BMW X5 E70 7 seats is there an alternative ? Any issues ?
Discussion
Don't like the Bangle-esque styling influences. But for seven seater SUVs, you have a short list: X5, Q7, XC90, Disco 3/4, Landcruiser(?), maybe some other Far Eastern stuff. Iirc on paper the X5 model for model has the best economy and performance specs.
Not sure an SUV ever qualifies as a "driver's car"...
Not sure an SUV ever qualifies as a "driver's car"...
A proper 4x4 7 seater is the MB GL but very much a "marmite" car.
The X5 and XC90 are both tight in seats 6 and 7. Never even bothered with the Q7.
The GL (420) is a very quick straight line car for the size but it is no "handler" but then again which 4x4 is?
On looks alone the newer X5 wins the contest in sport guise with decent alloys.
The X5 and XC90 are both tight in seats 6 and 7. Never even bothered with the Q7.
The GL (420) is a very quick straight line car for the size but it is no "handler" but then again which 4x4 is?
On looks alone the newer X5 wins the contest in sport guise with decent alloys.
versus said:
BMW X5 is horrible car. We have one at the moment on loan and its rubbish compared to the XC90. It feels cheap inside just bland black plastic everywhere! The XC90 is ancient but still one of the best out there.
A friend from BMW says he much prefers the interior of the older X5 for those reasons.I have a 4.0dM and it's absolutely brilliant.
I don't have the seven seat option so can't comment on that.
Spec something other than the ally trim and they look superb inside, I have light walnut.
Run it on standard 19's (I do) and it's great, also get the 18" winter wheel/tyre package for 2k, BMW will store/change your wheels for £30/year.
The ride deteriorates dramatically on 20" and on 21" is positively horrible but if you want to look like a Range Rover driver then heyho
Only downside I would mention is don't take ANY NOTICE WHATSOEVER of BMW's fuel figures, they are rubbish.
I average 28mpg (was expecting from their figures around 32ish) in mine, however I do drive it very enthusiastically, which, as it handles and drives so well, is entirely possible.
This is my third X5 and IMHO the best yet.
I don't have the seven seat option so can't comment on that.
Spec something other than the ally trim and they look superb inside, I have light walnut.
Run it on standard 19's (I do) and it's great, also get the 18" winter wheel/tyre package for 2k, BMW will store/change your wheels for £30/year.
The ride deteriorates dramatically on 20" and on 21" is positively horrible but if you want to look like a Range Rover driver then heyho
Only downside I would mention is don't take ANY NOTICE WHATSOEVER of BMW's fuel figures, they are rubbish.
I average 28mpg (was expecting from their figures around 32ish) in mine, however I do drive it very enthusiastically, which, as it handles and drives so well, is entirely possible.
This is my third X5 and IMHO the best yet.
versus said:
BMW X5 is horrible car. We have one at the moment on loan and its rubbish compared to the XC90. It feels cheap inside just bland black plastic everywhere! The XC90 is ancient but still one of the best out there.
Funny that my XC90-owning mate thinks his XC90 looks horribly cheap and drives appallingly compared with my X5.We have the seven seat option and we're very pleased with it. The back is tight for adults, but absolutely fine for children. The problem with all these cars is that there is virtually no luggage space with all seats in use, so for long trips you need a roof box.
Chrisw666 said:
I was thinking that when I read the OP. Doesn't do off road but is a huge 4x4 with 7 seats or 6 armchairs in some IIRC.
R500 with 6/7 seats and 4WD, sound interesting and what an engine to have in that sort of car! Excellent sleeper material.Do you need all 7 seats? Honda do a six seater that isn't completely boring, very nice inside, but won't light up the road.
If performance is your concern, then X5 is probably the best bet.
OP, it sounds like you had really already made your decision before posting.
In truth the X5 does look good from the outside and drives/handles better than most SUVs (bar the Cayenne). The interior is very dull and plasticky and the economy is nowhere near the official figures. The SE spec rides better and the side steps are actually quite useful for children and older people. Its best optioned with the Dynamic pack. Also if youre buying a black one, the M sport only comes in carbon black as opposed to Sapphire black. Carbon black looks pretty much dark blue and takes on light scratches/swirls.
