now that we purchased a house in the suburbs, we drive everyday.

[Aquamania]

I have a 2008 X5 and a 2010 XC90. The XC90 is a little tighter on the inside. I think the new ones are larger but don't know the interior dimensions as I have not looked at one ...yet.

[giaka]

Originally Posted by RyBMW

I'm looking for a SUV with a usable 3rd row as my 2012 X5 is now considered small. I will not get a minivan.

I would love to get another X5 with 3rd row seating but that 3rd row is just too small. I won't be able to wait for the X7 and even if I could, it may be a little out of my budget. Priorities!

I debating between the XC90 and Q7. Has anyone gone this route?

Just looking at a Q7s 3rd row it doesn't look much bigger than the X5. My son has an F15 with 3rd row and its pretty darn small back there for sure.

I swore I would never buy a minivan but......Minivan life isn't so bad if you look at it this way. I leased (4yrs) a fully loaded Routan a few years back. At the time I had 4 kids that needed to be carted around and a fully loaded van gave everyone their own video and radio controls (yes even the 3rd row). It seated 6 adults comfortably so us + kids left plenty of room for other stuff (you will have other stuff). I hate to say it but it was pretty darn nice. Flash forward 4 years, two of the kids have their license and their own cars so we are down to us and +2 kids. We were back to being able to buy what we want.

Having said all that I would seriously take a look at the VW Atlas if I needed lots of seats.

[RyBMW]

Originally Posted by giaka

Having said all that I would seriously take a look at the VW Atlas if I needed lots of seats.

I have considered the Atlas but from reviews, it's under powered and lost that European car feel.

[giaka]

Originally Posted by RyBMW

I have considered the Atlas but from reviews, it's under powered and lost that European car feel.

Made in Murica for Muricans.

[Stewthebassman]

Dang... Reading this I want to ditch my diesel and get a van tomorrow!

Originally Posted by giaka

Just looking at a Q7s 3rd row it doesn't look much bigger than the X5. My son has an F15 with 3rd row and its pretty darn small back there for sure.

I swore I would never buy a minivan but......Minivan life isn't so bad if you look at it this way. I leased (4yrs) a fully loaded Routan a few years back. At the time I had 4 kids that needed to be carted around and a fully loaded van gave everyone their own video and radio controls (yes even the 3rd row). It seated 6 adults comfortably so us + kids left plenty of room for other stuff (you will have other stuff). I hate to say it but it was pretty darn nice. Flash forward 4 years, two of the kids have their license and their own cars so we are down to us and +2 kids. We were back to being able to buy what we want.

Having said all that I would seriously take a look at the VW Atlas if I needed lots of seats.

[Entropy]

I hate to say it, but if you want a functional/decent size third row, you should probably look at domestics.

[bmrboi2]

The older Q7 Had a very Volkswagen-y feeling. I felt like I was driving a bloated A3. It was nice and decent....but just didn't have the feel of a BMW and definitely didn't have the feel of my first gen Touareg. It was just blah. IMHO. I drove one back in 13 when I purchased my first E70 (which was junk) I drove a Q5 and a Q7 both S-lines but I found myself constantly comparing it to the X5.

Drove the Atlas for shits.....yeahhhh, VW is lost. The steering is numb, the ride is mush and all over the place. (I have adaptive drive) I was not impressed. God I miss my first gen Touareg. That was a real SUV with a REAL 4WD System in it.

Go look at the Expedition. The NEW one. That Eco-boost V6 is pretty spot on. I had a Limited Trim Level for a rental. I was surprised. Shocked even. The ride was great, steering was very compliant. I was happy with my level of comfort. It Lacked the refinement of a BMW but damn the Blue Oval Company has come a long long way (I have a 2018 Platinum F-150 on order now) Im sure you will be surprised.

[giaka]

Originally Posted by Stewthebassman

Dang... Reading this I want to ditch my diesel and get a van tomorrow!

Where is the crazy emoji?

[giaka]

Originally Posted by Entropy

I hate to say it, but if you want a functional/decent size third row, you should probably look at domestics.

Some of the new vans (not mini) are not all that bad. I hate to say it but for hauling around a family of six or more a van is hard to beat. My wife and I both hated the idea of a mini van but we both admit it was pretty awesome for what we needed. Right now I would like a 1 ton Sprinter 4x4 just because.