X5 4.6is to 535d - A step backwards?

[L33]

Thanks for those that have replaied to my recent posts on deciding to get a 535d pver a 630i.

I mentioned my plans to a friend last night and he thinks I am making a backwards step going from a 52 plate X5 4.6is (LPG'd and immaculate) to a 54 plate 535d.

Both cars have / will have all the toys but I am concearned now myself - am I going backwards? Should I be going from a 535d TO an X5 rather than X5 to a 535d?

I have lost about £4k over the past year on depreciation (now valued at £16.5k) and thats partially my reason for getting rid. I don't think I will loose that much on a 535d but it will be a huge kick in the nuts if I do...

Should I stay put with the X5?

[900T-R]

I'd always take a 5-series over an X5 even if it were a 520i.

[ettore]

Is this honestly a key criteria?

Big, fat 4x4`s have hit the terminally naff stakes anyway so I would have thought that many things would be seen as a "step up".

[welwynnick]

I was chatting with my next door neighbour last night. He has a 535d that he just had gently re-mapped. He said its still economical, but now it can stay with an E39 M5.

Nick

[Thorny]

I'd say in kudos stakes (if that's what you mean by a step back) then a 535d would mean more to a petrolhead and the X5 would be more impressive to the man on the street.

I would take the 535 unless i needed 4wd.

[Neil.D]

welwynnick said:

I was chatting with my next door neighbour last night. He has a 535d that he just had gently re-mapped. He said its still economical, but now it can stay with an E39 M5.

Nick

Pah! Keep dreaming!

[agent006]

welwynnick said:

I was chatting with my next door neighbour last night. He has a 535d that he just had gently re-mapped. He said its still economical, but now it can stay with an E39 M5.

Nick

Oh christ, not this again.

[RobCrezz]

I would have the 535 over the x5 any day.

[Vee]

X5 is essentially a 9 year old design, with a lost based on the E39 5 series which goes back to 1996.
535d is a more modern design at only 5 years old.

Its certainly not a step backwards - give your friend a slap !

[Sheriff JWPepper]

I'd stick with the X5 if image is important to you, that's what they were designed for...

[Johnbmw6]

Let the X5 go before it's price hits rock bottom, Big thursty dog that no one wants.
Prices are going down faster than a call-girls draws.
535 remapped will be both comfortable and quick also saving a fortune in squert.

[smartie]

make sure you can like with idrive! X5 is the last of the BMW dashes I like, though I know this might be quite a strange opinion!

[StuH]

Neil.D said:

welwynnick said:

I was chatting with my next door neighbour last night. He has a 535d that he just had gently re-mapped. He said its still economical, but now it can stay with an E39 M5.

Nick

Pah! Keep dreaming!

I've just come from an e39 M5 to a 535D and there's nothing in it.

[adycav]

What with the current economic climate, fuel prices, car tax bandings and congestion charge silliness etc, I don't think that a 535d is a step down from anything.

[[TW]Fox]

Of course it isnt a step down. An X53 is an E39 based car, the E60 is the next generation. The prefacelift E53's even LOOK dated with their old style headlights etc.

[welwynnick]

welwynnick said:

I was chatting with my next door neighbour last night. He has a 535d that he just had gently re-mapped. He said its still economical, but now it can stay with an E39 M5.

Nick

I'm not expressing my opinion here, just relaying someone else's. Between us, my neighbours and I own a 540i-6, a 535D and an M5, and we're all great friends. I haven't been in the 535d yet, but I'm hoping to do so soon. I'll let you know. BTW, one of my other friends just bought himself a new X5 4.8. He used to have an M3, M5, 911, and is still impressed with this. Form your own opinions, but I thought the engine sounded very nice, and I was particularly pleased to see double wishbones at the front, at last!

I think people have different reasons for buying cars, and with modern traffic and speed cameras, I keep telling myself that handling isn't important. yet everytime I get in my Lexus SC400 with active suspension, I swear that I will never be able to put up with any car that rolls in corners ever again. So I'm as confused as any diesel or SUV driver that I used to look down on.

Nick

[gizlaroc]

The 535d is a far better all round car than the 4.6i X5, get it remapped and you will see exactly what I mean.

An E39 M5 will give you more grins per mile, but for me the running costs on an M5 would be around £1000 a month on fuel and servicing, where as my 535d was only around £500 a month. The M5 is not quicker, it is just different, it is a high revving petrol with a manual gearbox that makes you drive it, the 535d just pushes you along at silly speeds.