Would you buy your X5 again?

[Spyro235]

Originally Posted by SimSimmah

This thing tows like a champ! Plenty of pull & very stable. I get around 18 mpg or so pulling the Jeep behind me. Ironically, I wouldn't get more than 12ish driving the Jeep, so it saves fuel to tow it. I'm selling my car hauler (brakes on both axles) if you are in the market. Feel free to shoot me a PM.

Do you have the third row? I'm hoping to get 20mpg while towing my e46 drfit car, full of wheels. Should be around 5500 lbs, maybe 5800 lbs on the trailer total. Likely 2-3 people in the car total. After deleting, I can dream of getting 22-23, that would be amazing.

I am 100% in the market as soon as my tax return and bonus come in, in early march. I'll PM you!

[SimSimmah]

Originally Posted by Spyro235

Do you have the third row? I'm hoping to get 20mpg while towing my e46 drfit car, full of wheels. Should be around 5500 lbs, maybe 5800 lbs on the trailer total. Likely 2-3 people in the car total. After deleting, I can dream of getting 22-23, that would be amazing.

I am 100% in the market as soon as my tax return and bonus come in, in early march. I'll PM you!

I do have the third row. I sat in it twice!

[neliconcept]

Originally Posted by Spyro235

I'm over here wishing I had the third row, so I could remove it and have the levelling suspension. I've heard I wont need it, but I do plan on towing 5500-6000 lbs behind the car twice- 3 times a month during track season.




I got my D for $4300, super cheap because it has the engine light on for emissions stuff that I'll delete anyway. Cracked windshield, and a broken off rear wiper. Needed a front wheel bearing too. I've replaced the wiper, and will be deleting as soon as I have the money after buying a trailer. The windshield already has another chip that's developing into a second crack, so insurance will cover that during the summer. Not to mention the 27-28 mpg I get on the highway currently....
If you're willing to get one that needs deleting, I've seen a few between 5-8k that are coming up for sale with emissions problems. If the D works out as a tow ehicle I'll probably look for a well equipped LCI one in a few years with emissions issues to replace this with.

Not bad! Yea I'd probably do a delete as well. I liked how the X5 drove, it was stable and heavy which I don't mind for an SUV. Nice thick steering wheel for comfort.

[Spyro235]

Originally Posted by neliconcept

Not bad! Yea I'd probably do a delete as well. I liked how the X5 drove, it was stable and heavy which I don't mind for an SUV. Nice thick steering wheel for comfort.

One day I'll convert to the sport wheel, which feels much better. The onyl thing that really bothers me about the suv is the super slow steering ratio- I'd love to quicken it up with a different steering rack or something, but have to do more research into what fits/ is compatible. I'm not sure the x5m even has a faster rack, to be honest.

[neliconcept]

Originally Posted by Spyro235

One day I'll convert to the sport wheel, which feels much better. The onyl thing that really bothers me about the suv is the super slow steering ratio- I'd love to quicken it up with a different steering rack or something, but have to do more research into what fits/ is compatible. I'm not sure the x5m even has a faster rack, to be honest.

Yea the heavy rack is something that can be annoying in low speed situations but I do like it in higher speeds. My Cayenne GTS is much lighter steering wise and a bit tighter but the steering wheel thickness is smaller than even the sport wheel (M sport wheel is thicker and the M wheel is even thicker than that)

Something I'm getting used to.

[Spyro235]

Originally Posted by neliconcept

Yea the heavy rack is something that can be annoying in low speed situations but I do like it in higher speeds. My Cayenne GTS is much lighter steering wise and a bit tighter but the steering wheel thickness is smaller than even the sport wheel (M sport wheel is thicker and the M wheel is even thicker than that)

Something I'm getting used to.

Sorry if I was Unclear- I love the heaviness. I hate that the steering wheel to physical turn ratio is very slow. Coming from a sport suspension e90 335i, where the steering is lightning quick, the x5 takes SO many turns of the wheel to go to full lock.

[X5 MAN]

Originally Posted by Spyro235

Sorry if I was Unclear- I love the heaviness. I hate that the steering wheel to physical turn ratio is very slow. Coming from a sport suspension e90 335i, where the steering is lightning quick, the x5 takes SO many turns of the wheel to go to full lock.

You might as well use a play station controller to make turns.

I prefer the heavy steering , well planted feeling.

[95wildtt]

Originally Posted by X5 MAN

I prefer the heavy steering , well planted feeling.

+1

[Spyro235]

Originally Posted by X5 MAN

You might as well use a play station controller to make turns.

I prefer the heavy steering , well planted feeling.

I'm still not sure what you're getting at- My e90 has heaviest steering than my e70 does, it also has a faster steering ratio, which is what I'm getting at. I don't appreciate that it feels like a the steering ratio of a semi truck with how many times I'm spinning the wheel.

