[WPOZZZ]

What does she drive now? I've been SUV shopping for something newer than my 06 Murano. Drove a 2013 X3 2.8 and it was a great vehicle with good pickup, handling and creature comforts. Also looked at E70 X5s and they too, were great vehicles like the X3, just bigger. Last year I was looking at Cayennes, and I almost bought a 2013. One thing about the Cayenne is it is lacking storage cubbies.

My Murano has a large storage area on each side of the cargo floor, and some storage under the cargo floor. The Murano center console has a top armrest storage and a large storage under the armrest that could hold a bunch of 10" tablets.

The BMWs have more storage than the Porsche, but less than my Nissan. Unfortunately for me, I got rear ended on 4/13 and my Murano got totaled. Fortunately for me, I got about $3k more than if I had sold it privately. My mechanic had an 04 X5 3.0 that a customer gave him since he bought a new X5, and because it needed a bunch of work. He redid the ac system, a full service, vc gaskets...and I had him install Eibach Prokit and Bilstein HDs. I needed the car lower so I could get my mom in the car in case of emergency.

The E53 X5 is a tank and it drives heavy. The newer models (X5 and X3) drive much lighter and more car like. Your wife would probably prefer the X3 because of size. However, if she came from a Japanese SUV, she will be shocked about the lack of storage. The E70 X5 has good storage under the cargo area if you don't have the 3rd row seats.