What is the thinking behind X5s as traffic cars

[Norfolkandchance]

A number of forces use big 4x4s as traffic cars. Round here it is BMW X5s. Given that a 5 series touring would be cheaper to buy and run and offer a similar amount of space and slightly better performance, model for model, what is the thinking behind the X5s? Is it because they stand out more, they look more intimidating or to do with residuals or what?

Thanks

[The Surveyor]

Don't you have fields or agricultural lanes around your area, and do you ever get snow?

[Hugo a Gogo]

they used to use Range Rovers in the old days, same thing, surely?

[Norfolkandchance]

The Surveyor said:

Don't you have fields or agricultural lanes around your area, and do you ever get snow?

Yes we do, though I've never seen a traffic car in the fields, they mostly seem to be on the major roads, where the traffic is. I guess we get an average of 1 day of snow per year, like most areas of UK, though of course some years it is none, others there might be 4 or 5 days. 5 series are available in X drive if traction is the issue and I guess they could get a good price on winter tyres. They do have both Defenders and 4x4 pick-ups (Ford Rangers, I think).

[AdamIndy]

For dominating the stairs/motorways.

[ZOLLAR]

Norfolkandchance said:

A number of forces use big 4x4s as traffic cars. Round here it is BMW X5s. Given that a 5 series touring would be cheaper to buy and run and offer a similar amount of space and slightly better performance, model for model, what is the thinking behind the X5s? Is it because they stand out more, they look more intimidating or to do with residuals or what?

Thanks

Probably comes down to what the manufacturer offers when they tender for the contract?
Yes an X5 may be more expensive in a dealer but on police contracts there may not be much of a difference between the two?

Who knows, doubt we'll get the full answers as there's probably many factors which we won't be privy too.

I highly doubt they buy the X5 just to be flash and waste money, shortage of money in the police is quite serious at the moment so no doubt if they could get a cheaper option that also maintains operational readiness they would.

[Norfolkandchance]

ZOLLAR said:

Norfolkandchance said:

A number of forces use big 4x4s as traffic cars. Round here it is BMW X5s. Given that a 5 series touring would be cheaper to buy and run and offer a similar amount of space and slightly better performance, model for model, what is the thinking behind the X5s? Is it because they stand out more, they look more intimidating or to do with residuals or what?

Thanks

Probably comes down to what the manufacturer offers when they tender for the contract?
Yes an X5 may be more expensive in a dealer but on police contracts there may not be much of a difference between the two?

Who knows, doubt we'll get the full answers as there's probably many factors which we won't be privy too.

I highly doubt they buy the X5 just to be flash and waste money, shortage of money in the police is quite serious at the moment so no doubt if they could get a cheaper option that also maintains operational readiness they would.

I didn't think for a second it would be to be flash - I ma well aware that any expensive decision has to be justified. I did read an interview with a police driver who used an Evo. The thinking was that people would see it in the mirror and think there was no point in trying to run. This would be a perfectly acceptable justification - the expensive car means we do fewer high speed chases and therefore put fewer lives at risk. I am sure there was a carefully thought out decision making process behind the X5s, I just wondered what it was. It may well be that, in the long run the X5s are cheaper because we get a better return on them when we sell them or we get a better lease deal on them for similar reasons.

[ZOLLAR]

Norfolkandchance said:

I didn't think for a second it would be to be flash - I ma well aware that any expensive decision has to be justified. I did read an interview with a police driver who used an Evo. The thinking was that people would see it in the mirror and think there was no point in trying to run. This would be a perfectly acceptable justification - the expensive car means we do fewer high speed chases and therefore put fewer lives at risk. I am sure there was a carefully thought out decision making process behind the X5s, I just wondered what it was. It may well be that, in the long run the X5s are cheaper because we get a better return on them when we sell them or we get a better lease deal on them for similar reasons.

Sorry, I wasn't implying you were just covering it as no doubt someone on PH thinks they probably do

[Norfolkandchance]

ZOLLAR said:

Norfolkandchance said:

I didn't think for a second it would be to be flash - I ma well aware that any expensive decision has to be justified. I did read an interview with a police driver who used an Evo. The thinking was that people would see it in the mirror and think there was no point in trying to run. This would be a perfectly acceptable justification - the expensive car means we do fewer high speed chases and therefore put fewer lives at risk. I am sure there was a carefully thought out decision making process behind the X5s, I just wondered what it was. It may well be that, in the long run the X5s are cheaper because we get a better return on them when we sell them or we get a better lease deal on them for similar reasons.

Sorry, I wasn't implying you were just covering it as no doubt someone on PH thinks they probably do

Thank you

[richs2891]

Just guessing here but cheaper and more reliable than a Range Rover ?

Will hold just as much kit and should the Police every need the extra off road abilities that a Range Rover has over an X5, it will be contracted out to a third party.

[vonhosen]

Higher payload.

[Steve57]

Discovery's are used round here, 9/10 times seen dragging cars to the edge of the A13.

[surveyor_101]

Some off road potential
Use in bad weather
Holds alot of kit
Towing capacity- moving damaged and broken down cars
Good visibility for seeing if drivers are on phone or no seatbelt etc

HATOS/HETOS run 4X4 so they can tow primarily

[Norfolkandchance]

richs2891 said:

Just guessing here but cheaper and more reliable than a Range Rover ?

Will hold just as much kit and should the Police every need the extra off road abilities that a Range Rover has over an X5, it will be contracted out to a third party.

I want to know why X5 rather than 5 series. Or why any SUV actually. So why the Range Rovers as motorway patrol cars back in the 80s when a Granada would have been faster and more efficient.

ps they have Defenders for the real off road stuff round here.

[kiethton]

vonhosen said:

Higher payload.

This - heard somewhere that with the kit they need to carry, plus a few +90kg cops the payload of the 5 series wasn't up to the job

[Elroy Blue]

All BMWs are very cheap due to manufacturer support.
Most X5s are ARVs. It comes down to weight limits and amount of kit to be carried.
We have one non-ARV X5 that is available for towing. It was also to provide (limited) 4x4 capability before the X-drive 3 series came along. The 5 Series X-drive isn't available in the U.K. yet, hence why we went back to 3 series. However, these aren't proving as resilient as the 5 series, as well as being too small for all the kit
Range Rovers were dispensed with a long time ago. They were far too expensive too maintain.

[richs2891]

I've not seen the Police (local to me anyway) try and attempt to move any broken down / cars in ditches etc, always claim cant move them. Members of the passing public tend to find a 4x4 and get them shifted. Otherwise local recovery gets called in.

[Norfolkandchance]

Thanks all. Now happy.

[Elroy Blue]

We move broken down/damaged cars all the time.

[tuffer]

They are used for the School run prior to shift change.