BMW X5 E70 - Being anti-PistonHeads
Discussion
Hi,
I wanted to post a 1 year update about our adored X5. We went after a X5 because we were looking for a more modern replacement of our old and reasonably trusty XC90. It was something that needed more power but still had the same or close to the same amount of space the XC90 had. So, we looked down the various options of cars, bearing in mind we already own a BMW and enjoy it and the brand.
The options were:
Newer XC90 - we decided against this because we didn't want the same car again.
Range Rover - no 7 seat option ruled this out
Mercedes GLS - we took a seat in this car and was impressed by the interior quality (stitched leather dashboard was standard). But, very expensive 'Mercedes Tax' on everything, and the fact that it's huge ruled out this car. Also, high tax and bad MPG meant it wasn't appealing, especially being a Mere (however that isn't to say the X5 is a cheap car to run)
Audi Q7 - we took a seat in it and was disappointed when the door card heavily rattled when closing it! Also felt much smaller than it actually is, and tyres were an issue (again something that the X5 doesn't escape).
Discovery 4 - was a very good car and were considering this instead, but the potential of Land Rover and it's generally bad reliability put us off, as well as the X5 having more options.
With most of them being eliminated - the hunt was on. We needed a 2010 ish car, preferably with the M-sport package and, after research, the 35d variant. The M-sport makes the car much more modern in that it is all painted (no grey trim on the car), electric seats as standard, sport seats, better suspension and nice wheels. The 35d was the pick of the bunch because petrol is an average of 16-17mpg, and the twin turbo engine was more reliable than the single turbo engine.
We eventually found a 2009 3.0sd (35d) M-sport variant. It was well equipped and had a good service history, the spec included:
Black Sapphire Metallic
V-spoke style 227M 20" wheels - these really are massive at 275/45 at the front and 315/35 at the back - makes for lots of tyre noise which actually sounds good(?)
M-sport package (as mentioned above)
Professional Media (bluetooth handsfree, widescreen navigation)
Beige Nevada leather - this is much nicer than the Dakota, partly down to it being all real leather, and not partially real!
Air Suspension and M-sport suspension - for a flat ride and reasonable comfort
Reversing camera - needed
Chrome door trim
Shadowline roof rails
Heated seats front and rear
Dark bamboo trim
Xenons for all the flashing done in the fast lane of the M6
3rd row seating
6CD changer
BMW online/assist
BMW professional 200W hifi system - very nice
3.0sd silver grilles
Privacy glass
Some tech specs:
BMW M57D30TÜTOP engine at 285hp and 580nm - remapped to 315hp and 650nm
ZF 6HP 6 speed automatic going to BMW's xDrive Permanent Four Wheel Drive System
0-60 7.0s (6.5s after remap) and top speed of 148mph
2200kg.
1 year on, and I can say that it is expensive to run an X5, as I have seen some reviews saying it isn't that expensive.
A list of items that had to be done on the car this year:
Air suspension bag - £500
Seized calliper front - £500
2 rear RFT tyres - £580
Servicing costs - £500
New seatbelt buckle - £150
New Sat-nav disc - £160
Tracking - £90
Insurance is high because it is group 49 (amongst some Ferraris and the Audi RS6). This is likely due to theft and the sheer size and performance of the vehicle.
Fuel is a ghastly 26mpg average, including short city driving and long runs as well. £95 of diesel gets 550-600 miles of range. Tax is lower because this is a low emission X5, with efficient dynamics - making it £305 per year instead of £500
It has sailed through its MOT however.
How does it drive?
It is a very nice drive. You can be hushed along at good speed or cruise along at a slower speed - the X5 is at home doing most of these. It certainly handles very well for the size of the car, thanks to the good suspension settings. This does make for a hard ride, especially with RFT's. Cornering is mostly flat, and the tyres do grip rather well. The noise it makes when going along is a pleasant rumble from the smooth diesel. It certainly is very quiet when idling, certainly doesn't have a lot of diesel clatter, more a silent ticking. It is very fast on acceleration; while the numbers may not match a Golf R or 335i, it certainly feels very fast, likely due to the sheer size of the thing. Speaking of size, it is a car that is of much annoyance to most who have to challenge it in a tight road or car park. Most people get annoyed at the fact that the car is so big that they risk damaging their own car passing it. There are certainly many close shaves, and one was too close, making contact with someone after passing. You may feel that you have passed, but then you realise the car is staggered at the back and is therefore much wider than you think.
