2012/2013 Durango/Highlander or...

[Pedro-bot]

My only pregnant dog with the X1, why can't we (north americans) get it with a manual tranny and the 200hp diesel. If I could get a german spec X1 123d (diesel) with a 6mt, that would be my daily driver. Current dd 135i M-sport 6mt.

I hear you on that.
One of my prior loaners was a 335 diesel. That thing was torquey and fun.

I read really good things about the 135. I bet that thing is fun. Have you uncorked the motor with a tune or the JB4?
100 extra ponies on tap with simple bolt on ECU map.

X1 list tow capacity as N/A. One has to go to the X5 to get over 5k tow rate. But, perhaps an X1 would make it easy for me to talk the wife into using her vehicle for any tow duty.... But I'm looking for more cargo capacity seems the X1 is much like the VW tiguan which has about none without the rear seats down.

Rear seats are a must, as a rear seat only passenger is appearing in later March

Not sure why BMW NA doesn't list tow capacity. Must be a lawyer thing.
Auto guide has it listed as 3891 lbs.

The wife has a 4.4 X5. It's AWD and the thing drives likes its glued to the ground. We've owned several Japanese cars and domestic SUV's in the past but nothing quite measures up to how solid the X5 feels. For us, seems it will always be BMW.

Good luck with the new car decision. It's not really a bad problem to have. On the one hand you have a new car on the other a different new car. Ha!  

[MendoDave]

MB ML350 and GL350 has a towing capacity of 7200 and they can be had with the Diesel engine.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=related&v=Hmg3A5l9s0M#/watch?feature=related&v=Hmg3A5l9s0M

[Randimus Maximus]

Got some details on the changes?

Unfortunately, no.

I saw a clay model at our most recent dealer meeting.

The exterior is vastly improved, IMO.  We did not see images of the interior.

But based on what I've seen with the new versions of Camry, Avalon & RAV4...it will be impressive.

But I doubt it will have 5K towing capability. 

Current 4Runner is rated at 5K.

It too, gets a fairly dramatic makeover next August.

[sno_duc]

I read really good things about the 135. I bet that thing is fun. Have you uncorked the motor with a tune or the JB4?
100 extra ponies on tap with simple bolt on ECU map.

I live in a state where the highest posted speed limit is 65mph, which means I can get into serious tickets in about 8 seconds and still have 4th, 5th, and 6th to go. (kinda like the 916  ) Why would I need another 100 hp??? If I lived in germany, I would love a modded 135 as an autobahn cruiser. It is a blast during the winter    BMWs drift really well, once you press the DTC button and tone down the electronic nanny.

[Pedro-bot]

I live in a state where the highest posted speed limit is 65mph, which means I can get into serious tickets in about 8 seconds and still have 4th, 5th, and 6th to go. (kinda like the 916  ) Why would I need another 100 hp??? If I lived in germany, I would love a modded 135 as an autobahn cruiser. It is a blast during the winter    BMWs drift really well, once you press the DTC button and tone down the electronic nanny.

NEED?!
It's never about NEED man!! Why would anyone with a daily commute NEED 300+hp twin turbo engine car to begin with?! LOL

This is about WANT! Big in your face, in excess, bite off more than I can chew WANT! LOL

DTC off definitely livens things up. Add M power plus EDC, that just .........let me just shut my pie hole and plead the 5th.  

Here's my daily.  


END THREAD JACK

Sorry Panda!!
One last thing before I get outta your thread.

BMW FTW!!!

[Slide Panda]

Unfortunately, no.

I saw a clay model at our most recent dealer meeting.

The exterior is vastly improved, IMO.  We did not see images of the interior.

But I doubt it will have 5K towing capability. 

Current 4Runner is rated at 5K.

It too, gets a fairly dramatic makeover next August.

Any notions on the hardware updates? That's a bit more interesting to me than the cladding. Sub 5k tow isn't a killer, just a line in the sand. But that 5k mark, and accompanied 500 pound tongue weight would allow me to carry the KTM on a hauler, no trailering needed.

And time is a factor. My current wheels are solid for now, but will need some potentially costly, or just big PITA if I do it work. The igniter  or ballast on one of my lights has shit the bed and I need it running by the end of Jan for the annual safety inspection - well to pass it that is. Cant say I wouldn't mind making that electro gremlin someone elses problem.

[Raux]

I have a 2011 BMW 328xi and it's awesome. Sure, only 230hp, but it will do 135mph (don't have the sport package so it's limited artificially) and with the awd, it's a snow demon as well.

Guess I'm saying, don't overlook the X1/X3/X5 or even an X-drive sedan

[Slide Panda]

X1 is out due to the utter lack of cargo volume. Can't carry crap in there without the seats down. Got a minion due in march. Gotta plan for seats up - car seat and sufficient room for strolling gear+

And the rest, probably on price. X5 is 15-20K more than what I'm realistically looking at.

[Raux]

X1 is out due to the utter lack of cargo volume. Can't carry crap in there without the seats down. Got a minion due in march. Gotta plan for seats up - car seat and sufficient room for strolling gear+

And the rest, probably on price. X5 is 15-20K more than what I'm realistically looking at.

X3 sounds like your next car then

[zooom]

if it weren't for the towing/tongue weight issue of need, I'd tell you to go look at a Subaru C9 Tribeca...

perhaps this is the one time to think about where you might sacrifice in terms of towing and pick up a Kendon folding trailer for those specific times of need?!?!?

[Slide Panda]

Yeah. might need to visit a scooby dealer and kick some tires. Did like the outback when M was shopping. But it was during the supply shortage after the Tsunami and they just didn't have any at the time.

[Triple J]

I can't believe people are suggesting the X1 and X3. Those are maybe the ugliest SUVs out there.  Just get a minivn and call it good. 

[sno_duc]

I can't believe people are suggesting the X1 and X3. Those are maybe the ugliest SUVs out there.  Just get a minivn and call it good. 

I've also had an X3 as a loaner (yes Virginia some dealers still provide loaners while your car is receiving it's free service), go drive one with the 3.5 turbo 6.
Then get back to us.

Another vehicle to check out is the VW TDI sports wagon.

[Slide Panda]

Just get a minivn and call it good. 

Might put me into middle age before my time- but they are practical make the beast with two backsers in many ways. EXCEPT that Honda wants $1000 for a tow set and Toyota doesn't even seem to offer it up as an option.

No bimmers or mercs they price out. Not in my fiscal planning at present

[Slide Panda]

Another vehicle to check out is the VW TDI sports wagon.

I wish there were more Oil burner choices in the US - I'd be on one for sure, but doesn't look like this is much for pulling stuff.

One other thing to keep in mind is the orignal "SUVish cabin height" criteria. As noted, I've my first kid on the way. This vehicle might not be the m-f kid mover, but will pull that duty (no poo jokes!).
The sage advice given me is that a taller cabin makes dealing with loading up a kid much easier on the body. It's a fair bet that my child will be a dense one - both mom and I are former athletes and have the genes to put on muscles quickly. I was a dainty 5'10" 220 pound barbarian when playing super league Rugby (very briefly until that inattentive driver ran me over - but that's a different tale) - but now the sins of youth+ have to be minded and awkward stooping does me no good.