X3 M40i, Macan S, GLC43, or SQ5?

[jamesinaz]

Well, gonna throw another monkey wrench into the pot. First respond to stuff.

On the Jeep the SRT isn't really cheaper than a decked out X5 and I just like the BMW interior and handling better. I have owned Jeeps in the past and don't think I'll get another. Nothing wrong with them just not my cup of tea any longer.

On the used MB AMGs I am a bit leery of the reliability of them. People who buy a performance car sometimes push them hard. I know hard to believe. And I'd always wonder if it went off the road and had a repair done that didn't show up in Carfax.

Now the monkey wrench. Genesis GV80. Coming this summer. I've been doing some research and it might be a valid contender. Here is a review I found. Only issue is will they have one I can test drive before June 15. I'll wait another month or two if I have to but not to test drive. I want a decision by mid June.


https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-car...w-first-drive/

[dgoldenz]

Originally Posted by jamesinaz

Well, gonna throw another monkey wrench into the pot. First respond to stuff.

On the Jeep the SRT isn't really cheaper than a decked out X5 and I just like the BMW interior and handling better. I have owned Jeeps in the past and don't think I'll get another. Nothing wrong with them just not my cup of tea any longer.

On the used MB AMGs I am a bit leery of the reliability of them. People who buy a performance car sometimes push them hard. I know hard to believe. And I'd always wonder if it went off the road and had a repair done that didn't show up in Carfax.

Now the monkey wrench. Genesis GV80. Coming this summer. I've been doing some research and it might be a valid contender. Here is a review I found. Only issue is will they have one I can test drive before June 15. I'll wait another month or two if I have to but not to test drive. I want a decision by mid June.


https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-car...w-first-drive/

The Genesis is ugly as sin IMO. If you are concerned about reliability/repair costs for the German cars, look at Carmax and get the 5-year 100k warranty. Best warranty around. Problem solved.

Something you may want to consider that's totally different, but a really great car that's a lot of fun - 2018+ JL Wrangler. I'm currently leasing one and love it, I drive it 80% of the time even though I have a GT3 and M3. Great high-up seating position, comfortable, smooth transmission, can take the top off and put back on in a minute or less. It's not fast, the handling is awful, but it's a great, great DD. Rubicon or Moab editions are really nice. The one-touch power top is awesome if you can find one with that, and you can get an 8-year 125k warranty pretty cheap.

[corn18]

Originally Posted by dgoldenz

The Genesis is ugly as sin IMO. If you are concerned about reliability/repair costs for the German cars, look at Carmax and get the 5-year 100k warranty. Best warranty around. Problem solved.

Something you may want to consider that's totally different, but a really great car that's a lot of fun - 2018+ JL Wrangler. I'm currently leasing one and love it, I drive it 80% of the time even though I have a GT3 and M3. Great high-up seating position, comfortable, smooth transmission, can take the top off and put back on in a minute or less. It's not fast, the handling is awful, but it's a great, great DD. Rubicon or Moab editions are really nice. The one-touch power top is awesome if you can find one with that, and you can get an 8-year 125k warranty pretty cheap.

Go drive a Wrangler and you will know whether it's for you or not. They really suck if you aren't a Jeep person. Like the worst car ever. Underpowered. Terrible gas mileage. Scary handling. Interiors are K car like. But man, are they a boatload of fun. We have a 2 door Sahara and we smile and giggle every minute we're driving it.

[GTF]

Originally Posted by Humdizzle

personal opinion but yeah, no such thing as a sporty SUV. But if you had to pick one its Macan all day. Just the pdk alone is way better than that garbage ZF8 in bmws.

I've had two Porsches with PDK, and just drove friends 992 with the new 8 Spd PDK....agree, excellent transmissions. But the ZF 8-spd imo (and also opinion of all tests I've read) is very close....best non DC available. Also excellent in the Cayenne. I think the ZF in Sport-plus is better than my PDK. Way better than the 9-spd MB auto.

[GenXer]

You know what you want!


times 5

[jamesinaz]

Originally Posted by GenXer

You know what you want!


times 5

I do seem to keep circling back to the X5. Counting down now. Lease ends in 58 days. Think I'll probably contact them in a month to see if they are dealing.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Funf6cyl

Macan GTS ot Turbo all the way. I've had two S' and one GTS. The GTS was one of the most fun cars. It handles very well, great steering, and just sounds awesome. Plus it's easily the best looking of these. Even Aston used the Macan to shape its SUV since it is easily the sexiest shaped one out there.

