X5 vs XC90 vs ??
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm looking at changing my car for something more practical - been going back and forth for a little while now and was thinking of keeping my 330Ci M-Sport and getting a cheap 4x4 for circa £1k, but am put off by two lots of tax, insurance, MOT's and other running costs (already have another car and a motorbike in the household, so don't really want/need ANOTHER vehicle)!
So, am now back to thinking about selling the 330 and getting a 4x4 to replace it, but can't decide on what. I'd like a diesel really (big car = thirsty petrols) and I really like my BMW's so the X5 is a keen option BUT for my money (circa £10k-£11k) I'm worried about buying a pretty abused example - lets face it, they're not all owned by nice family types with a FBMWSH!
The other main car I like is the XC90 - you tend to get more for your money than with the X5, they're a nice looking car, chavs and pimps and much less interested in them which is a billy bonus, and the diesel has all the performance of the X5 3.0D but lower insurance. If I can get past my badge-snobbery (I'm 26, so don't want to be old before my time!), is this a good option? Do they drive as well as the X5?
It will be used for:
- Daily commute to work on some pretty rubbish roads, so ride quality is important (X3 out the window!)
- Big boot for taking crap to the tip every weekend - we have a big garden
- Possibly towing 2 or 3 motorbikes to trackdays
- Getting me to work in the snow (when it snows here we really get it, and the 330 was worst than hopeless last year and I'm guessing the Swede's know a thing or two about driving in the snow!)
As I said, budget is £10k, maybe an extra grand if need be. Reason I'm considering the XC90 is both Clarkson and Tiff Needell bought them - and given they could both afford almost any offroader and they chose these, that seems promising!
I'm looking at changing my car for something more practical - been going back and forth for a little while now and was thinking of keeping my 330Ci M-Sport and getting a cheap 4x4 for circa £1k, but am put off by two lots of tax, insurance, MOT's and other running costs (already have another car and a motorbike in the household, so don't really want/need ANOTHER vehicle)!
So, am now back to thinking about selling the 330 and getting a 4x4 to replace it, but can't decide on what. I'd like a diesel really (big car = thirsty petrols) and I really like my BMW's so the X5 is a keen option BUT for my money (circa £10k-£11k) I'm worried about buying a pretty abused example - lets face it, they're not all owned by nice family types with a FBMWSH!
The other main car I like is the XC90 - you tend to get more for your money than with the X5, they're a nice looking car, chavs and pimps and much less interested in them which is a billy bonus, and the diesel has all the performance of the X5 3.0D but lower insurance. If I can get past my badge-snobbery (I'm 26, so don't want to be old before my time!), is this a good option? Do they drive as well as the X5?
It will be used for:
- Daily commute to work on some pretty rubbish roads, so ride quality is important (X3 out the window!)
- Big boot for taking crap to the tip every weekend - we have a big garden
- Possibly towing 2 or 3 motorbikes to trackdays
- Getting me to work in the snow (when it snows here we really get it, and the 330 was worst than hopeless last year and I'm guessing the Swede's know a thing or two about driving in the snow!)
As I said, budget is £10k, maybe an extra grand if need be. Reason I'm considering the XC90 is both Clarkson and Tiff Needell bought them - and given they could both afford almost any offroader and they chose these, that seems promising!
Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Merc ML?
Maybe not so much the Merc, but I have a Grand Cherokee short-listed for my next car. Really would rather have an X5, but for for my budget they are all much older (some 4 or 5 years) and in some cases less equipped than the Grand Cherokee. The diesel X5s seem to have double the mileage of even equivalent age GCs.
Merc ML?
Maybe not so much the Merc, but I have a Grand Cherokee short-listed for my next car. Really would rather have an X5, but for for my budget they are all much older (some 4 or 5 years) and in some cases less equipped than the Grand Cherokee. The diesel X5s seem to have double the mileage of even equivalent age GCs.
I don't like the latest Grand Cherokee's I'm afraid - my boss' wife has one and it's comfy enough but I don't like the interior, the diesel seems really slow and the handling is beyond soft!
As for the Merc, I don't rate them - the newer ones might be better, but the olders ones were definitely in the "poor build quality" era Merc went through for several years (my Dad had a MY05 CLK which was terrible!) which allowed Audi/Volvo/etc really catch them up.
So the XC90 looks like a good bet - will go find one to look at this lunchtime then!
Of the 'smaller' offroaders, I've discounted the X3 as the interior is rubbish and they have never one any of the 'group tests' I've read, but I would be interested in a TD4 Freelander Sport Premium I reckon?
As for the Merc, I don't rate them - the newer ones might be better, but the olders ones were definitely in the "poor build quality" era Merc went through for several years (my Dad had a MY05 CLK which was terrible!) which allowed Audi/Volvo/etc really catch them up.
So the XC90 looks like a good bet - will go find one to look at this lunchtime then!
Of the 'smaller' offroaders, I've discounted the X3 as the interior is rubbish and they have never one any of the 'group tests' I've read, but I would be interested in a TD4 Freelander Sport Premium I reckon?
I thought the diesel XC90 was dog slow? Certainly the 3l X5 is the better driver's car, it just lacks the extra row of seats.
I wouldn't touch a Freelander 1 with yours but the FL2 is meant to be vastly better.
