X5World 2007/2008 Comprehensive E70 Review

[Quicksilver]

I did a search and found a lot of comments both negative and positive about the E70. There were also some outside reviews in magazines but alas no comprehensive review that i could find. So since I'm getting close to deciding what my next vehicle will be I thought that at this point it might be good to collect some hard facts and honest opinions about the new E70.

As a side point I was also spurred on by the comments of the OP in this thread. http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e70-forum/...ght=e70+review

It appears he made his decision based on information he found on this site. So in my mind this site provides a service not found in magazines. That being first hand knowledge.

That being the case i hope some will give some careful thought regarding their experiences with the E70 and post it here.

Please keep in mind that how many times you've been to the dealership regarding windshield wipers and other small issues may be important however it is hoped that the overall picture of the quality,performance,fitment,drivability, will be considered as more important as the review is considered.

Thanks in advance for the input.

[trueX5er]

I have 10,000 miles on my 3.0si E70. The only issues I've had were a faulty back up camera (fixed) and sticky door handles. (fixed). I have had a 3.0i E53 in the past, and although I've said this before, I'll say it again for you Barry.
The E53 was raw. That was both good and bad. It was raw in a good way because of the engine, which I loved. I liked the raw power and thrust, and the feeling of acceleration I got in the E53. But, it had a bouncy ride (non-sport), was not so quiet, and just overall less refined. But that's both good and bad. Everything in the E53 was "thin", but very sturdy and tough. It drove well, but lacked that luxury element. Now that I think about it, I have a good appreciation for the E53. I wish I could drive it one last time.
But now for the E70:
The E70 is refined.
It is modern, quiet, muscular, and luxurious. While BMW says it accelerates faster than the 3.0i, you won't know because the engine is quieter and more refined. (both good and bad). I can easily get the engine back into "raw" mode by cracking a window and moving it into "sport" mode. (on the shifter). The ride is vastly better. While still firm and sporty, it does not bounce and it is well controlled. The interior is also better, an exit from hard sharp edges to edges and curves with a design flair. Quality is better. Doors no longer sound like a tank () but close quietly and rattle free. I like the exterior design better, especially the hood. Feels nimble driving @ speeds higher than town/city driving, but steering does get heavy at low speeds and can be annoying navigating the city. But very good feel and precise. Feels much more secure in bad weather, great lights, great xDrive, and overall more sure footed. While the extra size was a concern of mine, it wasn't as bad as I thought. Feels about the same size while driving (bit wider, though) and parking is easy with sensors and camera. Visibility is ok, I think that the A and D pillars should be narrower, but it looks nice so its ok. Don't get me going on iDrive, though. I don't mind the system at all (but could give you a huge list of things I hate, and things I love). I like the radio on it better than the normal radio, but it is hard to mess with the climate control. Navi is good, but takes a while to program, becomes faster with practice. Bluetooth is nice, and voice commands are great. Control stalks (signals, wipers, etc) are much better. Cruise control is easy. Rear seat comfort is much better, and cargo area is much larger. I really like my run flat tires, btw. Overall, much more modern vehicle. You can definitely see the difference between the E53/E46/E39 and E70/E90/E60 generations. PM me if you have any other questions Barry. I know you would be looking for 4.8i, so sorry I can't help there.

[drod]

i've had my new X5 for two months now... and i love every minute of it!!

quality, fit & finish is top notch... no rattles or squeeks...ride quality is great....even the lower hp 3.0si is more than enough for most... great pickup and quiet ride..

only issue so far was a faulty button on the dash that enabled/disabled the Park Distance Control feature... (and was easily replaced by the dealer)

love the advanced technology... especially the comfort access..(got it for the bragging rights!)

minor gripe is with the computer screen that should have been touch screen... (would've made things easier for the NAV, phone dialing, radio stations changes, etc)

backup camera takes too long to come up when you hit reverse (about 5 seconds) when other makes like the Toyota 4runner turns on immediately.. (i believe it's due to the cpu and/or amount of memory used in the idrive computer)

autotailgate is a great feature... but eveyone's doing it now!

