[Cardona]

Hello everyone,

Before you flip and start thinking “this guys has lost it” just hear me out…

I am a hardcore BMW fan and enjoy most of their M applications, therefore have found myself debating between these 2 vehicles that I know are from day-to-night different, but still makes sense to consider for what each of them represent. In an ideal world, one could have both, but is not my case as I can only have one and sincerely feel blessed and thankful that I get to have this opportunity.

Wether spacious or compact, V8 or I6, lower/higher ground clearance, both have unique performance oriented approach for the enthusiast driver with/without family/kids. Since there is a vast amount of things to be referenced for each vehicle. Let’s just pls focus on these main points:

1. transmission, 2. power-mass ratio (performance), 3. design, and 4. price.

The caveat with the M4 is that manual transmission is a a very unique option regardless of the pain when stuck in traffic -the joy of a manual speaks for it self-.

The X5M Comp, is just a beast that gives you the performance and also the practicality for whenever needed. With its impressive flat curve response, and customizable 4WD (on/off) for maximum driving thrill, it turns into a dream car option, however, at a hectic cost of no less than $135K if no additional equipment added (B&W, Executive package, M Driver’s Package, Drive Assist).

From the perspective of mainly focusing on these 4 mentioned points, can you please assist me shedding light into what you guys think will be the more satisfactory and pleasant option aiming at keeping the car for at least 7-8 years?

I’m all ears and thank you in advance for your thoughts.

[BimmerFix]

I'd get an M3

[TurtleBoy]

No one will be able to answer that question but you since we all have personal preferences. As you said, they are night and day different, pick the one that you think will best suit you needs and wants.

[Condorll]

You already have the X5M Comp in your profile so I am assuming that's the direction you want or have taken. If not, you can always go for the X5 with the V8, just not the Comp version, the difference in 0-60 is negligable and you will save at least $20k if not more. I would take an X5 over a M sedan or coupe any day of the week. But I'm in my mid 60's, golf and like to take road trips so that X5 trunk space is wonderful!

[Ibiza]

Having both a X5 and M4, if I had to get one car it would be the X5M comp. Interior is a step up from the M4, B&W stereo, the V8. If your going to track you car, then the M4, but plenty of M owners such as myself pay for BMW driving programs rather than deal with the maintaince after a track day.

[Ibiza]

Originally Posted by Condorll

You already have the X5M Comp in your profile so I am assuming that's the direction you want or have taken. If not, you can always go for the X5 with the V8, just not the Comp version, the difference in 0-60 is negligable and you will save at least $20k if not more. I would take an X5 over a M sedan or coupe any day of the week. But I'm in my mid 60's, golf and like to take road trips so that X5 trunk space is wonderful!

Comming from a pre-LCI X5M comp to a LCI X5 M60 there is still a considerable difference (firmer seats in the X5M, stiffer suspension, higher engine responsiveness), but it’s a personal preference if the $20,000 difference is worth it. The M60 needs to be optioned with the anti-roll bars (M professional adaptative suspension), but long road trips I suspect one would prefer the air suspension. No full merino leather on the M60 for the US market, which is reserved for the X5M comp.

[tooloud10]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

No one will be able to answer that question but you since we all have personal preferences. As you said, they are night and day different, pick the one that you think will best suit you needs and wants.

Agreed, though if we can only vote based on four criteria, it should be a pretty easy decision:

1. transmission: Assuming OP wants a stick, so the M4 wins here
2. power-mass ratio (performance): M4 again
3. design: completely subjective
4. price: M4 wins again

So...to me the only question that OP really has is what transmission he really wants and the rest of the equation works itself out.

But for me the question would be whether I needed a 5-seat SUV or a 2+2 sports car, which is also pretty easy to figure out.

[BlkGS]

No amount of manual transmissions can fix how hideously ugly the front end of the new M3/M4 is.

The rest is irrelevant because of that.

[Cardona]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

No amount of manual transmissions can fix how hideously ugly the front end of the new M3/M4 is.

The rest is irrelevant because of that.

Fully subjective comment that doesn’t aim at ehat was asked.

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by Cardona

Fully subjective comment that doesn’t aim at ehat was asked.

Not true. I said that the new M3 and M4 are so bad at criteria #3 of yours that it doesn't matter if they won the 3 other criteria. They're THAT ugly in the front.

All that said, I've got 2 manual cars, and 3 automatic SUVs. I almost never drove the cars because the manual is a pain in the ass with the basically constant traffic around here.

