Bmw X5

[mstennes]

I'm looking at a X5 BMW and was wondering what you guys know about them? Dont worry we have plenty of Fords and Chevys in our fleet. To me it seems that everyone has a Escalade or Tahoe, etc, I just wanted something a little different.
Thanks,
Mike

[JamesJ]

I really like them, my mother just got a 4.8 and it nice. So far the only things that I dont like are the seat belt warning light and a few functions with the radio. But I love that the interior dash is the same as the older BMW's and not the new style

[mstennes]

James,
Thats good to know I'm looking at a 4.4. Why have a 6 when you can have a V8? I like the 4.8 for its power better but they seem a little to spendy and more than I want to pay basicly for 50 or so horsepower.

[Rybar]

Mike I just picked up an X5 4.4, so far I'm very happy with it. The performance for an SUV is amazing and everybody loves the styling. Also the mileage is MUCH, MUCH better than my old Durango. The only drawback is that there isn't alot of cargo room compared to most other SUV's and the wheels get dirty with brakedust in a single day. :lol:

I should post some pics of it.

[Rybar]

My daily driver:

[JUSTANOVA]

overall the x5's are very good, If you are buying from the dealer and plan on keeping it for 100k miles buy the bmw extended maintenace and the bmw extended warranty, both well worth the money. are you buying new? If you have any questions fire away because I work on bmw's for a living.

[Rybar]

overall the x5's are very good, If you are buying from the dealer and plan on keeping it for 100k miles buy the bmw extended maintenace and the bmw extended warranty, both well worth the money. are you buying new? If you have any questions fire away because I work on bmw's for a living.

You got any solution for the brake dust thing? It drives me nuts. :willy:

[Steve68]

Change the pads to some thing less dusty, there soft=dust, check the BMW frms

[zbugger]

I have a couple friends with those. On one, the thing is ok. They don't like how it rides, but that's them. They like caddy soft crap. The other one, well, it sucks. The radio failed twice on it, and the door handles in the back seat are breaking. Also, remember that BMW has had issues with the electrical systems. NOT turning you away, but giving my experience with them. I wanted one till I went for a ride.

[rjp71]

I have nothing but positive experiences with various BMWs over the last 13 years.

[JUSTANOVA]

You got any solution for the brake dust thing? It drives me nuts. :willy:


you will have to switch to a diff. brake pad, the factory ones dust like crazy, I haven't seen too many aftermarket pads come into the shop that don't squeek though, could be the install though since we didn't do it.

[JUSTANOVA]

I have a couple friends with those. On one, the thing is ok. They don't like how it rides, but that's them. They like caddy soft crap. The other one, well, it sucks. The radio failed twice on it, and the door handles in the back seat are breaking. Also, remember that BMW has had issues with the electrical systems. NOT turning you away, but giving my experience with them. I wanted one till I went for a ride.


they do ride firm-but not harsh. we have seen issues with radio's but not usually on x5's.

at our shop we haven't seen too many issues with the inner door handles breaking either, but the inner door "pulls" will peel the coating off of them, especially if the people wear jewelry or anything else that will scratch the surface, then they just peel.

so far the x5 electrical system has been good, but the e60/5 series,e61/6 series, and e65/66/ 7 series all suck, as well as the e90/ 3 series.

At least they have a kick ass warranty and full maintenance

[mstennes]

Well its a 06 but its brand new. My plan is to lease for 2 years and then buy it. (I can write the lease off on the business) I looked at 4.8s but to me it seems like allot more money for what 50 horsepower and some nicer trim? Maybe I'm wrong but the 4.4 sure look like the way to go. So I can plan on having my wheels dust out asap? Any special pads or manufacturer I should go with for different pads? I'm planning on getting different wheels and really dont want to clean them everyday. An ything else I should know? As far as rides if I wanted Cadilac soft I'd buy a Cadailac. We have 2 Ford Super Duty one tons and a Excursion so I like a stiffer ride.