reliabilty??? with all the technical mumbo jumbo it's hard not to expect some malfunction from time to time... it all runs on software now... and believe me, all makes/models with similar features will experience similar issues... even you're computer freezes from time to time right?? and they've been around for years!! same applies here!

love the styling... much more aerodynamic and eventhough it's bigger, wider, taller and a bit heavier, it actually looks and feels smaller and more user friendly than the previous version...great job BMW!!

sound system could also be improved but so can in most other vehicles... i also don't like the idea of having just one center mounted speaker on the dash...(this is in addition to the door mounted speakers and under seat subs)

i like surround sound systems and this won't give it to you even after upgrading my stock speakers.. (i think it just needs more speakers in general)

what else can i say?? it has heated seats that actually work and come close to burning my butt...... bluetooth works like a charm, ipod adapter is great and can be controlled via the idrive screen...voice command works without a problem..and you get free maintenance!!

this vehicle stands out in a crowd...it can be elegant and sporty at the same time....and for that kind of money you shouldn't expect anything less...

add a few upgrade options like larger tires and an aerokit and you've got a killer!!

is there anything that comes close???

[y5choi]

I drive the 4.8i and have about 4000 km on it.

The built quality is second to none. If you go look at the underside of a brand new Range Rover, you can see the suspension and other parts just totally being exposed to the elements. I looked at the engine bay and the underside of my X, man it looks like its meant to be displayed. All parts are neatly tucked in and fully covered and even the exhaust pipes run down the length of the body in perfectly symmetrical paths! (they are not kidding about the 50:50 weight distribution)

take a look at this thread, the pic of the underside is there:
http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e70-forum/...t-hearted.html

It has the best interior of all luxury SUVs out there. Everything I need is there yet nothing looks too cluttered or busy but just simple and elegant. The iDrive and touch sensitive buttons, they just work. No squeaks or rattles anywhere too. I have lights underneath the outside door handles and also lights behind the door handles on the inside as well. Even the floor is illuminated. When I turn the engine on or off while having the music on or playing with the iDrive, it never seizes or stops but just keeps on going and I love that. The LOGIC 7 sound system is so good I love listening to music when i drive than ever before and the BMW leather smell (it's still there much to my delight) is euphoric! (lol ).

When I let the engine heat up a bit and gun it, it runs like a sports car, it handles and feels and grunts in that typical BMW style. The acceleration is neck breaking if you want it to but realistically though, its the linear acceleration that catches my breath. When you drive another model, say a Lexus (not to pick on them or anything), you push the gas pedal and it starts to move and it pulls and pulls and sort of stops trying (engine revving) and then shifts to the next gear to get moving again. The x5 pulls with the same acceleration constantly. It is like a jet taking off. it just never gives you that (oh i;m running out of juice better shift now) underpowered feeling. So the power-train, not only the power and refinement but handling, is world's best. Mind you BMW power-train technology goes into Rolls Royce Phantoms.

Speaking of handling, it really, with all jokes aside, feels like you are on rails especially with the sport suspension. The passengers don't even feel the car cornering sometimes on long bends. It stays flat as a boat, and we are talking a 6000 lb beast here.

The downside of the sport suspension with the 20"wheels (Mine is without Adaptive Drive- Canadian configuration) is that the bumps on the road are felt more than most people are used to. You don't quite hear when hitting the bumps but you can feel them. I also do not have active steering and I find the steering wheel a bit more heavier than the other makes as well.
So my advice to you would be to get the US sport package (includes Adaptive drive) and the active steering feature

Okay, so options, I have all the electrical gadgetry that I can get on the X except the wireless DVD entertainment system. The PDCs, rear camera with guide lines and distance markers, HUD, comfort access, the nav, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, are all in-expandable to me. I use and cherish all of these options every single day. BMW really got it right with the technology.