[9vapors]

Originally Posted by Spyro235

I'm still not sure what you're getting at- My e90 has heaviest steering than my e70 does, it also has a faster steering ratio, which is what I'm getting at. I don't appreciate that it feels like a the steering ratio of a semi truck with how many times I'm spinning the wheel.

You mean turning radius? I think it's better than my Subaru was, but I understand you're point. The heavy steering is nice, I like the feel of it, but yeah it could turn a bit quicker.

[IndianaX5]

I have a e70 x5. I like it and would buy again. It has 100k miles, but still runs and drives well. It has about all the issues that people have with these.

[X5 MAN]

Originally Posted by 9vapors

You mean turning radius? I think it's better than my Subaru was, but I understand you're point. The heavy steering is nice, I like the feel of it, but yeah it could turn a bit quicker.

Turning to quickly with less rotation of the steering wheel could be very dangerous on an Interstate when you lose control of your vehicle. It could flip over the vehicle if you snooze off or texting .

[NorthCountryGuy]

Very fond of my X5. As it is my Horse, it does very well for me.
I do like it’s heavy feel, yet quick and nimble in my hands.

[Torgus]

Fuck no X2 as I made the same mistake twice and bought two 335Ds.

[Muzimak]

Depending on the budget I would rather buy the G-Series X5, if not enough money then F-Series preferably M50D, then if I have the same budget as I had back then I would rather get E70 LCI 30D M-Sport, people who drive those seem to have less problems than us 2009s plus I like the looks. But I have no plans selling this one even if 1 day I will buy F or G series, I just love it.

[X5 MAN]

Originally Posted by Spyro235

I'm still not sure what you're getting at- My e90 has heaviest steering than my e70 does, it also has a faster steering ratio, which is what I'm getting at. I don't appreciate that it feels like a the steering ratio of a semi truck with how many times I'm spinning the wheel.

Ok I got your point now. You like heavy feel of the steering.
BUT

You also want more turning with minimum steering.

BUT

That will put you in great danger at higher speeds on an Interstate if you jolt your steering wheel or doze off or texting or someone bumps it from the passenger side. Better to have a slow turns then a twitchy Play Station like steering.

[Spyro235]

Originally Posted by X5 MAN

Ok I got your point now. You like heavy feel of the steering.
BUT

You also want more turning with minimum steering.

BUT

That will put you in great danger at higher speeds on an Interstate if you jolt your steering wheel or doze off or texting or someone bumps it from the passenger side. Better to have a slow turns then a twitchy Play Station like steering.

I totally understand where you're coming from. I don't want a lightning fast 13.7:1 steering ratio. I just want a little faster than the 19.5:1 that my X5 has. It's not a semi, and there are more options than just lightning fast and molasses slow. I'd love to have it somewhere around 16.5, because in parking lots and tighter turns I feel like I'm semi-trucking the steering wheel around and around.

It's my personal preference, and I do think it's pretty funny that you insist that a slightly faster rack would be dangerous at speeds. I don't jolt my steering wheel, and if I'm to the point where I'm dozing, I've already pulled over and I'm dozing in the shoulder. I value people's lives too much to fall asleep driving. And... a passenger bumping my steering wheel? It's an X5, not a smart car. If someone does that, it was on purpose... does that happen to you a lot? It's never happened to me once. Throwing it out there, somehow my drift car is totally fine on the highway with an effective steering ratio of about 7:1... and I swerve around potholes like a madman. Somehow I haven't crashed and died like the dangerous 15:1 ratio X5 would.

Ya don't have to be so hostile. More than happy to have conversation but the "OMG THATS WHAT YOU WANT?! UR GUNNA DIE" gets old after the first time.

[X5 MAN]

Originally Posted by Spyro235

I totally understand where you're coming from. I don't want a lightning fast 13.7:1 steering ratio. I just want a little faster than the 19.5:1 that my X5 has. It's not a semi, and there are more options than just lightning fast and molasses slow. I'd love to have it somewhere around 16.5, because in parking lots and tighter turns I feel like I'm semi-trucking the steering wheel around and around.

It's my personal preference, and I do think it's pretty funny that you insist that a slightly faster rack would be dangerous at speeds. I don't jolt my steering wheel, and if I'm to the point where I'm dozing, I've already pulled over and I'm dozing in the shoulder. I value people's lives too much to fall asleep driving. And... a passenger bumping my steering wheel? It's an X5, not a smart car. If someone does that, it was on purpose... does that happen to you a lot? It's never happened to me once. Throwing it out there, somehow my drift car is totally fine on the highway with an effective steering ratio of about 7:1... and I swerve around potholes like a madman. Somehow I haven't crashed and died like the dangerous 15:1 ratio X5 would.

