Well, I've got a brand new X5D in the garage ...

[Sharp11]

With only 33 miles on it :)

No, it's not mine, it's my loaner (the ZHP's in for its final free maintenance visit).

My impressions:

Really easy to drive, surprisingly so - the body feels strong as a house, the ride is pretty smooth on run flats (with an annoying kick or snap on some surfaces).

Gas mileage is reading 18.8 mpg at the moment, it is brand new, but I was hoping to see something like 22 at the very least.

Seats are comfy but hard. Gear shift is one of those new-think stalks which requires a bit of study, as does the I-Drive system, which requires a bit more than a bit of study - geeze, all I wanted to find was the MPG, took awhile. BMW, please talk to Infiniti about MM controllers, you'll learn something.

Parking brake is electronic.

The car is very quiet inside, but the diesel engine clatters quite a bit while standing outside.

Interior feels kind of cramped for such a huge vehicle, this thing fills up an entire bay in my garage - it towers over the Infiniti, yet inside, it feels small.

The roof camera 360 degree thing is awesome, and necessary for something this big.

Overall, it's pretty nice, but while the BMW guy was very proud to turn over the slotted key to this newest model in their loaner fleet, I was really hoping for something smaller, like a 3 or a 1 even.

If I had a family and had to do a lot of highway driving, this thing would rock.

Ed

[JST]

A colleague had a brand new X5 with the new shifter that was destroyed by the parking garage attendant; the attendant left the truck in reverse, failed to set the brake, and got out of the truck. The X5 plunged down the ramp in reverse and smashed into someone elses car on the ramp.

Sometimes, reinventing basic controls is not such a good idea.

[SARAFIL]

A colleague had a brand new X5 with the new shifter that was destroyed by the parking garage attendant; the attendant left the truck in reverse, failed to set the brake, and got out of the truck. The X5 plunged down the ramp in reverse and smashed into someone elses car on the ramp.

Sometimes, reinventing basic controls is not such a good idea.

That is terrible. However, it's probably a good idea when you are in an unfamiliar car to check the dash/console display to make sure that the gear indicator says "P" and not "D" or "R" or "N". There are alot of cars with unusual gear selectors, and I would imagine it would be good practice for a valet to check the display every time.

[zcasavant]

My wife's father has test driven the X5 diesel twice and absolutely loved it. It's almost certainly my mother's next car as well. My wife has also expressed interest in one for when we have children.

I like them.

[FC]

I'd love to have one, but they are pricey for not being so roomy. I keep going back to a GL320. But I do prefer the BMW engine. That engine however, seems also to no be so efficient, as from what I've read, the larger GL gets better fuel economy.

[JST]

That is terrible. However, it's probably a good idea when you are in an unfamiliar car to check the dash/console display to make sure that the gear indicator says "P" and not "D" or "R" or "N". There are alot of cars with unusual gear selectors, and I would imagine it would be good practice for a valet to check the display every time.

Yeah, the attendant is an idiot. He was summarily dismissed, obviously. Fortunately, he wasn't killed, as he tried to jump back into the truck and was almost run over.

[Plaz]

I'd still rather have a 5er Touring than an X5. I hate the high center of gravity.

[John V]

I'd still rather have a 5er Touring than an X5. I hate the high center of gravity.

If you constrain that to the upcoming 5er with the non-bungled styling, I agree wholeheartedly. The whole SUV as daily driver thing makes no sense to me.

[FC]

If you constrain that to the upcoming 5er with the non-bungled styling, I agree wholeheartedly. The whole SUV as daily driver thing makes no sense to me.

:+1

[wdc330i]

If you constrain that to the upcoming 5er with the non-bungled styling, I agree wholeheartedly. The whole SUV as daily driver thing makes no sense to me.

We love our X5. And it handles, with active roll stabilization, better than our 5 wagon. I'll bet, though, that the new 5 wagon--if they import it here--will close that gap.

[John V]

Does BMW not offer the 5er wagon with ARS?

[wdc330i]

Does BMW not offer the 5er wagon with ARS?

Not yet. Just the sedan--and I believe, just the RWD sedan.