By the way, if you live in a temperate region with even occasional snow, I cannot think of a safer and more capable vehicle than the X5. This vehicle will go to where you point it to go, and it Will stop at right where you want it to. The steering precision and breaks on this BMW is unmatched-in all weather conditions. Even a Mercedes dealer will admit that (actually true ).

If you would like to know more about the car in detail, anything at all, please do not hesitate to ask. I'm willing to share even the minute details. I love the car so much I always talk about it anyway

p.s. when people call my X a truck, and I really strongly disagree with them. If you drive a 4.8i you will know what i mean. It is no truck I tell you.

[cmyX6go]

Originally Posted by trueX5er

The E70 is refined.

True said it all right there. Nothing more needs to be said but I'll add a quick 2 cents.

I do cringe when I close the hood. It feels so flimsy.

I am extremely happy with the handling. I was skeptical given the increase in size. Amazingly, it feels more solid, stable, almost as if the center of gravity was lower. Day 3 I found myself coming off an exit ramp faster than I would have taken it in the E53. I was about to freak when I realized Hey...she can do this and I'm running non staggered 19s.



Repeat after me...I will not get a 20" staggered summer set up, I will not get a 20" staggered summer setup...

[Fredo]

I have an X5 SD which I have owned for two months and 2000 miles now. I haven't owned an X5 before so can't comment on the ride versus the E53, I previously had an E60 535d. I think the ride on my E70 is superior to my E60 which I think shows how far BMW have moved the game on though I do think when there are any particualrly bad bumps/speed bumps it really rocks the car around. I would be empted to investigate suspension mods to rectify this but only after I have fitted regular tyres (see below)

Following on from what StumpyPete said about the runflats and not being able to repair them (most garages wont because the side wall reinforcement may not last if you get a second puncture as it has a limited life). I will almost definitely change to regular tyres when the time comes and carry an emergency inflation/repair kit for the severe blow outs. Most punctures are of the slow variety so it will still be possible to get home with normal tyres and then get the puncture repaired. As discussed many times there is no doubt the ride on RFT's is inferior to regualr tyres.

My view on faults is that I am far more about how they are handled than if I get them. I accept that I'm buying a highly complex machine and it can have faults. My comfort access failed 2 days after getting the car but my sales guy had my car colleted within 2 hours a replacement car left and the X5 returned 48 hours later. The problem was a faulty aerial.

I have a faulty temeprature gauge which I need to book the car in for and I have also experinced today a problem with the auto tailgate not closing.I can close it manually but it won't power shut...checked the lower door is shit properly so the car will need to go in.

My E60 suffered from a couple of small faults over the first few thousand miles...I honestly think with the complexity of these cars now it's almost to be expected to have minor faults initially.

Overall I am extremely happy with the car and I would say it's the best non M BMW I have owned. My previous nominee for that was an E36 328i Sport I had...it was a phenominal car in it's day and better than the E36 M3 Evo that replaced it.

[X5audi]

I can't base my experience on a previous X5, but I can certainly compare our three-month-old 4.8i to our last two SUVs, a Lexus RX330 (2004) and RX300 (1998), respectively.

X5 betters those cars in these ways:

-Performance (duh): vastly better engine, although it's not fair to compare a V8 to a V6, but the inline six is also better. Fantastic pickup, and the throttle is not too jumpy around town if you're careful. Lovely exhaust note. I could listen to that all day long, because it's better than the stereo.

-Handling. I drove the Cayenne S (both '06 and '08) and the RR Sport HSE, but neither came close. Cayenne felt disconnected compared to the BMW, with a quieter exhaust note, clumsier handling and less road feel. RR Sport is just heavy. That's the only way to put it. Obviously, the X5 puts the Camry-based RX to shame on this point.

