[ckneasel]

Just curious if any of you current X3M owners have previously owned an X5M and were able to compare and contrast...

[bonwit904]

Originally Posted by ckneasel

Just curious if any of you current X3M owners have previously owned an X5M and were able to compare and contrast...

Hmm..?

[elisiX]

I've owned 2 F85 X5M's and have just purchased a new X3M (I drive an M3 CS currently).

They're quite different cars IMO. The X5M was an absolute beast - sledgehammer if you will. New X3M is much more of a knife by comparison. The M3 CS i'd describe as a scalpel in that analogy. All extremely effective, but some more capable than others in the hand. X3M doesn't feel quite as boat like to me, though still has some of those comfort characteristics that the CS doesn't have in terms of how shifts are managed, etc. X5M is much more comfortable than the X3M from a ride perspective - CS is more comfortable than X3M though.

[Macanakey]

We've got both - the Spousal Unit's 2018 X5M & my X3MC. They're pretty different, as elisiX so eloquently indicated. The X5 just feels like a much bigger car than the X3 does. The V8 sounds amazing, but it's larger than what I'd want for a daily driver. He's happy with it, though.

[dkhm3]

Had a '16 X5M.

Differences-
Transmission- zf8 on the x5m is less smooth on downshifts. I drive in manual 90% of the time, the X5M tranny has overheated on me 3 times and gone into limp mode. X3M tranny has so far not had any issues, still does not skip shifts in manual like a PDK/DCT.

Engine- V8 on the x5m sounds better, but does not pull to redline- look at dynos and you will see the engine power peaks early and dips. Results in less satisfying shifts and dips in power as well as less linear response on WOT. X3M is much better, but has more lag down low.

Brakes- no noticeable difference in feel and power

Steering- I feel much more improvement in sharpness and feel with current BMW steering vs my old F80 and X5M. Could be because the tires are thinner, but certainly feels lively.

Chassis/Suspension- X3M rides more stiff. X5M has ARS (Anti Roll Stabilization) that makes the car feels more flat, but feels more numb than the X3M. X3M has a livelier chassis and communicates better to the driver, X5M tends to understeer more severely starting at 7/10's.

I am about to swap my X3M tires for 265/295 set up as others have, I am hoping it won't hurt the liveliness of this chassis. X3M is a much more fun drive at lower speed turns as well as transitions than the X5M.

[beammeupscottie]

Went from 2017 X5M to 2020 X3MC....as previous posters stated the X5M feels huge and heavy has more body roll...X3MC has minimal body roll feels more nimble....nothing surpasses the growl of a V8 and the neck snapping torque with only a mash of the pedal...the turbo lag of the in-line 6 is somewhat noticeable but the X3MC is still a rocket! Comfort; the X5M seats are more plush and the headliner is luxurious.... 2 cents