X5 and Range Rover pros & cons

[deutsch100]

Originally Posted by BGM

You are comparing a 1st year model in an '07 e70 with an '04 e53 that had been through 5 years of bug fixes, being able to fix rattles, etc--same holds true with the RR that design has been around for ages. First year model runs always have issues. You do hear a lot about the bad camera quality on the e70--sounds like BMW needs to do some more R&D on that. The RR is not a good comparison to an e70 in my opinion--needs to be more compared with a Land Cruiser as they are not performance they are more for luxury and off-road capabilities. Like it was mentioned above LRs and RRs have bad reliability history.

I did say & point out that my '08 X5 DID NOT have any rear rattles. So eventhough I said my first year '07 had rattles, I did give BMW props for addressing it so quickly, although I know quite a few 2008 E70 owners, that still have rattle issues. I think the RR is a great comparison to the X5. The Land Cruiser is not a Lux SUV like the X5, ML, GL, Range Rover, LX, etc... Range Rover Reliability since 2007 has been excellent, and I've spoken with SO many '07/'08 Range Rover owners, and it seems like the E70 has more issues (warning lights, battery issues, transmission isssues, Climate problems). Yes, the Range Rover has been around "for ages" in automotive years, but the design and especially the interior is gorgeous!!

[Christiaan]

Originally Posted by bmwman3241

Before I bought my car, my main options were X5, Range Rover Supercharged, Cayenne Turbo S, and Lamborghini Murcielago LP640(Main choice before something changed my mind). All three had their PROs and CONs IMO but I found the X5 to be best.
IMO, Cayenne had the speed but nothing else, Range Rover had the looks but lacked the speed, and X5 had the looks and somewhat the speed. (I was considering the G-Power Supercharger at the time). I am happy although I will probably get the Range Rover Supercharged as well in the near future.

I had exactly the same options, and conclutions.... (except for the lambo)

[mwares212]

I think it is important to keep in mind that the current Range Rover was actually designed by BMW before they sold Land Rover to Ford. This is why some of the interior parts (seat controls, etc.) match some BMW parts.

[King]

Originally Posted by mwares212

I think it is important to keep in mind that the current Range Rover was actually designed by BMW before they sold Land Rover to Ford. This is why some of the interior parts (seat controls, etc.) match some BMW parts.

RR was basically a very capable off road dinosaur. Perhaps a luxury version of a Toyota Land Cruiser until BMW came along and brought it into the 21st century! The squared off modern boxy yet macho looking design was the work of BMW designers. The full size RR has many of the E53 X5's electronics and NAV system. Ford came along and built on that design with the RR Sport and S/C. I truly believe RR would not be what it is today if it wasn't for BMW! A lot of RR owners don't know that and some how think it is 'better' or more superior than the X5 in some way. I had the chance to buy a new RRS S/C that was almost $15K cheaper than the X5 and I still went with the 4.8i.

The Polish say they make the best vodka; The Russians say there's nothing better in the world than their vodka. What they don't know is that the Polish invented it and had been making vodka for years using potatoes! I guess it's what eversuits your fancy and makes you feel better about yourself!

[deutsch100]

Originally Posted by mwares212

I think it is important to keep in mind that the current Range Rover was actually designed by BMW before they sold Land Rover to Ford. This is why some of the interior parts (seat controls, etc.) match some BMW parts.

Exactly, maybe you and the other Member, never saw my original post, when I got the Range Rover. Tons, and tons of parts are from the E53, and the last 7 Series...and that's why I wanted the Range Rover. I loved my 2 E53s very, very much. Both my '07 and '08 E70 were very unreliable and troublesome! I personally, do not like to buy used, and since there are no new E53 X5s available, a new Range Rover was the closest thing. I feel like I am in a super posh, BIG, E53. Also, as someone mentioned, the Navigation was BMW until 2006, and then Land Rover switched to touch screen, the same supplier as Lexus. It's super easy, and very intuitive!

[deutsch100]

Originally Posted by King

RR was basically a very capable off road dinosaur. Perhaps a luxury version of a Toyota Land Cruiser until BMW came along and brought it into the 21st century! The squared off modern boxy yet macho looking design was the work of BMW designers. The full size RR has many of the E53 X5's electronics and NAV system. Ford came along and built on that design with the RR Sport and S/C. I truly believe RR would not be what it is today if it wasn't for BMW! A lot of RR owners don't know that and some how think it is 'better' or more superior than the X5 in some way. I had the chance to buy a new RRS S/C that was almost $15K cheaper than the X5 and I still went with the 4.8i.