-Quality. I can't speak for its reliability (yet), but boy, is this car built like a tank. You can feel it every time you close the door. It's distinctly German. Every surface is made of the best material. That said, I have Nappa, so don't be expecting the absolute best unless you pay extra for that buttery leather. I thought the RX's interior was cheap, and the X5 only solidifies that opinion. This car's interior is second only to the Range Rover, which is $30K more. I'm an avid Audi fanboy, but even I can admit that its interior is a notch above the Q7's. This could be BMW's best work.

-Space. In this case, it's clearly more spacious than the E53 as well as the RX330. The RR Sport's rear seat is downright small by comparison. The Cayenne feels cave-like, but that could be due to the fact that all three times I've driven it, the interior has been black or gray. Yawn. The E70's trunk is also spacious, and the power tailgate is appreciated. It's much faster and quieter than the Lexus's.

-Snow. It's great. Enough said.

-Looks. I love the way this thing looks. Even with the standard 18" rims, it looks fantastic. Timeless. It makes the RX look like a fad. The designers at BMW outdid themselves here. Pictures don't do the car justice, but all of you know that.

-Ride. Sporty without being too stiff. A welcome departure from the RX's too-soft ride, which one of my sons described as being "like four sticks of butter rolling down the road."

And the cons?

-Stereo, as I already mentioned. It's just weak. I could be used to the RX's ML stereo, but I don't think so, as similar complaints surface daily.

-Fuel economy. I can't expect much from a 190in SUV with a 350hp V8, but why is it that heavy, anyway? This car doesn't have any off-roading pretensions. It should be lighter, and it should get better mileage. I regret not waiting for the excellent 3.0d... but then I push the pedal down. Whoosh.

-Parking aids. The park assist is endlessly annoying every time I pull into the garage, and the backup camera is utterly useless.

-Excessive brake squeal. I don't know why it does this, because it went away for awhile, but eventually came back. It's pretty strange. So far this week, I haven't heard any.

-The iDrive can be annoying at times, but I'm in the process of getting used to using voice commands.

That's about it! I hope you make the right decision!

[np2004]

I am almost past break in now on Helen my 08 4.8i silver/black with around 1050 miles on her and this is what I can say.

Pros: Engine is flawless you push her and she just goes with never ending power! lets just say I take the X5 out more than my 04 330ci I can now admit it that, I-drive I love it anything and everything you need right at your thumbs how can it get any better? no more reaching here and there when driving all the people would cant use or figure out I-drive must not be the sharpest tools in the shed, handling in corners is great no body roll at all with the sports package, and in snow, rain, etc is outstanding almost scary because you get overconfident because the X5 just keeps plowing through anything you put her through I have gone through almost 8 inches of snow with ice like it was nothing, interior is like a suite at the Bellagio or Venetian you get in and dont want to get out you just perfectly fit in and everything is where it needs to be I have the nevada leather and love it, looks the X5 just has that sports car/SUV appearance which is refined and classy but you know at the same time you can push her to the limit, Premium sound is a must have especially if your driving in alot of traffic on the highway no music for me I just listen to the V8 come to life and the exhaust haul ass, Navigation is great way better than the old school one I have in my 330ci, and cold weather pack is a must have the heated steering wheel/ seats are heavenly when its freezing outside those seats get super hot.

Cons: Gas mileage I go through gas like a drunk at an all you can drink keg party and I dont push her very hard, sport seats are good but I always have had lower lumbar pains for years so prob should have opted for comfort seats, this is my first SUV so when its windy outside you really feel it and get blown around a bit at highway speeds but this I am sure happens in all suv's, I miss the heavy door and hood feeling of my 330ci when I close the hood or doors in my 330ci its like a bank vault closing compared to my X5 but that could be caused my lighter yet stronger materials in the X5, the glove box is a joke number one I cant lock it and number two I cant even fit my black portfolio that has all the X5 manuals with my title and registration in there in such a way I can access my cd changer, all the others are minor like I wish the folding mirrors would fold each time the X5 is turned off, I wish the tpm would display the actual tire pressures in each tire rather than just colors etc.

