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Until I read this today, the X5 was one of my two top choices for purchase this week.
What do you all think about this study?
Steve, Host
If you like the look of it I would consider the Volvo xc90. Very similar in appearance and much more car for the money. It is also much safer. Not being a volvo person I am going with a Lexus GX to replace my X5. I like the looks and the interior finish is outstanding. The new Lexus RX will be out in the Fall and should be a good car as well.
CEKSC... good luck with the Lexus! I hope you did get a good deal. With the exception of the world looking yellow (tinted windows) and the fact that there are too many of them in my town (every 3rd car at the mall is a Lexus I like the Lexus but I like the MDX more... larger engine and lots more room for passengers and cargo
IMO forums like edmunds have become better sources of info because you can find out exactly what problems others are having and how someone else's dealer approached the problem. Edmunds isn't the benchmark for the X5 per se as other forums get far more traffic. The truth is that some X5 do experience problems -- just like every other car listed in edmunds forums. Nobody except BMW has a hard number on how many.
I rarely post as my X5 is flawless -- haven't seen the dealer in a year, since the last (covered by warranty) oil change. I also completely disagree with the "OPINION" that there are "many ergonomic details that are ill conceived".
onelgs, as you are coming out of a minivan I think the acura is a much better fit than the X5 and you made a great choice at a great price. Congrats!
If anyone wants a sneak peek at the little brother, here's a blurb:
2004 BMW X3
Steve, Host
"Total maintenance" is exactly what it says -- when the car needs an oil change or new brake pads it's covered under the service warranty. A separate warranty (4yr/50k) covers defects and wear/tear ranging from electrical issues to peeling door handles and even wiper blades.
BMW recalls 84,000 SUVs (Reuters)
Steve, Host
My wife and I have decided on getting the X5 3.0i. Just wondering if anyone can tell me about their deals (amount above invoice or below MSRP) in the LA/Orange County area?
Thanx a bunch.
Stanley
You missed the point, my point is his vehicle gets 15 mpg vs. my 30 mpg. Of course he shelled out more coin for his ride than I did, but does that mean we are both equally responsible? Not exactly, one of us is a tad more responisble for the environment than the other. I would think that anyone who isn't pulling a 5000 lb. trailer three quarters of the time does not need this sort of vehicle. Its just sad that this sort of vehicle is not being scrutinized more than it is by our governments. 15 mpg is totally unacceptable for any passenger vehicle!
Yes, 15mpg is responsible. More of the pump price goes to governments than anywhere else. Yes, isn't it great. You get to drive an X5 and help to finance the government.
God bless America,
Jack
I don't know why others buy X5s but I wanted something that would bring me home safely in a snowstorm, and for those of you wondering how the X5 does in the snow it was PHENOMENAL the last few days during Denver's biggest snowstorm in almost a century. We had over 30" of heavy wet snow at my place and my X5 scooted right up the unplowed sidestreet and into the garage. SUV haters always point to AWD drive wagons like subarus...I helped dig one of those out after it high centered on the same street I made it through. My wife's AWD minivan would've fared no better and BTW, it gets pretty bad mileage as well.
1) Cost. There are some others out there which cost less (Alpine CHA-S634)
2) It doesn't play MP3s
I also don't want to install a CD changer that plays through a radio station.
Has anyone been down this road?
What choices do I have?
If I install a different changer, will I still have all of the options to control it through the dash and/or steering wheel controls?
Thanks
I thought the highlight of the review was Bud's comments regarding the X5 at the ice-driving course outside Vail; the SAME course the discussed in the recent Edmunds review on the Acura: "The X5 drove that course with less slipping and better handling and grip than any of the others. So much so that I suggested to one of the driving school directors that he should park the X5 to avoid direct comparisons with the host product."
My question is: Is the X5 sporty enough that it could satisfy my sports sedan desire and be my SUV at the same time? Anybody else with similar dilemmas/solutions? I am about 12-18 mos from making this purchase as these puppies are a pretty penny. I will enthusiastically save my pennies for a year if this could be my ultimate vehicle!
Coming from another BMW sedan to the X5, I notice the increased height. This sensation melts away after a few miles. But, the way the suspension works is all BMW.
BTW, the added height is often welcome on the interstate when competing with 18 wheelers and monster SUVs.
Sporty, yes, but still a S(U)AV.
Jack
Or maybe the question to be asked should be if the 3.0 NEEDS more power?
2. The X5 cargo area is small in comparison to other SUVs. The good news is that it is a rectangle allowing you to use all the space. The clam shell opening also allows you to more easily use all the space. Yeah, I'd like more room back there, but not at the expense of driver/passenger room and comfort. Or... a Yukon, Tahoe, etc. Yuch.
I'm probably going to add a trailer hitch and use a "hitch haul" for those beach and mountain trips.
Hope this helps,
Jack
Other SUVs may have more space but be sure to check the weight; I've seen people stacking heavy bags of dirt into the back of a large cargo SUV to the point where I thought the springs were gonna snap. If you're moving boxes of feathers no problem...boxes of gold bars, different story.
The X5's strengths are its ride height, luxury interior, handling, all weather on-road performance, braking, passing acceleration and styling (not in that order). It's not a sports car, pickup truck or minivan. Hope this helps.
Steve, Host
Car & Driver counts the number of cases of beer that a vehicle can tote in it's cargo area. Not a bad idea; prevents a manufacturer from inflating claims with "ping pong balls" or other filler. IIRC the X5 hauls 11 or 12 cases behind the 2nd row. In short, don't expect it to outperform the Accord. Therefore if the Accord is too small...
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
They don't specify how they calculate this number, but from personal experience with some of the cars on the list, it seems about right. Of note, they measure the usable cargo capacity of the X5 to be 35.5cu ft and the MDX at 42.0cu ft.
http://www.consumerreports.org/main/detailv2.jsp?CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt- _id=21999&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=21135&bmUID=1050751357777
mike
I have owned an X5 for just over two years, and for a family of four it has served us well - no problems putting a stroller and groceries in back. With the seats folded down, I have been able to put in a twin mattress.
Keep in mind that the height of the X5's cargo area, with seats folded down, is about 30". So a large TV, a coffee table, or something similar would also work. I don't think many wagons (those with smaller cargo area height), much less an Accord, can do that. My point is, there is still some of the "utility" in this SAV.
Of course, if you need to put more cargo than that on a regular basis, you are better off with something larger.
Also, those comparing the X5 with the 5 series wagon or similar, as I had - the front and rear seating area of the X5 is roomier. It makes a difference if you often have rear occupants, including kids in car seats.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
By the way, I've seen a 2002 option list and it looks like there are few changes from 2001 . One nice option seems to be the reclining rear seats. Anyone hear about 2002 pricing on the 3.0i?
Thank you!
If you've driven both, and didn't say, "Yeah, this is it", after driving the X5, then save $5k.
Hope this helps,
Jack
My concern with X5 is it's poor reliability ratings. What model years should we avoid? Thanks.
Hope this helps,
Jack
Thanks
fo