[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

I dunno, we went from a loaded X3 to a loaded Stelvio and TBH we don't see much if any difference. Now the Stelvio has abase, sport and Luxo model and we have the Luxo so maybe that is the key here?

Yes, the luxury trimmed models come with the Ti-Leather Package standard and that generally improves things with a great use of Napa Leather otherwise you get a very cheap plastic dash. The X3 is built better but there's a lot of hard plastic in the cabin. That and the dated design is what swayed my wife to the GLC since you could get a soft leatherette dash and door tops with stitching, leather stitched knee-rest/center console sides and soft touch lower door panels.

[JP10]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

What about an X3M or X3 m40i? Or x5 if you want larger?

As someone with two kids, I wouldn't plan your vehicle purchase too much around kids right now. Any of those cars can fit a car seat in back plus you said you still think you are a few years away. You have a longggg time before carpools and sports.

This is true, I guess I'm just trying to be overly prepared haha. Like I mentioned, when we travel back home it is already tight in our CX-5 with our dogs (60lb bernedoodle & 40lb goldendoodle so they are by no means small, we usually lay our back seats down and put a blanket for them to lay on). Hence why I was considering something larger. But anytime I bring up a larger SUV she just glares at me and tells me to get rid of my M3 to replace it with a truck.... lol

Originally Posted by Germanauto

The Macan will be the sportiest of the bunch but if she doesn't value driving dynamics much I'd skip it. The money factors are high, discounts are low, and overall you'll get much more car for your money by getting an X3/GLC/Q5. Personally I find the rear seats of the Macan to be spacious enough for normal sized adults.

I haven't driven a Stelvio but have head good things. However when you take a seat inside it you'll be struck by how cheap everything looks and feels. You'll have to see if you value the driving experience enough to make up for it being less-than-average at everything else.

It sounds like you don't have kids so I don't imagine you'll need a bigger CUV, but that's up to you.

If anyone would appreciate the driving dynamics it would be me, but she is going to be driving majority of the time. I doubt she would "feel" a large different between the two. Appreciate the comment!

Originally Posted by keg97

Heads up but new 2021 Tahoe and Yukon out late summer/early fall. Should be much improved handling with the IRS. Having said that, it's still gonna be very different compared to your other options.

I am actually a big fan of the way the Yukons & Tahoes look. With that said it would be a major sell to my fiance lol. She just doesn't like them. Not sure if it's just because of the brand or what. I'd be all for picking up either of them. My Dad has a 2019 Yukon and it is nice to ride in.

Originally Posted by chassis

What does "relatively sporty" mean?

The GLE and GLS, while comfortable, attractive (to many) and reliable (X/W166 models), are not real sporty in the base models. This applies to the GLE350 and GLS450.

The AMG models, GLE43, GLE63s and GLS63s, are very sporty, but I'm guessing are out of the price range based on the comments so far.

Yeah the GLE43/63s & GLS63s are most likely out of the price range. I don't think she needs the sporty aspect, more of a want. I'd be happy with the GLE350, and I doubt she would miss the sporty aspect much when she feels the comfort level.

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

How about a Cadillac XT5 or XT6? Either can tow a minimum of 4,000 pounds.

I'll have to check into these a little more, haven't looked at them much yet.

[stein_325i]

Sounds like a mid-sized SUV would be best for children and two dogs. An X5, GLE or E-Wagon would likely do you well, a Cayenne is also nice but may be out of price range once equipped with desired options.

[JDMSteven]

Jaguar Product Specialist here: run away from F-PACE. Or all JLR stuff for that matter. They just seem consistently worse than all other luxury brands. Infotainment is painfully slow and clumsy, constantly freezing, lagging or not responding at all. Often have to shut the car off, lock it and restart to fix it. Never once happened on my 2011 535i even as old and outdated as it is.

I would say I'm fairly qualified to make this input as I've probably put at least 4-5k miles in JLR Products so far.

