X5 vs 550ix
 

I have a 2011 X5 50i spec'd out that is waiting to be put into the order system for a September build, but the 550ix has recently caught my attention.

In many ways these two vehicles are apples and oranges, but when I look at my "profile" I'm wondering if the 550ix may be a better choice.

As a little background, my wife and I are in our 40s, no kids. Lead a pretty active lifestyle e.g. head up to Lake Tahoe numerous times during the winter.

I do like the ride height provided by the X5, and I think I prefer how it looks over the new 5er - It just seems to be more youthful vs the 5 being more staid, but I admit this is totally a personal feeling. I definitely like the better fuel efficiency of the 5, as well I think some of interior elements such as the instrument cluster and steering wheel (looks like you can control adaptive cruise from the steering) etc are more up to date.

Obviously these are two great choices, and I don't think there is a wrong or a right here, but I am definitely feeling a little torn (though I am leaning more towards the X at this point)

As an aside, I'm not a fan of the GT.

I was wondering what other folks on the board thought about the two vehicles and if anyone else has been having the same dilemma

Take the versatility of the E70, great vehicle and loads of different options to play around with. If you've enjoyed the 4.8L, you'll enjoy the new one. The updated I-Drive is pleasure & my dogs loved the truck too. Since then I have changed to the E71 - equally as great.

Cheers,

I had an E53, and enjoyed it, but when it came time to replace it I wanted more handling performance, without having to pay to keep a Z4 in the garage for sunny days. The E70 design went the wrong way IMO, as it was larger and heavier than the E53. I went for the E60 535i, and am very happy with it. Mine has a manual transmission, M Sport package (which is what the last 550 had as standard), better fuel consumption, and far better handling. The X5 has great handling for an SUV, but a car will beat an SUV any time. I didn't want the penalties associated with the 535xi (handling, weight, fuel consumption) so I bought the best snow tires I could for regular winter trips through the mountains. The 535 rwd with Dunlop Wintersport M3 tires did better in winter conditions than our X3 with Pirelli Scorpions (not the dedicated Ice version).

I don't need a new 5 series, but I really like what they have done with it. Mine would be a 535, not a 550, though.

I had a chance to drive the new 5... the lesser weight makes a big difference. I personally like the everyday feel of an SUV though. Sedans just don't do it for me for whatever reason. And looking in the 5er backseat space, it looked pretty small... nothing like the X.

I think you might guess what my answer would be if you wanted a 4 door sedan........;)

I would be shocked if it didn't start with a P and end in an A!

The new 5 is nice. But if I had an Aston Martin Vantage in the garage already, I'd go with the X5 50i. I like variety, apples and oranges. :)

As a previous resident of the Tahoe area, I can definitely say the ground clearance of the X5 came in handy on more than a few occasions. You know how the snow can get there...measured in feet per hour. It's a lot tougher to get through foot-tall snow drifts in a sedan than it is in the X5, and the next time you're in that situation you'll be happy you're in an X5. Add to that the cargo space and the added safety factor of being higher up, and I think the X5 is the way to go.

My 2 cents.

Wow Tahoe both you and OP have an Aston Martin Vantage and an x5 4.8i

Nice.

Yeah I noticed that...same color for both, too, and until 8 months ago we lived in the same general area. Weird.

Speaking of the Vantage...TheX5...any mods on yours yet?