Discussion
fooby said:
Wants an X5 and lives in London... Oh god. They're ridiculous even in rural Northumberland.
Yes due to their rarity 
From my experience people in rural Northumberland who actually go off road either drive Jimny's/Isuzu pickups or if you're 'muckle rich leyk' you drive a Range Rover. X5s lack in the off road department apparently and a lot of people go off road round that area so leaves little room for them
Same in Devon but replace Jimny/Isuzu with Defender
In London I'd be looking for a smaller 4x4, maybe a Honda CRV, Ford Kuga, Rav4, CX-5 or Skoda Yeti. All got loads of space for kids and baggage and all can come with a petrol engine. No charisma though but then neither has an X5, pretty dull cars.
Remember with a diesel if you have a DPF you'll need to give it some miles at speed once every few weeks to regenerate.
Remember with a diesel if you have a DPF you'll need to give it some miles at speed once every few weeks to regenerate.
fooby said:
Sorry that was harsh, I just don't see why people in city's drive big 4x4's and I always get tailgated by idiots in X5's so it's made me bitter. If you like it, go for it! 
London is becoming the world centre for speedbumps, 4x4 doesn't take up any more road space than a large saloon; many people find them easier to park as you have a better view. Death wish cyclists might actually notice your existence and mostly fail to scratch the side of your car with handlebars. Plugging belts etc on child car seats much easier without having to bend down. Mumsy has a more secure feeling driving something "high up".Worth remembering is that the X5 the UK's most stolen car.
https://www.carfused.com/articles/do-you-drive-one...
https://www.carfused.com/articles/do-you-drive-one...
Swanny87 said:
Yes due to their rarity
From my experience people in rural Northumberland who actually go off road either drive Jimny's/Isuzu pickups or if you're 'muckle rich leyk' you drive a Range Rover. X5s lack in the off road department apparently and a lot of people go off road round that area so leaves little room for them
Same in Devon but replace Jimny/Isuzu with Defender
Yeah Jimmy's are king here! There's actually very few big thirsty off roaders. Quite a few Land Rovers, but mainly little Japanese things. Jimmy's, old Daihatsu's etc. and the odd Hilux. Oh, and Subaru's! Loads of Subaru's. I was the only Subaru driver for miles around when I lived in Newcastle, out in the sticks every other person owns one.From my experience people in rural Northumberland who actually go off road either drive Jimny's/Isuzu pickups or if you're 'muckle rich leyk' you drive a Range Rover. X5s lack in the off road department apparently and a lot of people go off road round that area so leaves little room for them
Same in Devon but replace Jimny/Isuzu with Defender
If I lived in London and wanted space and height, it'd be petrol CRV all the way. Diesel seems like it'd just be the same cost to run, expensive to fix and city's are smelly enough.
Edited by fooby on Wednesday 23 March 14:02
I'm sure that no one is shocked at some of the derogatory opinions on BMWs big SUV, however having bought my own E70 X5 two years ago, I have to confess that I'm a complete convert and think it's a brilliant family car.
It's comfortable, spacious, easy to drive and manoeuvre (despite its size ..... visibility is excellent), and has touch wood been reliable and economical too (high twenties is the stuff of dreams for a Disco or RRS driver)
Sure, there are some out there that dislike them, and you need to make your own way out of junctions as a result .... I won't call it "jealousy", rather people who are content with other options, and believe others should do the same.
It's really easy to work on, and properly maintained and set up is also kind on it's tyres too ...... how does 30k per set sound, and the factory 20" run flats are £150 each for fronts and £200 each for rears on black circles. Hardly bank breakingly silly money for fitted at home service.
I searched for a long time for my car, as I didn't want black or silver, did want the 20" rims (and why not?), did want the 3rd row of seats (not available on E53 X5, Cayenne, Towrag, RRS), and did want the large sunroof.
I honestly couldn't be happier, and will keep mine until I've run it well past 200k miles in the next 5 years or so.
I've always driven many miles for commuting and work, and suffered in recent years with fatigue and eye strain in "normal" cars. The X5 is a completely relaxing tool for daily motoring, and I'd recommend an E70 in a heartbeat. Buy a good one, which has been properly looked after, and there aren't a laundry list of potential problems with the brand or model ....... certainly not something that can be said for the equivalent / comparable VW / Audi / Porsche / Land Rover / Range Rover / Merc / Lexus etc etc etc.
It's comfortable, spacious, easy to drive and manoeuvre (despite its size ..... visibility is excellent), and has touch wood been reliable and economical too (high twenties is the stuff of dreams for a Disco or RRS driver)
Sure, there are some out there that dislike them, and you need to make your own way out of junctions as a result .... I won't call it "jealousy", rather people who are content with other options, and believe others should do the same.
It's really easy to work on, and properly maintained and set up is also kind on it's tyres too ...... how does 30k per set sound, and the factory 20" run flats are £150 each for fronts and £200 each for rears on black circles. Hardly bank breakingly silly money for fitted at home service.
