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?
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.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.
J4CKO said:
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.
Made a very minor, small modification. Decided to attempt to modernise the car and bought some 4750K Cosmos Blue MTEC H8 bulbs for the DRL's. At £15, was not bad at all, but I think a LED version will give better light all the time. The light is very good when the dipped beam is not on, but when the car is on the brightness of the bulb dim's and it doesn't look as white as the picture below shows. Still, not bad for what it is.
Reflector on the back was fitted too, haven't got any pics. It was broken in a small bump this year.
Reflector on the back was fitted too, haven't got any pics. It was broken in a small bump this year.
Richieboy3008 said:
26mpg for a 300bhp+ 4x4 is damn good! My old D5 XC90 gets about that and has about half the power.
Yep, our D5 XC90 gets that as well. However, it was £70-80 to fill up the XC90 to get about 550 miles, enough to get to Charles De Gaulle Airport in France from Manchester. Whereas, the X5 is about £100 to fill up and shows about 490-500 miles of range. On the other hand, our new Citroen C1 gets 450 miles from £30! Although, it may have less than 1/3 the power of the X5
nbetts said:
I am averaging 16.4mpg out of my 2012 X5M. I love it and fortunately I do not have to go very far so the economy is fine.
The X5M seems like a great used buy - they do start from £22k onwards in the classifieds, which is impressive. People can now choose between a used F10 M5 or an X5M. Shame they don't do them in 7 seats - the M50d is a 7 seater, and may be on our radar in the next few years. Unexpected Item In The Bagging Area said:
Your MPG figure is interesting as my 2012 30d manages 30/31 with a mixture of town, A roads and motorway driving in roughly equal proportions time wise.
I guess the later engine and gearbox make a big difference. Or you have a heavy right foot, OP!
Think the gearbox makes a big difference. There was a LCI 30d with the later gearbox that we looked at, but spec was really low, wasn't worth the upgrades on the LCI. Would rather have M-sport, twin turbos and rear heated seats!I guess the later engine and gearbox make a big difference. Or you have a heavy right foot, OP!
SiT said:
It’s s lovely car, just sold my pre-LCI 30d which was awful on fuel - obviously recorded it at around 23/24mpg!!! Was hoping for 28ish but it was such a nice place to be it didn’t irritate that much.
The 8 speed box does make a big difference, like you when I was looking I saw a couple of LCI cars but they were boring colours and poverty spec in comparison so stuck with pre-LCI.
Great cars though it has to be said, considered the usual suspects when shopping (RRS, Disco, Treg) but the X5 was far superior on the road and given that’s where I intended to spend my time it was a no brainer.
New owner collected it this morning and very happy he was too.
Si
Really are great cars to sit in. Audi's have no match on interiors, these feel really luxurious inside. We considered the GL (too old), Range Rover (no 7 seaters in budget), Touareg (no 7 seats) and Disco (not powerful enough!). Did consider the Disco twice, they were newer, but wanted something with really good performance, and the X5 delivers. The 8 speed box does make a big difference, like you when I was looking I saw a couple of LCI cars but they were boring colours and poverty spec in comparison so stuck with pre-LCI.
Great cars though it has to be said, considered the usual suspects when shopping (RRS, Disco, Treg) but the X5 was far superior on the road and given that’s where I intended to spend my time it was a no brainer.
New owner collected it this morning and very happy he was too.
Si
Update:
Coming up to two years now with this. Comfortably carries 6 and their luggage to any corner of Europe, no issue. However, hasn't ventured into any other foreign territories than Scotland. Recent service at the local Williams, was good for the service book and the cakes don't let down. Mechanically sound, complicated SUV's love to throw up issues, and the electronics do occasionally show issues, but they resolve after a night. Still pulls very strong too, feels much more superior in handling to the A6, which is surprising considering they both are 4WD and the Audi has servotronic. BMW just know how to make a car handle well, nothing like them.
Coming up to two years now with this. Comfortably carries 6 and their luggage to any corner of Europe, no issue. However, hasn't ventured into any other foreign territories than Scotland. Recent service at the local Williams, was good for the service book and the cakes don't let down. Mechanically sound, complicated SUV's love to throw up issues, and the electronics do occasionally show issues, but they resolve after a night. Still pulls very strong too, feels much more superior in handling to the A6, which is surprising considering they both are 4WD and the Audi has servotronic. BMW just know how to make a car handle well, nothing like them.
Done the first weekend away from somewhere that isn't a city/relatives. Decided to stay in the lakes for a weekend, truly is the place to stay. Thought to do a small writeup approaching two years of ownership.
Up in the hills of the Lake District, with 6 people + luggage, the car truly becomes what it is meant to be - a sports activity vehicle. It makes sense why BMW make these cars SAV's and not SUV's. They do light offloading at best, but this tradeoff leads the car to be very successful in all areas in general. Very few 7-seat full-size SUV's have the performance that this has stock, only recently with the new Range Rover and it's updated SDV8 engines are Land Rover now catching up in the performance areas. Mercedes and GL, and only the Sport carries 7. It is surprising how much poke this car has when in the country lanes, the car really performs well in DS mode, with a surprisingly good engine sound to put with it. These engines very rarely have that diesel clatter, they're very well refined for a diesel engine. I am even going to argue that it is better refined than Audi's V6 petrol engines, as they are ever so slightly lumpy for a petrol V6. Again, an argument for why BMW's straight-6 formula has been working since the dawn of the engine itself.
The car performs well in all areas. The drivetrain is bulletproof. It swallows 6 people and luggage for a few days. The interior is a very nice place to be. There is no doubt that these cars are a do-it-all vehicle, they are probably one of the best value for money cars you can buy today, such few cars can offer everything this car has in one package. Also they are extremely wide at the back, one of the best features of this car, a great design element indeed. Just be prepared to stomach running costs of a car that is £60k when new!
Here is a pic of the car in its natural state - full of crap inside, huge amount of roadkill on the front, and cooling down after a spirited drive up to the Glenriddig Stone Circle. Thanks for reading!
Up in the hills of the Lake District, with 6 people + luggage, the car truly becomes what it is meant to be - a sports activity vehicle. It makes sense why BMW make these cars SAV's and not SUV's. They do light offloading at best, but this tradeoff leads the car to be very successful in all areas in general. Very few 7-seat full-size SUV's have the performance that this has stock, only recently with the new Range Rover and it's updated SDV8 engines are Land Rover now catching up in the performance areas. Mercedes and GL, and only the Sport carries 7. It is surprising how much poke this car has when in the country lanes, the car really performs well in DS mode, with a surprisingly good engine sound to put with it. These engines very rarely have that diesel clatter, they're very well refined for a diesel engine. I am even going to argue that it is better refined than Audi's V6 petrol engines, as they are ever so slightly lumpy for a petrol V6. Again, an argument for why BMW's straight-6 formula has been working since the dawn of the engine itself.
The car performs well in all areas. The drivetrain is bulletproof. It swallows 6 people and luggage for a few days. The interior is a very nice place to be. There is no doubt that these cars are a do-it-all vehicle, they are probably one of the best value for money cars you can buy today, such few cars can offer everything this car has in one package. Also they are extremely wide at the back, one of the best features of this car, a great design element indeed. Just be prepared to stomach running costs of a car that is £60k when new!
Here is a pic of the car in its natural state - full of crap inside, huge amount of roadkill on the front, and cooling down after a spirited drive up to the Glenriddig Stone Circle. Thanks for reading!
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