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I would say Macan being in budget is somewhat contingent on options. I recently priced out a Macan S for fun, and it came to over $87,000 with some of the important bits.
Granted, some of the stuff is superfluous - maybe you don't need deviated stitching, but it was too good to pass up. Still, with the "core" options, like PASM and Premium Package, $80k is a given.
You don’t hear engine noise on all cars at all.
Go drive an MDX and GLE 350 back to back.
My X3 is smooth as butter with no noises except exhaust if you put it in Sport mode.
GLE sounds like a diesel and plus its underpowered. But even light throttle promts a very coarse sound which is not something i want at all. I’m used to smooth Inline 6s.
You prefer MB inputs which MANY people do. They drive very different from BMW. I don’t like mushy brake pedal and want the immediate brakes when i tap on it for example.
The car is not for just my wife, it is car used daily for commuting/ errands / family trips to be beat on which my wife can drive.
I haven’t driven x3 once but I can’t see why you don’t hear the engine noise. I have 40i and I can hear it as much as the GS F sports which I like. This is not even in S+. Bmw brake is fine and great except when coming to a stop. It gives you that jerk/sudden stop that I can’t get used to it. MDX is one of those that I never have interest in esp base model. With all the upgrades, it becomes too much for an Acura IMO. Btw which ICE vehicle makes no noise from accelerating from a stop?
Just get a Cayenne which has all the 'sport' and 'luxury' you want including massaging seats
Originally Posted by arentz07
I'll drop my two cents and say the Macan, particularly S or GTS, is one of the few SUVs I'd be caught driving. I still slot the 2015 Turbo I drove as one of my favorite cars I've driven just because it was so impressively balanced - refined, comfortable, yet responsive and entertaining to drive. It had very few weaknesses. If my wife holds up her mandate that we need a high-riding vehicle, it's either I get a Macan or she gets... something.
My brother has the new Cayenne GTS with the V8. Its just a bit out of my price range lol….would have to get rid of my other cars and the wait on them is really long now.
I would love to get CPO Panamera - my neighbor recently got a new Panamera GTS and it is awesome.
The negative is the P car will draw unwanted attention when going to client / work events etc. Sometimes its very useful to have a lowkey car especially in nyc.
Macan is OK but rear seat is very small, I also don’t think its a great value compared to X3. They are also a dime a dozen in my area.
I am considering the Alfa Stelvio Quadrfoglio which is similar size but looks MUCH better. Have appt to test drive one next week. Its probably one of the best designed performance SUVs.
I haven’t driven x3 once but I can’t see why you don’t hear the engine noise. I have 40i and I can hear it as much as the GS F sports which I like. This is not even in S+. Bmw brake is fine and great except when coming to a stop. It gives you that jerk/sudden stop that I can’t get used to it. MDX is one of those that I never have interest in esp base model. With all the upgrades, it becomes too much for an Acura IMO. Btw which ICE vehicle makes no noise from accelerating from a stop?
I agree with you on the brakes. They're great until I try to smoothly stop. I could probably be a chauffeur now thanks to the training I've been through with the brakes on our 330i.
Also, I've driven a four-cylinder X3, in fact, rented it for a few days, and compared to our 330i, I hear a lot less engine sound inside the car. I guess they have the augmented sound volume turned down to a lower volume in the X3, but I've also noticed our 330i isn't exactly silent outside either.
It's funny because my wife and I have also thought about the X3 M40i for the future, or even just "an" X3. The only thing I fear with it is ride quality, since it seems every journalist seems to mention the harsh ride. Then again, I have seen a couple of YouTubers, notably TheTopher and MilesPrHr, who did not have such complaints - in fact, I think they may have stated how it's livable. That could be a preference thing. Our 330i is a little firm, but personally, not too firm for me. I can acknowledge our IS 350 rides better, but it also feels a little less energetic for it - not that it handles worse, but it just feels a little less eager. Maybe that's worth a little ride penalty, as long as the handling is unaffected.
I can only speak on my M40i and how i optioned it.
I have Passive /fixed suspension and upgraded 20in Staggered wheels with Perf Run Flat tires. All of these combined help handling but are not great for comfort. Its definitely a stiff / sporty ride but much more comfortable compared to my other cars. MDX /GLE/ Grand Cherokee are all way more comfortable like riding on a cloud compared to my X3.
I believe M40i now comes with adaptive susp and you can stick with smaller 19in wheels which would make ride more comfortable.
It also has heavy steering even in comfort mode which is definitely not for everyone. The M40i model really is tuned for the “enthusiast” BMW owner.
I haven’t driven x3 once but I can’t see why you don’t hear the engine noise. I have 40i and I can hear it as much as the GS F sports which I like. This is not even in S+. Bmw brake is fine and great except when coming to a stop. It gives you that jerk/sudden stop that I can’t get used to it. MDX is one of those that I never have interest in esp base model. With all the upgrades, it becomes too much for an Acura IMO. Btw which ICE vehicle makes no noise from accelerating from a stop?
How much throttle you giving it? My LSs are silent under 3k and the A8 is close.....a RR is totally silent under 3k, literally nothing
I agree with you on the brakes. They're great until I try to smoothly stop. I could probably be a chauffeur now thanks to the training I've been through with the brakes on our 330i.
Also, I've driven a four-cylinder X3, in fact, rented it for a few days, and compared to our 330i, I hear a lot less engine sound inside the car. I guess they have the augmented sound volume turned down to a lower volume in the X3, but I've also noticed our 330i isn't exactly silent outside either.
Yeah it's really bad at the beginning. I always got that look from my "passenger" when I came to a complete stop. I even used the trick to apply brake approaching to a stop, let go the foot to not completely stop then stop. Still very zappy. It got better after a year but yeah it's still there. If one is an aggressive driver, it should be fine. But when you have someone to "chauffeur", it's a different story.
Originally Posted by Striker223
How much throttle you giving it? My LSs are silent under 3k and the A8 is close.....a RR is totally silent under 3k, literally nothing
I can start to hear the engine noise when it hits around 2K. For a reference it's at less than 2k cruising at 75. I drove a new LS a few years back so I can't remember to comment. But LS and A8 are not performance oriented though. So I wouldn't be surprised if the noise is low. RR is what? 100k? Haven't driven it either so can't comment. In any case, I would think a car person would want to hear engine noise when accelerating. No?
Originally Posted by bitkahuna
with all your requirements and constraints maybe you should just buy the x3 at lease end.
It sounds like a good solution but... he wants a new car. So maybe trade it in for a new same model?
Not a fan of X4 styling and rear headroom/ trunk space is really compromised.
Yeah I was being facetious for the most part. I don't understand the idea of the X4 - well, I do, to be honest. But, I don't think it really needs to exist.
Or, get an X4 just so it's not the same model, technically?
I do like the X4's taillights better than the LCI X3's. I find the X3's to be busy and kinda out of place. No offense if you end up getting one
I hear you... Except the tail, IMO X3 is fine as (I read) it offers similar or slightly more room than the X5. X5's back room is notoriously tight. But not for me same reason with GLC. I'm neutral with X4, X6, GLC/E Coupe.
Still, with the "core" options, like PASM and Premium Package, $80k is a given.
