Does this X5 seem ok?

R124/LA420 said:
I've driven a few X5's including a very nice 4.8i than my sisters mate recently chopped in for an e60 M5!

The X5 is capable on the roads, but crap off them which makes it a pretty pointless tool for the majority of users.

Capable as an X5 is, a 5 series is simply more capable again.

Yes, I know I'm not Fox. :D
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So I take it you've driven one off road?

They're not crap, obviously not as good as a defender or a disco but still very capable!

I find it comical how so many people on here can reserve judgement about certain cars which A: They've never driven B: Have never compared
 
gobbo said:
Its fine....BIG problem with them though.

I have to agree with Fox on this one, they are a totally pointless car.

If you want a BMW with a big boot, get a 5 series estate of the same spec and save yourself a few grand, with the added bonus of not looking like a drug dealer/pimp. If you NEED a 4x4 real off roader, get a Range Rover as it'll be the only one out there with the off road capability.
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I thiunk you mean the toyota land cruisers.
 
[TW]Fox;10779745 said:
I honestly won't ever understand how an X5 is more comfortable - its higher centre of mavity and longer suspension travel means it bobs up and down and pitches and rolls far more than you'd get from a nice 5 Series SE. It's the best handling SUV out there but this is rather like being top of the class in special school.

The X5 is not a car you buy if you wish to waft around in comfort. Especially not in Sport spec.
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have you driven one? or what's the most similar car you have driven?
 
Thanks for all the feedback anyway, especially fox who actually posted information regarding buying one that I was initially after.
I appreciate it is a motors forum and are a pretty passionate bunch.

Don't think I don't enjoy my driving, I have my VR6 for when I want to have a blast, now putting the car seats in the back of that (3 door) is a pain and a switch clicks in your head that doesn't allow you to drive rapid with the kids in.
 
jamoor said:
have you driven one? or what's the most similar car you have driven?
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X5 3.0i (Non Sport) and a Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.5 V6.

The Jeep was awful in comical ways but I suspect it was excellent off road (I managed to get it as far as gravel carpark). The X5 was noticeably better but I still observed what I posted a few threads up. Perhaps the Sport improves things.
 
Maz said:
So I take it you've driven one off road?
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Yes mate.

It was quite good until it got stuck trying to climb a wet grassy bank, something a Suzuki Vitara had just got up no bother! (it was the 4.8i that I got stuck)

Yes, I do know a thing or two about keeping traction etc, not that it did me any good.

As I've said, not for nothing did BMW press launch the X5 at a race track - its home is not on the muddy stuff.

MrLOL said:
so's R124 !
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I was just starting to discover what else is on the web and they go & re-instate me! :rolleyes::D
 
[TW]Fox;10780946 said:
X5 3.0i (Non Sport) and a Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.5 V6.

The Jeep was awful in comical ways but I suspect it was excellent off road (I managed to get it as far as gravel carpark). The X5 was noticeably better but I still observed what I posted a few threads up. Perhaps the Sport improves things.
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I've driven the new 3L diesel jeep on and off road, great fun :D
 
Some things covered in here, though a few things I would do;

Ask to meet the sister and even ask for ID proof (this is not unusual for those careful buyers) obviously don't just blurt it out

Ask if she will form an agreement as it is on finance

Ask about the recent last service as it says FSH yet it says "specialist", don't get me wrong not saying it is a crime it could be a better job than BMW, it is worth asking though

Run your own HPI check, the cost is nothing compared to what it could be hiding

Ask for receipts for the recent work that has been made.


After that just have a proper look round, checking for obvious damage or any paint jobs ie looking inbetween the door when it is open, inside the bonnet, etc.

I don't know much about that particular X5 model, what I would do though is google something like this somethings may be dubious, I am sure fellow OCUK peeps will confirm it.
 
zain said:
Some things covered in here, though a few things I would do;

Ask to meet the sister and even ask for ID proof (this is not unusual for those careful buyers) obviously don't just blurt it out

Ask if she will form an agreement as it is on finance

Ask about the recent last service as it says FSH yet it says "specialist", don't get me wrong not saying it is a crime it could be a better job than BMW, it is worth asking though

Run your own HPI check, the cost is nothing compared to what it could be hiding

Ask for receipts for the recent work that has been made.


After that just have a proper look round, checking for obvious damage or any paint jobs ie looking inbetween the door when it is open, inside the bonnet, etc.

I don't know much about that particular X5 model, what I would do though is google something like this somethings may be dubious, I am sure fellow OCUK peeps will confirm it.
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Cheers zain, some great info there.
 
Oh, a good way to verify the mileage - phone BMW Customer Information on 0800 325 600. Tell them you are looking to purchase a used BMW and wish to verify it's legitimatacy. They will give you a list of dealership visits from the registration number of the car. You can then call the dealers and provided the work done was a regular scheduled service, some will tell you the mileage of the vehicle when they saw it.

You can then check this against the cars history - it's possible to build up the service history yourself before even viewing the car.

If you ask they'll give you a full list of options, as well.
 
Still think the E39 5 series SE outdoes the X5 in every way as a road car. Tons of space and extremely comfortable cruiser. 530 "Sports", (Or uprated SE's like mine) are a little 'harsher' on the ride when the road gets bumpy, although I did drive mine for 20 hours straight up in norway and it was a very comfortable trip :)

Ever tried a E38 '7 series'? They are really nice comfortable cruisers.

That said, if you like the X5, and it suits you... why not. Black.. yeah you'll probably look like a pimp, but I really dont get this whole "must be silver"... Oh wait, it looks a little less dirty, but as soon as it rains that 'grey' dirt turns dark brown and silver doesnt hide that at all. Just wash the thing from time to time. I find silver cars are totally boring. 3/4's of the cars on the road these days are silver. Its nice to be a little 'different', I think the 'darker' metalics are the best colors, Calypso red, Oxford Green, and Biaritz blue (may be the wrong blue... but the one I am thinking is dark blue which has a hint of purple in the metalic when in direct sunlight.. almost like a 2 colour paint).

They change the names of the colours from time to time, but always they have a number of dark metalics, and they look great on every model from 3-7 including the X's

As your after comfort get the non sport version. Its handling is still good, but it will have a slightly softer ride, so more comfort. Get as many options as possible, I wouldnt get anything less than Leather+AirCon, and there are loads of extra toys which are worth having. If you can find one with the "HiFi" upgraded sound then even better. The "Standard" 4-6 speakers system powered by the headunit is pretty poor, but the "HiFi" in the 5 series (which I believe is available in the X's as well" gives you 12 speakers, but more importantly a separate power amplifier, and imho sounds as good as most (non competition grade) aftermarket setups. I just bolted interface which added an MP3 changer, and/or you can get an Ipod interface.
 
I have to try and keep a black car clean. It's depressing. Especially when it's freezing cold and you can't be bothered to dry the paintwork off so you leave it and 30 minutes later it's dried naturally into a streaky mess almost as bad as how it looked before you started. Then you take it to fill it with fuel, park it under the lights in the filling station and it looks a swirly scratched mess :p
 
People like these cos its easy to throw kids and shopping in them and waft over crap urban roads. No amount of moaning about dynamics is going to help this since most people dont care.
 
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