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Post by Tim on Jun 19, 2018 14:40:08 GMT
I finally had a decent length drive in my brother-in-law's X5 last week. It lives at our house now and he was back in the Czeck Rep for a few days, I needed to get stuff for putting up my new shed and it seemed more appropriate to take a 4x4 than a flimsy 3 Series.
Journey 1 was a trip to Kirkcaldy, just over 20 miles each way. I had a sore back after 7 miles (couldn't find lumbar adjustment and the air suspension isn't cosseting) and a mild headache due to the constant bobbing and jiggling around and I had a fruitless task looking for a button/setting to soften the suspension. It turns out this particular SE has the M Sport suspension fitted. Mrs Tim was following in the 320 (it wouldn't be entirely fair to put a full load of slabs in someone elses car) and commented later how much roly poly the X5 appeared.
The return journey was much the same - we didn't buy slabs as B&Q sell some click-together plastic grid shed bases so we just bought them
Journey 2 was to B&Q in Leven along less well smooth roads and the jiggling/bobbing about was amplified. The return journey was much more pleasant though due to the 8 bags of topsoil and 12 rolls of turf in the back. This helped smooth things out somewhat.
Performance was ok but nothing startling - 300BHP struggles to fire 2.3 tonnes down the road any more than briskly. I wasn't that keen on the slushbox despite it being the ZF 8 speeder but I was surprised while dawdling at 50mph to see the revs at around 1200 - presumably it gets into 8th on the flat at these speeds. Fuel economy was probably ok, I reset the trip for journey 2 and got 30mpg despite the route being fairly undulating and the car having a full load for the return. However I probably didn't venture above 55 for the whole journey.
Overall, not impressed. The car isn't fast enough to justify the stiff ride, it wasn't comfy enough for me and something like a Disco 3 does the 'cruise at 50 with your arm on the windowsill' thing a whole lot better.
In its favour the soil that escaped off the sides of the cardboard I put down disappeared nicely into the dark boot carpet, amongst the gold dog hairs.  |
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Post by Big Blue on Jun 19, 2018 16:40:14 GMT
Never really been a big fan of the X5 but it appears you've made the major error of taking it out on a less-than-billiard-table-smooth surface when its fulsome thighs are sporting M-Sport suspenders.
They're also a bit "old" in terms of design aren't they? Or is that just me?
I also assume it has huge wheels and painted on tyres. W2.0's E46 still surprises me with how comfy it is on dinky 16's but still puts its nose exactly where I point it. I still think E46s are the Zenith of BMW family cars, above the E39 (I've had 2 of both) - probably because of the stonking amount of money the Quandts made from the E36 domination of that market and could plough into E46 development.
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Post by Martin on Jun 19, 2018 17:16:23 GMT
I’m not an X5 fan either, much better to get a nice 530d or 535d Touring, it would ride/handle and perform a lot better and use less fuel.
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Post by PG on Jun 20, 2018 7:55:48 GMT
So it's not the handling-god that the press would have had us believe at the time then?
I also think X5's are a design that has aged really badly, especially the Mk 1. Saw one the other day and it looked weirdly tall and ungainly.
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Post by Martin on Jun 20, 2018 7:58:20 GMT
So it's not the handling-god that the press would have had us believe at the time then? I also think X5's are a design that has aged really badly, especially the Mk 1. Saw one the other day and it looked weirdly tall and ungainly. It is 18 years old, I’m sure it would ha e been better to drive when it was new, but still no handling god that’s for sure. |
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Post by Tim on Jun 20, 2018 8:33:06 GMT
So it's not the handling-god that the press would have had us believe at the time then? I also think X5's are a design that has aged really badly, especially the Mk 1. Saw one the other day and it looked weirdly tall and ungainly.
Actually it probably is a handling god but I was driving at 50-60 on normal rural A and B roads so the suspension harshness that will make it a great handler is completely inappropriate.