Overall so far so good I am completely happy with this purchase I would give the X5 a rating of 9.5 out of 10. I am taking Helen on a trip this weekend of around 300 miles so will report back in on how it went.

[HaroldC]

Only 600 miles on the car so far. I'll report further as I pass break-in and get some more miles on it. So far:

Wow! I can't believe how well this car handles! While I did not have an e53 (4.4), I did have a good amount of seat time in it though. The new e70 is an absolute joy to drive, the harder you push it the more impressed it handles. There is very little understeer, but a lot of that may be attributed to the sport package (and dynamic drive) with the 275 front tires. Turn-in is very direct, with a good weight and feel to it. I don't have the active steering and I'm glad I didn't get it. And all this coming from someone who has had most recently an e60 M5 and currently a heavily modded e46 M3.

The suspension is a little stiff, but not even close to my M3. It's what I would expect for a car that handles this well and riding on 20" wheels and tires. The transmission shifts very quickly and smoothly, but I find that in DS mode, it tends to hunt for the correct gear when I get on it a bit. Maybe it's still adapting to my driving style, so I'll give it a little time before making final judgment.

There are only a couple of nitpicks, things that I would like to see improved. First is that I do have the HUD, and while it is fantastic to have the speed, I would also like to have the current gear selection on it as well. I was used to the M5, which displayed the gear in the HUD, and I missed it when I would go into the manual mode on the X5. The second is I would also like to have paddles on the steering wheel. While I understand that most of the customers will not miss them or even want them, I like not having to remove my hands from the steering wheel to shift. I would imagine that most people use the manual mode when driving somewhat more aggressively, and it would make sense that that would be the best time to keep their hands on the steering wheel. Lastly, I would like to assign the nav map screen to one of the presets, instead of having to assign a destination. Even the phonebook screen can't be assigned to one of the buttons, it has to be a specific phonebook entry.

I may tackle that second nitpick myself, and not wait for BMW to come with anything. From what I understand, most of the newer BMWs have a universal toothed steering column and slip ring. I am going to try using the steering wheel from the e60 M5, which has paddles and is a little thicker. I just need to find out whether the buttons will work between the two wheels, even if they have different symbols. And I need to find an airbag as well. (expensive $$)

But so far, I'm loving every mile of it. It's just too easy to put miles on the car, which is good and bad. I hope to report back in a couple of months, after I've had a good deal of time in the car.

btw, I've got:
Space Gray 4.8
Sport w/ 20" wheels, Technology, Premium, Rear Climate, Cold Weather packages.

[FSETH]

This was a post that I have been asked to add to this thread, not a re-post.

I have determined that the best way to describe owning my X5 to people who ask is that it is like having a smoking hot girlfriend that you just cant tame and know probably isn't the right girl for you on certain levels. You highly desire both, they are completely sexy and amazingly fun to be with when they are cooperating with you. However, both will totally break your heart. Yet you willingly take her back every single time knowing full well she is going to break your heart again because a few good months far outweigh the bad times.

I have had more than a few issues with my X5 in my short 14-month ownership period, but I know that when I pick her up from her newest heart breaker (shot fuel pump), she is guaranteed to put a smile on my face before I even make it home and that is precisely why I will forgive her one more time, knowing full well she is going to break my heart again. Well, maybe there is a chance I can tame her this time, right?

Oh, by the way the warranty makes it a lot easier to forgive her. I am not sure how easy it will be to forgive come 14k miles or 01/15/2010.

14-months (20k miles) of ownership and so far I have replaced the alternator, water pump, valley pan gasket, all drive belts, valve cover gaskets, thrust rod bushings and now the fuel pump. Not to mention normal wear and tear like front and rear brake pads/rotors, service inspection II, brake fluid flush and an oil change.

Just a little venting to make myself feel better.