If you knew what you know now, Will you buy a X5..!?!?

[MINIz guy]

The Cayenne is a very good truck that you can still get with a manual transmission too. However, the upkeep is even more than what it costs to keep this X5 running and there is already too much money tied up in maintenance of the X5 for my parents to even consider to sell it. I only have to drive the X5 for 1 year until I go off to college so I don't have to suffer that long at all.

If I had my choice, it would be a manual E30 or E36. E46's are going down in price but I would only get a E46 sedan or wagon without a sunroof, manual seats and no fold down seats.

[Nik]

Maintance is price of the car. one thing is to afford to buy an X5, next is to afford to mentain it. after V thing in engine broke down, that's it, I'm selling it, but friend wants to buy it, 00 4.4.Guess what? I'm now going for 4.8is. You Decide. But now I will buy more cared one.

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by MINIz guy

The X5 doesn't tackle rough terrain like a truck and it doesn't perform like a car; its a jack-of-all-trades and master of none.

In fact, I would say that your observations are precisely where the X5 *is* the master- There was no better balance between utility and sport than the E53 in its day. And there are few that have caught up with it 12 years on.

I routinely surprised people with the agility of my 3.0 and now do so with the power of my 4.8. I do NOT feel as connected to the road in my servotronic, top-heavy-all-glass-roof and air suspension 4.8, but the sound and speed of that resonator-removed V8 is enough to carry the allure.

[1stE53]

I totally agree with the agility, the same exit I take with my E320 at 40mph is more comfortable and planted in the X5 at 50mph. After 1.5 years of owning it, still amazes me how they manage to make it so agile.

I do have more small issues with the X5 than E class though. More like, none with the E class.

[Kev's X5]

Originally Posted by Nik

I'm now going for 4.8is. You Decide. But now I will buy more cared one.

Looking for a 4.8is

Have 1 still with CPO. Will make you a great price on it. If I can get it out of the shop..I think I'm on day 40 or 41..... Still no hope of getting it back soon.

[J.Belknap]

Originally Posted by MINIz guy

My experience with other vehicles is very limited but I have done quite a few teen driving schools. I spent 2 days tossing around a E90 335d and marginally experienced what a real car should feel like; I'm hoping the E90 still has some of the feeling the older E30's and E36's had.

Driving the X5 is much more numbing than driving that E90 or even my father's E46 with worn out bushings and lots of slop; the X5 is midway between a truck and a car and I'm just not happy with that. If I wanted a car, I would get a car and get the whole feeling. If I wanted a truck, I expect it to drive like a truck and be underwhelmed with all the driving dynamics. The X5 doesn't tackle rough terrain like a truck and it doesn't perform like a car; its a jack-of-all-trades and master of none.

In the end it's really about what makes ya happy when you're behind the wheel. I migrated over from a '94 Explorer to the X5, so I'm a happy camper. But on the other hand, I've got a bike-killing garage ornament that I haven't driven in three years, just collecting dust. Handled like a dream compared to the X, but maybe that's apples and oranges....

Thanks for the elaboration man!

[Gixxerboy63]

Originally Posted by Naz24

Love my X5. Would do it again. Just get a trust worthy independent mechanic and perform PREVENTATIVE maintenance... That is key.

YES ...and I did buy another one! Since purchasing my 4.6is, I have invested more in preventative maintence and upgrades than the vehicle is actually worth (to anyone else), but the total experience is worth it.

I live by this principal; Nice things are not cheap and cheap things are not nice.

[J.Belknap]

Originally Posted by Gixxerboy63

YES ...and I did buy another one! Since purchasing my 4.6is, I have invested more in preventative maintence and upgrades than the vehicle is actually worth (to anyone else).

Might as well get the straitjacket... you're committed now.

[Hawkdaddy63]

Originally Posted by x5sportman

My only experience was not a good one. I followed a link from this site and ended up buying a policy from Automotive Service Protection for my '04 4.4i with 65k miles. I ended up buying a 5 year/100,000 mile policy for $1960. When I got the policy a week later, I found that it paid a max of $6000 broken down by category - $3300 for the engine, $2200 for the transmission, $500 for electrical, and so on. I also read that they go to great lengths to deny claims based on their fine print.

I cancelled right away, and I will say they refunded my deposit within a few days, with no funny business. The coverage is laughable, given what the X5 actually costs to repair.

I haven't found a more reputable carrier, yet.

Check out carchex.com...

I bought a policy for the 05 X5 I just purchased w/ 84k mi. Cost $2500, but it's got a $100 dedcutable and covers a lot of repairs. Also, they pay the shop - it's not a payment reimbursement deal to me.
I haven't had to put in a claim yet, so can't speak to the quality of the carrier yet - but I'm hopeful for when the time comes.

[Nik]

Originally Posted by Kev's X5

Looking for a 4.8is

Have 1 still with CPO. Will make you a great price on it. If I can get it out of the shop..I think I'm on day 40 or 41..... Still no hope of getting it back soon.

Sadly, I'm not in US.