The new X5....

[justwaiting]

I wanted to hear feedback from others here. I currently have a 2002 X5 4.4 and I was thinking about upgrading to a 2007 4.8. I took my wife to the dealer this past weekend and after waiting almost 45 minutes...we got to go for a ride. The interior seems a little cheap in the new X5's and the back of the X5 looks almost identical to an X3. We have never liked the X3 due to the "Aztec" look it sometimes displays. We took the new X5 out for a spin and I really didn't feel the pull or the engine when accelerating....the sales guy didn't have a clue about the features and I was telling him more about the new X5's than he knew. The car floats along and doesn't give the feel of a BMW like our current X5. We also have all the toys in our current X5(camera, bluetooth, TV, etc..) and the new X5 requires multiple packages to provide the same kind of functionality. I must say I'm not too impressed and we may have to go check out the Cayenne to compare.... What does everyone else think?? I felt like the current 4.8 was slower than my 02 4.4.

[dmlgc]

I had a 2002 4.4 and waited until the 2007 came out before buying a 2006 4.4. To me 2007 looked like an x3, didn't have any new technology.So I bought the 2006, I guess it a personal preference type of thing. I have heard that it doesn't ride/handle like old x5's from a couple of people I know that are considering buying them ( they have kids and need the third row).

[socal pete]

I also took a test drive last week in a 2007 4.8 and it didn't drive as nice as my 2004 4.4. Maybe it will be better with sports package but it didn't feel as connected for some reason.

[marcx5]

i haven't test drove new x5 yet, but i will only test drive the sport package 4.8, so i can compare to my 2002 4.4 with SP.

the 2007 DOES have many new features and technology, so the comment above is ignorant.

i would be VERY surprised if the 2007 model WITH SP and adaptive handling does not handle BETTER than the previous models.

[mazinkaizer]

[socal pete]

Originally Posted by marcx5

i haven't test drove new x5 yet, but i will only test drive the sport package 4.8, so i can compare to my 2002 4.4 with SP.

the 2007 DOES have many new features and technology, so the comment above is ignorant.

i would be VERY surprised if the 2007 model WITH SP and adaptive handling does not handle BETTER than the previous models.

Since you haven't driving the 2007 how would you know if it drivers better? Just because it has new features and technology it supposed to be better???

[MichX5]

It's been getting pretty rave reviews from multiple sources. I can't find one review that says the new X5 isn't better than the previous iterations.

[mazinkaizer]

I've test drove the E70 3.0 w/o sport package, didn't feel the power as I went on the high way but the ride was pretty smooth the car respond very well. The interior is roomier than the E53 and I do like the iDrive (probably one of the few who does), I notice that you can see the iDrive screen very clear as the light/reflection didn't bother it at all. The electronic parking brake is nice and so is the shifter on the center console is very easy to use/handle. The third row seats isn't much room to fit a person who's over 5'5/5'6 IMO. I really don't think the interior feels cheap but that just me. Love the new center split-open glove box door, better than the old drop-down door. Don't like where they put the rear entertainment LCD screen, it's rest on top of the center arm-rest area so every time you want to open the arm-rest to get something in it you have to move the LCD screen unless you have it up at all time, this just poorly designed IMO. The 20-way multi-contour seat is by far the most comfortible seat you can find in an automobile and to me it's a must have. The Head-up display is nice but one can live without it, $1,000 USD stand along option but you need to have the tech package to go with it.

The comfort access keyless entry is nice but to pay an extra $1,000 USD for a little chip install in your key/keyfob so you can use your hand touch the door handle twice to open the door and don't need to insert the key to start up the engine rather than press the button that's already on the key to open the door and insert the key to keyfob will only take a second so I don't see the point of getting this stand-along option UNLESS you just wanted to show-off to your friends and family .

The back-up rear camera is nice but I'll still turn my head around every time I'm backing up the car it just something that I'm so used to do.

The new fog light function is really cool, it lights up the corner for you for better view at night when you turn the corner but you need to have to fog light turn off and turn the light switch to "Auto" position for that to work.

I'll be test drive the 4.8i this weekend with sport package and will see how it feels.

After all, it's all on personal opinion, some likes the car and some don't. My lease of the 04 4.8si is up so I'm looking to get another X, been looking around different SUV but nothing compare to the handling of BMW X5 besides, it is the best looking SUV/SAV out there (that's for both E53 and E70) IMHO.

[pseto]

I drove the new X5 4.8 a few weeks ago at the SC Performance Center and I thought it was a huge improvement over my 02 4.4. I was able to take it on the track and it handled great around all the cones and tight corners (w/ 19" wheels). Not much body roll at all, and it felt so firmly planted to the ground. Its hard to believe a machine this big and heavy can handle like a sports coupe.

Not only did I feel more power, but the interior was very well appointed. Its a lot better than an e53, although I don't like not having something other than brown wood as an option. There's a lot of new technology built into the e70 (iDrive, Flexray, tech package, perforated seats, CA, etc), so I'm not sure why original poster didn't think this was the case. I can't believe BMW pushed the price of CA up to $1000; I thought $500 was high. The looks are my main concern as I think it could look better. Please BMW, paint the bumpers!!!

[justwaiting]

I must say the biggest complaint would be the look compared to an X3. The X3 never appealed to me or my wife. The X5 has a nice smooth distictive look(E53) and the new X5 looks like an extended X3. I'm going through the same dilema with my M3(2003). I like the new features but the new looks are not appealing. My personal experience when I drove the 4.8 was my own and I was just curious if other people felt the same way. I want to try it again with a 4.8(sport) and with navigation to get a direct comparison to my current 02 4.4. The other piece is the price...I just can't find enough improvements or features that makes it worth the sticker!! I'll give it another go...but I'm just undecided at this point.