[bkfastwagon]

That's a wide range of SUVs to pick from (Tahoe to Macan). Do you drive your M3 daily? Would you consider driving a Tahoe daily, instead? I rented a Tahoe once and I can't imagine driving that thing daily. Not fun to parallel park those in tight spaces. I guess my point is, are you looking for something that complements your M3 rather than something that she wants. I've been there plenty of times so no judgements here.

[JP10]

Originally Posted by bkfastwagon

That's a wide range of SUVs to pick from (Tahoe to Macan). Do you drive your M3 daily? Would you consider driving a Tahoe daily, instead? I rented a Tahoe once and I can't imagine driving that thing daily. Not fun to parallel park those in tight spaces. I guess my point is, are you looking for something that complements your M3 rather than something that she wants. I've been there plenty of times so no judgements here.

I do daily my M3, love it. If I could afford to add a 3rd vehicle to the stable I would, and this would be the plan down the road (would add a truck). I'd be content driving the Tahoe, but I'd rather not give up my vehicle to do so. The M3 will be paid off in year or so, and her lease will end in February. So ideally i'd like to be a position with just one vehicle payment. If I sold mine only to get a larger suv and she ended up with a smaller suv I'd have two vehicles that practically accomplish the same thing.

To answer your question, I guess yeah I am looking for something to complement the M3 to the extent that the other vehicle needs to accomplish everything mine does not. In an ideal world I'd have my M3, a truck, and a SUV large enough to handle the long road trips. With that said, even then the truck would not cut it for those longer trips due to the size of the dogs and the potential for kids in the future.

The more I think about this the more I am coming to the conclusion that I am planning too far in the future. But seeing as we already have a problem in regards to space with her vehicle the only logical conclusion I can come to is that we will need something larger. I guess my concern for this is larger than hers. Decisions decisions....

[stein_325i]

I'm gonna put my vote in for an E-Class wagon. It combines both your wife's and your needs. It isn't too large being the size of a Camry, it will handle well since its not a tall SUV, and it can haul absolutely anything due to the deep cargo hold, while still having enough power from a tried and true Mercedes V6, its incredibly luxurious and comfortable, and its a wagon, so you will own something that is very rare to come by and these cars are very sought after by Benz enthusiasts.

Dealers may be willing to negotiate since its harder to find buyers for this type of vehicle and there are a good amount of CPO'd low milage variants to choose from.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...n-reliability/

[JP10]

Originally Posted by jstein55

I'm gonna put my vote in for an E-Class wagon. It combines both your wife's and your needs. It isn't too large being the size of a Camry, it will handle well since its not a tall SUV, and it can haul absolutely anything due to the deep cargo hold, while still having enough power from a tried and true Mercedes V6, its incredibly luxurious and comfortable, and its a wagon, so you will own something that is very rare to come by and these cars are very sought after by Benz enthusiasts.

Dealers may be willing to negotiate since its harder to find buyers for this type of vehicle and there are a good amount of CPO'd low milage variants to choose from.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...n-reliability/

Damn that interior is beautiful. I'll run the idea by her, my gut tells me she wont be a fan of the wagon aspect. But I know she will love that interior.

[Alfisti]

Want a woman to close her legs? Suggest a station wagon. And I say that owning one!

[JP10]

Update, she hates the wagon. Like really hates it lol. Loves the interior but that exterior she can't get over. Even told her to look at the e63s just too see if it would change her reaction and she still hated it

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by JP10

Update, she hates the wagon. Like really hates it lol. Loves the interior but that exterior she can't get over. Even told her to look at the e63s just too see if it would change her reaction and she still hated it

That's a shame, sadly some people see wagons the same way as minivans despite the superior practicality both have over SUV's.

My new votes go to an X5, GLE or Cayenne, or maybe even wait for the new Genesis GV80. Also, if she likes the CX-5, how about a CX-9? My son and daughter-in-law have both a Mazda 6 and CX-9 and love them. The 9 would be a natural step up from the 5 and has a third row for in a pinch situations.