Good to know, any must have options for the GTS? I've narrowed down my search of SUV's/Wagons that'll be replacing my CLS to pretty much just the Macan and plan on getting a GTS as it comes with a lot standard compared to the S, lowering the price variation between the two, and extra power is always nice to have Was thinking of a Cayenne, but the Macan will be better to drive, has enough practicality for me, and has a PDK. Of course this will all depend on how this virus will pan out, was hoping to custom order one.

[Funf6cyl]

Originally Posted by joshuastein55

Good to know, any must have options for the GTS? I've narrowed down my search of SUV's/Wagons that'll be replacing my CLS to pretty much just the Macan and plan on getting a GTS as it comes with a lot standard compared to the S, lowering the price variation between the two, and extra power is always nice to have Was thinking of a Cayenne, but the Macan will be better to drive, has enough practicality for me, and has a PDK. Of course this will all depend on how this virus will pan out, was hoping to custom order one.

The GTS is great all around and boy did it hold value. Plus I get Porsches at 9-10% off so it usually costs me little to own.
Options: sports Chrono, and leather interior are the only things I think you need. Other than that it has all the sport and performance options you’d want, has nav, etc.

If you want I can put you in contact with my guys. I may be buying a 992 from them soon.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Funf6cyl

The GTS is great all around and boy did it hold value. Plus I get Porsches at 9-10% off so it usually costs me little to own.
Options: sports Chrono, and leather interior are the only things I think you need. Other than that it has all the sport and performance options you'd want, has nav, etc.

If you want I can put you in contact with my guys. I may be buying a 992 from them soon.

Thanks for the offer, but luckily for me, my father in law has been friends with the GM of my local Porsche dealer for years, and has purchased over 20 Porsche's from them over the years, half of which were likely custom built, and he will likely be getting a GT4 too, so I should be set for a good deal when the virus settles and my lease comes to an end.

I've only driven the current "S" trim, but it was very impressive, so the GTS can only be better, and I think its just right for me, as its also replacing my old 05' X3 which my son is taking to Florida for college (hopefully that will happen), and the Macan's interior space is pretty similar in size while still being able to fit my Sheltie in the trunk - he's one of the reasons I needed an SUV/Wagon (that and home depot/Lowes' runs), he will throw up in the backseat of any car, but strangely not in the trunk of an SUV.

Here's my current build, may do an all black exterior, but I like the contrast of the white. I would love to do Mamba Green but that may be a bit too extreme
-Full Leather Interior
-Premium Package Plus
-Sport Chrono
-Surround View
-Lane Change Assist
-Steering Wheel Heating




I was thinking about an X3 M40i for a while, but the steering and interior just don't really do it for me, and while the X5 has a gorgeous and superbly furnished interior, its overall just not engaging, but very practical. I also looked at a Cayenne E-Hybrid, but not as engaging or pretty as the Macan, no PDK, a higher price, and Ihate the touch buttons, though I did like the idea of getting gas less often. The Macan feels like a jacked hot hatch but with a luxury interior and gorgeous styling and that's why I love it! Its not the most practical, but its just enough for my needs.

Sorry to thread jack op!

[GenXer]

Mumba Green FTW!

[jamesinaz]

Originally Posted by joshuastein55

Sorry to thread jack op!

With pictures like that feel free to thread jack.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by jamesinaz

With pictures like that feel free to thread jack.

Lol its just the configurator!

[jamesinaz]

Originally Posted by GenXer

Mumba Green FTW!

Local dealer has one of those. In the base model. It is a fantastic color.

I think I'm past wanting a car that small though. I've thought it thru and I just want a little more car for people and stuff and ride quality. X5 is leader in the clubhouse. In the Phytonic Blue and M Sport.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by jamesinaz

Local dealer has one of those. In the base model. It is a fantastic color.

I think I'm past wanting a car that small though. I've thought it thru and I just want a little more car for people and stuff and ride quality. X5 is leader in the clubhouse. In the Phytonic Blue and M Sport.

Good pick, definitely the best all rounder in its class and will be much roomier and more practical than the compacts like the X3, I've seen one in Phytonic Blue and in the light it shines very well. What interior are you thinking of getting? The one I saw had the Ivory Merino Leather with an Ivory Alcantara Headliner and it was beautiful! Although I imagine it to be very hard to keep clean!

[GenXer]

1. X5 M Sport
2. Mumba Green Macan

in that order!

[jamesinaz]

Originally Posted by joshuastein55

Good pick, definitely the best all rounder in its class and will be much roomier and more practical than the compacts like the X3, I've seen one in Phytonic Blue and in the light it shines very well. What interior are you thinking of getting? The one I saw had the Ivory Merino Leather with an Ivory Alcantara Headliner and it was beautiful! Although I imagine it to be very hard to keep clean!