The Polish say they make the best vodka; The Russians say there's nothing better in the world than their vodka. What they don't know is that the Polish invented it and had been making vodka for years using potatoes! I guess it's what eversuits your fancy and makes you feel better about yourself!

Is that a 4.8is I see in your Avatar? If so, then I would take a 2004-2006 4.8is E53 any day over my Range Rover. I had a 2004 4.8is, and that car was amazing! I hold firm, that my Full Size Range Rover is better than the E70! I know, fire away!!

[LobsterX]

Originally Posted by deutsch100

Is that a 4.8is I see in your Avatar? If so, then I would take a 2004-2006 4.8is E53 any day over my Range Rover. I had a 2004 4.8is, and that car was amazing! I hold firm, that my Full Size Range Rover is better than the E70! I know, fire away!!

Thats alright man! Its your car and you have evry right to brag about it! If you like it then its all good!

[grover432]

The RR HSE is a beautful vehicle, not doubt and a nice drive. But you need to have alot of dough to throw away as resale value is the poorest in the segment.

A frend of mine has two because he loves them so much. One sits at home, only to be used when the newer one goes in for repair - which is every two weeks to try and fix a problem that the dealer said he fixed last time.

Maybe X5's have problems too, but I want to drive my vehicle somewhere other than the dealership for a repeat repair.

I hope your experience is better than my friend's.

[deutsch100]

Originally Posted by grover432

The RR HSE is a beautful vehicle, not doubt and a nice drive. But you need to have alot of dough to throw away as resale value is the poorest in the segment.

A frend of mine has two because he loves them so much. One sits at home, only to be used when the newer one goes in for repair - which is every two weeks to try and fix a problem that the dealer said he fixed last time.

Maybe X5's have problems too, but I want to drive my vehicle somewhere other than the dealership for a repeat repair.

I hope your experience is better than my friend's.

It sounds like your friend's experience with his Range Rover(s) was just like my experience with my '07 X5 3.0si and my '08 X5 4.8i and our 2007 750Li and my 2006 330i! Honestly out of the 25+ cars my spouse and I have had in the last 15 years, my 2 E70s were the most problematic, troublesome cars I have ever had. Nonstop warning lights, failures, electronic freezes/glitches, malfunctioning transmission, multiple repair "attempts" for the same problem again & again. I'm not saying, nor do I believe, my new Range Rover HSE is perfect, nor do I believe it will never see a Service Dept. What I do know, is that so far in the 40+ days I've had the Range Rover, I've had NOT one warning lamp or message, no electronic glitches, no breakdowns, no rattles or anything else that seems "off". With both my E70s, the first month of ownership saw multiple WEEKS of Service Dept. visits (with most problems not being resolved). With my '07 E70, I drove a Dealership X3 3.0si longer than I was able to physically drive my own X5. Serious!! Yeah, Land Rover is not known for their flawless reliability, but since 2006, especially 2008-2009, Land Rover (especially The Range Rover) has had superb reliability. Yes, I agree that The Full Size Range Rover has horrible resale value. Oddly, their LR3 has pretty good retained value, but yeah the retained value on my Range Rover will be absolutely dreadful. Honestly, though, I buy and/or lease because I love the car, and don't worry about 2-4 years down the road. Life's kinda short, and not everything can be practical, and financially perfect

[BGM]

Originally Posted by deutsch100

It sounds like your friend's experience with his Range Rover(s) was just like my experience with my '07 X5 3.0si and my '08 X5 4.8i and our 2007 750Li and my 2006 330i! Honestly out of the 25+ cars my spouse and I have had in the last 15 years, my 2 E70s were the most problematic, troublesome cars I have ever had.

Deutsch, I'm with you drive what you like and I'm glad you like LRs. But if you have had 25 cars in 15 years you are increasing the odds enormously of problems arising. That's like Russian roulette car buying. I bet you if you had even 25 Lexus (or is it Lexi ?) you would run into issues. It's just a numbers game at that point. I've had 2 cars in the past 15 years--I'm on year 8 on my e53 with no major issues. Congrats and glad you are happy.