[mstennes]

What are the differences between a 4.4 and a 4.8? Can you tweak the engine for a few more ponies? How about towing? I have a Mastercraft X30, will it do it fine or should I just use the Super Duty's? I'm looking at a 4.4 with the sport package, premium package, Nav, Panoramic Sun Roof Anyway should I get the extended warranty and service on a lease? What custom tire and wheel combo would you advise? offset, size?
Thanks,
Mike

[Streetking]

My wife has had 5 of them. She has had a new one from 2000-2005 and I really like them. You can pull up to 6000lbs with no problem. I just sold her 2006 4.8 because she wanted a Range Rover Supercharged Sport. I like the BMW alot better and I know the 4.8 is faster. As far as wheels, I always liked the BMW 20's. You can get some replicas for a reasonable price. The ride is a little choppy, but it does handle like a car. Go for it..

SW

[mstennes]

So you think the 4.6 will pull the X30 just fine? I wont ask again but I'am curious on the differences between the 4.8 and 4.4 other than HP.
Thanks

[JUSTANOVA]

So you think the 4.6 will pull the X30 just fine? I wont ask again but I'am curious on the differences between the 4.8 and 4.4 other than HP.
Thanks

the 4.4 and the 4.8 are basically the same engine, I have not seen any upgrades for either the 4.4 or the 4.8(the new engines/n62) not even from Dinan. the 4.4's run pretty hard, the 4.8's are pretty impressive but they are expensive.

as far as wheels I kinda like the 4.8 factory 20's, the dealer should have a tire department that should be able to answer any questions.

If you are gonna lease-then-buy you can wait on buying the extended maintenace and extended warranty til it is about ready to expire, but make sure you get them before the new vehicle warranty and maintenace expires.

I really don't have any brake pad recomendations because we only install factory parts, and if you install aftermarket pads then the full maintenace program wont replace them. the dust sucks but the brakes work awesome.

[Rybar]

What are the differences between a 4.4 and a 4.8? Can you tweak the engine for a few more ponies? How about towing? I have a Mastercraft X30, will it do it fine or should I just use the Super Duty's? I'm looking at a 4.4 with the sport package, premium package, Nav, Panoramic Sun Roof Anyway should I get the extended warranty and service on a lease? What custom tire and wheel combo would you advise? offset, size?
Thanks,
Mike

I also agree that the 4.6/4.8 isn't worth the extra money. You can swap out the wheels (like I did, factory 4.6 20's) and add the front/rear skirts and make the 4.4 look like a 4.8/4.6 quite easily. As fas as I know those are the only cosmetic differences besides badges and the actual larger engine. The X30 is a big boat, I would probably still use your super duty to tow. But I don't know towing specs on the X5 which I assume would be alot as it tows my sea-doo like nothing. Also the ride is stiff, but like SW said it handles and stops like a car. By far the most fun you can have driving an SUV.

[JUSTANOVA]

also a good cosmetic upgrade is to remove all the black trim around the bumpers/fenders/rockers and have it sanded smooth and painted body color, makes em' look so much cleaner imo

[mstennes]

Yes I think the Super Duty will remain the tow truck as I dont even use my Excursion so I dont get the wheels wet and have to repolish them. But if were going somewhere the Excursion is hard to beat it tows has room for everything inside, its just having to wipe down those dang 20" wheels after they get wet. Another reason I doubt I tow much with it is the X30 is heavy and getting a good tire rated for the weight is not fun. I gues than what I will do is just get the 4.4 and get the 4.8 dressing. I also like the rectangular exhaust tips of the 4.8. How are they for getting after market exhausts? Do they dual out well or are they allready tru dualed? Every rig I own with a gas engine has headers and a true dual exhaust with high flow cats. Its amazing the difference that makes.

[Rybar]

Yes I think the Super Duty will remain the tow truck as I dont even use my Excursion so I dont get the wheels wet and have to repolish them. But if were going somewhere the Excursion is hard to beat it tows has room for everything inside, its just having to wipe down those dang 20" wheels after they get wet. Another reason I doubt I tow much with it is the X30 is heavy and getting a good tire rated for the weight is not fun. I gues than what I will do is just get the 4.4 and get the 4.8 dressing. I also like the rectangular exhaust tips of the 4.8. How are they for getting after market exhausts? Do they dual out well or are they allready tru dualed? Every rig I own with a gas engine has headers and a true dual exhaust with high flow cats. Its amazing the difference that makes.

