09-02-2006, 08:33 AM | #1 |
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Should I get another X5 or something else completely?
Looking for opinions and advice here.
So my wife drives the X5, but it's an '02. The AWD system is pretty crappy in winter, even with the proper winter tires. She had some scary moments last winter. She uses it about 30,000kms a year, and she loves the X5. We use it to tow the horse trailer in summer, so that's about 10% of its use. We're looking at '04 X5s, with xDrive, and as they start to come off lease, the deals are there, CPO (with that great CPO warranty). However, most of them will be selling no less than 45k (CDN). So if you were me what would you do? (remember, I drive 50k kms a year, and believe xDrive is fantastic...I give her the car when the weather is bad 'cause it's so much better than the X5) a) Keep my e90 xi and just get her another X5. (remember, premium gas and so-so mileage, even with the 3.0 engine) b) give her my car and get myself a comfortable FWD econobox to commute in (20k for a Honda or a Mazda) and find a used pickup truck (15-20k) and haul the trailer and horse poo with that. c) give her my car and find myself a used CPO 5 series (pre-Bangle) to commute in, and get the same used pickup truck? Our most important considerations are reliability, roadworthiness (for her) in winter (winter doesn't really bother me), and yes, the Badge. I need the utility of a truck for the light farmwork we do, and it must be a 4x4. I showed her the 2007 Avalanche brochure and spoiled it cleaning up her barf. Any ideas?
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09-02-2006, 10:37 AM | #4 |
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Quite a dilema you've got there Stewbert... Are the '04 X5s any better as far as the X Drive system? If the winter performance isn't satisfactory now, why get another just like it? Maybe something more utilitarian. I would suggest considering a 5 Series wagon with X Drive, but you might not want to use that to haul stuff, and it's ground clearance won't be as high.
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09-02-2006, 10:57 AM | #5 |
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Well, the 5 series could not haul a horse trailer, so it's out as far as that is concerned....the 04 X5s have xDrive, it was the first year they implemented it. According to the chaps over at X5world, it is a tremendous leap over the old 40-60 system.
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09-02-2006, 11:15 AM | #6 |
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I have the 04 X5 and I can say that the xDrive is great and I simply had no problems driving in bad conditions
I would choose choice A because you will have less cars in the garage and will pay less for maintenance,insurance,etc And I'm sure you can get some good deals on X5 before the new ones are released
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09-02-2006, 11:21 AM | #7 | |
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Quote:
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09-02-2006, 11:32 AM | #8 |
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Okay okay, I'm just a post whore, that's why I started this thread!!
Thanks OZ, that's the kind of confirmation I was looking for. I just want to make sure that xDrive is as AMAZING on an X5 as it is on my E90. I was thinking that too, about the licensing and insurance, it adds about $800 a year to my expenses. Ben, I had a Jimmy that I sold last May. Jimmys can't tow horse trailers, not enough capacity. Wealth? Try debt. And you're right...I do love my E90 more even than a Golf Diesel or a Mustang or a Mazda 3 or a new Civic Si or a GTI or .................................................. .....................
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09-02-2006, 01:36 PM | #9 |
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well heres what id do. keep ur e90, get rid of the x5 and get a yukon denali if you have that kind of $$. the new yukons are great in my opinion but look around. any other brands u like besides bmw??
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09-02-2006, 02:26 PM | #10 |
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Actually, the Denali is one of my favorites, but it would have to be used. 45k in Canada doesn't buy much in the way of SUVs. Our car prices are about 10-24% more than USA prices, plus the 10 percent exchange and FIFTEEN percent tax!!! A Denali in Canada will run (the new GMT900 platform) about 65-70k, that's out of my reach.
And I realize it's not a huge deal, but the pre-GMT900 interiors aren't as nice as a CPO BMW X5, so that's a consideration as well, and I prefer the new Vortec engine with the cylinders that shut off at speed. But I agree the Denali is an awesome vehicle all around, and would satisfy all our needs. I don't live Volvo SUVs, Jeeps, Japanese, the Korean brands can't pull enough....So it's either Chrysler (cheap interior), Ford (nice pickups), or GM.
