Lets play a game.
 

What would you guys do in this situation? You have around $65k MSRP to spend on any BMW and want to spend every last cent without going to $66k MSRP. You live in an area that gets 6+ inches of snow in the winter on a couple occasions, and this BMW must be a daily driver. It also must be a new BMW, ordered from the dealership. So far, I've come up with 3 options; a X5, X6 and M3.

2011 X5 xDrive35i. Since this is coming in April '10, and that '10 models aren't available anymore, this will have to do. Since MSRP and options aren't available to the public yet, I will base it off 2010 prices. It will have:

• Premium package
• Cold Weather package
• Technology Package
• Rear Climate package
• Adaptive Drive
• Comfort Seats

Pros:

• Redesigned
• Single turbo I6 engine with performance of current 4.8i and decent efficiency
• New 8-speed transmission

Cons:

• Another X5 is getting boring

2011 X6 xDrive35i. Coming in May '10 and not being able to order '10 models anymore. Since MSRP and packages seem to be similar to the '10 models, I will use 2010 prices. It will have:

• Premium Package
• Cold Weather Package
• Technology Package
• Rear Climate Package
• Sport Activity Package

Pros:

• Different from the pack being a X6
• New 8-speed transmission

Cons:

• No Adaptive Drive
• No Comfort seats but rather Sport seats.
• Smaller than the X5

2011 M3 Sedan. An oddball out, but it does fit into the MSRP requirements quite nicely. 2010 and 2011 prices shouldn't change with the options I've included. It will have:

• Premium Package
• Electronic Damping Control
• M-DCT transmission
• Heated Front Seats
• Rear Side Window and rear window shades

Pros:

• It's a ///M car
• Much more performance oriented than the others
• M-DCT transmission means automatic and manual modes that are better than a Steptronic transmission

Cons:

• It's RWD which is a bigger pain for snow
• It's smaller than the X5 and X6, but has 5 seats which the X6 doesn't have
• Gas mileage

Please add your opinions or any suggestions of other vehicles.

M3 hands down. Game over.

:iagree:

You did not mention:
Driving style? spirited or not?
Utility requirements?
Seating requirements?

M3 will cost you more than MSRP as you have to factor in the cost of winter set of wheels and tires. So will X5 or X6 with low profile performance wheels.

Answers in bold.

If you like the looks of the X6, I would say do it. But if you keeping your e53 and you have the option of buying something else, by all means get the M3.

You just answered that M3 fits the bill here. Cost of ownership is also more for M3 but that's not an issue here;). Get the 2011 M3 with competition pack. End of discussion. ;)

What do you mean cost of ownership won't be an issue?

I'm still trying to justify a M3 over the others. While the size requirements of the M3 do work, the other 2 cars do a better job at it. And by this, I'm saying that I can stuff another kid onto the center console of the X6 and make it a temporary 5 seater. Then snow tires won't help the M3 when ground clearance comes to play, and the X5 and X6 excels there too.

Maybe I'm contradicting myself with all these thoughts. Better give a few more weeks of thoughts, and more opinions would help too!

Begs the question now, why are you comparing a sports coupe to a SUV? X's don't excel at ground clearance, they just beat out other BMW's :)

M3 will be far more fun than any of the X's, hands down.

Lets just say that there is up to $66k to be used at a BMW dealership. If you don't use up all of it, you won't get any of it back. I'm just trying to find BMW vehicles that fit the bill without going over, and a sports sedan and 2 SUV's just happened to fit.

Is the game over?

Ha, well that leaves even more questions if this is some tax rebate deal for a business, the Gross vehicle weight comes into play, which the M wouldn't fit :)

e.g. Insurance is more for M3 than others....specially crazy NJ insurance rates.

If you feel better with AWD, get a 335i X-Drive and check every option box. That should get you to just over $60k.

Then your fuel pump can blow up and your car can catch on fire ;)

Game will be over once a car is chosen. Keep on persuading me to buy one!
No tax rebate or anything special. Up to $66k MSRP to spend on a car and spend the most you can.
Ah, I will have to ask and look into that. Insurance rates did get put on the back burner when we were still discussing which options and packages fit.

you're planning on getting a new car?

personally, I would go with an M3.. since you have the e53 for things the M can't handle.

but why not wait for the next gen 5series?

I wouldn't worry about that. There have been issues with the pumps failing, but fire is not common. I would buy a 135i/335i without thinking twice.

Just checking everything on a 335xi seems to be way too much for a regular 3 series. It wouldn't give crazy amounts of driving pleasure over a X5 or X6, so I would think.
Again, we're in the process of considering a X5, X6 or M3. The M3 is the most popular choice, but this is a BMW forum. The X5 and X6, primarily the X5, would be the better choice for more utility if ever needed; Maybe driving high school friends around or moving big items around.

