Cross-shopping the Cadillac CTS-V with an X5

[IGotId]

My wife and I are expecting our third child this spring…our oldest is a 5yo girl & my son just turned 1yo. I am therefore selling my e46 M3 and looking at a more family-oriented vehicle. I had been set on getting a V8 (non-M) X5 as a replacement but recently read that Cadillac is producing a V wagon….I’ve been in love with the CTS sedan since I saw/sat in one at a Boston car show several years ago (I love both the interior & exterior styling). BTW, they also had a CTS wagon in red at the show; the wagon was a “concept” then. My wife (who in general hates wagons) loved the concept! I’ve been a wagon fan for decades, I drove several old-school wagons w/ wood panels after learning to drive decades ago!

I’m leaning towards going with the wagon but the X5 has a few advantages, IMO. First, I can order a third row seat in the X5. Admittedly, the third row seat in the X5 is tiny; however it is perfect for my daughter and is ideal for my family (for those not so rare occasions when I have to transport other family members/friends). Second, I believe the X5 may be a bit more practical than the wagon given the larger boot. Third, I’ve had 3 BMWs over the last decade and the last, my M3, has been very reliable for the 4+ years I’ve had it. Fourth, although I realize that although an X5 will never provide performance similar to the CTS-V wagon, it can be tuned for a somewhat reasonable price to about 500hp/500ft-lb tq.

Advantages for the wagon obviously include it’s appearance, interior (IMO), performance capabilities (& the fact that I can take the V wagon to a track!) & compliant suspension (from what I’ve read, I’ve test-driven the X5 but have not yet tested the CTS; I realize I won’t be able to find a CTS-V wagon to test drive so the sedan will have to do).

Finally, I realize that a minivan would be the most practical choice but I just can’t go there! Also, my wife has an Acura MDX so we already have a 7-seater in the family.

I’ve done research on Cadillac & Bimmer forums &, in general, owners of each love their vehicles; I’d love to hear thoughts on this comparison (this car would be my year-round daily driver & have a dedicated winter setup - 19s/20s for the Bimmer & 18s/19s for the Caddy).

[nynd]

I've had an X5 (loaded) which I sold about a year ago and also have a CTS-V sedan (my toy). Both are awesome cars in their own right. The american car is always easier to tinker with and has alot more "goodies" at reasonable prices - depending on what you want to do with it. Either one will not disappoint, but the third row in the X5 does get tight after a while and a bit of work to get in and out of.. especially when the kids start growing. I still have the "V" if that means anything.

[TRAINER]

Accessing the third row with car seats mounted in the second row is out of the question. I have read on here that some people have been able to do it although I'm not sure how. Before I ordered my X I went to the dealer and installed my two car seats into an X with third row. Moving the seat up with a car seat in it was impossible. Perhaps those that were successfull had seat only boosters?

[rickp]

A lot people think I was crazy liking the CTS Wagon but I really like the styling. Prior to my X5, I had a MB R350 wagon and that thing could seat 6 adults easily although my wife said it looked like a Hearst. I have two kids and do outdoor activities like surfing and snow boarding.

I like how the premium package on the CTS comes very loaded. They also handle very well and the 3.6 V6 was strong. I didn't care much for the interior styling (pop-up nav, no rear entertainment, weird placement of temp controls, buttons and things galore, I'm sold on BMW i'drive) but I could stare at the exterior all day. In the end, I chose the X5 because:

• Better lease rates than Cadillac. Even though the Caddy was lower in price, the lease quotes were higher than a more expensive BMW. The depreciation seems worse on the CTS wagon maybe because it is not as popular and may be harder to sell (look on ebay for used ones)?
• Need AWD and AWD is hard to find for CTS Wagon, let alone CTS Wagon in stock.
• Build my car exactly how I wanted it within three weeks. CTS Wagons are not popular and we couldn't find the color/combo I was looking for.
• Easier to get kids/groceries/rear items in and out of an SUV/SAV vs. Wagon since the SUV sits higher.

The 3rd row for X5 should only be for kids. Oh, and I hated mini-vans and swore that I'd (or wifey) never get one but I have to tell you that I love my Honda Odyssey touring. You cannot beat power sliding doors for kid ingress/egress and the rear DVD entertainment (a must for kids) is way better than BMW's interpretation.

[deutsch100]

Originally Posted by rickp

A lot people think I was crazy liking the CTS Wagon but I really like the styling. Prior to my X5, I had a MB R350 wagon and that thing could seat 6 adults easily although my wife said it looked like a Hearst.

A hearst/hearse!!! OMG, too funny. My Mom is car shopping and she made her mind up on getting an R350 or R320 Bluetec Diesel. Then all of a sudden, she had some ephiany and just told us...."I can't drive that car, all that is missing in the back is a coffin". LOL

Serriously, the R-Class would give Volvo coffin schleppers in Europe a run for their money. So true....the R-Class looks just like a hearse!!!

Yes, many times a much more expensive BMW will lease lower a month than a less expensive American or other German brand. Since BMW owns their own bank, they have usually been very aggressive with great lease rates and residuals. I love BMW Financial, they are great to work with and Customer Service is top notch!!

