discussion SUV Buying Advice

[nabil_m_rs]

Hey guys,

Happy Friday, I finally seek some buying advice for myself regarding a new daily suv. I sadly had to bid farewell to my F30 330i as I received an offer that was too good to turn down. I was looking at a G20 M340i but considering that I do a lot of traveling around the country as well as to remote areas, felt an SUV was probably the best option for me. Bear in mind, I am also looking at moving on from my RS3 as I have owned it for some time and I’ve had my fun with it and I think its time to bid farewell to the 5 pot Daza life. I do however have a special car in mind to replace it, but that’s a thread for another day.

So without any further delay, let’s discuss the SUV daily options. I currently have a budget of nothing more than R900k. I want something powerful, reliable, eye catching, and fun to drive, so I’m not really too concerned about fuel consumption figures to be honest.

Options:

BMW X3 M40i/M40d

Its literally an M340i, but in SUV shape. One of the biggest advantages for me is the fact that it has that legendary B58 motor which for me is in a league of its own should I decide to tune it one day. Not too big, not too small, perfect size. If I could buy any SUV, would be an X3M Competition, however the M40i is more in my budget and would probably be the closest match to the X3MC. The M40d on the other hand is also an option and I wouldn’t mind it since BMWs are well known for their bulletproof diesel motors. Only concern about the X3 is I am aware that this G01 shape is due to be replaced as the all new model should be unveiled later this year or early next year, so I think I may take a bigger knock on depreciation as a result should I end up with one.

BMW F85 X5M

At first, the M40i was the top option, until I started scrolling on Autotrader and found that these F85/6 X5/6Ms are well within my budget. Considering that these cars were close to R2 Million brand new, for the price you paying now, it’s a lot of car for that money. I’ve seen low mileage ones around the 900k or less mark which I feel is fairly reasonable for what you getting. It’s technically an F10 M5 in suv form, and its got supercar power at 423kw. It’s a beast and a half. I know maintaining one wont be as easy as maintaining the M40i/M40d, but its not like that’s putting me off buying one. Its also a full on M car which is something I’ve never owned, so it would be something special to me should I buy one.

Range Rover Sport 5.0 Supercharged HSE V8 Dynamic

Owning a Range Rover has always been one of my dreams, especially an SVR, however they still well over the R1.5 Million mark which is way out of my budget for now. However a detuned version of that same engine is available in the 5.0 Supercharge V8 HSE model which sits well within my budget too like the other 3 options. In term of comfort and features, this is the perfect one for all those long distance trips I do for work and at my own leisure with my girlfriend. The only thing that’s putting me off it is the supposed unreliability issues I hear about Range Rovers and other JLR products in general.

Would appreciate all kinds of input, especially from owners of these cars or any further suggestions.

 

[Yulz9081]

M40i. Do it!

You answered your own questions with this vs maintaining an M car out of plan.

I planned to change cars end of last year or beginning of this year but love my M40i so much (B58 FTW! also cannot replace it for anything close to what I paid) that I decided to keep it a bit longer. I was going to get into a LCI M40i but opted out as I wasn't getting 400k more car for the price if I traded mine in. Fuel consumption isn't even bad for the level of performance you get out of it. I'm currently averaging 12l/100km with about 70% short trips in and around town driving and a heavy foot.

I ended up ordering a new bakkie as a daily so the X3 doesn't get abused so much since it's our only family car currently. I'll offload the wife's mini sooner and hold on to the X3 until I really have to get into a bigger SUV now that the Ranger can shoulder some of the space burden.

Also still holding out for a special 3rd car replacement when funds allow.

 

[Benji]

Porsche Macan 👀

 

[r0ckf1re]

Porsche Macan

GTS - 100%


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[nabil_m_rs]

M40i. Do it!

You answered your own questions with this vs maintaining an M car out of plan.

I planned to change cars end of last year or beginning of this year but love my M40i so much (B58 FTW! also cannot replace it for anything close to what I paid) that I decided to keep it a bit longer. I was going to get into a LCI M40i but opted out as I wasn't getting 400k more car for the price if I traded mine in. Fuel consumption isn't even bad for the level of performance you get out of it. I'm currently averaging 12l/100km with about 70% short trips in and around town driving and a heavy foot.

I ended up ordering a new bakkie as a daily so the X3 doesn't get abused so much since it's our only family car currently. I'll offload the wife's mini sooner and hold on to the X3 until I really have to get into a bigger SUV now that the Ranger can shoulder some of the space burden.

