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Post by rodge on Apr 18, 2020 21:51:49 GMT
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Post by Martin on Apr 18, 2020 22:06:15 GMT
Good choice and nicely equipped
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Post by Roadrunner on Apr 18, 2020 22:13:55 GMT
Looks good.
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Post by Ben on Apr 19, 2020 3:57:41 GMT
Nice. Looks like a great deal too.
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Post by rodge on Apr 19, 2020 16:56:36 GMT
Having had to drive 3 hours to get the car, it gave me plenty of time to check it out on the return journey.
Initial impressions.
I know BMWs have changed over the years, but it still feels very like one. Having owned and loved my E46, getting into the X5 felt a bit like going back to a favourite restaurant.
The feel of the controls and the quality of the car is very good.
For an 8 year old car, there are no shakes, squeaks or rattles.
iDrive works well and the sat nav is pretty good, giving live updates if desired too.
Handling- it goes where I want it to. For a 2.5 ton car, it handles more like a hatchback that’s dialled in than an suv. However, the van I traded in for it needed new shocks so that might be tainting my impression.
The engine. What’s not to like about 300bhp and 300 lb/ft? What impressed me was having filled up with premium, I joined the interstate and floored it, the second turbo really kicks in and I was doing 90mph very quickly.
And on that, I was on a 5 lane carriage way at one stage doing 70 and it felt like 40. There was no sense of speed. This could be a problem.
I really like the extra seats in the back. They’re small, very like those I had in my S-Max but will do the job. Boot space isn’t great when they are up either, but having the automatic tailgate and the split loading lip will help.
The panoramic roof is a nice touch too. Looking forward to driving to some of the more remote areas near me at night as the stars will be fantastic.
The range on a full tank is a big improvement on the other cars we have. It’s still a bit of a gas guzzler but it’s nice for the average to be reading in the 20’s and not the teens.
I did notice that there’s no manual with it. I ordered an unopened one on eBay yesterday that comes with the pouch and everything else.
Overall, very happy with it.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2020 17:14:03 GMT
Sounds like a great deal.
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Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Apr 19, 2020 17:50:15 GMT
Having had to drive 3 hours to get the car, it gave me plenty of time to check it out on the return journey. Initial impressions. I know BMWs have changed over the years, but it still feels very like one. Having owned and loved my E46, getting into the X5 felt a bit like going back to a favourite restaurant. The feel of the controls and the quality of the car is very good. For an 8 year old car, there are no shakes, squeaks or rattles. iDrive works well and the sat nav is pretty good, giving live updates if desired too. Handling- it goes where I want it to. For a 2.5 ton car, it handles more like a hatchback that’s dialled in than an suv. However, the van I traded in for it needed new shocks so that might be tainting my impression. The engine. What’s not to like about 300bhp and 300 lb/ft? What impressed me was having filled up with premium, I joined the interstate and floored it, the second turbo really kicks in and I was doing 90mph very quickly. And on that, I was on a 5 lane carriage way at one stage doing 70 and it felt like 40. There was no sense of speed. This could be a problem. I really like the extra seats in the back. They’re small, very like those I had in my S-Max but will do the job. Boot space isn’t great when they are up either, but having the automatic tailgate and the split loading lip will help. The panoramic roof is a nice touch too. Looking forward to driving to some of the more remote areas near me at night as the stars will be fantastic. The range on a full tank is a big improvement on the other cars we have. It’s still a bit of a gas guzzler but it’s nice for the average to be reading in the 20’s and not the teens. I did notice that there’s no manual with it. I ordered an unopened one on eBay yesterday that comes with the pouch and everything else. Overall, very happy with it. Why buy a manual, we have Martin? 😀 |
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Post by rodge on Apr 19, 2020 20:13:55 GMT
Having had to drive 3 hours to get the car, it gave me plenty of time to check it out on the return journey. Initial impressions. I know BMWs have changed over the years, but it still feels very like one. Having owned and loved my E46, getting into the X5 felt a bit like going back to a favourite restaurant. The feel of the controls and the quality of the car is very good. For an 8 year old car, there are no shakes, squeaks or rattles. iDrive works well and the sat nav is pretty good, giving live updates if desired too. Handling- it goes where I want it to. For a 2.5 ton car, it handles more like a hatchback that’s dialled in than an suv. However, the van I traded in for it needed new shocks so that might be tainting my impression. The engine. What’s not to like about 300bhp and 300 lb/ft? What impressed me was having filled up with premium, I joined the interstate and floored it, the second turbo really kicks in and I was doing 90mph very quickly. And on that, I was on a 5 lane carriage way at one stage doing 70 and it felt like 40. There was no sense of speed. This could be a problem. I really like the extra seats in the back. They’re small, very like those I had in my S-Max but will do the job. Boot space isn’t great when they are up either, but having the automatic tailgate and the split loading lip will help. The panoramic roof is a nice touch too. Looking forward to driving to some of the more remote areas near me at night as the stars will be fantastic. The range on a full tank is a big improvement on the other cars we have. It’s still a bit of a gas guzzler but it’s nice for the average to be reading in the 20’s and not the teens. I did notice that there’s no manual with it. I ordered an unopened one on eBay yesterday that comes with the pouch and everything else. Overall, very happy with it. Why buy a manual, we have Martin? 😀 You know, I should have considered that 😆 |
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Post by racingteatray on Apr 21, 2020 13:11:06 GMT
Can't see the ad any more but sounds great - congratulations.
