Yes, I know apples and oranges. Sporty driving or SUV.....

Having first child soon and I'll need 4 doors. I'm currently in an E46 coupe. I'm buying pre-owned so the X5 is out as I do not want the old body style.

Thoughts?

BTW, I've already been real close to getting a 545, both sold the day before I made it out to the dealer.

 

cayenne since it has the updated look, the f10 is coming soon

 

We have a 2 yr old daughter and (obviously) it is easier getting her in and out of my wife's SUV than my 535 simply because you are stepping up instead of bending over. However, once in the 535, I certainly prefer driving it over ANY SUV. High performace SUVs do not make a lot of sense to me. I see SUVs as completely functional vehicles. Of course it is nice to have some comfort and luxury on the inside, but I do not need a "sport" utility vehicle. But, as other's have said, the new 5 series is right around the corner.
Good luck with your decision. After reading what I just typed, I realize that my input probably helps very little.

 

Don't know how far the discussion got in the US - here I would choose the BMW 545, a Cayenne is a fuel guzzling car - in Germany

 

having owned the Cayenne S before, i would say get it.
It was one of the best cars I have ever owned. Lots of comfort and the handling is really good for a SUV.

I have e60 now (granted i have the stepchild). The Cayenne S just felt more fun.
Will be getting one for wife soon (maybe in a year or so).

RJH

 

The choice isnt Sporty driving or SUV ... Its a Sporty driving + SUV = Cayanne S

Its a beast and handles very well too... SUVs are great fun to drive as they often seem much faster than what they are actually going because of the height.

If you can find a Cayanne Turbo, even if it's the older shape, dont think twice !

 

What yr would the cayene s be??

My friend had a cayene s, drove it a couple of times fun suv.
But gas will kill you in that thing!
If its the old cayene body style I say get the E60.
And whatever you do make sure that either car has xenon lights.
My friend got his cayene s and forgot to order it with xenon's!! I still laugh at him to this day
GL and eat a slice at lou malnati's for me

 

2005 Certified 32k miles. The SUV is pretty loaded (everything is an option in a Porsche....). The dealer is asking $39k.

I drove the SUV last night and it was ok, I'm just not used to drving a SUV. The interior and trunk space is not that large consdeing how massive the exterior is. I'm a city dweller, so I'm constantly driving through narrow streets and alleys. I think the e60 has more interior space and trunk space than the Cayenne!

On anogher note, I'm not to worried about gas, I drive about 4k miles a year, but with 26 gallons and $4.XX gas, I'm looking at $100+ fill ups but a 400mile range. A lot more to fill up than my the inline 6 in my E46.

I'm supposed to take a look at a 2006 550i tonight. Dealer just purchased it from auction. Black Saphire/Auburn, HUD, CWP, Sport, 32k miles.......no price though.

I never thought I'd ever consider an SUV, especially a Porsche SUV, I thought the Cayenne was ridicoulously when Porsche unveiled it a few years ago.

 

My brother-in-law's Cayenne S is alway at the dealer..

 

Interesting thread, as I was in the same situation when I bought my 550i. I drove the "S" and was not impressed. The 550i is faster, quicker, and I swear has more interior room than the Cayenne. The 550i handles better, gets better fuel economy, and I think is better looking side by side than the Porsche. You have to step up to a Turbo before you can start to get the numbers that the 5 puts up against he SUV. The downside is that you have to deal with IMHO BMW's legendary bad service after the sale. In more than 25 years of Porsche ownership, I have NEVER had a bad experience with the Porsche side of things. I once sucked a turbo in my 993 4000 miles past warranty, and not only did they replace it for free, they gave me a loaner car. My 02 cents...