(Sensible) reasons not to pick the X5?

[kmpowell]

I have...
1x Girlfriend
1x Incoming Baby
1x Dog (whippet lurcher)

I need...
Comfort on long motorway runs
Space for the dog, the baby, and all the baby paraphernalia like buggy etc
Decent MPG
Good power
Lowish running costs
Low depreciation (having had at least it's initial 'hit)
Reliable

Having seriously weighed up [for the past few months) what I think are all the options out there, a 2/3/4yr old x35d/x40d seems to be the best choice.

I've dismissed...
Q7 - not as efficient or economical as the X5
Disco 4 - high running costs (tax, low MPG), still a bit iffy build quality
XC90 - I'm not old enough yet to own a Volvo, and they are a bit dated inside now
Mercs of all shapes and sizes - build quality is poor, and engines are way behind the others in its class
Lexus - residuals are poor, and the image is still a bit ropey
Estate cars - given we have the dog who needs to lie out flat, it would have to be a 5 series, V70 or A6 sized estate, but I still don't think they would be big enough especially with a buggy etc.

So before I start getting in touch with dealers and start looking properly for the exact X5 I want, am I missing any other option? Or should I reconsider any of the above?

TIA

[Buff Mchugelarge]

I honestly, don't reckon you'll get any more in an X5 than a V70.
The best way is to try it out. Dealers were very helpful when my stepmum wanted to know if all her archery gear would fit in the boot of certain cars!

[pincher]

Touareg?

[Fittster]

Why do you need a 4x4?

[mike9009]

Are you really sure the X5 will be big enough to fit everything in??

[Meths]

Range-rover or land-rover discovery in derv form + remap will be rather good.

I'm not a fan of BMWs (especially the bigger ones) but each to their own. I don't like the brashness.

Land-rovers are classless and much more practical. Then again, I don't give a st about having a "prestige" badge.

Edited by Meths on Wednesday 20th February 21:14

[Herbs]

We have just had a baby girl and I had a Q7 whilst she drove an SLK.

We decided that she would get a 4x4 and I could get something more fun and had pretty much decided on a X5 until we actually looked round one - the boot was far too high for her to lift the buggy in and out regularly so ended up with a civic for her and a Z4M for me

Go for an extended test drive and it could be a little thing like that that can be a deal breaker ( or maker)

[LeoSayer]

The interior space on an X5 is much the same size as a 5 series or A6. You get a bit more vertical room but the interior width and length is the same.

The suspension is quite stiff to such a tall car handle well. Run flat tyres don't help.

Fuel economy on the latest 30d is 35mpg at best. Expect closer to 30 for normal use.

I don't believe it's that reliable. You'd have to be fairly brave to run one without a good warranty.

For a good combination of interior space, performance, handling, ride and refinement you're better off looking at a Skoda Superb or a Ford Mondeo.

None of those factors stopped me from buying an X5 though, and loving it.

[7 TVR]

3 kids
3 dogs

1. 4.8 x5 owned 4 years and love it!!

[Luke.]

Subaru Outback. Massive boot. All the toys. Even got an LSD.

[Watchman]

Luke. said:

Subaru Outback. Massive boot. All the toys. Even got an LSD.

Yep, boot floor is bigger than most of these big 4x4s, even if it doesn't have the height of one which the dog won't care about.

And Mercs poor quality / worse engines? You need to do some research other than watching decade-old editions of Top Gear.

[rajkohli81]

If you're looking genuine practicality, comfort and a decent image... Disco4 all the way - build is now up to scratch. Consider recently demised FFRR 3.6 TDV8 Vogue SE

The X5 40d is a nice drive, but the interior is inexcusably bland and germanic and the image a little crass, though not quite as crass as a RRS

[The Moose]

Don't expect it to get you decent mpg!!

Oh, and I find the leg room in the front passenger seat to be average at best...I've only got 32-33" legs and with the seat lowered as far as it'll go and back to the knees of a 5'5 girl behind me still struggle with the dash...

Edited by The Moose on Wednesday 20th February 22:53

[0a]

The x5 less comfortable than a 5 series estate (much harder suspension and the higher body) - given they are the same size on the inside, is the x5 image worth the costs? If so, go for the x5!

[51mes]

The new ML is seriously a good piece of kit, really not sure what you've been looking at.

The engines (250/350 diesel) offer the best economy in class - the new 250 - delivers the same power as the old 300 - but I've managed a measured 40+MPG on a trip to bracknell and back from lancashire at 75-80 leptons - £165 tax and no first year penalty cant be bad. The interior is streets ahead as well.

I've a major problem with BMW dealers and their customer service - and nothing I've seen has helped me change that opinion, Merc on the other hand have been brilliant.

[schmalex]

pincher said:

Touareg?

Good call. We have one and, as an overall package, it's far superior to the FFRR it replaced

[77bd82]

I think you're making a mistake not looking at the XC90. It's a great car, very capable and the discounts you can walk away with at the moment are unbelievable.

[chrisw666]

Reason not to:

The Legacy or Eclass estate would both be better load carriers.

The Range Rover exists.

[LeoSayer]

The Moose said:

Oh, and I find the leg room in the front passenger seat to be average at best...I've only got 32-33" legs and with the seat lowered as far as it'll go and back to the knees of a 5'5 girl behind me still struggle with the dash...

Do you mean your knees hit the dash?

I've got 35" legs and have no trouble at all.

[jamoor]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-Land-Cruiser-3-0-...