Mercedes Owner - Considering X5 - Newbie Questions ?

[britrover]

Hello, X5world members! I am a newbie here, and judging from the title, you can see I'm new to the X5. I have owned an older 540i and 325i in the past so am at least familiar with BMW.

We are looking to trade my wife’s Mercedes E class for an SUV. The two SUV’s we have narrowed it down to: 04 Porsche Cayenne S and 04-05 BMW X5 3.0/4.4i / 4.8i. I do have some specific questions on the X5 :


1) Is 2005 a better year for the X5 over the 2004?
2) Were any extra features added for the 05 year ?
3) We have only test driven the 3.0 as of yet will the 4.4i/4.8i be the beast in terms of power over the 3.0 ? Also is the 8 cylinder more to keep up in terms cost ?
2) Is the Navigation system DVD based or CD based for the 04/05 years?
3) Do the 04/05 models have an option for integrating the iPod, Bluetooth functionality or any integrated phone options?
4) What are some of the issues / bugs with the X5 for these years that I should have checked or look out for?
5) Do the rear seats completely fold down flat in the X5?
6) Another car on our shopping list is the 04 Porsche Cayenne. I know this a BMW forum but how does the X5 4.4/4.8i fair up against the Cayenne?
7) If I find a 04/05 under 50K miles can I get the extended from the BMW dealer?

Look forward to your input.

Cheers

[jvit27]

[QUOTE=britrover]Hello, X5world members! I am a newbie here, and judging from the title, you can see I'm new to the X5. I have owned an older 540i and 325i in the past so am at least familiar with BMW.

We are looking to trade my wife’s Mercedes E class for an SUV. The two SUV’s we have narrowed it down to: 04 Porsche Cayenne S and 04-05 BMW X5 3.0/4.4i / 4.8i. I do have some specific questions on the X5 :


1) Is 2005 a better year for the X5 over the 2004?
Not particularly but if possible, always get the newest one you can afford.
2) Were any extra features added for the 05 year ?
BMW Assist? (Like MB COMAND). Not sure when it was officially added
3) We have only test driven the 3.0 as of yet will the 4.4i/4.8i be the beast in terms of power over the 3.0 ? Also is the 8 cylinder more to keep up in terms cost ?
Stick with the V8. A 3.0 is *sufficient* but with such a heavy vehicle, it's fuel mileage is no better than the larger motors that work less to get it moving.
2) Is the Navigation system DVD based or CD based for the 04/05 years?
DVD
3) Do the 04/05 models have an option for integrating the iPod, Bluetooth functionality or any integrated phone options?
Yes. There are factory as well as aftermarket components available
4) What are some of the issues / bugs with the X5 for these years that I should have checked or look out for?
Most are currently still under factory warranty
5) Do the rear seats completely fold down flat in the X5?
Pretty close to flat.
[FONT=Times New Roman]6) Another car on our shopping list is the 04 Porsche Cayenne. I know this a BMW forum but how does the X5 4.4/4.8i fair up against the Cayenne?
I've looked at both while shopping. Cayenne is nice no doubt, but the X5 has a nicer driving feel in my opinion.

[E5M1R]

Most major changes came with 04
Better 4x4 facelift etc.
The only thing that comes to mid after that is that 06 got Mp3 CD changer

[Wagner]

All of the above are accurate aside from the fact that BMW Assist was available in 2004.

What every you decide, make SURE you have a warranty. Also, don't let a seller confuse you between having a CPO warranty and having a BMW extended maintenance plan, they are completely different. The CPO is nearly the same as the original factory warranty, the maintenance plan is just for required maintenance (60K service, 90K service, etc.)

[Tomaz]

Plus, with the X5 you get the feature of "buying American".

[X5Dawg]

avanti27 - good analysis except for one thing - you make the comment about the gas mileage being about the same for the 3.0 and the V8's. I get 19mpg around town with my 3.0 driving it like a bat out of hell - are you saying the V8s can get this (or near this) mileage??

[Boston X5 4.4]

I would get the newest/least miles X5 that you can. I don't recall there being a difference in quality between '04 and '05. In late MY '04 some more items became standard - like the panoramic roof.

As for gas difference between 3.0 and 4.4, you can scroll through the threads on this forum and make your own opinion as to how different they really are and if that difference is worth the few hunderd $ each year Vs. the fun of the bigger engine. I would definitely get a 4.4 over a 3.0 - they are probably priced pretty closely for used right now.

goood luck

[whitey]

Originally Posted by X5Dawg

avanti27 - good analysis except for one thing - you make the comment about the gas mileage being about the same for the 3.0 and the V8's. I get 19mpg around town with my 3.0 driving it like a bat out of hell - are you saying the V8s can get this (or near this) mileage??

im getting about 18.2 mpg but im not always that spirited on the gas pedal

[babysvt]

Originally Posted by X5Dawg

avanti27 - good analysis except for one thing - you make the comment about the gas mileage being about the same for the 3.0 and the V8's. I get 19mpg around town with my 3.0 driving it like a bat out of hell - are you saying the V8s can get this (or near this) mileage??

I have been getting about 18 in my 4.4. Have to say it is better than I expected. The best I have gotten was 26 on a road trip. I tend to have a lead foot!

[nietodp]

Actually, the gas mileage is better on the 3.0 than the 4.4/4.8. (I owned a 2006 3.0 which I traded in for a 2005 4.4). On average, the 3.0 wil get about 1.5 mpg better than the 4.4. While in-town driving results in less of a mpg difference, the 3.0 is much more fuel effiecient than the 4.4 with highway driving.

Based on my experience with both the 3.0 and 4.4, I would recommend the 4.4. It has a substantially better accelleration, which is good for when you have to pass someone on a 2-lane highway, and also makes it more fun to drive.