bmw x5 opinions please ?

[andrew77]

hey fellas , the mrs has been slowly getting the sh#ts trying to get a pram in and out of our car lately and we have spoken about getting an suv.
was lloking at the cx7 , murano etc but the 2004 to 2006 bmw x5 has a hold on me ! just wanted any opinions on this model , things to look for etc from any one that had owned one or driven one ...
thanks in advance
Andrew
ps looking at the diesel model

[SLugg]

you could try the bmw forums for a full run down ...:1peek:

[vscorsa]

Heya,

I have owned 05 X5 4.4L sport for about 3 years now, bought it 2nd hand one owner. We have put about 30k on it with very little problems, did the front CV boots last week which is the first time I have had to replace something.

In 2004 they updated the model with reasonably big overhaul including different auto, few more options, updated V8.

If you look around you can pickup some bargains with good options. The 3L have very few options standard so you will need to find an optioned one. I am not a fan of the 3L because I think they are under powered for a large car.

There is an X5 forum in the USA that I used for a heap of research, X5world or something like that.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

[GODSMACK]

If you want to pay out of your ass when it comes to servicing costs etc, then knock yourself out..

[andrew77]

Heya,

I have owned 05 X5 4.4L sport for about 3 years now, bought it 2nd hand one owner. We have put about 30k on it with very little problems, did the front CV boots last week which is the first time I have had to replace something.

In 2004 they updated the model with reasonably big overhaul including different auto, few more options, updated V8.

If you look around you can pickup some bargains with good options. The 3L have very few options standard so you will need to find an optioned one. I am not a fan of the 3L because I think they are under powered for a large car.

There is an X5 forum in the USA that I used for a heap of research, X5world or something like that.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

thanks for the useful information mate!

[mad_industries]

my old lady has had 3 of them, 1st a 3.0l petrol, then the update 3.0l petrol sport and now the new 4.8i sport.

theyre a grea car to drive, very touchy accelerator, and steering is nice and tight.
try to get as new as possible, as the 2006 models i think were run out with things like the nav, tv, head-up? shit like that.
sport would be a good option too as you get slightly sportier seats althougb harder, 19 inch 5 spoke alloys which were the pick of the wheels, etc etc.

[Swordie]

I’ve driven a 3.0L without M Suspension. I didn’t think it was anything special. (not my cup of tea). You could feel the car wallow around corners. Try getting one with the suspension pack.

From a safety point of view BMWs are great. I know a few people who have X5s. They love them. Most BMW owners I know get nervous when they are out of warranty.

What I hear is:
- tyres need replacing 30-40K.
- smaller (more standard) tyres are big enough (cost v handling)
- drive trains quite reliable
- suspension needs servicing on older cars
- check if genuine parts have been used. If non-genuine have been used there can be quicker wear and tear (eg brake disks)

If you do find one get a service history and expert to check it out.

[andrew77]

thanks for the replies guys think we have found one , fly back in on tuesday so will go and have a look at a few !

[-GTS-]

We have an 2006 X5 3.0 Turbo Diesel Sport - 20 inch wheels, sunroof, leather etc... Great car, we both enjoy driving it, pretty good fuel economy from the diesel engine with lots of torque to boot.

Our only gripe would be expensive-ish servcing costs however ours is now out of warranty so we get the servicing done at a non dealership mechanic...

I would definetely recommend getting one as a family car and would definitely recommend the diesel version

:goodjob:

[-GTS-]

I’ve driven a 3.0L without M Suspension. I didn’t think it was anything special. (not my cup of tea). You could feel the car wallow around corners. Try getting one with the suspension pack.

From a safety point of view BMWs are great. I know a few people who have X5s. They love them. Most BMW owners I know get nervous when they are out of warranty.

What I hear is:
- tyres need replacing 30-40K.
- smaller (more standard) tyres are big enough (cost v handling)
- drive trains quite reliable
- suspension needs servicing on older cars
- check if genuine parts have been used. If non-genuine have been used there can be quicker wear and tear (eg brake disks)

If you do find one get a service history and expert to check it out.


Our X5 has done 74k's - still on OEM front tyres and only replaced the rears at 62k's and that is with 20 inch tyres....

:goodjob:

[Spoolin]

The limited amount of time I've spent in an X5 they are quite nice. But why look at a fairly small compact 4wd like a CX7 and then a large one like an X5?
If you don't plan on doing any off roading, which I can only assume you wouldn't looking at your current choices, go have a look at a CX9. A mate had one for a while and I spent a fair amount of time in it and driving it, it drives very car like with a firmish ride and the Bose sound system is brilliant.

