Moving to X3 from X5?
 

Has anyone with the e70 X5 considered downsizing to the X3? My lease is up in May and the x5 pricing is at least 10% higher than in 08 when I got my car. Options are to lease another x5, buy my car at lease end, or do something less expensive. The new X3 appears to be a huge improvement over its predecessor.

I'm will be in the same situation as you in August, and will probably go X3. I'm assuming by then the bugs will be worked out and the 2012's might be out.

I was in the market for a used 08 X5 and after looking at the pricing, it seemed a no brainer to go a few grand more and get the new 2011 X3. The new X5's are beautiful, but over priced, IMO. Besides that, they are big heavy azz pigs, so the X3 gets better mileage and is almost the same size as the older X5, so it's a win win as far as I'm concerned.

the 3.5 mpg is 19/26, but BMW hasn't posted the MPG for the 2.8 yet. I guess I could stop by the dealer and check.

I am thinking about doing the opposite. I have a 03 X5, but after seeing the new X3's I may downsize. I was worried about the cargo room, but it doesn't seem to be that much difference between the 2.

wait... what? the question is about downsizing from n x5 to an x3... :confused:

isn't that what you're thinking of doing?

:thumbup:
Some people will be moving to X3 from X5 as the current X5, and the 3rd gen X5 are becoming family movers and F25 X3 is the almost the size of E53 X5.

If you don't need the space of the E70, why not? Smaller vehicle equals less weight, less fuel, easier braking, more responsive handling, etc.

New X3 is bigger and, as noted above by LeMansX5, almost E53 size anyway. BMW has moved X3 up in size because X5 went up in size from E53 to E70. And BMW needed room to fit in X1 at the bottom. All car makers do this.

More interior height room on front and back seats on F25 X3 than E53 X5. Good for tall people.
F25 X3
http://www.xoutpost.com/attachments/...dimensions.jpg

E53 X5
http://www.xoutpost.com/attachments/...dimensions.jpg

F25 X3 vs. E53 X5 vs. E70 X5

Bought a 2011 X3 3.5i Sport late December. Excellent handling and perfoming vehicle. Comfortable for 4 passengers. Size so close to the older X5. Fuel economy 75% town 25% freeway running 20-21 mpg. Short all highway fuel economy 25-28 mpg. You should test drive, I think you will be pleased.