Another option to consider is the Nissan Pathfinder. Or the Forester XT if you can cope with something smaller and want a good drive.
I wouldn't touch a Freelander 1 with yours but the FL2 is meant to be vastly better.
Another option to consider is the Nissan Pathfinder. Or the Forester XT if you can cope with something smaller and want a good drive.
I've got an XC90 diesel and now had it for 6 years. The early ones (163bhp vs 185bhp) are a bit gutless but can be "chipped" easily. Fewer people will hate you in a Volvo. It's bigger inside and has a 3rd row of seats which fold into the floor rather than take up any boot space. My brother has an X5 and while is feels more sporty to drive (all relative in a 4x4) I wouldn't swap. Over 90,000 of motorways,towing,and commuting it has averaged 30mpg and stood up to the sort of grief that three kids can inflict on a car
Chris_ said:
I've got an XC90 diesel and now had it for 6 years. The early ones (163bhp vs 185bhp) are a bit gutless but can be "chipped" easily. Fewer people will hate you in a Volvo. It's bigger inside and has a 3rd row of seats which fold into the floor rather than take up any boot space. My brother has an X5 and while is feels more sporty to drive (all relative in a 4x4) I wouldn't swap. Over 90,000 of motorways,towing,and commuting it has averaged 30mpg and stood up to the sort of grief that three kids can inflict on a car
Thanks Chris. I ghave no kids so the extra seats are irrelevant, and as I currently own a BMW I have no concerns about being hated by other road users either - I'm used to it! ;-)I do like the idea that the X5 is a better drive I must admit, but there's something about the Volvo that appeals - and it's not the badge! Think I need to test drive both really!
edo said:
Personally cant stand the XC90 to look at - looks awful. X5 for me. Get a 4.4 V8 - they are 20-30% cheaper to buy, and get a gas conversion on it - will effectively double your MPG.
what about the newer X5 4.0d ? a good friend of mine has one and he's very happy with it
Edit...scrap that suggestion, I didn't see the £10k budget
Edited by y2blade on Tuesday 14th September 13:16
Mike_C said:
As for the Merc, I don't rate them - the newer ones might be better, but the olders ones were definitely in the "poor build quality" era Merc went through for several years (my Dad had a MY05 CLK which was terrible!) which allowed Audi/Volvo/etc really catch them up.
The W164 is a completely different car than its predecessor, built in Germany unlike its predecessor. I personally think it's the class leader.The Volvo is only a 5-cyl engine, and I simply don't believe it has anything like the performance of the 3-litre V6 diesels from BMW or Mercedes but I'll go away and check.
Considered a Nissan Murano? I know it's a V6 petrol but it's a lovely sounding engine, and ours gets 26 mpg round town. It has every conceivable extra, and is a lot less bland/mainstream than an X5/XC.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2060416.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2060416.htm
Edited by stinkysteve on Tuesday 14th September 13:38
Still not a Merceds man I'm afraid! Equally, Murano = not for me.
I went to a garage that happened to have both an X5 and an XC90 on the forecourt earlier today! Looks wise, for me I think they are both very good looking cars. The XC90 has the bigger boot and more rear legroom, but the driving position and dash on the X5 appealed to me more - and given that most of my journeys are solo, that is pretty important.
I took the X5 for a blast and have to say, I was impressed. It was a 53-reg 3.0D so not sure if it was an earlier 184bhp or later 218bhp model. Either way, it felt pretty darn pokey and I was really impressed with the drive - handled well, went well and a very smooth ride - I thought it'd be worlds apart from my 330Ci, but it really wasn't bad at all!
I went to a garage that happened to have both an X5 and an XC90 on the forecourt earlier today! Looks wise, for me I think they are both very good looking cars. The XC90 has the bigger boot and more rear legroom, but the driving position and dash on the X5 appealed to me more - and given that most of my journeys are solo, that is pretty important.
I took the X5 for a blast and have to say, I was impressed. It was a 53-reg 3.0D so not sure if it was an earlier 184bhp or later 218bhp model. Either way, it felt pretty darn pokey and I was really impressed with the drive - handled well, went well and a very smooth ride - I thought it'd be worlds apart from my 330Ci, but it really wasn't bad at all!
The XC90 is Volvo's most unreliable model. My bro just bought a 2003 plate XC90 from a main-dealer with 80k miles for about £10k. He loves it, but the amount of things they had to fix before he took delivery of it which are known faults was scary. The earlier diffs are made of chocolate, lots of people were caught out in the snow when they discovered their XC90s were only front wheel drive! Later models may be more reliable, but may not be in your budget.
What about a VW Touraeg? I've always fancied one.
What about a VW Touraeg? I've always fancied one.
Mike,
I had 2 XC90s, enjoyed them both and rated them highly. Neither gave any problems at all and, although it doesn't sound like you will need all the seats, the interior design and layout is excellent.
I personally think the external appearance is a little dated now but would still strongly recommend them.
Do go for the 185 D5 rather than the older version although, as someone has already said, they are easy to chip.
I had 2 XC90s, enjoyed them both and rated them highly. Neither gave any problems at all and, although it doesn't sound like you will need all the seats, the interior design and layout is excellent.
I personally think the external appearance is a little dated now but would still strongly recommend them.
Do go for the 185 D5 rather than the older version although, as someone has already said, they are easy to chip.
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