X5 Questions (Compare to Cayenne S and Range Rover)
 

I'm looking to buy new SUV and can't seem to pull the trigger. Have narrowed it down to X5 35d, Cayenne S, and Range Rover Sport Supercharged. Every car has pro's and con's. Loved the torque/drive of BMW. Biggest downfall is dated interior/exterior. Worried that even the premium audio is only mediocre.

1. Anyone have any words of wisdom comparing X5 to other cars on my list?

2. Anyone have relatively simple upgrade for audio?

3. Any idea when they're updating this model? Would be bummed if bought new and then suddenly had obsolete model.

Thanks.

1. Why are you shopping the diesel BMW with the other two gas hogs?

2. BSW has some simple upgrades. Also, if a sound system is a major deciding factor for you, BMW might not be your best choice.

3. The current e70 will be replaced in late 2013, but if you are so worried about being dated, why even consider the Range Rover? That car has looked the same for 10 years now? If you have to have the "newest" car, go with the Cayenne, the e70 is towards the end of it's run.

Those are all excellent points. Drove gas and diesel X5 and liked the torque and environmental friendliness of 35d. MPG of Range Rover is biggest thing keeping me from buying. Range Rover has very contemporary interior (more important to me than exterior).

Saw BSW stuff. Haven't seen many posts that improvement is significant. Think better amp may be more important than speakers. Surprised BMW hasn't outsourced for quality audio.

Have some other financial/tax/local dealership issues effecting my decision. Hoping to get constructive feedback on forum from experts and owners.

If you want an attractive interior and reasonable fuel economy then just go for the cayenne base model and get the burmeister sound package. e70 X5 is nearing its end and the rr sport is garbage IMHO. Not a proper range by any standards ( cramped seating, poor user interface on audio, no pan roof ,exterior that is gawdy and outdated all at once.

With that said you cannot go wrong with a nice x5 35i! Order it exactly how you want and let BMW ship it to you in around 45 days! The turbo six really moves well considering the size of the vehicle.

I disagree on the Cayenne interior being better. It looks modern but is far less functional and clean design than the X5. Besides there were so many buttons with small print, I'd need reading glasses just to drive.
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I would agree with this. When I think Porsche, I do not think great style or ergonomics as far as interiors are concerned.

I agree that the interior of the BMW is nice. Just a bit bummed that the electronics (stereo, nav, etc.) aren't a little more up to date. I know they drive very well. That is the most important thing. That being said I love to drive with a quality stereo and beautiful display.

It would be hard to argue that the BMW interior is superior to the updated Porsche interior. Good thing is that car buyers have a lot of options and can buy what appeals to them.

I agree that the interior of the BMW is nice. Just a bit bummed that the electronics (stereo, nav, etc.) aren't a little more up to date. I know they drive very well. That is the most important thing. That being said I love to drive with a quality stereo and beautiful display.

It would be hard to argue that the BMW interior is superior to the updated Porsche interior. Good thing is that car buyers have a lot of options and can buy what appeals to them.

I was completely underwhelmed by the E70 interior when I first got in it, then realized it was all about the idrive. The Cayenne interior looks a lot like the Audi MMI system, which I thought was waaaaay too many buttons. There'd be 2 ways to do many things, both are buttons *somewhere*. I do like the idrive system but I don't fault the other one, and in my opinion, neither is "better", but one thing the new BMWs have going for it is the new idrive which feels at least 5x faster than the one in my '08. I would love to have that system today... that is certainly not outdated.

True the BMW Idrive on my 11 is an improvement over my last x5. An my sound package sounds reasonable, for the price I would prefer B and O or something nicer. The cayenne interior looks even better with the more expensive seating/leather options, this all comes at a price though. To be honest I just like the cayenne interior because I have been in the e70 for like 5 years and I am getting bored.