[JP10]

I looked into the Genesis GV80, that is a great looking vehicle in my opinion. Price point looks solid as well! We have this on the list of vehicles to look at.

We had a little road trip back up to PA this weekend. Dogs were in the vehicle as well. My fiance is finally starting to grasp that we need something bigger. So the smaller SUVs are currently out.

While on the road I saw a few Infiniti QX60s. I thought they have a relatively nice look to them, and the price point is perfect. So I starting digging at them a little bit. The cargo space on these vehicles is pretty damn impressive. Does anyone have any first hand experience with these?

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by JP10

I looked into the Genesis GV80, that is a great looking vehicle in my opinion. Price point looks solid as well! We have this on the list of vehicles to look at.

We had a little road trip back up to PA this weekend. Dogs were in the vehicle as well. My fiance is finally starting to grasp that we need something bigger. So the smaller SUVs are currently out.

While on the road I saw a few Infiniti QX60s. I thought they have a relatively nice look to them, and the price point is perfect. So I starting digging at them a little bit. The cargo space on these vehicles is pretty damn impressive. Does anyone have any first hand experience with these?

Pretty sure the Infiniti has Nissans dreaded CVT, that would be an immediate no for me, also the car is extremely old and dated, better off buying used.

[nick3753]

Her definition of sporty may (and likely does) differ from ours. My wife has become accustomed to faster German cars and now it's tough to sell her on anything else. February is a ways off. Just take her out and let her drive some of them on your list. My suggestion, have her drive the least expensive ones first....If she likes one, stop there. Good luck!

[NYC535iowner]

I am looking to upgrade to an SUV also but dont want nothing fancy.
What are your opinions on the following SUV for everyday use.
(1) ACURA MDX
(2) HONDA PILOT
(3) HONDA CRV
(4) ACURA RDX
(5) INFINITY Q60

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by NYC535iowner

I am looking to upgrade to an SUV also but dont want nothing fancy.
What are your opinions on the following SUV for everyday use.
(1) ACURA MDX
(2) HONDA PILOT
(3) HONDA CRV
(4) ACURA RDX
(5) INFINITY Q60

1) Too big and boring, outdated as well.
2) Same as MDX, just cheaper.
3) Good car, but CVT and 1.5T issues aren't good, I'd prefer a Mazda CX-5.
4) Best Acura on sale and very good car, only the infotainment lets it down, otherwise best car on the list.
5) Don't buy any Infiniti, they simply don't make good cars anymore.

I'd recommend an Acura RDX or Mazda CX-5.

[yousefnjr]

I’ve seen brokers on LH listing X3M’s a hair under $600/mo, a lot of car for the money imo

[x3sm]

Porsche Macan S.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by x3sm

Porsche Macan S.

Too small, the wife says her CX-5 is too small so a Macan wouldn't be much bigger. A Cayenne could be a good choice although may not work with their budget.

[Danlnyc88]

I picked up a 17 Macan Turbo about 2 weeks ago and I love it

[x3sm]

Originally Posted by jstein55

Too small, the wife says her CX-5 is too small so a Macan wouldn't be much bigger. A Cayenne could be a good choice although may not work with their budget.

I thought it was small too, but when I went to see it it felt a lot better. I'm 6' and I was fine sitting in the back. The trick is you gotta push the steering wheel closer to cluster and move the driver seat up, gives a better driving position and clears up more room at the back. Nearly every Macan I sat in for some reason had the steering wheel column extended out almost all the way. Also Once you drop the rear seats there is enough room for most things. You can also get the Base model 4 cylinder and its great for a daily.

Originally Posted by Danlnyc88

I picked up a 17 Macan Turbo about 2 weeks ago and I love it

Did you get the 18-way adjustable seats?

[whyzee125]

The looks might not satisfy her but I would get the last year of the old xc90 v8. Best SUV out there for the money.