Originally Posted by rickp (Post 790009)

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.

Originally Posted by IGotId (Post 789968)

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).

Originally Posted by Mr.Impatient (Post 790057)

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.

Originally Posted by nynd (Post 789986)

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.

Originally Posted by TRAINER (Post 789996)

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? :dunno:

Originally Posted by rickp (Post 790009)

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.