[Edit: confirmed]

[John V]

Gotcha. That's lame, if ARS can indeed make a 5,000+ lb SUV feel like it handles better than a 4000lb wagon.

[Sharp11]

I drove it some more today - one thing I have to admit is for a 5000lb plus SUV, it feels pretty nimble, it's remarkable what BMW can do, don't know if this one had ARS (or if it's standard), but it braked, steered and handled much like other bimmers, just kind of a numbed and slightly more ponderous version.

Diesel engine torque is quite fun :) , stomp the pedal and this thing feels like you could dislodge a molar from the Jolly Green Giant. Coupled with the engine's somewhat gruff personality, the whole experience leans a bit truck-like, but in a good way.

Mileage was still not so great, I couldn't get it out of the 18.3 to 18.6 range - I suppose that's not bad for 5500 lbs, but still, with the price of diesel fuel, it's got to be expensive to run.

My garage smelled like kerosene overnight :lol:

BMW's interior quality has certainly changed in these new gen cars, the X5 is nice, but for the money, one would expect a more luxurious interior, at least a center console that when you tapped on it didn't "ping", and an electric parking brake switch and I drive controller that didn't feel like switches on a fisher price toy. :rolleyes:

When I brought the car back to the dealer, I checked out a new base model Z4 in the showroom, I was quite taken by its style (I like classic roadster proportions), but a big thumbs down for interior quality and I have to say, a disappointing door slam test. The interior reminded me of our now departed Subaru Outback - a mix of nice plastics and some real nasty budget grade hard and shiny black stuff, particularly where you don't quite see it down at the footwells and along the rocker panels.

What's even worse is the faux aluminum trim and the most hideous hard plastic trim swathed over the a pillars :yikes: The roof has a very flimsy feeling cardboard like headliner. MSRP? 58K (marked down to 44K).

Cool car, I'd like to drive it, the driving position feels great (BMW finally seems to have licked the canted steering wheel, this one only feels slightly that way) and the view out the windshield is pretty awesome, I suppose the highly specified extended leather models have better materials - I sure hope so.

By contrast, getting back into my ZHP gave me mixed emotions, glad to be back in what feels like a quality BMW - sad to think these cars are gone forever; the doors slam with a solid thunk, the seats feel just right (not flat and featureless) and everything you touch looks and feels good. With this car, you feel BMW was building something special rather than finding a way to cheap out and cut corners.

Sign of the times I suppose, popping the hood of the X5 does reveal a beautifully detailed engine compartment and the front suspension is a work of engineering art, now featuring beefy looking aluminum double wishbones ( a BMW first). It ain't all bad.

Anyway, that's my loaner review, hopefully I won't need another :lol:

[Mr. The Edge]

I have a couple of neighbors who have the new X5 4.8i. One in silver, one in black. I love 'em.

While too small for my wife's taste, I could see myself driving one.

[lemming]

I drove it some more today - one thing I have to admit is for a 5000lb plus SUV, it feels pretty nimble, it's remarkable what BMW can do, don't know if this one had ARS (or if it's standard), but it braked, steered and handled much like other bimmers, just kind of a numbed and slightly more ponderous version.

Diesel engine torque is quite fun :) , stomp the pedal and this thing feels like you could dislodge a molar from the Jolly Green Giant. Coupled with the engine's somewhat gruff personality, the whole experience leans a bit truck-like, but in a good way.

Mileage was still not so great, I couldn't get it out of the 18.3 to 18.6 range - I suppose that's not bad for 5500 lbs, but still, with the price of diesel fuel, it's got to be expensive to run.

My garage smelled like kerosene overnight :lol:

BMW's interior quality has certainly changed in these new gen cars, the X5 is nice, but for the money, one would expect a more luxurious interior, at least a center console that when you tapped on it didn't "ping", and an electric parking brake switch and I drive controller that didn't feel like switches on a fisher price toy. :rolleyes:

When I brought the car back to the dealer, I checked out a new base model Z4 in the showroom, I was quite taken by its style (I like classic roadster proportions), but a big thumbs down for interior quality and I have to say, a disappointing door slam test. The interior reminded me of our now departed Subaru Outback - a mix of nice plastics and some real nasty budget grade hard and shiny black stuff, particularly where you don't quite see it down at the footwells and along the rocker panels.

