[AllaVodka]

Good Morning

Alright so my situation is -

Currently own a fully loaded rwd F30 340i (m sport, thp etc). Bought it cash with 30K miles during the beginning of covid fire sale in March 2020 for like $28K. Ive only been averaging like 5k milea a year. Car is a lot of fun to drive honestly.

I bought that car in TX. I have since moved to CT, in a fairly hilly area. I also had a kid, so shit has changed.

I’m debating getting an X5 M50i, as it will tackle both my safety/space needs and also my speed/sportiness needs.

Only thing i’m debating is if having a fast suv really can replace the fun and handlng of a smaller car. I have lots of twisties in my areas, and I grew up in a family of porsches so I greatly appreciate handling and having some fun on those roads.

Other option is to get a somewhat base X5 and then maybe a used 997 911…. But that’s obviously a differeny price point. M340i is fun too but probably not big enough for all the kid shit. My wifes glc300 is barely big enough.

Appreciate any insight and apologies for rambling

[LDT]

Obviously the best solution is to have both. I've gone between car and SUV many times. When i have a SUV I miss the driving characteristics of the sports car or performance sedan. When I have a car I miss the versatility of the SUV particularly the fact that one sits higher in the SUV. My M60i serves both purposes for me although at age 75 I no longer have the need to be in front of the pack (sometimes). The M50i is a superb vehicle so I say go for it.

[AllaVodka]

Originally Posted by LDT

Obviously the best solution is to have both. I've gone between car and SUV many times. When i have a SUV I miss the driving characteristics of the sports car or performance sedan. When I have a car I miss the versatility of the SUV particularly the fact that one sits higher in the SUV. My M60i serves both purposes for me although at age 75 I no longer have the need to be in front of the pack (sometimes). The M50i is a superb vehicle so I say go for it.

Thanks for the insight. I havent followed the newer X5 models too closely - did the M60 replace the M50 or is that anothet level higher on the same model?

[LOFT]

I will keep this generic rather than specific to BMW and Porsche. I have owned both an SUV and a 2 seater sports at the same time. It's a lot of fun and they meet different needs.

It boils down to how much money you want to spend on each and then things like storage and opportunity. For me the sports car was a run on a country road to my golf club several times of week.

But you have a kid now....where does the time and money go for a sports car? If you can do it...great. If the timing isn't right, live your life as a new dad knowing you can always come back to the sports car, and probably at a time in life when you have accumulated greater wealth and a better car.

[Rob_G77]

My last car was a 2022 BMW M850i. I realized with it that I hated driving a car in winter primarily because of less ground clearance.

Rob

[BlkGS]

I have 2 kids, both under 3. I have had Corvettes for years, and so I get where you're coming from.

The M50i is overall, very satisfying. It is not a Corvette, but for an SUV it's very satisfying. I think if you were done with a 340i, you can easily adapt to an SUV. The move from a real 2 seat sports car into a sedan (or a 2+2) is, IMO, bigger than the jump from sport sedan to sport SUV.

I wanted a 911. I've toyed with them over the years, my dad had 911s, but prices on them went absolutely insane, and frankly I can't justify it. But I still want one, even knowing they fall out don't work for my situation.

Get an M50i with the dynamic Handling Package. You will still feel the size difference in handling, but it won't be as big as you think, and the massive amount of extra thrust will offset it.

At the end of the day, you really have two choices, as you need the space. You can buy the space in something that's boring to drive and doesn't excite you but has the space and complement it with a car you don't get to drive much but that gets your kicks off. Or you can combine them and accept the tradeoffs, but be able to drive it all the time. I've tried it both ways, and being able to drive something that's fun, maybe not as fun as the full sports car option but still fun, is wayyy better to me. At least my boring drives have a little bit of fun, and you can always let loose a little when the opportunity presents itself. If you have the opportunity and a boring car, it's wasted.

[TurtleBoy]

It definitely will not give you the driving experience/fun of a smaller car. It is very fast but it is still an SUV when cornering. If, of course, the one you are looking at has DHP it will give you a much sportier ride than without.

You also need to keep in mind that everyone's expectations and perceptions of suspension/driving feel is different so your best bet would be to hit those twisties on your test drive.

In your situation you may want to get a 40i/45e/50e for the family duties and keep your 340i for your weekend fun.

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by AllaVodka

Thanks for the insight. I havent followed the newer X5 models too closely - did the M60 replace the M50 or is that anothet level higher on the same model?

M60 replaced M50 during the refresh. New motor that's unproven, 48V hybrid, and the updated interior with iDrive 8 that is... Let's go with "controversial" to be nice to it.

[AllaVodka]

Originally Posted by LOFT

I will keep this generic rather than specific to BMW and Porsche. I have owned both an SUV and a 2 seater sports at the same time. It's a lot of fun and they meet different needs.

It boils down to how much money you want to spend on each and then things like storage and opportunity. For me the sports car was a run on a country road to my golf club several times of week.

But you have a kid now....where does the time and money go for a sports car? If you can do it...great. If the timing isn't right, live your life as a new dad knowing you can always come back to the sports car, and probably at a time in life when you have accumulated greater wealth and a better car.

Yeah I think this could be the right answer. I cant have it all right now, and I think that m50i is the closest to checking all the boxes that I can attain. Ty

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by LOFT

But you have a kid now....where does the time and money go for a sports car?

For me, the time part has been the hardest.

As much as I would like to take the Corvettes somewhere, the time to go somewhere solo just doesn't really exist. I could take it to work, but it's not really amy more fun in traffic than the X5. Weekends? Not really, because any solo trip is quick because my wife is trying to handle the two small children. I could take just my son somewhere as he's a bit older, but swapping a car seat in, let alone the issue of it being in the front seat... It quickly becomes not worth it.

