The X5 (when it arrives next month) is going to be a family car so I anticipate running it for at least 5 years. My cars until now have been kept for much shirter periods but what used to be glacial depreciation has turned into more like a waterfall so cars will be kept for longer! Having said that my 535d I am selling after 3 years has retained 63$ of it's value which I think is very good....I did get a very good deal when I bought it though/

I have specced the X5 very highly in the hope I will not regret not getting anything which will help me to keep it for longer!

when they finally put active cruise control, night vision, and adjustable ride height into this vehicle... i will be very tempted to get a new one. but hopefully, the night vision and cruise control system can be updated to the current model somehow.... that would be ideal.

Probably about 8 years or so. I put a lot of extras on the car, and only do around 8,000 miles a year, so if I can keep it 8 years then the depreciation is a little better. Cars these days are so good, I mean realibility no rust problems that unless you do massive miles there is no need to keep changing, unless of course you need to have a new car on your drive every couple of years.

ill keep for about 7 years i guess.
 

i kept my other x5 for a little over 7 yrs...

Kept the previous X5 for three years. I'm trading in when mileage is too much = 100.000 km. Sooner if there are issues with the car. These are really expensive to repair, rather spend the money driving brand new vehicle

When the 3rd generation X5 comes out or if BMW produces something better.

I've been considering this very thing quite a bit. Someone in this forum mentioned they sold their X5 after 4.5 years and was able to get 30K from the dealer toward a trade in. I could do that, then take advantage of the new tech and diesel technology at that time.

But if the car is running good with all the options why not keep it. The resale value of a high end vehicle like the X5 after 8 years would still be around 20k i'd imagine and would depreciate at a much slower rate. Who wouldn't want the X5 and all the options for such a price.

Unless nobody cares for petrol at that point..

The amount of tech in this vehicle scares me - I do not plan on owning it for more than 12 months after the warranty expires.

So, no more than 5 years for me.

KEF

Keeping mine for 4 years, then another BMW.... maybe an M5....

Till i get bored and need a change....probably about 3 years. Kept my range rover sport about 18 months, but am having more fun with the X.