The engine really is a gem. The fuel economy may not be good but this is a SUV after all! The engine pulls really well throughout the rev range thanks to the two turbos, with one working at smaller revs and both working at higher revs. Makes a very nice howl at high revs, certainly gives a kick when kick down is used to overtake. Sport mode really brings the car alive. It holds the gears longer, shifts faster, and accelerates much better, with better throttle response. Really is a fast car indeed, would beat most SUV's at the traffic lights.
Overall, while it may have been an expensive ownership journey, it is an enjoyable car to have, and a pleasure to drive. The family love it, road users hate it, but its ours. So, give a thumbs up when you see us coming behind you on the outside lane of the M6, flashing our high beams, because that's how we're meant to drive these cars, right?
I wanted to post a 1 year update about our adored X5. We went after a X5 because we were looking for a more modern replacement of our old and reasonably trusty XC90. It was something that needed more power but still had the same or close to the same amount of space the XC90 had. So, we looked down the various options of cars, bearing in mind we already own a BMW and enjoy it and the brand.
The options were:
Newer XC90 - we decided against this because we didn't want the same car again.
Range Rover - no 7 seat option ruled this out
Mercedes GLS - we took a seat in this car and was impressed by the interior quality (stitched leather dashboard was standard). But, very expensive 'Mercedes Tax' on everything, and the fact that it's huge ruled out this car. Also, high tax and bad MPG meant it wasn't appealing, especially being a Mere (however that isn't to say the X5 is a cheap car to run)
Audi Q7 - we took a seat in it and was disappointed when the door card heavily rattled when closing it! Also felt much smaller than it actually is, and tyres were an issue (again something that the X5 doesn't escape).
Discovery 4 - was a very good car and were considering this instead, but the potential of Land Rover and it's generally bad reliability put us off, as well as the X5 having more options.
With most of them being eliminated - the hunt was on. We needed a 2010 ish car, preferably with the M-sport package and, after research, the 35d variant. The M-sport makes the car much more modern in that it is all painted (no grey trim on the car), electric seats as standard, sport seats, better suspension and nice wheels. The 35d was the pick of the bunch because petrol is an average of 16-17mpg, and the twin turbo engine was more reliable than the single turbo engine.
We eventually found a 2009 3.0sd (35d) M-sport variant. It was well equipped and had a good service history, the spec included:
Black Sapphire Metallic
V-spoke style 227M 20" wheels - these really are massive at 275/45 at the front and 315/35 at the back - makes for lots of tyre noise which actually sounds good(?)
M-sport package (as mentioned above)
Professional Media (bluetooth handsfree, widescreen navigation)
Beige Nevada leather - this is much nicer than the Dakota, partly down to it being all real leather, and not partially real!
Air Suspension and M-sport suspension - for a flat ride and reasonable comfort
Reversing camera - needed
Chrome door trim
Shadowline roof rails
Heated seats front and rear
Dark bamboo trim
Xenons for all the flashing done in the fast lane of the M6
3rd row seating
6CD changer
BMW online/assist
BMW professional 200W hifi system - very nice
3.0sd silver grilles
Privacy glass
Some tech specs:
BMW M57D30TÜTOP engine at 285hp and 580nm - remapped to 315hp and 650nm
ZF 6HP 6 speed automatic going to BMW's xDrive Permanent Four Wheel Drive System
0-60 7.0s (6.5s after remap) and top speed of 148mph
2200kg.
1 year on, and I can say that it is expensive to run an X5, as I have seen some reviews saying it isn't that expensive.
A list of items that had to be done on the car this year:
Air suspension bag - £500
Seized calliper front - £500
2 rear RFT tyres - £580
Servicing costs - £500
New seatbelt buckle - £150
New Sat-nav disc - £160
Tracking - £90
Insurance is high because it is group 49 (amongst some Ferraris and the Audi RS6). This is likely due to theft and the sheer size and performance of the vehicle.