[Mr.Impatient]

Originally Posted by IGotId

My wife and I are expecting our third child this spring…our oldest is a 5yo girl & my son just turned 1yo. I am therefore selling my e46 M3 and looking at a more family-oriented vehicle. I had been set on getting a V8 (non-M) X5 as a replacement but recently read that Cadillac is producing a V wagon….I’ve been in love with the CTS sedan since I saw/sat in one at a Boston car show several years ago (I love both the interior & exterior styling). BTW, they also had a CTS wagon in red at the show; the wagon was a “concept” then. My wife (who in general hates wagons) loved the concept! I’ve been a wagon fan for decades, I drove several old-school wagons w/ wood panels after learning to drive decades ago!

I’m leaning towards going with the wagon but the X5 has a few advantages, IMO. First, I can order a third row seat in the X5. Admittedly, the third row seat in the X5 is tiny; however it is perfect for my daughter and is ideal for my family (for those not so rare occasions when I have to transport other family members/friends). Second, I believe the X5 may be a bit more practical than the wagon given the larger boot. Third, I’ve had 3 BMWs over the last decade and the last, my M3, has been very reliable for the 4+ years I’ve had it. Fourth, although I realize that although an X5 will never provide performance similar to the CTS-V wagon, it can be tuned for a somewhat reasonable price to about 500hp/500ft-lb tq.

Advantages for the wagon obviously include it’s appearance, interior (IMO), performance capabilities (& the fact that I can take the V wagon to a track!) & compliant suspension (from what I’ve read, I’ve test-driven the X5 but have not yet tested the CTS; I realize I won’t be able to find a CTS-V wagon to test drive so the sedan will have to do).

Finally, I realize that a minivan would be the most practical choice but I just can’t go there! Also, my wife has an Acura MDX so we already have a 7-seater in the family.

I’ve done research on Cadillac & Bimmer forums &, in general, owners of each love their vehicles; I’d love to hear thoughts on this comparison (this car would be my year-round daily driver & have a dedicated winter setup - 19s/20s for the Bimmer & 18s/19s for the Caddy).

Go for what you know you want -- the V. The X may be slightly more practical, but it's clear from your post that any time you see a CTS-V on the street you will wish you got that the V.

I'm a big fan of the X, but it sounds like you are trying to talk youself into one instead of going for what you really want. And the wagon is certainly practical enough for kids, especially when they are younger.

Life is short - enjoy as much of it as you can.

[mizboo102]

Originally Posted by Mr.Impatient

I'm a big fan of the X, but it sounds like you are trying to talk youself into one instead of going for what you really want.

^ This

And who said you couldn't track an X5

[IGotId]

Originally Posted by nynd

I've had an X5 (loaded) which I sold about a year ago and also have a CTS-V sedan (my toy). Both are awesome cars in their own right. The american car is always easier to tinker with and has alot more "goodies" at reasonable prices - depending on what you want to do with it. Either one will not disappoint, but the third row in the X5 does get tight after a while and a bit of work to get in and out of.. especially when the kids start growing. I still have the "V" if that means anything.

Thanks...would you say the X5 has more cargo area? Have you tracked your V?

[IGotId]

Originally Posted by TRAINER

Accessing the third row with car seats mounted in the second row is out of the question. I have read on here that some people have been able to do it although I'm not sure how. Before I ordered my X I went to the dealer and installed my two car seats into an X with third row. Moving the seat up with a car seat in it was impossible. Perhaps those that were successfull had seat only boosters?

my 5 y.o. uses a "portable" booster...she also climbs in through the rear door on our MDX!

[IGotId]

Originally Posted by rickp

A lot people think I was crazy liking the CTS Wagon but I really like the styling. Prior to my X5, I had a MB R350 wagon and that thing could seat 6 adults easily although my wife said it looked like a Hearst. I have two kids and do outdoor activities like surfing and snow boarding.

I like how the premium package on the CTS comes very loaded. They also handle very well and the 3.6 V6 was strong. I didn't care much for the interior styling (pop-up nav, no rear entertainment, weird placement of temp controls, buttons and things galore, I'm sold on BMW i'drive) but I could stare at the exterior all day. In the end, I chose the X5 because:

• Better lease rates than Cadillac. Even though the Caddy was lower in price, the lease quotes were higher than a more expensive BMW. The depreciation seems worse on the CTS wagon maybe because it is not as popular and may be harder to sell (look on ebay for used ones)?
• Need AWD and AWD is hard to find for CTS Wagon, let alone CTS Wagon in stock.
• Build my car exactly how I wanted it within three weeks. CTS Wagons are not popular and we couldn't find the color/combo I was looking for.
• Easier to get kids/groceries/rear items in and out of an SUV/SAV vs. Wagon since the SUV sits higher.

The 3rd row for X5 should only be for kids. Oh, and I hated mini-vans and swore that I'd (or wifey) never get one but I have to tell you that I love my Honda Odyssey touring. You cannot beat power sliding doors for kid ingress/egress and the rear DVD entertainment (a must for kids) is way better than BMW's interpretation.

Thanks for your post! My sister/brother-in-law had a minivan many years ago so I'm well aware of how practical they are! I just can't see myself in the driver's seat!