Should We Get X5 4.8 - What's Your Profile?

[Evoking]

Hey peeps,

So I'm considering an X5 for the wife and as our family, daily (and business when needed) ride. The current 4 door is an Estoril Blue E36 M6, prior was a Jag XJR. She thought the Jag made her feel "too old" so we went the other extreme with a very rare and clean M3. Now ready to move to something newer and more refined.

I'm probably going to get either a Porsche 928, E63 M6 or some other beast as my personal toy. For the 4 door in the house I was considering 335, E550, Jag XF, LR4 or even a RR Sport. I came across an 07 X5 Space Gray 4.8 for about $34k and have been thinking about it. But I'm wondering if it would push the right buttons... It isn't tall like an LR4 and doesn't handle or look as svelte as a 335, XF or E550. So it's somewhat of a jack of all trades right?

I guess that concern might make me somewhat of a purist... Truck or car? The rovers seem to have pressence because they're a big square English truck and they're great off road. The sedans have pressence because they're just good looking European sedans. Where does that leave the X5?

Did any of you have this concern or thought process? What's your profile and how did you decide on the X5 over things like RR Sport or the sedans and are you happy?

[rh71]

If it weren't for the twins, I probably wouldn't have opted for another SUV (been driving them since 16). The X5 (with sport pack) stood out because it's got similar driveability as a regular sedan, but make no mistake - you can still feel the weight even with a 4.8 under the hood, especially if you're going to compare with sedans as you mentioned. The RR Sport was never a consideration for me because of reliability but I've come to find that BMW isn't exactly high up on that chart either. Despite it's faults, I still love the thing and would buy another before any other brands. When I'm driving other cars for any amount of time and come back to the X5, it feels rock solid on the road - can't beat it.

You have to decide if you'll have a lot of gear as it'll be a family car. It does the family thing very well and a 4.8 should satisfy you to an extent. Jack of all trades - if you're talking about snow - then absolutely. Mountainous terrain, I wouldn't try.

[eschantra]

The fact that the X5 is a jack of all trades is the reason I bought it. It's capable of hauling anything that needs hauling, will work as a tow vehicle for my autocross car when needed, is comfortable enough to drive every day and will give many performance cars a run for their money when the road gets twisty. If I'd had room for more toys, my ideal setup would be an F-150 Ecoboost for towing/hauling and some sort of 5 series as a daily driver (can anyone say E34 M5? ), but now that my stepdaughter's driving and taking up an additional parking space that's not gonna happen. The only downsides are that it's heavy (though there's so much grip it becomes more like a challenge when driving fast), thirsty, and my wife keeps stealing it to go to work because she likes it so much.

[Don Nguyen]

Not exactly like you, but it is kind of funny.

Currently have an estoril convertible E36 M3 as well and also a Porsche 964. Looking to sell the estoril m3 and jump into an E70

[Evoking]

Thanks for the feedback... So what I'm hearing is that if you didn't have:

1) a bunch of gear i.e. kids and strollers etc

2) a need to tow your track car, boat etc.

You WOULD have gone with a sedan instead... So that is my dilema. We don't have kids - yet at least. And nothing to tow. That being said we have had our LR Discovery since we've been married so I guess we're a bit used to having an SUV to load when needed. Not sure if this being "used to an SUV" is a good enough reason to get over a sedan though.

Still on the fence.

[blondboinsd]

I'm single and have the 4.8i... for me it's the ultimate excuse for a 1 car garage. Enough said

[o-steve]

I have no kids and have never towed with my X5. Had the Range Rover Sport and actually prefer the look and ride over the X5 but the reliability was horrific.

This time around (before purchasing 2012 X5 in June) I looked into another Range Rover Sport SC, Porsche Cayenne S and a 550i M Sport sedan. Nothing else really appealed to me (not a fan of the A6 or MB E class). I tried but couldn't get past my negative experience with the Range Rover's reliability. I thought the Cayenne had too many buttons on the dash, drove like an Audi and found it almost impossible to order one equipped how i want it. I came back to BMW and actually ordered the 550i but cancelled it because I couldn't get past thinking it is just too big and mature looking/feeling. My girlfriend was dead set against it as she thought it was an "old man's car". Her words not mine.

As much as I didn't want to ever buy the (technically) same car twice (trading in 4.8i) it fit the bill. Sporty enough, good price, size, utility, drive, feel, etc... Everything made sense. I'm pretty happy with the decision overall.

Honestly, I would love a 911 or M3 convertible but I use the car for work and occasionally need more space. I really don't want two cars. In the end, the X5 just seemed to do everything I wanted.

[fast4d]

honestly I don't know why you want an SUV if you're without kids or need AWD + "inside" cargo capabilities. the X5 drives nice but it's still 5000lb. I would get a 550 or 750. or get something sportier such as a Z or M

[BGM]

Does the '07 you are looking at have the 20s ? If so, the look alone IMO is worth it over a plain sedan and you would be surprised by the handling if you haven't already test drove it.

[Evoking]

It does have 20's. And I agree they do look beefy with them. Z or M6 are options for my toy but this will be the family sedan. I'm going to drive it tomorrow. We'll see.

Course the last sedan I test drove was a 335i so I'm sure it won't compare in sportiness - which I suppose is ok since my toy will fill that space. But if the X is quiet, powerful and tames the road into submission it could carry the show.