What's even worse is the faux aluminum trim and the most hideous hard plastic trim swathed over the a pillars :yikes: The roof has a very flimsy feeling cardboard like headliner. MSRP? 58K (marked down to 44K).

Cool car, I'd like to drive it, the driving position feels great (BMW finally seems to have licked the canted steering wheel, this one only feels slightly that way) and the view out the windshield is pretty awesome, I suppose the highly specified extended leather models have better materials - I sure hope so.

By contrast, getting back into my ZHP gave me mixed emotions, glad to be back in what feels like a quality BMW - sad to think these cars are gone forever; the doors slam with a solid thunk, the seats feel just right (not flat and featureless) and everything you touch looks and feels good. With this car, you feel BMW was building something special rather than finding a way to cheap out and cut corners.

Sign of the times I suppose, popping the hood of the X5 does reveal a beautifully detailed engine compartment and the front suspension is a work of engineering art, now featuring beefy looking aluminum double wishbones ( a BMW first). It ain't all bad.

Anyway, that's my loaner review, hopefully I won't need another :lol:

nice review, Ed. thx.

i guess i'd be more interested in the revamped X3, personally. the X5 is really get up there in weight and that's painful in stop and go traffic to deal with that curb weight.

[wdc330i]

I drove it some more today - one thing I have to admit is for a 5000lb plus SUV, it feels pretty nimble, it's remarkable what BMW can do, don't know if this one had ARS (or if it's standard

I doubt you had ARS on a loaner. ARS is not standard. And for 2010, they've even unbundled it from the Sport Package, so to get all the sport stuff and ARS, it's shockingly expensive. Got mine in the nick of time, although I have the antiquated I-Drive and camera.

In my experience, the pleasure factor of driving BMWs in almost entirely removed when you remove the sport suspension or ARS.

[wdc330i]

nice review, Ed. thx.

i guess i'd be more interested in the revamped X3, personally. the X5 is really get up there in weight and that's painful in stop and go traffic to deal with that curb weight.

This is pretty true. Lots of natural inenertia to over come with the weight. It's not exactly painful, but it does not stop on a dime like my 330i did.

[SARAFIL]

I doubt you had ARS on a loaner. ARS is not standard. And for 2010, they've even unbundled it from the Sport Package, so to get all the sport stuff and ARS, it's shockingly expensive. Got mine in the nick of time, although I have the antiquated I-Drive and camera.

In my experience, the pleasure factor of driving BMWs in almost entirely removed when you remove the sport suspension or ARS.

I have a feeling that BMW does not offer ARS on the diesel. Why? For no good reason, just that someone at BMWNA decided that ARS and diesel don't like eachother.

[dredmo]

You know, my wife and I have been leaning toward an option like this recently. Why have a 14mpg truck that I cannot park inside the garage, when I could go with something like this - have a more comfortable kid toter - and probably have more fun in.

Thanks for the review,

[SCA]

ARS has been a PITA on my father's '07 SP X5. :thumbdow::thumbdow:

[Sharp11]

I have a feeling that BMW does not offer ARS on the diesel. Why? For no good reason, just that someone at BMWNA decided that ARS and diesel don't like eachother.

Well it sure rode and handled just fine for its size and weight, not sure I'd want the complexity of ARS. Pretty certain the example I took home didn't have the sport package either as it had the smaller wheel/tire combo.

The suspension felt great for our horrid back roads, felt as if you could drive it over a stone wall if had need to :lol:

[wdc330i]

ARS has been a PITA on my father's '07 SP X5. :thumbdow::thumbdow:

Yikes. First model year!

[SCA]

Yikes. First model year!


Yes, but built six months into the MY. The long-term report that C&D did on the E70 X5 mentioned the same issue. Apparently BMW cannot permanently resolve the issue either.

[wdc330i]

Yes, but built six months into the MY. The long-term report that C&D did on the E70 X5 mentioned the same issue. Apparently BMW cannot permanently resolve the issue either.

I guess I'm living on borrowed time then. But I haven't seen many complaints on the X boards.