[kameleon]

I have worked for BMW for over 10 years. The things that wear out on the diesel you are looking at are:-

Rear lower spring pads (the left hand item starts to push out before the left) which then means metal on metal contact, noises, uneven suspension feels in the back end.

Front castor rod bushes crack and leak (knocking noise, thump under brakes, loose feeling)

Power steering hose pump to rack (not a big deal, may have been changed already)

Heater fan resistor (can cause current draw issues and sometimes erratic or no interior fan speed)

Front outter driveshaft boots (parts are cheap labour from a dealer is not)

Front lower control arms (the balljoints fail)

Panoramic sunroofs are not rare to cause grief


That sounds like alot but to be honest the X5 has been a hit with everyone the world over for being a great car and i agree.

Considering the above is a cross section of cars from new to well over 200,000 kays

The diesel would be my pick of the bunch and will outlast the v8 and cost less.

goodluck with the purchase.

[mustanger]

We bought a BMW X5 Sport new, back in 2004 and only sold it last year with 135k klms on the clock. It had every service done at Melb BMW and the average cost was around $1000 every 12 months.

The only non standard service items that we replaced in that time was:

1....brake pads and rotors (twice)

2....Front and rear tyres (twice)

3....Power steering hose ( common ,as mentioned earlier)

4.... Front lower control arms ( also mentioned earlier) @ roughly 90k klms.

This was our daily driver and never missed a beat.

Hope that helps.....Cheers

[185iboy]

Diesel is the pick of them. Problems are mentioned above by Kameleon. You'll be unlucky to experience more than any 3 of them. Transmissions are also common mostly on earlier V8 models. Check for full BMW service history.

[SilverB]

I don't know what car you missus is getting the sh#ts with but getting a pram in and out of an X5 is no dream either. If you go a pre 2007 model the pram is probably the only thing you'll fit in the back as well. A mate mine has two kids with a 2006 X5 4.4 and he had to get a roof pod to go anywhere.

They are surprisingly small for the price as are the M class.

We ended up with a cruiser (got it for a good price) but for kids (and especially the missus and the coin you are about to drop) a Kluger Grande or Merc C class wagon with the auto tail gate is the way to go.

[GPT]

Also look at a Kia Sorrento Diesel, bloody nice car and Kia are going places fast.

[IJ.]

An Adventra isn't an option?

[mad_industries]

the x5's are set up to do 160km/h+ on the autobarns overseas, hence why tyres chew out rather quick.
on the current model, 20" rims on a 4.8 v8, the tyres only lasted 30-35k and were worn to the canvas on the inside (just like a lowered commo!!!)

if the car has been dealer serviced, you would expect things to be in pretty good working order.
and these only get serviced every 25k, so youd only expect to have to service it once a year on average.

[BNGTO]

The diesel is the way to go on any of those big awds to avoid a much higher petrol cost and they drive well too. Suspension from an enjoyment point of view is the thing to watch; some complain it's too hard. We had a Q7 with the air suspension and that was the business; a lot bigger than the X5 but drove as well with the better suspension (the normal one is not as good)

Touareg is perhaps not a bad option to look at either, although needs the R package to look an good and again much better with the airsus. Not nearly as big as a Q7 though.

[LS1-5.7]

Nice car but only in the 4.4L version. Word of warning... these cars need plenty of money thrown at them come service date. Brakes will set you back $1500 easy as you'll be doing pads AND discs each time. Once the upgrade to DBA rotors has been done, forget replacing the discs but allow for the occassional machining to be done when pads are changed.

Many of these cars get a general lack of servicing as cost is prohibitive but let's be honest, if you buy one, you can afford to look after it. If you can't afford to, then simply don't buy it :)

I'd be going for something a bit cheaper to maintain, that parts are readily available for and you don't have to take out a 2nd mortgage to keep it on the road.

[Mungrel]

Most common items requested for the X5s are
Air Suspension pump (in spare wheel well - sold 1 today)
Air bag for rear suspension
A/C Thermofan

Costly items, i personally wouldn't own a BMW X5 (or X3 for that matter) or an ML Mercedes.

Just my 2c.

[Swordie]

Have you considered a Territory? The new model is due soon, there will be nice discounts on the run out model. Base model is low to mid 30's new.