Also still holding out for a special 3rd car replacement when funds allow.

They are such beautiful cars, and yours is a lovely spec too. 285kw is sufficient for me and I'm sure a DP would push it up to 300kw or so.

Any idea how it would compare to the X3M comp though ? I hear a lot of people saying the M40i is 90% of the car the M Competition is and more comfortable to.

 

[nabil_m_rs]

Porsche Macan 👀

Porsche Macan 👀

Not really a Macan fan since I prefer the Cayenne.

But I did have a look at them and unfortunately the nicely spec out ones are way above my budget.

The ones within my range are the base models with barely any extras as well as the high mileage older models.

Owning a porsche hits different though

 

[Yulz9081]

They are such beautiful cars, and yours is a lovely spec too. 285kw is sufficient for me and I'm sure a DP would push it up to 300kw or so.

Any idea how it would compare to the X3M comp though ? I hear a lot of people saying the M40i is 90% of the car the M Competition is and more comfortable to.

The Comp is beautiful and feels very much like an M car rather than an SAV. I personally just found it to be very brutish and too hard a drive as a daily.
Many reviews concur that the 40i is 80% of the M but definitely better suited for daily duties in terms of comfort and driveability, it's just that it's not an M car and doesn't give you the same feedback, joy and smile as only an M car can.

 

[nabil_m_rs]

The Comp is beautiful and feels very much like an M car rather than an SAV. I personally just found it to be very brutish and too hard a drive as a daily.
Many reviews concur that the 40i is 80% of the M but definitely better suited for daily duties in terms of comfort and driveability, it's just that it's not an M car and doesn't give you the same feedback, joy and smile as only an M car can.

Interesting, think I may need to test drive both to see the difference. Thing is, the Comp is still over the 1.1 mark, maybe if it drops I'd consider one.

I also think thats where the F85 X5m also comes into place for me in my decision too. It would be bigger than the X3M Comp, meaning its likely to be more comfortable too despite it being an M car like the Comp.

I think I'm looking for something both comfortable and fun to drive, and maybe the M40i might be all that. But like I said, would be hard to resist a full on M like the X3M Comp and the 2018 X5M especially if I come across either one at the right price and condition.

 

[MR_Y]

Not really a Macan fan since I prefer the Cayenne.

But I did have a look at them and unfortunately the nicely spec out ones are way above my budget.

The ones within my range are the base models with barely any extras as well as the high mileage older models.

Owning a porsche hits different though

Stepping in from a Macan viewpoint...

An approved used Porsche comes with minimum of 1 year/150,000km maintenance plan, if the car is less than 12 years old. That plan can be extended to 12 years/150,000km from date of first registration. With BMW, you can only extend to 7 years.

The Macan is not as spacious as a G01 X3 and the G01 30d has a bit more grunt than the Macan S Diesel (marginally so). But, the drive in Macan is different (more like a sporty hatchback) than the X3, and the car is setup much differently from the Audi Q5 which it shares some of its chassis with.

Macan diesels are selling below the new X1 18d price. The tech in the Macan is older, but the cars are more solidly made and quality is excellent (as long as previous owner treated it well). Don't be put off by a Macan with 75,000km. They don't feel that age.

I am not too convinced yet on the petrol Macans, since they are using Audi engines that are known for oil issues. The diesel is also a VAG unit, but seems to be more robust than the VAG petrols.

For your purposes, if you need space and some decent reliability and economy, maybe rather consider an X5 30d in that price range. I also expect the X5 30d to hold its value better than an X3. Demand is very high for X5s

 

[MR_Y]

The Comp is beautiful and feels very much like an M car rather than an SAV. I personally just found it to be very brutish and too hard a drive as a daily.
Many reviews concur that the 40i is 80% of the M but definitely better suited for daily duties in terms of comfort and driveability, it's just that it's not an M car and doesn't give you the same feedback, joy and smile as only an M car can.

Joe Achilies did a very nice comparison between an M40i and X3M. The 40i had more low down get up and go. The X3M needed more revs to get going. In real world road driving, the 40i is quicker in most conditions. At higher speeds, the M engine kicks in hard and performs like a proper sports car.

 

[GravityLee]

F85 X5M every day and twice on Sunday.

