[Jagr17]

Correctly own an 21 X5 44k miles. Just got into an accident that wasn’t my fault, so I know I’m going to lose a good amount when I get rid of it. I’m looking for guidance to see what would be better for me plus my wife. No kids just two dogs. I’m 5’11 and my wife is 5’1 for size preference.

These are the alternatives:

Keep the current X5 and help my wife get a 21 330i? She currently drives an Hyundai Elantra 21.

Or

21 540i x drive same year (or newer) or 2020 m550i and my wife a 21 x3.

Both cars are paid off now. But I don’t want and my wife does not want to keep the Elantra anymore. She likes either the 3 series or x3.

Lmk your thoughts choosing between a 2021 540i or 2020 m550i

What is a better lineup to have in the garage?
Thanks!

[swainbmw]

Look for the x3 More desirable on so I would say, especially with road clearance

[matowi]

I'd go 540+X3

Gets you a proper 5 series which is a great car to drive. And if your wife likes the X3, then you have the added option of some extra boot space when you want to drive somewhere with the dogs

My main point here is that I would part with a post-accident vehicle, unless it was only some minor damage to body panels and nothing structural or mechanical was affected (eg. transfer case, shaft)

Edit: I would also stay away from an ex-warranty V8 model. The M550i is awesome (quote from a friend who has one: "beats the F10 M5 out of the water"; just adding FWIW), but may be expensive to maintain long-term

[Photographer918]

Help your wife get whichever vehicle she’d be happier driving. Then get whatever you’d be happier driving. If you end up with X5 and X3 - cool. If you end up with two sedans, cool. If both of you are happy daily, great. If you need to make a massive IKEA run, rent a van….

[eluded]

Happy wife, happy life.

Get her a B58 without the base suspension.

Originally Posted by Photographer918

Help your wife get whichever vehicle she’d be happier driving. Then get whatever you’d be happier driving. If you end up with X5 and X3 - cool. If you end up with two sedans, cool. If both of you are happy daily, great. If you need to make a massive IKEA run, rent a van….

[sharkymcpeterson]

540 is a very nice sedan. Great engine. Great performance. Awesome interior. IMO, the best looking sedan on the market.

People say the 3 series is cheap and overpriced. I can’t argue against that.

The m550 would be the most fun to drive, by far. What an amazing car. Might be some maintenance involved with owning that car at that age and beyond. That maintenance might be expensive……

Can’t comment on the x3….i drove an x3m40 a few years back. Was surprised by how quick it was but have no comments or feedback beyond that it’s been too long.

[BlkGS]

The 5 is definitely a nice ride. The 330i is a piece of crap. I hated how cheap the base X3 was too. So I'd buy an X5 and a 5.

I thought the X1 felt better inside than the X3 loaner I had.

[sharkymcpeterson]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

The 5 is definitely a nice ride. The 330i is a piece of crap. I hated how cheap the base X3 was too. So I'd buy an X5 and a 5.

I thought the X1 felt better inside than the X3 loaner I had.

Are the new x3’s any better than the pre lci/prior gen?

(Is this iteration of the x3 an lci or is it a new deal competelty?, I have no clue)

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by sharkymcpeterson

Are the new x3’s any better than the pre lci/prior gen?

(Is this iteration of the x3 an lci or is it a new deal competelty?, I have no clue)

The newest iteration is like, way way worse than the last one

[PunsGalore]

I think both the current and prior gen 3 series and X3 are too cheap feeling, for me. I'd go X5 or 5 series only.. the last 3 series I liked was the E9X. Go (G30) 540i or x5 40i.. better reliability, MPG, cheaper price. M-sport pack ideally

[Jagr17]

Would you trade a 2021 bmw x5 for a 2020 bmw m50i fully loaded?