norsecarnut

Well, these companies didn't ask my opinion! My wagons, past and present:

My 1st wagon, 07 Subaru Outback 3.0R LLBean with leather and nav


2nd wagon, sold Subaru, wanted "sportier" experience, 07 328iT 6 spd, loaded and with 19" wheel package, %51k sticker


3rd wagon, 08 Audi S4 Avant, 6spd. Wanted AllWheelDrive and a serious "grin factor" easily provided by Torsen Quattro and a 4.2 V8! Sold 328 with some reservations. I made this Audi even more practical with the 2" hitch rated to 3500lb, rear camera, and other cool stuff


4th wagon, additional to the above Audi, 08 E61/535xiTouring 6 spd, nearly loaded (mainly lacks night vision). Currently has a full size spare in cargo area and will be getting a 2" hitch, rear camera, night vision, and some other things like exhaust, Dinan Stage II ECU, M-Aero kit.


Real 535xiT photos soon....I plan to keep both the Audi and BMW essentially forever.

I LOVE wagons!

norsecarnut

To me the only contender now, for my purposes, are the BMW X5d or the Q7tdi but there is something I just don't feel right about in the Q.

The x5d, with the new fancy rear suspension, "dynamic something or other" probably handles nearly as nicely as the E61...

Comparatively, the Audi out corners and maneuvers the BMW but I think it's simply due to the stock suspension on both but also the longer bmw wheelbase. Even though the bmw is better "balanced", the Audi feels much more nimble. They weigh almost the same too. The Audi v8 has great torque and the Torsen is high rear bias on my car, over 80% when on the throttle.

So, the E61 ends up feeling less like a sportscar-wagon and more in the middle between very good handling suv and sport wagon. For instance, the 328it we had handled much sportier than this e61, weight, length, etc, I presume.

Therefor, the main reasons I bought this e61 instead of a newer/new x5d, is 1st, I'd been dreaming of the 535/e61 6spd since announced in 07 and my dream color combo/build landed in front of me at my local dealer!, 2nd, cost, while I love the idea of the x5d rolling across the country on my long trips sipping fuel at nearly 30mpg, it makes no financial sense to pay the difference between a used 08 535xit vs even a slightly used 10/11 x5d loaded. The cost difference of $20k allows for a lot of fuel in my 25mpg wagon - and I like the wagon, and I LOVE having a manual.

So, you lose a little fun in the x5d and pay more for that loss as well. Space wise, they are close enough in volume to be considered equal. What do you really gain in the x5d, a little more ground clearance for deeper snow, rougher gravel roads to a trail-head, better towing capacity, but not outstanding (I have two land rovers which easily outdo the x5 for towing), what else? I guess you can opt for more seats in the x5, not really an issue for me, you still don't even get a real full size spare in the x5 but maybe one would stuff in there, not sure.

What does the e61 have over the x5d, it's not as tall which more easily allows for bikes on the roof without worrying about crunching them somewhere, the 6spd is fun and simpler to maintain long term, and I like the little benefit of security if things go wrong and you need to have more control.

I suppose comparing new$ to new $, the x5d isn't noticeably more costly though. My wishlist runs the x5d to $70k+, but so did the e61 with same options.

Oh well, maybe I'll buy another wagon so that I can make all three last a lifetime

Spartan335i

I here you my friends!

• Our first wagon was a 2003 XC70 Nautic Blue on Oak interior
• Our second wagon was our 2006 E61 530xi Black on Black
• Newest wagon a 2011 Avant A4 S line Black on Black