BMW X5 or alternatives...

[Legend83]

Sadly parting with the mx5 in the summer to be replaced with something practical and a bit more luxurious.

Requirements:

- practical enough to cart us and new born twins around and on holidays in comfort.

- some luxury and creature comforts after the sharp but raw mx5.

- reasonable to drive as it will be my car (accept that it will be totally different to the 5).

- reasonable servicing and parts cost (not worried about MPG as commute is only 5 miles).

Budget is £10k.

Was admiring an X5 today but know very little about them other than i fancy a 4 litre V8! Can I get one in budget? Pit falls?

Other considerations are Legacy TourEr 3.0, 330I Tourer and my wife's suggestion...S Max....

Would appreciate any thoughts, experiences or alternatives.

Cheers!

[nismo48]

The X5 not a bad choice..The V8 is quick and fairly nimble for a big 4x4..
If your not doing many miles to and fro,could be a good choice..
Full history desirable..plenty about too for much less than £10k
A good safe mode of transport for you and your family..

[chriscoates]

Definitely go for the V8, as is often the case with 4x4s the petrols are going a lot cheaper than before, so go for the 4.8is - you know you want to

http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

ETA - you can get the S-max with the 2.5T from the Focus ST as well: http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

But I'd still have the X5

Edited by chriscoates on Tuesday 20th December 20:51

[rottie102]

Definitely the X5.

I absolutely love mine. The only SUV that really handles like a normal car.

[HowMuchLonger]

rottie102 said:

The only SUV that really handles like a normal car.

Cayenne?

RRS with adaptive suspension?

[anonymous-user]

HowMuchLonger said:

Cayenne?

RRS with adaptive suspension?

Mazda CX-7!

[Legend83]

What problems should I look out for? Are there any potential big bills to worry about?

Is the 3.0 sixer adequate for the X5 or is the fuel saving not worth it over the V8? Manual gearboxes seem very rare – is the autobox good? Costly to repair?

They are certainly growing on me and there are quite a few on Autotrader within budget. Just concerned about big bills...

P.S. I like the idea of the S Max with the Focus ST engine BUT I really fancy a N/A engine. We have a Honda Civic CDTI and I am not a huge fan of turbo power delivery.

[DanDC5]

What about the Touraeg? Not sure if you can get them for less than 10k to be honest but that's the 4x4 I'd look at over an X5, especially the V10 diesel.

[Caulkhead]

MonkeyMatt said:

HowMuchLonger said:

Cayenne?

RRS with adaptive suspension?

Mazda CX-7!

Agreed.

For £10k you'll get a 2008 CX-7 with far less costs to worry about than a £10k X5 plus it will use less fuel, handle at least as well and with 260bhp and 280lbs of torque, be fun.

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[0077]

Legend83 said:

Are there any potential big bills to worry about?

4 tyres are approx £1,000. Possibly more.

[j44esd]

I started a thread the other week extolling the potential virtues of a Cayenne. No one agreed with me though...

Nissan Murano?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

I have no personal experience of them, I just think they look nice!

Oh, and congratulations on the twins!

[SD1992]

What about an E39 / E60 touring in V8 petrol form?

Would drink less, handle better, and probably about the same interior space.

Even an A6 Avant would do.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

Or if you are feeling very brave...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

Edited by SD1992 on Wednesday 21st December 10:20

[laingy]

i have a 3litre diesel, and think it is a great car. Done almost a 100,000 miles and still no major problems.

as other posts say - they are excellent cars - handle well, the diesel matches the car perfectly, averages 30mpg, not sure what you get out of a 4litre v8 as i also have a 330 convertible that averages about 24mpg - i would be worried about the fueld economy of a 4 litre v8 in a heavy 4x4 (especially with a lot of town driving)

[frosted]

The only 4x4 without big bills is the Lexus RX range , that age x5s look a bit chavy to me

[Legend83]

SD1992 said:

What about an E39 / E60 touring in V8 petrol form?

Would drink less, handle better, and probably about the same interior space.

Even an A6 Avant would do.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

Or if you are feeling very brave...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

Edited by SD1992 on Wednesday 21st December 10:20

A few good shouts there - however my wife and I are favoring the 4x4/mpv due to not having to stoop over to get the kids in. Our backs are knackered already!

Like the look of the Cx7 but £460 tax stings a bit!

[laingy]

Audi A6's are rubbish to drive, i cannot believe anyone recommends them. The same as an XC90. Stick to the x5.

[Tuvra]

Discovery?:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3237093.htm
Range Rover?:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3419429.htm
Cayenne?:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3453683.htm
XC90?:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3480832.htm
Shogun?:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3181394.htm
Land Cruiser?:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3360311.htm
VW V10 Toureg?:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3237685.htm

[Adam111]

frosted said:

The only 4x4 without big bills is the Lexus RX range , that age x5s look a bit chavy to me

Well that's not true now, is it.

[frosted]

Adam111 said:

Well that's not true now, is it.

Of course it is

[SWoll]

I like the X5 but with your budget you are looking at 8-9 years old with approx 90-100,00 miles so I would suggest big bills will be fairly inevitable.

Servicing is costly (even with independants) and basic consumables like tyres, brakes etc. are pricey also. Add to that the obvious fuel inefficiency and you are talking about quite an expensive car to run. They also aren't anywhere near as spacious inside as you may think.

I would suggest a 3/5 series 3.0 Touring. Plenty quick, nice to drive, as much space as you need and much better running costs than the X5. Also will be newer with fewer miles so less chance of big bills.

Just my thoughts. Can see the appeal of the X5 but not sure it meets your other requirements TBH.