The exhaust is different, the muffler is mounted parallel to the rear bumper, and the quad tips come right out from it. I'm sure alot of the German tuner companies offer cat back systems with square 4.8 style tips. Good choice, and I think you'll be more than happy.

[JUSTANOVA]

I gues than what I will do is just get the 4.4 and get the 4.8 dressing. I also like the rectangular exhaust tips of the 4.8. How are they for getting after market exhausts? Do they dual out well or are they allready tru dualed?

they are already true dualed, and as far as I know the exhaust is pretty much the same layout for both the 4.4/4.8 except for the mufflers/tips and resonators are different internally.

even the 4.4's sound pretty decent stock, they have a little rumble to them.


the dinan exhaust puts 4 round tips out the back but I'm sure other tuners offer something like your looking for with the 4.8 style tips, unless you find someone that puts dinan exhaust on his 4.8 and you take his stock exhaust. :)

[nvawgn]

i drove the x5 but bought the 2006 ml350, i could not be happier. 13k miles and no second thoughts........

[mstennes]

Well I thought I would try another dealer just to see if they would deal a little better as the new X5's are comming out soon. Anyway the salesman there informed me that if I really wanted a 4.4 to wait as when the new X5's come out they will be dealing much better. He also told me the 4.4 will be no more, but the new 4.8 will be the same roughly as what I'm going to pay now. So now I have decided to wait on the 07 X5 4.8 and get what exactly what I want. The other X5 while nice didnt have the interior color I wanted so I was going to settle for it. I hate having to settle for something. Justanova what do you think of the 07 X5's?
Thaks,
Mike

[vintageracer]

My wife considered the X5 and going to purchase one until she drove the V8 VW Touareg. Both of us agreed the VW was quieter than all the SUV's in this catagory. The interior fitment and quality is very nice. The 6 piston front Brembo brakes are superb.

I know it's hard to buy something with "VW" on the front of it for over $40K however she has been very happy with HER choice.

Just another suggestion to screw up the process!

[JUSTANOVA]

Well I thought I would try another dealer just to see if they would deal a little better as the new X5's are comming out soon. Anyway the salesman there informed me that if I really wanted a 4.4 to wait as when the new X5's come out they will be dealing much better. He also told me the 4.4 will be no more, but the new 4.8 will be the same roughly as what I'm going to pay now. So now I have decided to wait on the 07 X5 4.8 and get what exactly what I want. The other X5 while nice didnt have the interior color I wanted so I was going to settle for it. I hate having to settle for something. Justanova what do you think of the 07 X5's?
Thaks,
Mike

I haven't seen any info on the 07's yet, but that is a good idea as the 4.8 is going to be the standard v8 as in the 550/750. and the new 4.8 is fast in the 5's so it should be fun in the x5

[Rybar]

Here's a link of the 2007 X5: http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/news/third-row-more-on-the-2007-bmw-x5-193008.php

[JUSTANOVA]

The new X5 will be available in the U.S. with either a 4.8-liter V8 capable of 350 horsepower or a 3.0-liter inline-six with 260 horsepower.

the 360 horse 4.8 rips, and on the new X-drive equipped vehicles you can make them just rear wheel drive by unplugging the transfer case :drive: , but you will have dash lights on if you do.

[byebye67]

Drove me and my buddy from Los Angeles up to Vancouver, Washington in his X5 with the 20's and 4.8. Loved the responsive handling and set the cruise control for 90...got pulled over in Oregon slowing down from 110, cop asks, "You guys play golf?" We reply, "Of course officer!" He replies, "Well me too!" He then lets us go with a warning (must not have got a clean reading on his radar)...so I've had nothing but positive experiences with the X5!!!

[mstennes]

Drove me and my buddy from Los Angeles up to Vancouver, Washington in his X5 with the 20's and 4.8. Loved the responsive handling and set the cruise control for 90...got pulled over in Oregon slowing down from 110, cop asks, "You guys play golf?" We reply, "Of course officer!" He replies, "Well me too!" He then lets us go with a warning (must not have got a clean reading on his radar)...so I've had nothing but positive experiences with the X5!!!


Well it just doesnt get any better than that....