Thinking of owning 2 X5's, silly idea?
 

We already own a 01 X5 4.4 that my wife drives daily. I'm thinking of replacing my 98 540i automatic with another X5 with manual tranny for myself. Am I crazy for wanting to own 2 of the same car?
My reasons for buying another X is because I really miss owning a manual trans vehicle. And the X5 is one of the few vehicles out there that are SUV/Manual trans/ and have all of the latest safety features like Stability control and Side and head airbags.
I love driving my wife's 4.4, will the 3.0 feel underpowered?

Thanks,

Chris

Not sure, but you should get the 4.8 :)

We briefly entertained the idea of keeping our '04 X5 3.0 instead of selling it with 100k last year. I'd just purchased an '04 4.8is with 11K miles.

The only times across 7 years that I felt the 3.0 was under powered was on the Interstate at speed. Driving around town, I actually prefer the peppy lil i6. It is no red light runner, but it is almost as quick to bring a car this size to 50 as almost anything else its size. With few exceptions and a couple poor choices, I could get where I wanted to be in traffic. This would probably be even better with a manual transmission. You probably know that the 3.0 is the only config for the manual. I would KILL for the 4.8is in manual tranny. In fact, I have taken to sport mode 'Manual' in the last few weeks to put the tq right where I want it. It's been fun, but not as much as the third pedal in my 540i6.

In the end, we felt like her E46 with 'only' 65K on it at the time was the better long term, lower running cost vehicle. Not only that, she ordered her 2002 330 just the way she wanted it. We picked it up in SC before a lot of people even knew you could. She said her heart still skips a beat when she sees it. And boy, does she like the go pedal. We both figured that if we needed an SUV, we would have one. We had no need for two. Plus, we could get ab $6k more for the X5 than the 330.

So while our reasons may not exactly hit home with you, there they are. I do miss my lil 3.0. I see my next door neighbor in it all the time and marvel at how good those years of polishing did the paint. It cleans up real nice and it was as reliable over 100k miles and 7 years as any BMW I have owned.

2 X5's = double the fun of maintenance.

If the goal is a manual transmission X, consider the last generation (2007+) X3 as well. 260 hp in the si model, 6 speed manual, more tossable than the X5, thus sportier. Not as roomy for passengers, more cargo space, less towing capacity. Depends on your requirements, but it may be an option. I certainly enjoy driving ours more than I would an X5 of the same age. And maintenance cost is vastly reduced, since it is built on the E46 platform.

I had two X5s for a while when I bought my E70 until I sold my E53, and the E70 3.0si ///M is amazingly quick! jumpier than my Cayenne 4.5 V8! but can't say the same for my E53 3.0sd... quick, but not even close to the E70!

Funny, When I first read the title of this thread, I was thinking the 2nd was parts supply for the 1st...

I too have been pondering this thought lately.. I guess you got to ask yourself the motives behind the decision. if it all stacks up and is not a compromise, go for it! Its not like you don't know what to expect from the beast in terms of upkeep.

Thanks for all of your replies guys! I probably need to sell the 540 first, lest I open the door for owning 5 cars, and I really don't want that.

JCL-I hadn't thought of the X3, nice suggestion, I need to test drive one of those.

Propellerhead-your screen name sounds familiar, are you on Bimmerfest or Bimmerforums? I've owned my 540i for 8+ years now, so I have frequented those forums for some time now.

I also figure that the the reliability of the 3.0 vs. 4.4 will be likely be better, though as always, there's no guarantee!

Manual trans X5s, while not 'rare', are difficult to find, imo...
Our '01 is fun, runs like a freakin top, and has been nearly problem free over the past decade plus.
The 5th/top gear is shortish, however, and the highway rpms are considerable.

If the OP can find a 6 spd manual, ('04 - '06, if fading memory serves me), that 6th gear is slightly OD, and provides for lower highway rpms.

The 6 speed still has the stump puller 1st gear ratio, and same rear diff ratio, but that 6th gear 'helps'. Cool cars, not many of them out there in used car land, but worth the hunt if you want a manual trans X.

As to the OP's wonderment on owning two at the same time, while not dissuading you, my only thought is Xs are like wives; why would anyone want more than one. :rofl:
GL, mD