Thinking of buying a "work" X Diesel
 

We love our 2011 Alpine White Xdrive 5.0 Sports Package Adaptive Drive!

I spend most of my work season inside a pickup truck - I have done this for going on ten years. Last year my truck was (is) a 2012 Ford Super Duty Diesel - it is a nice truck. I own a storm restoration company - here's a picture of the truck:

http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/...ps94ef1c61.jpg

I am adding another project manager to my company - I am thinking of letting him use the 2012 Super Duty and I will buy something different.

Why? I am tired of driving a pickup for one thing - I drive a lot of miles - little things in the vehicle I drive bug me whereas it might not someone else.

Here's the thing - I don't (personally) need a 3/4 ton diesel except for maybe a couple of times per year. Since I won't be selling the truck, it will still be around for the company's use when we need it.

I do need to have space for sales materials and to occasionally run to a supplier to pickup some job supplies - this is typically a bundle or two of shingles or something smaller.

I drive allot of miles per year - an average of 25,000 miles per year - last year it was 36,000 miles. Although my truck is a diesel, I still only get about 16 MPG avg. I also want comfort. I also need something that looks professional as I am the company owner - I want to look professional and successful.

Here are some ideas I had for my work vehicle this coming year:

Buick Enclave
GMC or Ford 1/2 ton pickup
Toyota Tundra 1/2 ton
Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel (probably not)
BMW X5 Diesel

I have found an 09 X5 diesel that is black (all my company vehicles are black with blue logo and lettering) with 36,000 miles and (believe it or not) adaptive drive - they are asking $37k.

Here is a pic

http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/...ps35734b4a.png


What does everyone think of these choices? I would add my company logo and info the X as in the above picture of my pickup.

I drive about 80% highway and I drive (typical) 82 MPH when on the highway. WHat MPG do you think I might average?

Is the 09 diesel an "OK" model of the 35D?

recent owner
 

great questions, I also a recent purchase of 2013 diesel, would love to hear all the takes on this as well...

While I like the idea of the X5d, how will it play to customers?

I suspect not so well. Sends the wrong image, IMO. Sort of a "look how much money I make off of you" message.

Why not get a denali or escalade truck? Those are comfy, ride well, and they make a hybrid version!

That is a good question. I worry that my customers might think too:

Worst case they think this way . . . .

"We shouldn't hire them, they foolishly spend their money on luxury vehicles"

"Is he too good (Bimmer snob) for a pickup truck like what the competition is driving"

But, in the end, I "sell" the products and services my company has to offer and I am pretty successful because we sell a better product with better service than most. As long as I am confident in "why" I drive it I think it would be fine.

If someone asks me "Steve, why the fancy Bimmer?" it is pretty easy to respond,

"The pickup trucks that I drove for 10 years got between 13 and 16 MPG - this diesel averages 23!"

Another thing, after I add large company logos on the side and back plus phone numbers and BBB emblems etc., it might make the "X" more work serious.

Here is an X that I think has been dressed down because of the logos - what do u think?

http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7722aa9b.jpg

They (Suburban Denali, Escalade) are not really any more comfy than the F250 Super Duty (it is big and comfy and er, lethargic). I get tired of driving around a BIG vehicle. If I don't do the X I will probably just get a little more nimble pickup - maybe Ford F150 with Eco Boost V6 (I drove one when I bought the F250 and didn't like the way the engine matched up with the tranny) or small V8.

I say get the X5 and enjoy the comfortable ride. You've worked hard to be successful and deserve it. I don't see anything wrong with the owner driving an X5, you will look professional, but not too flashy especially with all the company logos on it.

:iagree:

VW is the people's car!
 

Thought about a Toureg diesel? It's about as invisible as you can get in an SUV and shares the Cayenne/Q7 platform.

I've personally not driven the new one, but the previous generation was quite good.