A new 5er could be considered, but then it is coming in the fall which is a pretty long time from now. If a decision could be made sooner, it would be easier to lock in that money for the new car.

My friends 535 has been in 4 times to have its pump and rails replaced, that is embarrassing.

What year is his 535? 08s had issues. We had pump and gasket changed in first year.

Agreed, it is embarrasing and BMW should fix the problem if they haven't already. However, when it is working it helps feed fuel to the International Engine of the year for 2007 & 2008 as well as the best engine in the 2.5-3.0 litre class for 2009. Add that to a great chassis and I would be willing to deal with the pump issues. Especially if the car is under warranty. BMW will more than likely come up with a fix.

Eh, we've already had fuel pump issues with our diesel, so another vehicle with a similar problem wouldn't be a good idea. Under warranty or not, it is never fun to have to drive to the dealership and drive a loaner car for weeks at a time. This problem shouldn't carry onto MY2011 X5's and X6's with the newer single turbo engine, right?

Going back to insurance, we found out that the M3 would only be about $100 more a year. The X6 would be slightly under that, probably $60-80 more a month. The 2011 X5 should be around the same as our 2010 diesel.

Yeah, but those cars are going to have some issues that the 3 series don't. That is just how it works. Every car is going to have it's issues. You are going to be making trips to the dealer under warranty with those as well and you will still end up with a loaner.

Well, back from a vacation with my family. Going to head to the dealership tomorrow to get some 2011 ordering guides for the X6 and maybe the M3. I did download the 2011 X5 35i ordering guide on here though, and have specced out the following.

X5 xDrive35i Premium

• ZCV Convenience Package
• ZCW Cold Weather Package
• ZTP Technology Package
• 2VA Adaptive Drive
• 456 Multi-Contour Seats
• 4UB 3rd Row Seat
• 328 Running Boards
• 5DK Side-view Camera
• 496 Heated Rear Seats
• Total : $65800

X5 xDrive Sport Activity

• ZCV Convenience Package
• ZCW Cold Weather Package
• ZMP M-Sport Package
• ZTP Technology Package
• 5DK Side-view Camera
• Total : $65800

The Premium model's options are kind of forced, with the addition of the 3rd row seat, running boards (bad idea getting it on our diesel) and possibly the heated rear seats since we don't usually use them on our diesel.

The Sport Activity model is kind of bare. It does lack multi-contour seats which I like, but the sports seats will do. I am leaning towards the Sport Activity model, if a X5 is chosen.

IMHO, an X5 4.8i, with Tech, Prem AND Sport w/ 20" is under 66K, and will satisfy my need for carving in the twisties, be higher off the ground for better visibility in traffic, and have the utility space which is more than the M3.

That opinion however, does not take in MPG costs, Cost of maintenance/ownership, Tire changes, etc...

Can't really consider a 4.8i now that the 2011 xDrive50i is coming out. We did go by the dealership and picked up the X6 ordering guide and optioned out the following.

X6 xDrive35i

• ZAP Sport Activity Package
• ZCW Cold Weather Package
• ZPP Premium Package
• ZRC Rear Climate Package
• ZTP Technology Package
• Total : $65375

And a little error on my part made the X5 xDrive35i prices up to $66675 instead of $65800. Deleting one option, 5DK Side-view camera would bring the price down to $66325 and we might be able to swing it. The other option is to delete 456,328 and 5DK on the Premium model and get it down to $65725 which would be easier to talk about.

i like the X6. keep the vermillion red color on that car, and you'll be in business.

make sure u get the sports package though, those 20 inch wheels make the car

Game is over. Our 2010 35d has given us too many problems and BMW has allowed us to do the BMW Trade-Assist instead of filing for Lemon Law. It just so happened to give out another DEF fluid low message when my parents left for the dealership. It's 3rd time at 2700 miles, it seems like it will send a message every 900 miles like clockwork! $65,375 MSRP firm for any car and we chose a X6.

2011 X6 xDrive35i. Tasman Green on Chateau Alcantara/Leather with Brushed Aluminum trim.
Premium Package
Cold Weather Package
Technology Package
Rear Climate Package
Sport Activity Package

What do you guys think about the colors and choices?

no vermillion red?
i really like it on the X6, JMO though..

Nice, congrats!

I would have gone with the M3 though. :D

No more Vermilion Red. It was a nice color combination with Saddle Brown, but it would seem a bit repetitive getting it again. We can still enjoy our diesel until the delivery of out X6 though.

I still liked the M3 choice. On paper it seemed like a nice choice, but thinking about it, a X6 would be more practical for our family.