Change the car or stick with it?
Discussion
In the summer I bought a 2003 X5 diesel. It's a car that I've always struggled to bond with, partly because it's not quite as described to me, and partly because I find the ride awful around town, which is when I mostly drive it.
This in fact is the family car (which the other half believes means it's her car!), and as such it's life is mostly school run. A 4 wheel drive is not un-useful for this due to some of the roads we travel in, but being realistic it's not essential. The X5 seemed to be a good compromise here, being more of a soft-roader.
It's also meant to be available for towing our caravan, but it's still not got a towbar, and this I think is a symptom of my not liking it.
The other-half hates changing the car (and for some reason likes this one), so I'll be booking the trend to change it.
Still, I often wander to the classified and seem to end up looking at Discovery TD5, and Jeep Grand Cherokee. The TD5 looks dated, and I reckon a tough sell to the other half.
That leaves the Jeep. The 3.0 diesel appears to be in budget. I know this engine from C class Mercs and like it a lot, although it's also cost me a lot. I'd ruled this out before on the basis that the fuel economy would be s
t. But I've discovered the X5 is st too.
So anyone driven the Jeep. Good, bad, smooth, choppy? A move I would regret or not? Advice needed!
In summary.
Car man bored with car not likey
Eyes classifieds
Weighing up whether to risk the female wrath....
This in fact is the family car (which the other half believes means it's her car!), and as such it's life is mostly school run. A 4 wheel drive is not un-useful for this due to some of the roads we travel in, but being realistic it's not essential. The X5 seemed to be a good compromise here, being more of a soft-roader.
It's also meant to be available for towing our caravan, but it's still not got a towbar, and this I think is a symptom of my not liking it.
The other-half hates changing the car (and for some reason likes this one), so I'll be booking the trend to change it.
Still, I often wander to the classified and seem to end up looking at Discovery TD5, and Jeep Grand Cherokee. The TD5 looks dated, and I reckon a tough sell to the other half.
That leaves the Jeep. The 3.0 diesel appears to be in budget. I know this engine from C class Mercs and like it a lot, although it's also cost me a lot. I'd ruled this out before on the basis that the fuel economy would be s
t. But I've discovered the X5 is st too.So anyone driven the Jeep. Good, bad, smooth, choppy? A move I would regret or not? Advice needed!
In summary.
Car man bored with car not likey
Eyes classifieds
Weighing up whether to risk the female wrath....
surveyor said:
The other-half hates changing the car (and for some reason likes this one), so I'll be booking the trend to change it.
Whats the split of usage between you and your wife? If she drives the X5 most of the time, and she likes it, is it worth the hassle of changing? Presume you have other car(s) in your household.
I've thought about the V8. While the fuel consumption is st, it's not as st as a V8 and I don't think I could stand the pain, especially towing.
Wife uses the car during the week on the school and shopping run + horse riding. I sometimes take the dog in it (the dogs not keen as the speed bumps that we go over are more like launching ramps), and if we go out at the weekend, it's usually in the X5.
I have (as Dr I) I suspect will recognise an elderly diesel E class Estate, which is the workhorse. I prefer driving it to the X5 around town.
The X5 does score better on longer runs, but often these involve the in-laws, which lately has meant the caravan, which means the Merc. I could get a towbar on the X5, but I'm reluctant to spend £400, unless I'm keeping it.
The X5 economy does become almost reasonable on a long run.
t, it's not as st as a V8 and I don't think I could stand the pain, especially towing.Wife uses the car during the week on the school and shopping run + horse riding. I sometimes take the dog in it (the dogs not keen as the speed bumps that we go over are more like launching ramps), and if we go out at the weekend, it's usually in the X5.
I have (as Dr I) I suspect will recognise an elderly diesel E class Estate, which is the workhorse. I prefer driving it to the X5 around town.
The X5 does score better on longer runs, but often these involve the in-laws, which lately has meant the caravan, which means the Merc. I could get a towbar on the X5, but I'm reluctant to spend £400, unless I'm keeping it.
The X5 economy does become almost reasonable on a long run.
The only thing you really don't like about the X5 is the fuel economy.
You have a separate car of your own, and only drive the X5 at weekends.
The alternatives you are considering are likely to be just as bad for fuel economy.
There's a reasonable chance your wife won't like a Disco/Jeep/whatever as much as she likes the current X5.
Can't really see much case for changing, TBH.
You have a separate car of your own, and only drive the X5 at weekends.
The alternatives you are considering are likely to be just as bad for fuel economy.
There's a reasonable chance your wife won't like a Disco/Jeep/whatever as much as she likes the current X5.
Can't really see much case for changing, TBH.
