Why buy an X5??

[Darren P]

Im currently look at X5 at the moment just wondered why people bought the X5 over any other vehicle they could of get??

Please include pros and cons of owning a X5.

Ive heard they handle and drive very well for a big motor.

[PersonaNonGrata]

Originally Posted by Darren P

Im currently look at X5 at the moment just wondered why people bought the X5 over any other vehicle they could of get??

Please include pros and cons of owning a X5.

Ive heard they handle and drive very well for a big motor.

Try reading this for an idea.

[spaz07]

Ooooooh...the feeling...oooooooooooooooh yeah...the feeling

ATB, Zach

[Quicksilver]

Originally Posted by PersonaNonGrata

Try reading this for an idea.

Hmmmm I believe this say's enough.

But to answer the question "why i ( being a people:-) bought the X5 over any other vehicle they could of get" As an owner, and after checking out all the other trucks of that kind; I was left with the question WHY NOT?
So I did.

[Darren P]

Thats one persons thoughts or does everyone think the same?

Just after what people have found out about owning an X5 like running costs, parts costs, driving experience, common faults, stuff like this?

[PersonaNonGrata]

Originally Posted by Darren P

Thats one persons thoughts or does everyone think the same?

Just after what people have found out about owning an X5 like running costs, parts costs, driving experience, common faults, stuff like this?

I have always considered myself a BMW traditionalist so when the X5 came out I was quite horrified. I remember seeing one for the first time and thinking "what the hell did BMW do that for???". The look and concept grew on me rather quickly and then I drove one. That was it for me and considering that I need a vehicle with some cargo capacity, the X5 was perfect for me. I don't need to haul a big family around and my cargo needs are well within the capabilities of the X5, the size was good. I wanted something with utility but with good road manners since I tend to drive cars like I stole them. The X5 is, after all, a Sport Activity Vehicle. I combined my Toyota Land Cruiser FZJ80 and my E30 M3 and came out with an X5.

The X5 drives like no other SUV/SAV. You need to go test one for yourself. Issues like running costs and common faults are going to be there no matter what vehicle you buy. I would say that the running costs are not bad especially given the "free" maintenance. The key is to find a good independent mechanic to care for your BMW after the warranty is expired. As far as common problems, there are many but at least there is a wealth of experience here so if a problem comes up you'll get the answers.

Only you can make the decision. Go test the models that you are considering and you will be in a better position to compare.

[Thunder22]

- there are very few if any other suv's that have the styling and performance of an x5
- free maintenance - i always hesitated to buy a BMW or MB due to potential high repair costs, free maintenance eliminated that.
- the monthly lease cost isn't *that* significantly higher than other suv's of the same class
- Mercedes SUV's weren't and aren't built as well (IMHO)
- I didn't want a big SUV like a tahoe or suburban
- my X looks damn good with my butt in the driver's seat

[Juanted]

Originally Posted by Darren P

Thats one persons thoughts or does everyone think the same?

Yes!

With the possible exception of the Porshe Cayenne, you will NOT find another vehicle with the seamless combination of luxury, safety, usabiity, handling, AND performance -- bar none. This car is as comfortable doing 35 as it is doing 120, has a GREAT engine and the grip of a go-kart, stops like an F1 car, and is equipped with enough safety features to make the Homeland Security deparment jealous. Add to this the cargo space, and you've got the best SAV/SUV in the market. Oh yeah, if you buy an '05 model, it also has the most advanced four-wheel drive system in the market.

Juan

[bimmerfan]

I first drove the X5 a few months before it was released at the "BMW Ultimate Driving Experience". Essentially they break you up into groups of about 15 people with professional drivers, a small autocross course and let you go at it (in this case with a few 4.4i X5s). After driving the X5 on the autocross - I was sold. Although at the time I was in my mid 20s and owning an SUV wasn't something I was very much into so I never purchased one and instead stuck to the ///M cars.

One of the demonstrations they had set up at the Ultimate Driving Experience was an 'S' turn outlined in orange cones with a radar gun and a digital display showing the speed of the vehicle as they went through the turn. They had several of their competitor's vehicles there including the Toyota Land Cruiser, the Mercedes ML (and a couple of others but I forget which ones). The competitor cars were set up with anti roll over outriggers (you know those long bars they attached to a car to keep it from rolling over during safety tests).

Anyway - the point being that the thing that really sticks out in my mind is watching them bring the Mercedes ML through the S turn at 35mph, jerking the steering wheel, the ML went up on the outriggers, then onto one outrigger and spun around in mid air like a top - almost flipping over. When the professional driver got out of it he was white a ghost. Then they brought the X5 through at close to 60mph with no outriggers and the thing never left the ground. Again... sold.

That being said when I finally decided I needed an SUV (carry mountain bikes around with on the tow hitch, trips to costco and fry's electronics for large items etc). I still went out and checked out the other competitors because by now some very capable vehicles have been released. And honestly I have been driving BMWs for 12 years now and I kind of wanted something new. The cars I seriously considered were:

Porsche Cayenne - I discounted this based on price, how it drove and frankly the fact that there is basically a Volkswagen version of it which I think cheapens it a bit.

Land Rover Range Rover - Because the current Range Rover was designed while BMW owned them and every part in the thing is BMW I Would have bought one of these if the 2005 still had the BMW motor and not some Ford crapper they call a Jag motor. Plus it has some reliability issues.

Land Rover LR3 - Same issue about the Ford/Jag motor,reliability, and the interior of the LR3 is almost identical to the interior of the new Mustang... I have no idea what Ford was thinking when they used interior components found in the 18k Mustang in a $50k SUV. American car companies simply don't get it in my opinion.

The larger SUVs just were not what I was looking for.

The X5, in the end has some of the highest Consumer Reports ratings and holds its' resale value better than the rest. It drives and handles like a car, I love the looks of it, the interior is pre-bangled.

I would suggest getting the 4.4i. I cheapened out and picked up a fully loaded 3.0i and in my opinion it is slightly underpowered. Granted my other ride is an E39 ///M5 but I have never found myself thinking about having to pass someone on the freeway in any BMW I have ever owned except this one and it is somewhat irritating sometimes.

The fact that this board/web site exists in a testament to the X5 and marque. Other than Porsche and Ferrari I don't think you will find such a passionate community of car owners. There are sites dedicated to just about every BMW ever made with large user groups. BMW CCA, i believe is the largest Car Club in America now. BMWs simply instill passion in their owners and you'll see many of us on here who have purchased them over and over again because of it.

Anyway, my 2 cents.

[Curious Joel]

When I went car shopping, the X5 was the second car I looked at. The first was a 330xi. I immediately knew this was the car for me. I had a 4.4 and the second I turned the key the engine sound sold me! Then we went for a test drive and the acceleration was so nice, and the handling was oh-so-good... The interior is the nicest of any car EVER, IMO, and everything about that car was so loveable... There honestly wasn't ANYTHING I didn't like! Unfortunately, now I've got a 330xi and I could give you pages of things I don't like about that car. Sure, its fun to toss around but it's not the same. I lost the love of my life (the X5 of course ) on January 21, 2005 and I miss it sooo much. Every time I get into the 3er I think "yeah, it's no X5." Considering that I now drive the benchmark sports sedan that everyone raves about, I think that says something about how much I loved the X5... It takes a really special car to provoke that kind of emotion from someone and the X5 did! It's an unbelievable car and I would recommend it above anything else on the road. Anything.