Ya don't have to be so hostile. More than happy to have conversation but the "OMG THATS WHAT YOU WANT?! UR GUNNA DIE" gets old after the first time.

[jersey john]

Originally Posted by MMachines

Would I buy my house again? Maybe
Would I marry my wife again? Absolutely
Would I buy my E92 M3 again? ABSOLUTELY
Would I buy my wife's E90 328i again? Sure

Would YOU buy your X5 again? In all of my research I should stay away, but is that because I know too much? I have a high mileage 2006 4Runner and an M3. The M3 is what I try to drive the most but the 4Runner gets 2x the miles (bike rides in the mountain, weekend trips, etc) and I'd like something nicer, especially for passing and holding speed in corners through mountain passes.

2012-2013 35i with favorable options is what's on my radar. I know about oil pan leaking, oil filter housing leaks, valve cover replacement + gaskets. These don't phase me. What's going to leave me on the side of the road? What else is there to be aware of?

People trade in junk cars and I keep reading carfaxes of 3, 4 owner X5's that are not that old (getting 10k miles per owner, or less!), or see them passed around through 2-3 dealers up for sale for a year. I can get a PPI but honestly they may not catch anything I wouldn't (I'm reasonably proficient having done my own rod bearings on the M3 for example) and I'm worried about getting someone elses POS.

So, would you buy yours again?

It's a tough question for me to answer because after just under 3 years of owing my car, there are many things I like ; but so many things I CANNOT STAND about my X5.

I bought my as a CPO since I was trying to stay within a budget. I also was leaving a job where I had a vehicle provided to me and I was under the gun to get something rather quickly.

Love: size and the handling capabilities of the X5. It's a bigger vehicle but it's tossable when need be. It also carries my family without issues. It does make me smile when I see it, especially when I have my summer wheels & tires on her.

Hate: I can't stand how my particular 35i seems to be like a donkey in terms of acceleration. Once she gets moving, she screams. But response time can be measured is minutes; especially when trying to make a left turn or change lanes in traffic. This is WITH a Dinan tune as well as a Sprintbooster. I also can't stand the transmission on my particular model. I replaced the fluid almost 30K miles ago (@50K) and while I thought it would improve the shift quality, I never noticed any difference.... Lastly, I can't understand how Parking Distance Sensors only come on when the car is in R. My previous cars (2006 A6 and numerous Volvo XC60s) automatically came on when I was parking or negotiating a tight spot. How come it took until the F15 to get this feature?!

In conclusion: I would probably get an X5 again. Just not the one I ended up with. I would've splurged on an F15 an maybe even a 50i model. Sadly, I'm looking at the G05s with their issues and thinking that maybe a JGC SRT might be in the cards.

End of rambling. Thanks for listening.....

[minnmarker]

Yep. 2012 that I've had for 5+ years and pretty much trouble free. The coolant pump was replaced by BMW (free) and the rear suspension air bags by me (cheap and easy). Otherwise, fluids, pads, rotors.
105K miles and still drives like or better than a new car.
Knock on wood!

[Autobacs]

Caveat on my answer:
This X5M has had turbos and normal vacuum line/hose cuprits replaced just before I bought it (64K miles), Transmission replaced (50K miles), front suspension parts that typically fail replaced, as well as injectors and other recall parts, all of which was to the tune of at least $25K in repairs. Got it for a very good price AND obtained a exclusionary 5 year/60K miles warranty for $4,200 due to a friend who was a dealer salesman and knew the sales manager of a dealership of that sold me the warranty.

The answer is YES. The X5M has been a delight to own and drive. I really enjoy driving it and has been, knock on wood, reliable for the 7 months/6K miles I have driven it so far. I don't expect this vehicle to be bulletproof, based on my experience with the N63TU on a CPO 650i, and am ready for that, so I'm enjoying it even more.

[heatmizr]

Same here.
I gladly spent extra to get a cherry example CPO (26k mi) that had most options. I STILL enjoy climbing into it 4+ yrs later. I think the V8 is a big part of that

I've done a few maintenance items myself, and have been lucky with BMW covering 98% of all other work under warranty, or the BANG settlement. There were a couple big hit items in there too... With the valve stem seal job done, I am hoping to be good for a while.

It is slightly bulky in the normal daily commute, but honestly you can drive anything above 25% of its potential in traffic anyway.
But oh my, interstate roads trips are where this thing shines! Comfort, great sound system, and gobs of mile-eating power.
And though I had originally dismissed the voice control feature as completely useless, I have re-discovered it and am finding it very useful for bringing up an artist in my insanely long USB music list... rather than spinning the iDrive controller endlessly every time the kids want to hear something. A nice little bonus that I hadn't been using.