What's up room? I currently have a 03 Z4 and will be looking to replace my wife's explorer XLT with either an X3 or 5. Any advice on either model is appreciated............

Cheers,

Jay

X3 is on the E46 chassis, it drives allot like a car, the X5 is truly a big vehicle, the 3.0 is kinda a dog, verses the base model X3 is quite quick for a SAV. it truly depends on how much you wan to spend and what you are looking for. the 4.8 X5 can run you 78,ooo+ while you can get a fully loaded x3 for around 50,ooo. I like the X5, third row seating and it looks superb.

make sure you test drive lots if you are considering an x3. they are much smaller and not nearly as luxurious as an x5.

the 3.0 engine while down on power has won ward's best engine awards in the past. u really can't beat its performance and reliability for its size.

if you are buying used look at the '04 or newer models as there was significant updates to the engine, drivetrain, and styling in '04.

also x5world.com is a good resource. good luck!

Thanks for the advice everyone....

Either will be a huge difference improvement over the "Exploder" :)

Cargo carrying capacity is very similar for X3 and X5 up to 2006 (although the X5 FEELS larger)...compare specs on Edmunds.com for the specific numbers. The 2007 redesign on the X5 corrected that and it now has quite a bit more room, including space for 3rd row of seats. Be careful, though...adding the 3rd row gobbles up a bunch of luggage capacity.

If you are buying used, check out my 2006 Cayenne (sorry, shameless plug)...

Good luck, and check back in to let us know what you bought and why...

yeah, sell that cayenne...

Already sold...There was an initial honeymoon with the Cayenne (it does handle better than my X5 did and it's more luxurious IMHO), however, reliability issues and wondering when it was gonna strand me next hosed the deal for me (lost the tranny at only 14K miles close to the middle of nowhere--I say close because if I had actually made it to Raton, New Mexico, then I would have been in the middle of nowhere....it went belly up 50 miles south of Raton :(

x5 all the way!