Looking to switch from C63 to an X5 -Would love some advice!

[tch911]

So Mrs 911 is none too keen on the daily driver, a 2010 C63 AMG with the Performance Pack Plus.

It all comes down to Suspension really, just far too crashy in London and a move to the countryside beckons soon and one expects that roads in Sussex might be worse.

I'll probably divert some value into a station car for me so leaving about £18,000 for the replacement. We borrowed a Land Cruiser recently and my wife loved the soft suspension (surprise surprise!) but also the high up driving position. We also need some space in the back seat for our newborn and his impossibly large baby seat (We're both 6ft plus so need plenty of leg space).

Having loved previous BMWs, a 330 Clubsport and a 728i Sport I thought that an X5 would give the best compromise between a decent drive and the practicality and comfort that we seek.


So I guess my questions are:

- V8 or diesel V6?
- What is the interior like in terms of modernity, gadgetry, bluetooth, etc?
- Is the suspension on the M-Sport/Dynamic pack model much more crashy.
- What is the rear passenger space like?
- What is the boot space like? Does the 7 seater option eat into boot space?
- What are the must-have options?

I really appreciate anyone's inputs. My god there are a lot of grey ones about!!!.

Thanks, Tom

[tch911]

Oops, I definitely meant the straight six! I think to be honest an X5M is probably out of my price range but to be honest I am much more likely to go for either the 3.0d or the 4.8iS.

[tch911]

Zod said:

roofer said:

X5M should do you.

7 seat option the seats fold flat, so don't affect boot unless up obviously.

Mine is a 4.0d ( 3.0 twin turbo) it's brisk enough, and having removed the runflats , tolerable around local country lanes.

If fuel is not an issue, 18 k will get a better specced version than the more sought after tractor juice versions .

No 7 seat option on the X5M.

We had a 50i until it was stolen and now have a 40d. I loved the 50i, but it drank fuel. It sounded nice and was very fast, but the 40d is not really much slower. The best thing about the 50i was that it had active suspension, which was not available on the E70 40d.

Edited by Zod on Friday 22 May 16:48

Thanks guys but with the aim of not going too off track:

- Budget is only 18k so 4.0d and M model are both out of my price range.
- I can't envisage ever needing 7 seat option. So if the car doesn't have the extra seats, what is in their place? A spare wheel? A secret stash?

[tch911]

Doink said:

Its a secret false floor type thingy and it gives you some nice storage for screen wash/polishes etc etc.

It depends on what mileage your willing to accept, you can get a 3.0sd (twin turbo and £285 road tax)) for 18k but they'll have 80/90k miles on them. I recently sold my 08 sd for 18k and it was a 1 previous owner with 35k miles with FBMWSH, in black, 21" 239 alloys, running boards, privacy, non 7 seat version, would of been ideal for you by the sound of it?

Damn, does indeed. Except maybe the black paint :-)

I test drive a 4.0d version on Saturday and it was brilliant, but out of price range! I think the hunt is now on for a 3.0d or indeed a 4.8iS. Would anyone put me off the petrol engine aside from fuel economy? I just think that with higher miles (80,000+), they will be more reliable in the long run?

[tch911]

Doink said:

I agree they really are one the nicest wheels, I bought these second hand for £1800 and believe they were a 4.5k option when new, the tyres are mega expensive at 2k at least, fronts were 285/35x21, rears were 325/30x21 and looked the business from behind following

2k for a set of four tyres? GULP!!! Even the tyres for my Pantera are less than that and they are 345s!