'07 X5 4.8...or...'08 550i?

[MD11F]

If I didn't have kids, and IF I didn't already own a Mercedes sedan, I'd have gone for a BMW sedan.. Unless you absolutely need the SUV, get the sedan.. it's going to be more fun to drive, and better on gas.

[AzNMpower32]

Get a 535xi sport wagon and don't give it a second thought. I never really understood SUVs anyway.

[LVR]

he he... couldn't make our minds up either so got one of each.....

[Satan1974]

Same here ... E70 and E60 lol !

[y5choi]

To an average person a 550i really means its just another 5 series BMW. With all the negative hype the 5 series' been getting with the VW and Hyundai commercials but an x5? its one of the most respected luxury SUVs out there (yeah...SAV...) and buying a BMW is not just becuase we need a vehicle but we want a good one. you said you are planning on purchasing another car soon so I would think that the x5 would be a reasonable choice. I do see the 08 550 having more of the latest options but somehow here in North America, bigger and higher the ride the better it is for many, including myself.

P.S. BMW USA website under safety, the x5 acheived "best pick" for frontal crash but the 5 series did not. Especially if the vehicle is for your wife, its a consideration. Women perfer safety over the fun factor the majority of the time! (Motherly instinct? who knows..)

Cheers and good luck!

[Wagner]

Originally Posted by y5choi

To an average person a 550i really means its just another 5 series BMW. With all the negative hype the 5 series' been getting with the VW and Hyundai commercials but an x5? its one of the most respected luxury SUVs out there (yeah...SAV...) and buying a BMW is not just becuase we need a vehicle but we want a good one. you said you are planning on purchasing another car soon so I would think that the x5 would be a reasonable choice. I do see the 08 550 having more of the latest options but somehow here in North America, bigger and higher the ride the better it is for many, including myself.

Ahh, I would agree with none of that

X5 and 550 have zippy comparison. One is a SUV, the other a sports sedan. I have a E60 and E53, both are awesome in COMPLETELY different ways. The X5 allows you to take great road trips with lots of stuff in complete comfort, whereas the 5 allows you day to day fun in the twisties and great acceleration with much better MPG then the X (if you have a manual )

The two feel nothing alike on the road. My advice....buy both

[y5choi]

Originally Posted by WagnerX5

Ahh, I would agree with none of that

X5 and 550 have zippy comparison. One is a SUV, the other a sports sedan. I have a E60 and E53, both are awesome in COMPLETELY different ways. The X5 allows you to take great road trips with lots of stuff in complete comfort, whereas the 5 allows you day to day fun in the twisties and great acceleration with much better MPG then the X (if you have a manual )

The two feel nothing alike on the road. My advice....buy both

Yes, I'm talking philosophy here but hear me out. Especially the safety aspect, and when you are getting an M car or other comparable perfomance car next year, its redundent to have a 550 now. Besides, the E70 is much more refined than the E53. (2008 x5 production starts in September and it might come with the options that the 08' 550 has now!)

[Wagner]

Apples and oranges along with personal opinion I guess. I'm not getting why "..it might come with the options that the 08' 550 has now" is relevant since one is a sedan, one a SUV. It's like comparing an Audi A6 and a Q7, or Honda Accord and a Pilot, or any other sedan and suv.
I guess the argument might make some sense if he said 530xi, then you could say if you want XDrive, go with a X.


I'm not sure why 'refinement in a E70 vs E53' has anything to do with two completely different vehicles.

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by y5choi

Yes, I'm talking philosophy here but hear me out. Especially the safety aspect, and when you are getting an M car or other comparable perfomance car next year, its redundent to have a 550 now. Besides, the E70 is much more refined than the E53. (2008 x5 production starts in September and it might come with the options that the 08' 550 has now!)

Wait, so you're sounding like you want the E70 X5. E53 and E70 comparison means nothing in this case since you're comparing a sedan and a SAV.

If you don't need cargo capacity, then get the sedan. Just order the split folding seats if you ever need some versatility.

[jsg]

...the X5! All of your input was very helpful in laying out the pros and cons of each - Thanks!

Finally test drove the 550 today - great ride, super responsive (and I the car I tested didn't have the sport pack either) and overall beautiful and fast car - but knowing myself, i would have always been kicking myselve for not getting the M5 instead....

In the end the X is the better ride for us given our lifestyle (biking, snowboarding, etc) and the fact that an all out fun car is in the works for next year. Besides, the X in black with 20's looks freakin sweet! So we ordered a black metallic E70 with sand beige interior - sports, premium, technology, iPod, premium sound, 20" wheels, running boards and mabye the aero kit...delivery in late August

Just for kicks and last minute due diligence, i test drove a cayenne turbo...very dissapointing. For a truck with 500+ hp, $100k sticker and a Porsche badge, i expected WAAAAY more. Cheap interior, bulbous and awkward overall feel. Cornering was not even in the same ballpark as the X and overall sportiness and throttle response was not significantly better than the X either...I guess if you want a Porsche, you still need to buy a 911....

Thanks again - i will post pics once i take delivery (and do some quick mods)!