I would really appreciate your opinion and/or recommendation on my next vehicle.
Currently, I am leasing 2023 X3M comp, and its lease will be up early April 2026. I might have spoiled myself, but it is really hard for me to look for non- or lite-M cars after my experience with an M car
So far I have test driven all X5 trims (x40i, 50e, m60i, and M) as well as GLE 63s AMG, but my heart is longing for mainly X5M, followed by GLE 63s maybe. Other X5 trims were just okay. I also have to choose what makes the most sense based on my circumstances, as I am expecting a new born soon. That is the reason that I am trying to stay with SUVs, not M2, M3, or M4. And I do not like the interior of M5 with has hybrid..
I know there is no good lease deal on X5M that I see so if anything, I will go with financing the vehicle while planning to keep one for 5+ years. But I am also worried about its depreciation over the course of owning the vehicle, although the fun factor from driving it might compensate its value loss. I can consider lightly used <1 year old X5M to dodge the initial depreciation, but I am concerned with the maintenance/repair cost once the factory warranty is gone.
My alternate option could be leasing a GLE 63s since I am seeing more āreasonableā lease deals, but there was no wow feeling like I had from X5M.
Now, whoever previously owned or currently has X5M (or GLE 63s).. is it really worth to get one? Or should I be better off getting a base X5 and find another āfunā car? My wife already has another X3 by the way.
If you happen to have any suggestion on other performance SUVs, I am open to take your insights as well.
Might be cheaper to buy a new Cayenne S or GTS and sell it in a few years rather than throw money at an X5M or GLE63S leaseā¦ on top of it all, Iād venture the Cayenne would be a better drivers car as well
Agreed. Separate the baby hauling from the fun aspect. Otherwise itās just a needless compromise.
I have friends with supposedly the most fun-to-drive SUVs like higher trim faster ones. They are great in straight line acceleration (well for an ICEV anyway) but are just not planted like a true sport sedan. Thereās just too much pitch, roll, etc.
Probably worth a watch out of pure entertainment valueā¦ Spoiler below.
They recommend the RSQ8 since the Merc and BMW ride too harshly. And theyād recommend you get a wagon than a mid-sized SUV. So maybe you want a M5 Touring or Audi Avant next?
@djrabbi has a recommendation on which NorCal Avant not to get.
Why do you need a moderate size SUV if your wifeās x3 will be sufficient for baby transport duty?
Are you going to get her a bigger car too?
Anything bigger than an x3m is going to have substantial compromises from a sporty perspective but Iām not really sure why you need a bigger car than one
GLE 63S is simply not as good of a car as an x5m and thatās why theyāre way more affordable.
Good to know.. I have never driven Audi, and I heard some bad reviews about it, but I will also explore this option too. I donāt really like the esthetics of wagon haha
I just thought maybe we might need a bigger car.. havenāt had a baby so I have no idea what to expect to be honest Good to know about GLE 63S! Thatās what I felt too.. from driving perspective for sure
I donāt know if a SUV could be a real M product.. unless we are talking about Hans in his E53 V12 monster.
Babies need a lot of attention and whomever has the bigger car will be the preferred choice. You have a rear facing car seat, strollers, diaper bags, snack bags, extra shit bags. You are going to want convenience, something that is comfortable, reliable, something not stiff or loud, something thatās easy to clean because they are going to want snacks, etc.
Wife lemme cop rs etron last year with a 3 week old. She had volvo xc90 now cadillac lyriq. Anyway I say that to say if youāre a 2 car household, you donāt have to settle for SUV. I even ended up with q8 etron after the other audi went back and we just kept lil man in her car and she would just use my car when going on girls nights etcā¦ so be open minded to coupes etc if you desire sporty yet non suv
I donāt know anything about x3 sizeā¦ We used uppababy platform and volvo was AWESOME for luggingā¦ lyriq just gets the job done with its sizeā¦ x3 might be so soā¦ but you can also put stuff in row with car seat if you need to