If you really need 7 seats, I would go for a Disco 4. its a more relaxing drive, offers better space and IMHO has a much more refined image.
I think the GL also betters the X5 for exclusivity, space and image but its presence brings with it the impracticalities associated with its size.
In truth the X5 does look good from the outside and drives/handles better than most SUVs (bar the Cayenne). The interior is very dull and plasticky and the economy is nowhere near the official figures. The SE spec rides better and the side steps are actually quite useful for children and older people. Its best optioned with the Dynamic pack. Also if youre buying a black one, the M sport only comes in carbon black as opposed to Sapphire black. Carbon black looks pretty much dark blue and takes on light scratches/swirls.
If you really need 7 seats, I would go for a Disco 4. its a more relaxing drive, offers better space and IMHO has a much more refined image.
I think the GL also betters the X5 for exclusivity, space and image but its presence brings with it the impracticalities associated with its size.
rajkohli81 said:
OP, it sounds like you had really already made your decision before posting.
In truth the X5 does look good from the outside and drives/handles better than most SUVs (bar the Cayenne). The interior is very dull and plasticky and the economy is nowhere near the official figures. The SE spec rides better and the side steps are actually quite useful for children and older people. Its best optioned with the Dynamic pack. Also if youre buying a black one, the M sport only comes in carbon black as opposed to Sapphire black. Carbon black looks pretty much dark blue and takes on light scratches/swirls.
If you really need 7 seats, I would go for a Disco 4. its a more relaxing drive, offers better space and IMHO has a much more refined image.
I think the GL also betters the X5 for exclusivity, space and image but its presence brings with it the impracticalities associated with its size.
We've got a 7-seat X5 Sd MSport, handling is great but the ride quality is pretty poor (on 20's) until you swap out the runflats for a set of real rubber. After doing that it's night and day and drives at least as well as the Cayenne (we had one of those before with air suspension and 20's). The back seats are fine for kids up to about teenage age, after that I'd say they are a wee bit tight unless you put the middle row as far forward as possible. Our one has had a mild remap and it goes really well, with "over" 300 bhp and tons of torque, obviously as it's mainly a family bus it just tootles about most of the time but when you need to poke it's great to have tons of it! I've no issues with the interior, it's simple and clutter free and is decent quality, certainly as good as any other ones I've been in.In truth the X5 does look good from the outside and drives/handles better than most SUVs (bar the Cayenne). The interior is very dull and plasticky and the economy is nowhere near the official figures. The SE spec rides better and the side steps are actually quite useful for children and older people. Its best optioned with the Dynamic pack. Also if youre buying a black one, the M sport only comes in carbon black as opposed to Sapphire black. Carbon black looks pretty much dark blue and takes on light scratches/swirls.
If you really need 7 seats, I would go for a Disco 4. its a more relaxing drive, offers better space and IMHO has a much more refined image.
I think the GL also betters the X5 for exclusivity, space and image but its presence brings with it the impracticalities associated with its size.
We may swap ours this year but if we do it'll likely be for another as I cannot see anything else on the market that I'd prefer from a looks, quality, space and driving ability perspective.
Zod said:
The 8 speed gearbox is the best auto I have ever used by a huge margin. It is just about faultless.
We have 20" summer wheels and 19" winters and ride quality is fine.
+1 except i use the 20" wheels all year round including a trip to the alps this year in which the 20" bridgestone duellers were perfect on the snow covered roadsWe have 20" summer wheels and 19" winters and ride quality is fine.
Steve996 said:
Our one has had a mild remap and it goes really well, with "over" 300 bhp and tons of torque, obviously as it's mainly a family bus it just tootles about most of the time but when you need to poke it's great to have tons of it! I've no issues with the interior, it's simple and clutter free and is decent quality, certainly as good as any other ones I've been in.
Haven't bothered having ours remapped yet as it already has 400bhp and goes very briskly for such a big car. DMS do say they can take it up to 500bhp though.... 
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