Fuel is a ghastly 26mpg average, including short city driving and long runs as well. £95 of diesel gets 550-600 miles of range. Tax is lower because this is a low emission X5, with efficient dynamics - making it £305 per year instead of £500
It has sailed through its MOT however.
How does it drive?
It is a very nice drive. You can be hushed along at good speed or cruise along at a slower speed - the X5 is at home doing most of these. It certainly handles very well for the size of the car, thanks to the good suspension settings. This does make for a hard ride, especially with RFT's. Cornering is mostly flat, and the tyres do grip rather well. The noise it makes when going along is a pleasant rumble from the smooth diesel. It certainly is very quiet when idling, certainly doesn't have a lot of diesel clatter, more a silent ticking. It is very fast on acceleration; while the numbers may not match a Golf R or 335i, it certainly feels very fast, likely due to the sheer size of the thing. Speaking of size, it is a car that is of much annoyance to most who have to challenge it in a tight road or car park. Most people get annoyed at the fact that the car is so big that they risk damaging their own car passing it. There are certainly many close shaves, and one was too close, making contact with someone after passing. You may feel that you have passed, but then you realise the car is staggered at the back and is therefore much wider than you think.
The engine really is a gem. The fuel economy may not be good but this is a SUV after all! The engine pulls really well throughout the rev range thanks to the two turbos, with one working at smaller revs and both working at higher revs. Makes a very nice howl at high revs, certainly gives a kick when kick down is used to overtake. Sport mode really brings the car alive. It holds the gears longer, shifts faster, and accelerates much better, with better throttle response. Really is a fast car indeed, would beat most SUV's at the traffic lights.
Overall, while it may have been an expensive ownership journey, it is an enjoyable car to have, and a pleasure to drive. The family love it, road users hate it, but its ours. So, give a thumbs up when you see us coming behind you on the outside lane of the M6, flashing our high beams, because that's how we're meant to drive these cars, right?
My 4.8i is the best car I've owned by a mile. Got a warranty on it, about £149 a month or thereabouts. A lot, but it's good for peace of mind when the car is now ten years old and on 97000 miles. Tyres are a killer. Managed to get a nail in two recently - £272 each. Yay. On the motorway though it's not bad. Can easily get around 27MPG if I keep things pretty gentle.
Had it three years no and still no idea what to replaces it with. Though the 4.2TDI Touareg appeals.
Had it three years no and still no idea what to replaces it with. Though the 4.2TDI Touareg appeals.
Luke. said:
My 4.8i is the best car I've owned by a mile. Got a warranty on it, about £149 a month or thereabouts. A lot, but it's good for peace of mind when the car is now ten years old and on 97000 miles. Tyres are a killer. Managed to get a nail in two recently - £272 each. Yay. On the motorway though it's not bad. Can easily get around 27MPG if I keep things pretty gentle.
Had it three years no and still no idea what to replaces it with. Though the 4.2TDI Touareg appeals.
Just bought a 4.8i myself and to be honest expected to have to put up with it as huge SUVs aren't my thing (needed the 7 seats), but have to say I actually really like it. It drives like a 5 series for the main and everything works/feels well put together/thought out.Had it three years no and still no idea what to replaces it with. Though the 4.2TDI Touareg appeals.
I am sure it will throw up some big bills eventually, but so far so good. Just sailed through its MOT with no advisories.
Not really sure an X5 is that anti Pistonheads, may be if it was an X6? 
Sorry only joking.
I've had my X5 for 4 year's now and yes it has been expensive at times, like replacing the tyres every 2 years/20,000 miles and also because ours is in higher tax band (being an early 07 E70 3.0d SE) although the spec goes some way to make up for it (along with having a second car with a £0 tax rating) with pretty much every option fitted apart from the rear view camera, tow bar and rear seat heating. It has had various niggles like a dying battery (well worth changing if you have electrical gremlins) the air bags that needed to be replaced although I had both mine done for a lot for less that £500 albeit not with BMW OEM bags and also if you have a panoramic roof I'd suggest you have the drain pipes cleaned out unless you want a waterfall coming through the sun visor fixings onto the dash at some point. I even took out a 3rd party warranty as BMW wanted too much and so far they've paid for a new front wheel bearing and fuel sensor engine as there is no way from getting away for it, these are expensive complex machines, especially as they get older.
