Gas consumption and the need for the premium fuel were serious factors against getting the X5...

Some history... As current owner of Honda Odyssey, which comes with VCM (variable cylinder management), I was initially very aware of the gas consumption metrics, as the VCM was suppose to save on gas by deactivating 3 cyls when there is no need for torque (ie highway cruising). After all, the van was rated 20/28. Realistically, the only time I got 24mpg when I went NY to Toronto. I tried different driving styling, and managed to get 19mpg in the city driving by trying to anticipate every traffic light and the drivers ahead of me. BUT IT WAS NOT FUN TO DRIVE AT ALL !!!! So, after 1.5 years, I just stopped paying attention to that, and had fun.

With the X5, I will try to enjoy the car from the day one It was not designed to save on fuel ! V8 with 360 horsies... what do you expect ?!

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His : 2013 X5 3.5d Deep Sea Blue/Black/Aluminum with ALL packages, 20" 214"s, running boards, Adaptive Drive, Spare Tire, BMW Apps
On Order : 2016 X3 3.5 MSport Silver/Mocha with DHP, CW, Prem, Tech, DA, Lighting

Hers : 2015 328xi MSport Silver/Red

Prior:
2008 X5 4.8
2011 X5 3.5d
2010 335 xDrive
2013 335 xDrive