[matowi]

I find the selection criteria highly biased, since they all point to M4 as a winner

Someone above said - M3, and that’d be a very interesting middle ground, offering a little bit more of practicality over the M4, so bringing the overall package a tiny step closer to the X5, without a noticeable loss of driving pleasure, or curb appeal

That said, based on my own - admittedly limited - driving experience in the two cars OP considers, I’d say the X5 feels like it justifies its pricetag, whereas the M3/4 package feels expensive for what it offers. This is a particularly subjective point, I know, but the step up in materials, and overall plushness/luxury of the X5 cannot be overlooked when choosing a car to be lived with for a good chunk of someone’s life. In my view, M3/4 offer decent quality when looked at in isolation (yet, for the price you’d be justified to expect more). However, once put aside the X5, the differences are tremendous, in favor of the X5

[Cardona]

Originally Posted by matowi

I find the selection criteria highly biased, since they all point to M4 as a winner

Someone above said - M3, and that’d be a very interesting middle ground, offering a little bit more of practicality over the M4, so bringing the overall package a tiny step closer to the X5, without a noticeable loss of driving pleasure, or curb appeal

That said, based on my own - admittedly limited - driving experience in the two cars OP considers, I’d say the X5 feels like it justifies its pricetag, whereas the M3/4 package feels expensive for what it offers. This is a particularly subjective point, I know, but the step up in materials, and overall plushness/luxury of the X5 cannot be overlooked when choosing a car to be lived with for a good chunk of someone’s life. In my view, M3/4 offer decent quality when looked at in isolation (yet, for the price you’d be justified to expect more). However, once put aside the X5, the differences are tremendous, in favor of the X5

Much appreciated, your consize clear ideas make sense are offer context , thank you )

[matowi]

Originally Posted by Cardona

Much appreciated, your consize clear ideas make sense are offer context , thank you )

Well, thank you

[X5MC4ME]

Recently bought an X5M comp. If I didn’t need the space I would have gotten an M3. I think the M3 looks far far better than the M4 and drives just as well. I needed space for car seats and the kids’ stuff so I went X5M. Very happy with it but the M3 does drive better (as to be expected). The X5 is more plush.


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[-cj-]

I had an F80 M3 DCT that was my daily, and bought the X5MC. In my opinion the X5 hands down. I LOVED my M3, and thought it was probably the sexiest generation to date and it was pretty practical. But the X5 just has more power, more comfort, more practicality, etc. It can hang with most sports cars through the corners, including M3s.

My X5M recently got written off and I'm going to buy another one. For the first time since I started driving, I don't have a manual car in the garage but I don't miss it. The ZF8 is fantastic. A lot smoother than the DCT in the F80 M3 and just as fast in most scenarios (DCT is only faster by a small margin if it predicts your next shift properly. If you downshift instead of upshift, it's slower than the ZF8 which has more clutches.)

X5M. You won't regret it..

[Ibiza]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

No amount of manual transmissions can fix how hideously ugly the front end of the new M3/M4 is.

The rest is irrelevant because of that.

Just spec with a black exterior color to hide the grill.

[Ibiza]

An other option is to patiently wait for the future M5 touring, which should bridge the difference between a M4 and X5M.

[Ilyam5]

Here is another prospective.

M4 makes the most sense in x drive - in that guise it is a faster and more engaging car vs x5m.

If you want a manual - get an m2 Much more suites for that transmission

X5m is still a big boat of an suv, i had to switch it to x3m for more nimble handling. If you need a sport suv - Not much beats x3m value

[Cardona]

Originally Posted by X5MC4ME

Recently bought an X5M comp. If I didn’t need the space I would have gotten an M3. I think the M3 looks far far better than the M4 and drives just as well. I needed space for car seats and the kids’ stuff so I went X5M. Very happy with it but the M3 does drive better (as to be expected). The X5 is more plush.


X

M3 was not listed as is not an option due to extreme extended leadtime… 15 months sold out at mu current and near by dealerships

[Cardona]

Originally Posted by BimmerFix

I'd get an M3

M3 is not an option due to being sold out for over a year… I don’t have the skin to wait 14-15 months for it, ia ainoly way too much. M3 has always been a preference over the M4 for me, not just because of the 4 doors, but also due to the doors shaping it in a more balanced way, to me it looks cleaner and prettier, and lines are more harmonious than the long M4 tail. However the M4 is also a sexy car not to be hated im any way.

[MystroX5]

Get the M4 and forget the X5M. The X5M is a compromised SUV to achieve marginal performance gains over the significantly better riding X5 M50/60i. In general, BMW’s “Full M” in any SUV rides too stiff and is compromised too much because of it. If BMW would just add a selectable air suspension to alleviate these problems like stance and ride stiffness like every other high-performance SUV then it might be a different story.

[X5MC4ME]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

Get the M4 and forget the X5M. The X5M is a compromised SUV to achieve marginal performance gains over the significantly better riding X5 M50/60i. In general, BMW’s “Full M” in any SUV rides too stiff and is compromised too much because of it. If BMW would just add a selectable air suspension to alleviate these problems like stance and ride stiffness like every other high-performance SUV then it might be a different story.

Actually that’s what makes the X5M great to those of us that enjoy sporty cars. The air suspension in the other X5 models is straight up wallowy. The Cayenne is nowhere near as much fun. Some of us enjoy a firm ride and the feedback that comes with it. Some people want to be coddled. The X5M rides significantly more comfortably than the M4 (though I would go with the M4 if circumstances permitted). There are people on this forum that went to an M60 and regret it.

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