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09-02-2006, 11:43 PM | #11 |
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Hmmmm.... well, b and c are crazy talk IMO. Splitting your budget over 2 vehicles for above stated reasons will suck.
Is an X3 out of the question? |
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09-03-2006, 07:56 AM | #12 |
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Okay, it was just a dumbass idea. I think having a less expensive pickup reliable enough to do trailer hauling would still be quite expensive.
The X3 can't tow very much, so it's out. My wife does LOVE that car, and Bimmerista's wife has one and loves it too (chick car). I was perusing the BMW website last night and the '06 X5s are going out at a 3.9% lease rate for 36 months. Nothing down on a stripper (no sunroof even) and you're out the door for $900 a month, but not including tax, which of course is mitigated by the trade-in. That's just a little too high for me. So it's back to the used X5 drawing board. I wish I could program the DSC to be a little more vigilant. If it were I could just keep the truck. One other "little" factor is that I'm all set up with winter and summer wheels and tires....so changing to another brand is $$$$, even if I can sell off the old stock.
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09-03-2006, 10:35 AM | #13 |
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According to this... http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/suvs/0401_bmw_x3/ the X3's towing capacity is 4400 pounds, is that not enough for Mr Ed and his wagon?
It's too bad you don't like the XC90... they're pretty sweet and cheaper than the x5. |
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09-03-2006, 10:41 AM | #14 |
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the X5 is good but try a merc ML the old one is not like the X5 but my brother in law has the new ML320 d what a flyer 7 speed and good for towing the ride is better than the x5 maybe when the new x5 comes out that could be better, or if the price is high go for a o4 or o5 ml320d good 4x4
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09-03-2006, 11:09 AM | #15 |
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I agree with Tom... I don't know how much the horse trailer weighs but if 4400lbs is enough towing capacity (the X5 can't tow much more, if IRC... about 5000lbs) I would go ahead and get an X3.
Not only will you save a bit of money, but I feel ALOT less bad about abusing the X3 with it's arguably more water/dirt/mud-proof interior, especially if you opt for the leatherette. That said, the X3 outperforms the X5 significantly, offers nearly identical cargo capacity, and I would think it probably outmanuevers the X5 in the snow as well. The tradeoff would be the percieved-luxury in the interior. It comes down to a personal choice, then - but that's my recommendation.
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09-03-2006, 01:21 PM | #16 |
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Tom and I had a blast in the X3s at the xDrive Experience...thrashing them around the skidpad and killing the brakes at the ABS test...those X3s are certainly capable.
You would never think it, but the X5 is a mighty SAV, capable of towing 6000lbs! That beats anything in its size class, assuming Yukons and Tahoes are in a bigger class. Our trailer is 3500lbs, and each horse is 1200 lbs. Once you add gear (saddles etc) and people, you're within your limits as far as GVWR is concerned. So it is the X5 in the BMW realm that is necessary. Note: I found two new scratches on the X5 this morning from oue excitable Doberman puppy....if she can't control that effing dog better there will be NO new Bimmers until the dog is dead.
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09-03-2006, 05:23 PM | #17 |
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get a Q7
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09-03-2006, 08:03 PM | #18 | |
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Actually, the Q7 would take me about $23,000 over budget for the wimpier stripper Q7, and the towing capacity isn't listed on the website, so I guess light farmwork and the horse trailer are out, Ryan. The Q7 is strictly a street poser, sorry to say. It's pretty though, I'll give you that.
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09-03-2006, 11:07 PM | #19 | |
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I guess it's X5 or bust then. I'd be tempted to grind it out for one more winter and then see what the deals are like on the old one when the 2k7's are on the showroom floor. |
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09-03-2006, 11:10 PM | #20 |
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