I searched for a long time for my car, as I didn't want black or silver, did want the 20" rims (and why not?), did want the 3rd row of seats (not available on E53 X5, Cayenne, Towrag, RRS), and did want the large sunroof.
I honestly couldn't be happier, and will keep mine until I've run it well past 200k miles in the next 5 years or so.
I've always driven many miles for commuting and work, and suffered in recent years with fatigue and eye strain in "normal" cars. The X5 is a completely relaxing tool for daily motoring, and I'd recommend an E70 in a heartbeat. Buy a good one, which has been properly looked after, and there aren't a laundry list of potential problems with the brand or model ....... certainly not something that can be said for the equivalent / comparable VW / Audi / Porsche / Land Rover / Range Rover / Merc / Lexus etc etc etc.
Funnily enough I do want an X5, hence why I posted this on the forum!
redddraggon said:
Just admit that you simply want an X5. No one needs an X5 to move a couple of a kids around. I know plenty of families that manage with normal super mini hatchbacks, some I know manage without a car at all (especially in London where there's public transport).
ugene425 said:
Funnily enough I do want an X5, hence why I posted this on the forum!
Just get one. They're brilliant cars.redddraggon said:
Just admit that you simply want an X5. No one needs an X5 to move a couple of a kids around. I know plenty of families that manage with normal super mini hatchbacks, some I know manage without a car at all (especially in London where there's public transport).
ugene425 said:
We are not panicking with the birth of our child but buying a slightly bigger car now so we don't need to upscale when we have our second child. Why buy an X3 and then have to sell it 2-3 years later as we need a larger car?! It doesn't make sense.
The only time you need a bigger car is if you have three like I did. Then you have a choice - do you declare your life over and buy a MPV like a Zafira or do you buy something normal like a 5 series. [quote]I don't understand what you mean by 'a bit council'.
But hey if you want a X5 then go for it. I agree that it has a better dash than the X3 and is much better than the X1. But then that is a bit like choosing what the "best" venereal disease to have is.
Innowaybored said:
How can I be polite here? The X5 is a bit of a thug image wise and due to depreciation you find many driven by the criminal underclasses and aspirational benefits cheats in the less salubrious parts of towns and cities. If you worry about image (as you clearly do) then the X5 is not the place to be sat. If on the other hand you run a small salvage yard then the X5 is made for you. Just be aware that the yummy mummies at the creche will talk about you behind your back.
But hey if you want a X5 then go for it. I agree that it has a better dash than the X3 and is much better than the X1. But then that is a bit like choosing what the "best" venereal disease to have is.
E53 perhaps. Think the E70's image is just fine.But hey if you want a X5 then go for it. I agree that it has a better dash than the X3 and is much better than the X1. But then that is a bit like choosing what the "best" venereal disease to have is.
The Crack Fox said:
mat205125 said:
you need to make your own way out of junctions
Not sure what that means - do you 'push in', is that it? I knew when I wrote that comment that it would be interpreted as a "push in"
Loving all the comments. Thank you. Some much more helpful than others but I guess that can be only be expected with an online forum on German 4x4's in London. There are some people who clearly hate them like I hate mini's.
Opinions are hugely divided and the reaction is like asking should I vote Cameron or Milliband.
BMW X5 = Cameron
Opinions are hugely divided and the reaction is like asking should I vote Cameron or Milliband.
BMW X5 = Cameron
George111 said:
You're being unfair to the X5.
More like Boris. Perhaps not the most sensible choice, but entertaining while it lasts.Take anything I say with a grain of salt, I bought a Subaru Outback when I lived in the middle of Newcastle. My excuse was that my family lives in the countryside and hey, it's worth dealing with the drawbacks of a huge car in the city for a car you really like.
The usual crap being spouted it seems!
The X5 is actually a pretty safe vehicle (my dad was t-boned at approx 40mph into the drivers door) in his X5 by another X5. All involved walked away with no more than a bruise. Had he been driving a hatchback or estate I suspect the outcome would have been very different for a multitude of reasons.
I don't see any problem in having an X5 in the city for whatever reason. Buy one and enjoy it!
The X5 is actually a pretty safe vehicle (my dad was t-boned at approx 40mph into the drivers door) in his X5 by another X5. All involved walked away with no more than a bruise. Had he been driving a hatchback or estate I suspect the outcome would have been very different for a multitude of reasons.
I don't see any problem in having an X5 in the city for whatever reason. Buy one and enjoy it!
ugene425 said:
Because in London police are everywhere and so are cyclists etc. If you are caught on your phone whilst driving = game over!
The fear of getting caught is the only thing preventing you from being on your phone one handed while driving ?I use a brand new X5 at work as a pool car : it's way too big for Europe, let alone London. In the US it would be OK I guess with the space and cheap fuel but here it makes little sense. Parking is just a PITA. Not to mention car park ramps.
As for kids, yes if you have 4 it probably makes sense in a X5.
Edited by nickfrog on Wednesday 23 March 19:25
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