I forgot to mention that when you went over a bump you got a clear, separate bounce from the rear - the same as you have when you drive an empty van. I drove the 320 straight after and it doesn't have that characteristic despite a similar wheelbase.
Mark1s look awful, but not as bad as early Cayennes.
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Post by PetrolEd on Jun 20, 2018 14:22:56 GMT
I'm thinking X5 or similar to replace our 3 series as the missus struggles to get Henry in and out of the 3 series as its an awkward height and she struggles with her back.
I'm aware that it isn't going to be as sharp as a 5 series but I'm still rather surprised to here your findings. Having been in or driven the Porsche alternatives the Cayenne rode very nicely and the Macan was a better steer then my old Golf Gti. I'm just too poor to buy either and thought the X% would be a decent alternative.
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Post by Tim on Jun 20, 2018 14:49:57 GMT
I'm thinking X5 or similar to replace our 3 series as the missus struggles to get Henry in and out of the 3 series as its an awkward height and she struggles with her back. I'm aware that it isn't going to be as sharp as a 5 series but I'm still rather surprised to here your findings. Having been in or driven the Porsche alternatives the Cayenne rode very nicely and the Macan was a better steer then my old Golf Gti. I'm just too poor to buy either and thought the X% would be a decent alternative.
Based on the one that I've driven then if you just want decent comfort together with extra height and NEED a 4x4 I'd suggest not going to a BMW dealership.
However, this particular one is presumably hampered by the suspension being the M Sport variety (despite it being an SE), so it'd be worthwhile searching out an SE suspended one to try that out.
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Post by Roadrunner on Jun 20, 2018 14:58:38 GMT
Nobody buys a BMW for the ride comfort, but this seems to take bone shaking to a new level. The back axle hopping over bumps is just unacceptable in a car of this type.
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Post by Tim on Jun 20, 2018 15:15:54 GMT
I don't think it's hopping, just effectively out of phase with the front - like an empty van but unlike a car. As I say this is the only X5 I've driven, apart from his Mk1 4.6iS but that sounded nice, had hilariously shit brakes (they were knackered) and I only drove it briefly on a VERY smooth piece of road. I've been unimpressed by the 'Ultimate Driving Machine' credentials of my 320. I don't mind the firm suspension, it was a conscious decision after Mrs Tim & I discussed why either of us felt sick when passengering in the Stilo. My issues with it are the lightweight, feel-free steering and the unsettling sideways hop you get from the rear when you go over a sharp bump such as a raised edge on a road repair (or through a pothole/bit with missing roadsurface). I'm sure Franki said he had the same issue with his 335d touring. I'm not sure if this is an issue confined to the Tourings or not as I haven't driven a saloon of the current shape. However, I do find myself looking at newer 3 series estates as potential replacements to mine  |
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Post by Martin on Jun 20, 2018 15:33:36 GMT
I’ve always been a bit disappointed when I’ve driven a 3 series and there have been several in different engine flavours and all 3 suspension options. The best I’ve driven is the 440i GC with adaptive suspension, but it was the engine that was the star really.
Adaptive suspension helps, but other than on the motorway it’s too wallowy (for me) in comfort so you default to sport which is firmer than the std suspension.
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Post by PetrolEd on Jun 20, 2018 16:23:33 GMT
Our 3 Series is bloody aweful on 19"s and runflats. I really need to try the car on normal tyres.
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Post by Tim on Jun 21, 2018 11:30:08 GMT
Our 3 Series is bloody aweful on 19"s and runflats. I really need to try the car on normal tyres.
I was looking at 3s with 18" wheels and they don't look too bad. It was more because of the likelihood that the tyres will be cheaper and more cushioning when I hit road repairs and potholes though.
Did you see the latest EVO where they have the damaged tyre on their RS3 and a comment that the 240i that went through the same pothole had no sidewall damage because it had 40 profile tyres? My response to that would be 'look very carefully in about 2 weeks time'. I think the runflats hide that sort of damage.
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