Doesn't it have the on-line manual accessible via the iDrive? My last couple of BMWs have done so.
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Post by rodge on Apr 21, 2020 19:37:05 GMT
Here it is. I must check iDrive for the manual. Didn’t think about trying that.  |
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Post by Martin on Apr 21, 2020 19:43:45 GMT
Here it is. I must check iDrive for the manual. Didn’t think about trying that. There’s an App that has the manual on for all cars that have it electronically. Just had a look on the App Store and it says “X5 partly as of model year 2011 and completely as of 2014”. So it might not be in the car, but it says the app also includes PDFs for all cars from 1998 onwards. |
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Post by alf on Apr 22, 2020 9:40:16 GMT
Nice car - enjoy!
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Post by racingteatray on Apr 22, 2020 10:12:41 GMT
Here it is. I must check iDrive for the manual. Didn’t think about trying that. Quite possibly the best-looking of all BMW's SUVs to date. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2020 10:21:28 GMT
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Post by michael on Apr 22, 2020 10:23:48 GMT
Agree with others that that is the best looking X5, particularly in SE spec as that is. I think it looks a lot tidier than the usual M-Sport specification that the UK buys. Enjoy!
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Post by PG on Apr 24, 2020 11:58:08 GMT
I agree that is the best iteration of the X5. Enjoy it!
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Post by rodge on May 24, 2020 0:22:03 GMT
So a month or so has gone by and I’ve got used to the car a bit more now.
Here’s my thoughts.
Handling:
I know BMW’s handle well as a rule but I’ll be honest, I did not expect this to handle as well as it does. I can throw it into corners and it just goes around with no fuss. It can take slip roads and turns way faster than the recommended speed (yellow speed signs here are recommended as opposed to limits), and the ride is very good on bad surfaces.
Engine:
Goes well, pulls well but I need to get it looked at as there’s a petrol cap error occasionally occurring. I replaced the cap with a new one but it’s still there and the check engine light is on, warning of a small vacuum leak.
This is a common thing in California and will be covered under warranty.
Gearbox:
Mostly good and with 8 speeds, is generally seamless, though I can feel it on cooler mornings, especially when dropping to 1st. No flappy paddles though but the gear stick is great in semi auto mode.
Brakes:
It had new pads all around when I got it and they are seriously good. I’ve not had to do any emergency stops but it sheds speed very efficiently when leaving the interstate at 80ish.
Interior:
Some of the parts have been BMW mainstays for years so were very familiar when I got the car first.
Everything works. IDrive is decent and I like using it. The parking sensors/side view cameras are fantastic.
Overall, I’m happy with it. I haven’t had the family in it yet as we’ve been stuck indoors for weeks, though I have been working at the office.
Soon enough we’ll all be in it and I can get a better idea of how useful it’ll be for ferrying them around in.
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Post by rodge on Aug 2, 2020 23:06:02 GMT
Just got back from a long weekend where we drove to the coast and back (about 500 miles including driving around while there).
I am beginning to think I like this car more than any of my previous cars.
It’s really practical and we carried all of our gear (tent, sleeping bags, mats , food, chairs etc) and 5 of us with ease.
I got one of those cargo baskets that attaches to the tow hitch, and apart from being slightly more wallowy over bumps, it was hardly noticeable.
Car was great on the journey, with plenty of torque when overtaking- at one stage I overtook a number of cars in the passing lane and realised I had hit 3 figures in the process.
Kids were happy in it, wife was happy too.
Could have done with better mileage to be honest but it’s guzzling premium at around 17-18 mpg (American), and this was over mountain passes at about 4000 feet.
The only annoyance is the tyre pressure sensors go off saying there’s a malfunction, quite regularly, but the pressure is fine. It might have something to do with the elevation and temp changes- about 3500 feet and about 40 degrees f (60-100).
Apart from that, 3 months in I’m a happy camper...
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Post by racingteatray on Aug 5, 2020 15:39:05 GMT
Sounds great. Generally I've always thought that BMW makes cars that are extremely well thought out from the driver's perspective.
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Post by rodge on Aug 6, 2020 3:55:39 GMT
Sounds great. Generally I've always thought that BMW makes cars that are extremely well thought out from the driver's perspective. Good point. I’ve owned 2 and have loved them as drivers cars, even though they haven’t been the sporty versions. There’s something about them that feels right as soon as you get in. As an aside, I followed an X6 today and still wonder why someone would buy one of them. The X5 ticks all the boxes and is a better all rounder at the same time. |
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Post by rodge on Apr 18, 2021 20:08:03 GMT
A year in with the X5 and I still like it.
It still runs well, handles well, averages about 18mpg, but then again, I tend to drive it at 80 on every highway/interstate I’m on.
The only costs so far were front brakes and I replaced them myself- very quick process including changing the sensor and a service.
I do need to get the gearbox fluid changed soon, which can only be done at a specialist.
I think it’s the most fit for purpose car I’ve had apart from possibly the S-Max I had years ago.
Happy with it as a purchase, also happy that I don’t use it for work trips.
I’ve done about 10k miles for work this year already, the same mileage I’ve put on the X5 in 12 months.
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