The X5 doesn't do everything that the Corvette will do. But it does some of.it, and.itndoes stuff the Corvette can't do at all. I've been toying with selling the Corvettes just to clear up space, it makes no sense to have them sitting in the garage useless.

[LDT]

Originally Posted by AllaVodka

Thanks for the insight. I havent followed the newer X5 models too closely - did the M60 replace the M50 or is that anothet level higher on the same model?

The M60i replaced the M50i in the BMW lineup. For me it replaced a 2020 Cayenne.

[mscot]

haven't had a car in >15 years. Dont miss it.
My dream scenario would be a small truck, a sports car, and the X5 or a Range Rover that was reliable.

Since that's not going to happen as I'd rather retire with money than cars. The only way I will consider buying a car is if VW comes out with an all electric AWD GTI that handles as well as the best of the ICE GTIs have handled.
Reasons - very fast, very fun, handles extremely well. cheap enough that its not breaking the bank for a car that won't get driven that often, and its not a musk jalopy.

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by mscot

haven't had a car in >15 years. Dont miss it.
My dream scenario would be a small truck, a sports car, and the X5 or a Range Rover that was reliable.

Since that's not going to happen as I'd rather retire with money than cars. The only way I will consider buying a car is if VW comes out with an all electric AWD GTI that handles as well as the best of the ICE GTIs have handled.
Reasons - very fast, very fun, handles extremely well. cheap enough that its not breaking the bank for a car that won't get driven that often, and its not a musk jalopy.

There's an electric Mini Cooper. Probably a better chance of that being fun than an electric GTI.

[LDT]

Originally Posted by mscot

haven't had a car in >15 years. Dont miss it.
My dream scenario would be a small truck, a sports car, and the X5 or a Range Rover that was reliable.

Since that's not going to happen as I'd rather retire with money than cars. The only way I will consider buying a car is if VW comes out with an all electric AWD GTI that handles as well as the best of the ICE GTIs have handled.
Reasons - very fast, very fun, handles extremely well. cheap enough that its not breaking the bank for a car that won't get driven that often, and its not a musk jalopy.

mscott1271 it’s unlikely that you’ll have a reliable RR

[Photographer918]

Since you mentioned twisty roads - I think the 40i handles curves better than the heavier M50i or M60i. Being able to order a 40i with DHP now might be a whole lot of fun…..

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by Photographer918

Since you mentioned twisty roads - I think the 40i handles curves better than the heavier M50i or M60i. Being able to order a 40i with DHP now might be a whole lot of fun…..

Unfortunately unlike other countries, they haven't offered that option in the US.

[dwwStL]

At 30 something, I went from cars to SUVs in 1997 (Jeep Grand Cherokees then) and have not looked back. SUVs become addicting. The ride height, all weather convenience and superior comfort. The X5 40i at 375 HP really is a lot of power for an SUV and for me (I'm really not trying to pick a fight ) any more power in an SUV is just waisted. It is a great highway ride with comfort and power you will love. The X5 is such a joy to drive it is also addicting. I can't imagine ever giving up the X5.

I'm at a time in my life that I can afford a sports car too, and bought new a 2015 Z06 convertible, something I always wanted. That is also a joy to drive but a boat is the best comparison for cars like the vette. It's an expensive fair weather toy.

My advice is get the X5 and hold off on the sports car. Before you go for the $22k upgrade to the M60i, drive the 40i on the highway and see what you think. After a few months, if you need the sports car, the $22k savings from the 40i will go a long way to easing the financial bite of the sports car.

My 2 cents. All my best and congrats on the new baby!

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by AllaVodka

Only thing i’m debating is if having a fast suv really can replace the fun and handling of a smaller car.

I have both and can tell you that the SUV cannot replace the fun and handling of a smaller car. Nope. No way. It's all about physics. So keep your 3 series and go get the G05/06 of your liking.

[535gtxenon]

I own G30 540i, not as sporty as your M340 but it is completely different driving experience from my X5 40i. I also own a Tundra pick up. From scale 1-10, if the 540 is at 10, while the pick up is at 1, I would put X5 at 3, meaning it feels like a boat, just like my pickup. Nowhere reminds me it is a bimmer (although some would say BMW is no longer a driving machine today anyway). And I am not a enthusiastic driver, just do not like the boat feeling. So I were you, I would keep the M340 and get a cheap SUV, like one from VW or Toyota highlander. X5 is not going to give a fraction of the experience you get from a small 6 cylinder sedan, for me at least.

[bluesmachine]

You could also Look at a used Porsche taycan which is a wagon and a sports car wrapped in one.

[IAmSpeed]

Base X5 and 911 is the best option!

I faced the same dilemma many years ago, and I believe there's no way X5 M50i or even X5 M can replace real cars like 911, M5, etc. In the end, it's an SUV. You may enjoy the acceleration, but trust me, we won't be satisfied when taking turns on canyon roads. I eventually went with M50i and base 911, and I couldn't be happier back then. Whichever car I decided to drive that day, I knew I was going to enjoy the ride.

[AllaVodka]

Originally Posted by IAmSpeed

Base X5 and 911 is the best option!

I faced the same dilemma many years ago, and I believe there's no way X5 M50i or even X5 M can replace real cars like 911, M5, etc. In the end, it's an SUV. You may enjoy the acceleration, but trust me, we won't be satisfied when taking turns on canyon roads. I eventually went with M50i and base 911, and I couldn't be happier back then. Whichever car I decided to drive that day, I knew I was going to enjoy the ride.

Did you test drive the x5 40i at all? The main hesitation I have with it is the lack of adaptive suspension. And then when you factor in the m sport package, the difference is only lile $12k (i only buy used). I have heard the 40i is plenty fast for an suv