 

[Eust]

I'd be really anxious having a RR Supercharged or an X5M without a warranty that covers complete engine failure as you could literally be in for a good R200k on each car if that happens. Then you would likely want to sell it as you get weary of it happening again, and then you take another knock when you disclose to the would be buyer that it's just recently had an engine rebuild🙈
2 weeks ago I literally walked away from a C63S, that still had plan as it had an engine replacement - just doesn't feel right, unless the car is at a no-brainer price.

 

[nabil_m_rs]

Hi guys

I would just like to say a big thank you to each and every person that took the time to respond to this thread.

With that said, I went out and tested drove a few of these options yesterday morning, and I can say I’m pleased to let you guys know that I think I’ve found the perfect daily suv 👀.

It isn’t 100% confirmed yet as I still need to run the VIN number to make sure there aren’t any comments and horror surprises. Car also has a few minor scratches that need to be attended to and it also will go for a major service and get all the necessary maintenance done.

Estimated delivery day is later on in the course of the week if I’m lucky enough, and if not, then first thing next week.

Despite it not being 100% confirmed, I am absolutely excited and I cannot wait for the end of this week to fetch it. I test drove it yesterday and I just knew it was the one. I don’t want to give away too much yet on what it is exactly as I will be starting a thread on it, but just to give you guys a clue, it is a car that was on my list in this thread.

Until then, have a good week ahead everyone ✌🏻

 

[jayaynikkal]

Stepping in from a Macan viewpoint...

An approved used Porsche comes with minimum of 1 year/150,000km maintenance plan, if the car is less than 12 years old. That plan can be extended to 12 years/150,000km from date of first registration. With BMW, you can only extend to 7 years.

The Macan is not as spacious as a G01 X3 and the G01 30d has a bit more grunt than the Macan S Diesel (marginally so). But, the drive in Macan is different (more like a sporty hatchback) than the X3, and the car is setup much differently from the Audi Q5 which it shares some of its chassis with.

Macan diesels are selling below the new X1 18d price. The tech in the Macan is older, but the cars are more solidly made and quality is excellent (as long as previous owner treated it well). Don't be put off by a Macan with 75,000km. They don't feel that age.

I am not too convinced yet on the petrol Macans, since they are using Audi engines that are known for oil issues. The diesel is also a VAG unit, but seems to be more robust than the VAG petrols.

For your purposes, if you need space and some decent reliability and economy, maybe rather consider an X5 30d in that price range. I also expect the X5 30d to hold its value better than an X3. Demand is very high for X5s

Only issue I see here is when it comes time to service. Closest Porsche dealership would be CT, no?

 

[jayaynikkal]

Hi guys

I would just like to say a big thank you to each and every person that took the time to respond to this thread.

With that said, I went out and tested drove a few of these options yesterday morning, and I can say I’m pleased to let you guys know that I think I’ve found the perfect daily suv 👀.

It isn’t 100% confirmed yet as I still need to run the VIN number to make sure there aren’t any comments and horror surprises. Car also has a few minor scratches that need to be attended to and it also will go for a major service and get all the necessary maintenance done.

Estimated delivery day is later on in the course of the week if I’m lucky enough, and if not, then first thing next week.

Despite it not being 100% confirmed, I am absolutely excited and I cannot wait for the end of this week to fetch it. I test drove it yesterday and I just knew it was the one. I don’t want to give away too much yet on what it is exactly as I will be starting a thread on it, but just to give you guys a clue, it is a car that was on my list in this thread.

Until then, have a good week ahead everyone ✌🏻

Congratulations @nabil_m_rs! My bet is the X5 M 🤞

 

[nabil_m_rs]

Only issue I see here is when it comes time to service. Closest Porsche dealership would be CT, no?

Yep, Porsche Cape Town is the nearest dealership to PE which is about an 8 hour drive or so. But I'm planning on relocating that side, but still, Macan not the one for me.

 

[nabil_m_rs]

Co

Congratulations @nabil_m_rs! My bet is the X5 M 🤞

Thanks bud, like I said, don't want to reveal much yet, but all to be revealed soon.

Just an update, VIN check has been complete and I can confirm that the car is a clean title, and accident free. We are ready to proceed with the deal.

It should go in either later today or first thing tomorrow morning for its major service, thereafter scratch removal.

The excitement in me is absolutely real right now.

 

[jld010]

X5 ftw! They look like beasts compared to X3s.

 

[AceRally]

I think it will be the X3 M40i.

 

[Eust]

I think it will be the X3 M40i.

That would be the best compromise 👌
Good performance/fuel economy/reliability/ sound and much rather have a B58 long term than the S63