X5 --> 4-door Jeep?

[N S]

Originally Posted by daveycrocket

I have both and have a difficult time driving the Jeep after the X5. It's definately a vehicle to use for off road. If it's not your daily driver then enjoy it for the purpose you employ. They are inexpensive to repair/replace parts but you'll do it often.

Have you thought about a Subaru?

David

The 4 door Wrangler offers more interior space than a Forester and gets equivalent gas mileage (compared to the turbo 4). I don't know what the price difference would be, but I'd rather own the Jeep.

[jsears]

Originally Posted by tomcat

Look up member jsears. He went from a Dinan S1 to a 4 door jeep, so he is by far the most educated member I know of. Not sure how often he checks the X forum anymore, but if you can find him, maybe shoot a pm?

Scott

Thanks Scott! Looks like I was a little late to the game. But I will still give my $0.02.

I did go from a 4.8is Dinan S1 to a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited 4-Door.

I loved the X5 and I love the Jeep. But they are completely different animals at the end of the day.

The X5 was refined, it was like drinking a fine wine. You could simply cruise down the freeway drinking your Starbucks, listening to some classical music. Go over a pothole at 100MPH and not feel a difference. While keeping your but warm with those heated seats.

The Jeep is like going to Trader Joe's and buying a bottle of 2-buck-Chuck. But for some reason even though its not the best tasting wine in the world, you keep going back for more. The acceleration is slow, so slow that sometimes you swear a Westfalia could beat you off the line, but once it gets moving it can be speedy for a Jeep. The interior isn't as refined, depending on the model, you have cloth seats, a CD player, and thats about it.

For me, the switch was more of a change to suit my life style. I like to go biking, hiking and camping. In doing those activities, I am not driving up to the local park to partake in these things. I like to trek up into the Cascade mountains where I am not afraid to get a little dirty. I just felt guilty taking the X5 up there, so I knew it was time for a change. And now that I have a Jeep, I enjoy going off-roading as well.

I do all of the maintenance myself, you don't have to be a BMW mechanic to work on the vehicle. It's just a simple engine, working on it almost makes me thing I have an old classic car its that simple. I don't have to worry about screwing up the computer or anything.

Right, now I have more memories driving the Jeep than I do the X5. I've crossed plenty of 3-foot deep streams in the Jeep that I would have never thought to do in the X5. And nothing beats taking the top off on a nice day and going to the beach!

[jsears]

Originally Posted by mrbmwx5

You know what JEEP stand for right? JEEP = Just Empty Every Pocket.Just like BMW= Break My Walet....LOL

He's right! Once you get a Jeep, you start thinking about lift kits, bumpers, winches, swampers, snorkles, etc!

[Weasel]

In the future I'd like to get an old wrangler rubicon I6 to lift to the sky and play around with. I once did a rear main seal on a lifted 4 cyl wrangler in under an hour... Talk about the easiest/simplest vehicle to work on! Its just like a 4 wheeler but you can legally drive it to and from the trail.

[JAH1]

I'm on my 3rd Wrangler, I really enjoy it and most sunny days I leave the X at home and take it to work. I know I am the exception here but I really enjoy Jeeps and just traded in my 2008 Grand Cherokee (V8) and I kinda miss it. I will say, on the highway there is no comparison, X5 V8 wins that decision all day. Dragging logs and for that matter, the log splitter, Wrangler wins. Two totally different animals...get/keep both!

joe 2006 4.4

[Brit6]

My friend just bought a 2008 4dr wrangler. All i can say is brutal! We toke it on a 4 hour drive and it was so uncomfortable! The seats are really hard and not nice at all. Another things is there is bare exposed metal on the doors, floors, etc. This made the car very cold and drafty inside. The lack of HIDS was also hard to drive at night, very cheap plastic interior, huge boat like steering wheel. Totally different than the X we are used to.

[Spdu4ia]

Thanks for the real worl opinions on both. I'm really looking for a 4-door jeep to replace my aging X. I'm outdoorsy and enjoy all those things. Also looking to move to the mountains soon so I think its a smart move for me... not everyone. Thanks again!

[X5Dawg]

If you wait a year or so you might be able to get the new Pentastar 6-cyl in it - supposed to be a really good engine.

[nom3rcy]

I'm a Jeep guy - had a 92 YJ when I was in high school and my parents always had a Cherokee or Grand Cherokee from the mid 80s through 2002 when they got the X5.

The older Wranglers like my YJ are bare bones utilitarian, drafty, tent-like soft tops, no AC, leaf-sprung stiff ride, etc - but all these "negatives" created such an awesome character that I still love the things to this day. They go anywhere, do anything, hose em down and they are ready for more. Simple to work on, simple to upgrade - AWESOME vehicles.

I had a chance to drive a new 4-dr Wrangler Rubicon and I have to say I was impressed. It had a soft top but it was not the tent I remember. No flapping, it was quiet and comfortable. Seats were nice, ride was firm but not jarring. It wasn't the Jeep I remember but so much improved in all the comforts necessary in this market.

Jeeps will never be BMWs - nor are they meant to be. I think once you drive one, use it to follow some wilderness trails, get it dirty etc, you will forgive any shortcomings compared to an X5 and just have fun with it.

Go to the Jeep dealer, maybe show up at a local off-road club with some JKs around, DRIVE one and find out for yourself!

Personally I am going to buy a CJ-7 as soon as I get the chance!

[sarb]

Originally Posted by nom3rcy

The older Wranglers like my YJ are bare bones utilitarian, drafty, tent-like soft tops, no AC, leaf-sprung stiff ride, etc - but all these "negatives" created such an awesome character that I still love the things to this day. They go anywhere, do anything, hose em down and they are ready for more. Simple to work on, simple to upgrade - AWESOME vehicles.

I had a chance to drive a new 4-dr Wrangler Rubicon and I have to say I was impressed. It had a soft top but it was not the tent I remember. No flapping, it was quiet and comfortable. Seats were nice, ride was firm but not jarring. It wasn't the Jeep I remember but so much improved in all the comforts necessary in this market.

Jeeps will never be BMWs - nor are they meant to be. I think once you drive one, use it to follow some wilderness trails, get it dirty etc, you will forgive any shortcomings compared to an X5 and just have fun with it.