Bmw X5 celebrates its 10th anniverssary

I have aways liked this vehicle and the way it continues to evolve.

— david999 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/15/2009 8:17:40 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

I love mine.

— M53R (View Profile)

Posted on 1/15/2009 9:10:50 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Only reminds me of how old I'm getting. 10 years already?

— PlanB (View Profile)

Posted on 1/15/2009 9:37:39 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

I think you need to consider the designs relative to the era they were sold. In 1999/2000 the first X5 was aggressive and revolutionary (compared to 2009 vehicles its perhaps less so).

The 2nd gen model, with the awkwardly stretched rear doors and chunky cargo/hatch area (designed so a 3rd row could be squeezed [and I mean squeezed - the third row is so small as to be virtually useless] in, if the owner chose to go without a spare tire) may look agressive from the front - but its quite porky-looking from the back.

Anybody who owns one care to comment? I hear they are not that reliable, electrically.

— nybimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 1/15/2009 10:50:45 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

The first generation was not so reliable. I had quite a few problems with mine.

— 0to60 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/15/2009 12:41:12 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Being an owner of one, I actually prefer the rear over the front. I love the lines and bends under the rear window, it really gives the car a sporty look that no other SUV can beat. I also like the tail lights. Gives the car a very muscular look. The front end is nice.

But then again, I bought mine with the aero-kit. I hate the normal version which comes with the bumper being all black. Check my agent page to see mine and you'll know what I mean.

And referring to reliability, it does have a couple of minor electrical problems, but it doesn't spoil the whole experience. But I think they have fixed these issues by now on the latest ones. I would still buy one again... in a different colour.

— M53R (View Profile)

Posted on 1/16/2009 7:36:38 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I've had mine for 8 months now... and yes, I can confirm the electrical issues -

- on a few occasions, the comfort access didn't seem to want to work for no apparent reason;
- the stereo would turn on by itself [this occurred on 3 diff. occasions];
- the car alarm went off by itself when I entered the car.

All in all - good vehicle, the glitches are annoyances but no major problems so far and the problems noted above all corrected itself w/o a visit to the dealer. Maybe it's the cold canadian weather? Always wondered if I should've went w/ the Range Rover.... but reliability was the major deciding factor.

— snatch (View Profile)

Posted on 1/15/2009 11:56:39 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Best handling SUV money can buy in my opinion. Much better than my second option, the Porsche Cayenne. Handles like a sports car yet in an SUV package. Only really cared for the 4.8+ however. Did not like the 3.0.

— 0to60 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/15/2009 12:43:46 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

here's to 10 more!

always helps when your fan base are a bunch of gushers willing fork over heaps of dough for these quality control nightmare POS with no questions asked :)

— sector (View Profile)

Posted on 1/15/2009 1:04:56 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

The first year or two they were the biggest POS on the road.

— truthpursuit (View Profile)

Posted on 1/15/2009 1:30:59 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

I mean "comparable"

— Jaybrn (View Profile)

Posted on 1/15/2009 2:50:01 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

I have a relative who has a new 3.0 w/ 7 pass. But I think he uses regular fuel and man it was struggling! All u hear is engine noise while ur foot is buried w/o much speedo. movement. But the transmission works really nice on it. Always use premium fuel on this.

— StickShiftCamry (View Profile)

Posted on 1/15/2009 10:53:52 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I've had a 3.0 with the third row for about 7 months. While I liked the old one, I think the styling of the new one is great and looks good from all angles, nice proportions, not overly large. Unless you get the 4.8 which has chrome trim, the car looks better in lighter colors or grays which provide contrast against the windows. I have dark blue, and with the black trim of the windows, there's not enough contrast and doesn't look as good.

I knew going in that the 3rd row was small, but with small kids there on occasion, it's fine - they don't need a Suburban. After having several Audis, I think the quality of some of the interior parts feels a notch below the Audis'. The carpet and some of the lower door panels and lower seat parts feel pretty cheap. If I had a loaded 4.8 with a list of $75K or so, I would never think this was a $75K vehicle.

With premium fuel, which is "required", performance of the 3.0 is fine - it's not a sports car. Plenty of power and very smooth and has that BMW inline 6 feel. However, I think the transmission needs some work - it shifts smoothly, but I often feel I'm in a gear too low when powering out of a curve unless I really give it some gas. I think this is the car's biggest flaw, except maybe the fact that it just doesn't quite "feel" like a BMW car. But compared to other SUV's, I think it has a better driving experience - the handling is fantastic, and I think that this is what sets it apart from other SUV's. The steering is nicely weighted, but doesn't quite have the connection with the road that you get in a BMW sedan or coupe. I'm not totally convinced it's worth the price premium over other SUV's, but it has grown on me since I've had it.

And I have to admit, the heated steering wheel is great!

— Hachee2001 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/16/2009 10:32:27 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

^ I'm not sure why that came out as one big paragraph....

— Hachee2001 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/16/2009 10:34:41 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

My girlfriend has had one for 2 years and still loves it. No problems at all, but for any vehicle, it is the luck of the draw. My 335i sedan has nver had an issue either. of course the 3.0si could have a little more punch, but for the daily driver, it isnt bad at all. I think it is comfortable and bigger on the inside that most people think. I like the direct line of site over the hood and the dash isnt huge, like on some SUV's. the backup camera is a nice feature, especially the directional lines. it just feels solid, but lightweight.

— 2ndbimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 1/16/2009 11:16:51 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I think that the X5 has only been the only design I like from BMW's line of SUV's.

— Type707 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/16/2009 12:52:33 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I almost bought one back in '03 but after a pleasant test drive, I was wheeling and dealing with the salesman in the showroom when a flatbed pulled in with an X5 on back. I smiled and looked at the salesman. He shook his head in disgust. I left and bought a GX 470.

— Ricks2Dogs (View Profile)

Posted on 1/16/2009 1:01:25 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I'd still like to buy one but they look a little too X3-ish to me... An easy cure for that resemblance is a nice set of 21" Beemer wheels!! Amazing what wheels can do!!

— Ricks2Dogs (View Profile)

Posted on 1/16/2009 1:19:27 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I might wait for the new GX in 2011...hopefully that tall high boy look from the rear will be gone. I assume thats what you meant, bimmer, by "nice looking".

— Ricks2Dogs (View Profile)

Posted on 1/16/2009 2:28:04 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

BMW was smart for not letting Bangle screw up the X5's design.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/18/2009 2:26:43 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1