That would probably work with that combo. I admit interior color isn't as important to me as quality and I won't lose sleep if I get a black interior. But if ordering - White Merino would be for the win.

[jamesinaz]

And I'm back. Really, by June 15 no more of these updates as I will have decided and bought.

OK update. yesterday visited a dealer I'd never been to. They have (had?) 2 2019 X5 xDrive 50i in stock. New with like 180 miles. I had interest. So I went to check them out.

On arrival it appears they are sold. One only has a deposit as the buyer needs to close on a property or something so I might circle back to it but I doubt it. I did like the car but could not test drive. Wouldn't have respected the dealer if he offered since someone had a deposit on it.

While there they suggested if I wanted a SUV with performance to also look at the X3 xDrive 40i. Sooooo, we did. My wife preferred the seats over the X5. Maybe cause she would feel comfortable driving it as her current ride is a 2014 X3. But I admit the seats were good and the interior was OK and size not bad. But I'm thinking it drives like my wife's X3 28i. Much smaller feel. I get conned into a test drive.

It does not drive like my wife's car. Obviously the 2014 28i with 240 hp isn't the same as the 2020 40i with 335 hp and 0-60 in 4.4 seconds. Yes, there is probably as much raw acceleration as my 540i. Or close.

Suspension felt more substantial and I did not feel I was in a toy car.

Still undecided but the Macan was out because - too small. And only advantage is if you want to drive the car like a sports car which I likely wouldn't do after the first month. Plus price.

Cars still in contention include:

X5 - M sport package and other stuff around $74K MSRP
X3 40i - about $65K fully loaded
Cayenne - used 2019 1900 miles asking $75K

Having fun with the research but it is narrowing down.

[GenXer]

If you believe what the internet journalists are saying, stay away from the X5 V8. They're not known for reliability. Stick with the straight six and save yourself a boatload of money up front and in the future.

[chassis]

I drove an X3 M40i for a service loaner and enjoyed it alot. If the X3 size vehicle meets your needs for size and long distance travel comfort, I think it's a good option.

I really do like Porsches. But the price vs value equation for them is unattractive for me.

[Funf6cyl]

Originally Posted by chassis

I drove an X3 M40i for a service loaner and enjoyed it alot. If the X3 size vehicle meets your needs for size and long distance travel comfort, I think it's a good option.

I really do like Porsches. But the price vs value equation for them is unattractive for me.

It depends what you’re looking for. If you want an SUV/CUV that drives like a sport car on stilts, nothing else really comes close.
Porsches also hold value better too. So yes, they are more expensive but also built much better. It all adds into the equation. It cost me almost nothing to own a Macan GTS for a year and a half and 15k miles. Had that been an X3/4/5 it would have lost 30% if not more.

[jamesinaz]

Originally Posted by GenXer

If you believe what the internet journalists are saying, stay away from the X5 V8. They're not known for reliability. Stick with the straight six and save yourself a boatload of money up front and in the future.

Thanks. Didn't find any articles online about that but now I am aware I will do more research. Doesn't look like it will be available anyway. I was only going to buy one cause it was left over 2019 and I thought I could get a killer deal.

[jamesinaz]

Originally Posted by Funf6cyl

It depends what you’re looking for. If you want an SUV/CUV that drives like a sport car on stilts, nothing else really comes close.
Porsches also hold value better too. So yes, they are more expensive but also built much better. It all adds into the equation. It cost me almost nothing to own a Macan GTS for a year and a half and 15k miles. Had that been an X3/4/5 it would have lost 30% if not more.

I think this is a valid description. The Macan is more of a sports car. Which I might enjoy for a month but then - I might get annoyed about the stiffer ride and smaller size. I pretty much need a grocery getter and like power versus a lame assed 4 cylinder GLE. And I don't need 0-60 I need 45-75 power.

Betting depreciation on current Porsche and BMW are similar going forward unless I buy a limited Porsche that everyone suddenly wants. Such as the GTS which they didn't make last year. I don't think it's a safe bet to get the same outcome you did. Good call buying that.

Seriously almost decided. X5 or X3 40i. Both have enough juice and comfort. And cheaper. Only Porsche still in the running now is used Cayennes.

Thanks for all the inputs folks. I do appreciate it. I know I'm spending WAY too much time over thinking this. Combination of being stuck home and having a specific deadline returning my lease has created the perfect storm of over analyzing.