I've driven a 3.0 CRD Commander which is based on the same platform as the Grand Cherokee and it was really rather good. The ride is very nice, it is a much more serious off road vehicle underneath than the X5 so it drives more like it too. They have a live rear axle and sensible sized wheels and tyres unlike the X5 so will drive quite differently but the road manners were perfectly adequate. The engine was actually superb for a diesel, smooth quiet and powerful although I got no idea of real world economy on the test drive. I went for the Hemi V8 myself as it's even smoother, quieter faster and just more awesome but the diesel really was very good too.
I would pick a Jeep any day over an X5 for a multitude of reasons so if you're tempted then I strongly recommend trying one.
I would pick a Jeep any day over an X5 for a multitude of reasons so if you're tempted then I strongly recommend trying one.
AudiWurst said:
The only thing you really don't like about the X5 is the fuel economy.
You have a separate car of your own, and only drive the X5 at weekends.
The alternatives you are considering are likely to be just as bad for fuel economy.
There's a reasonable chance your wife won't like a Disco/Jeep/whatever as much as she likes the current X5.
Can't really see much case for changing, TBH.
No, you misunderstand. I don't like the fuel economy, but it's certainly no worse than the others so I have to put up with that.You have a separate car of your own, and only drive the X5 at weekends.
The alternatives you are considering are likely to be just as bad for fuel economy.
There's a reasonable chance your wife won't like a Disco/Jeep/whatever as much as she likes the current X5.
Can't really see much case for changing, TBH.
What I don't like is the ride, which is pig awful, unless on the open road.
Problem is you can't compare the two.
I drove a friends X5 3.0d (the old shape, think it was a 2002-2003 back when they were new) back from Cardiff once after watching football. Absolutely hateful thing if I'm honest. Didn't find it that comfortable to drive, found the ride very fidgety, and it wasn't car-like at all. I've also had a V8 Disco 2, and actually preferred that.
The E-Class as we both know is fantastic. Even on the 18" AMG wheels on mine it's a cracking car to drive, so comfortable, effortless! So good in fact I've now got two
Sorry, that doesn't help at all... It's going to be a tough decision.
I drove a friends X5 3.0d (the old shape, think it was a 2002-2003 back when they were new) back from Cardiff once after watching football. Absolutely hateful thing if I'm honest. Didn't find it that comfortable to drive, found the ride very fidgety, and it wasn't car-like at all. I've also had a V8 Disco 2, and actually preferred that.
The E-Class as we both know is fantastic. Even on the 18" AMG wheels on mine it's a cracking car to drive, so comfortable, effortless! So good in fact I've now got two
Sorry, that doesn't help at all... It's going to be a tough decision.
You sound like you really want an estate car - you seem to struggle to justify the 4x4 to yourself. IMO a Cherokee will feel awful.
I had a go in my in laws' M Class and found it horrible to drive so I can't imagine any of the SUVs will be any good. I do like Disco 4s but they hold their value too well.
Try an E Class or an E60 5 Series Estate.
I had a go in my in laws' M Class and found it horrible to drive so I can't imagine any of the SUVs will be any good. I do like Disco 4s but they hold their value too well.
Try an E Class or an E60 5 Series Estate.
We'll see what happens tomorrow.
I have an inspection that involves a muddy lane that some FWD Golf's struggled with. I'm not taking a RWD auto on that.
I've got the windscreen washers working which is a nice bonus... Almost had the rears working also, at least the pumps are cheap... Wonders will never cease.
I have an inspection that involves a muddy lane that some FWD Golf's struggled with. I'm not taking a RWD auto on that.
I've got the windscreen washers working which is a nice bonus... Almost had the rears working also, at least the pumps are cheap... Wonders will never cease.
Have you considered L322 Range Rovers? These are going for most budgets now I picked up a bargain 06 Model. The Deisels are expensive but the 4.4 V8 Petrol is cheap but expect 18mpg as an average. The Discovery's with around 100,000 on the clock are cheap because of the upcoming service costs at main dealers. Speak to a Land Rover specialist and they will sort it for a few hundred quid. I have seen Disco's for less than 7K in top spec with 90,000 miles on.
Wheels are 19inch.
Front screen was I think a combination of a blocked filter and a dodgy pump. I suspect the blocked filter caused the pump to run dry.
Rear screen works a little now, using the dodgy pump that was in the front windscreen, so for the tenner it costs to replace it I'll give it a go.
Considered a Range Rover L322, but it was a bit of a stretch to get to one. It I don't change the X5 for now, it will the next car.
Front screen was I think a combination of a blocked filter and a dodgy pump. I suspect the blocked filter caused the pump to run dry.
Rear screen works a little now, using the dodgy pump that was in the front windscreen, so for the tenner it costs to replace it I'll give it a go.
Considered a Range Rover L322, but it was a bit of a stretch to get to one. It I don't change the X5 for now, it will the next car.
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