Overall though it's been a great family car and has comfortably carried us to the South France for the last 3 years averaging around 27/28 mpg which isn't that much worse than my previous E60 525d could manage, so now our question is (my wife spends all week driving it) what to replace it with and that is something I have yet to answer so we'll probably just keep it for a while longer.
Sorry only joking.I've had my X5 for 4 year's now and yes it has been expensive at times, like replacing the tyres every 2 years/20,000 miles and also because ours is in higher tax band (being an early 07 E70 3.0d SE) although the spec goes some way to make up for it (along with having a second car with a £0 tax rating) with pretty much every option fitted apart from the rear view camera, tow bar and rear seat heating. It has had various niggles like a dying battery (well worth changing if you have electrical gremlins) the air bags that needed to be replaced although I had both mine done for a lot for less that £500 albeit not with BMW OEM bags and also if you have a panoramic roof I'd suggest you have the drain pipes cleaned out unless you want a waterfall coming through the sun visor fixings onto the dash at some point. I even took out a 3rd party warranty as BMW wanted too much and so far they've paid for a new front wheel bearing and fuel sensor engine as there is no way from getting away for it, these are expensive complex machines, especially as they get older.
Overall though it's been a great family car and has comfortably carried us to the South France for the last 3 years averaging around 27/28 mpg which isn't that much worse than my previous E60 525d could manage, so now our question is (my wife spends all week driving it) what to replace it with and that is something I have yet to answer so we'll probably just keep it for a while longer.
farbbm said:
So now our question is (my wife spends all week driving it) what to replace it with and that is something I have yet to answer so we'll probably just keep it for a while longer.
Tricky isn't it? Especially given how little they're worth now.How much is your non-BMW warranty if you don't mind me asking and who's it with?
Luke. said:
My 4.8i is the best car I've owned by a mile. Got a warranty on it, about £149 a month or thereabouts. A lot, but it's good for peace of mind when the car is now ten years old and on 97000 miles. Tyres are a killer. Managed to get a nail in two recently - £272 each. Yay. On the motorway though it's not bad. Can easily get around 27MPG if I keep things pretty gentle.
Had it three years no and still no idea what to replaces it with. Though the 4.2TDI Touareg appeals.
That's very efficient for the engine size. We didn't go the petrol way mainly due to the risk of fuel being too costly/not enough range. Had it three years no and still no idea what to replaces it with. Though the 4.2TDI Touareg appeals.
I have heard there's a few issues with the CCV or something like that with those 4.8i engines, inclusive of the X5. Did you get any issues with the engine?
Luke. said:
rayyan171 said:
Did you get any issues with the engine?
None at all. My main issue has been rear airbags failing. Other than that just routine stuff pretty much. Still FBMWSH.rayyan171 said:
Very interesting. If the plot regarding diesels right now thickens then a 4.8i is on the books. Not the 50i, I've heard they're very troublesome.
Really? I've been on the look out for a 50i for ages. Only thing I really fancy swapping the 4.8i for.The 50i's also seem to be going up in value which is annoying.
Luke. said:
rayyan171 said:
Very interesting. If the plot regarding diesels right now thickens then a 4.8i is on the books. Not the 50i, I've heard they're very troublesome.
Really? I've been on the look out for a 50i for ages. Only thing I really fancy swapping the 4.8i for.The 50i's also seem to be going up in value which is annoying.
Luke. said:
My 4.8i is the best car I've owned by a mile. Got a warranty on it, about £149 a month or thereabouts. A lot, but it's good for peace of mind when the car is now ten years old and on 97000 miles. Tyres are a killer. Managed to get a nail in two recently - £272 each. Yay. On the motorway though it's not bad. Can easily get around 27MPG if I keep things pretty gentle.
Had it three years no and still no idea what to replaces it with. Though the 4.2TDI Touareg appeals.
So you pay the best part of £1800 a year on a warranty on a 2007 car ? Had it three years no and still no idea what to replaces it with. Though the 4.2TDI Touareg appeals.
I know they can throw big bills but that seems like a lot of expense on a car that age and value.
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