[peterg1965]

I have an offer from BMW to hand back and end the lease on my 640d, provided I take out another BMW finance package. Very timely as I no longer have a use for the 6er. We were looking for a Disco4 or RRS but it will prove costly as I will have to keep the 640 until March next year. Added to that all the cars we looked at were £475+ VED.

So, enter the X5. Mrs is happy to rough it in an X5 instead of a Landie, provided the dogs fit in the boot. The budget is tight ish, new is out of the question so am looking at 2years + 30d or 35d.

This one fits the bill, May 11, big spec (are xenons standard?) but 47000 miles. We will not do more than 8000 miles a year so this sort of miles shouldn't be an issue. Are these cars reliable? Will I get anywhere near the claimed 38mpg? The deal is nothing to shout about yet, i don't have the Palmnuts touch. Any comments appreciated.

http://www.approved.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/...tance_ASC|list

[davyk31]

I know a bit about the X5, had an E53 and now an E70 35d M Sport.

Great cars for sure. Xenons are not standard even on the earlier M Sports. The one in the link wouldn't be my choice, you really want an M Sport for cleaner looks. The SE has some unpainted plastic which looks a bit cheap on such an expensive motor.

Having said what I did about an M Sport, the SE in the link has the Dynamic pack which adds to the looks a bit and also has the 20" wheels. The 30d engine can be a bit underpowered in such a big car hence the 35d or 40d if a later model is the choice.

MPG depends on your driving but mine does get pushed on a bit, low 20s around town, up to a best of 30mpg on a run. However if your miles are low then that isn't a big issue.

Powered boot lid is nice especially if its a lady driving as the boot does open high and is quite heavy. Not a common option but worth seeking out. Pano roof is nice too.

[peterg1965]

According to the spec sheet that car does have xenons, I would agree an m sport would be nicer but that one in the link is the newest I found in my budget. The alloys look fantastic, until they are kerbed I guess, and the tyres are a whopping 315 width which is more than my old 911 C4S. Side steps would be a must for us too.

The deal on that black one is ok, but I got the bullshit waffle from the sales bloke when I asked for the APR.... He treated me like I was an idiot on the phone..... ."flat rate", "skewed in a PCP cos of the final payment" , "I don't have it to hand" blah blah blah..... Bullshit...makes me want to run a mile. It's a bit to far just to pop round and view, but I would do if he made the right noises.

My favoured local dealer doesn't have any used X5s.

[davyk31]

If you need side steps then an SE is your only option as they don't fit on the M Sports. In that case you really want Dynamic pack so that one could be attractive.

Xenons did become standard in later models.

Rear tyres are massive and not overly cheap as they do wear out pretty swift. Also a set of winter wheels and tyres is worth the investment as an X5 on ice is unbelievably bad.

[rogerxp]

Don't know much about them but I really like the X5. Lovely looking motor, as Davy says, this SE does look good. Great spec too. I'm intrigued by the 'M Sport Suspension Deletion" option on an SE car - is this Dynamic Pack connected??

I'd love the swap the QQ for one but just doesn't make sense as the QQ easily hits 40+mpg and I've got free servicing/warranty for the next 2 years. Also, we'd miss the 7 seats, so narrows my choices as not so many have this option ticked (yes, I have been casually looking ).

Your thought process seems to make sense though if you can chop the 6er in.

[scottc]

Hey Pete,

I have an x6 facelift, same as the x5 in se spec but mine has the dynamic pack which does add a lot of options and is well worth having on an se. The facelift x5s have xenons as standard and if you can get a powerlift tale gate even better. Fuel is not great, never got above 30mpg even on the motorway, tyres are not cheap and you soooo need winters as they are crap on run flats. Great cars though and drive really well, we have the 245bhp diesel and its great and personally don't think you need the 40d unless its similar money. 47,000 for me would be too high and the reason the sales guys doest want to give you the apr is because it will be something silly like 12%!! (look on auc and there is sometimes a finance option) More than happy to chat further if you need more info..

[trinijay]

i got a x5 e70 . 7 seater

great car / suv

i got the se model with side steps

if your getting the se model try and get the aero kit

makes a world of difference

[peterg1965]

Thanks all. I think the facelift would be a better car and am still attracted to the black SE in the link as it has a huge spec, still under manufacturers warranty, has the side steps and is the right colour for the good lady. The miles do put me off a little, but we have racked up a collosal 18,000 miles in 3.5 years in the V70, so the miles average down over a few years. It is purely a car for the wife, so she has to be happy with it. A little concerned about winter performance on the 20s........ It's a 4x4 FFS!

He is calling me back today, but he needs to stop patronising me and work harder on the figures which should include car tax. I could make the effort to drive 350 miles there and back to see it this weekend if he makes it worth my while. Alternatively I sit tight and wait and see if my favoured local dealer can find a car in the right budget - I know that there would prep the car very well and look after me.

[davyk31]

You should be concerned about the 20" wheels in winter, you def need to factor in a set of 19" winters, well worth the investment.

In the really bad icy winter a couple of years back my X5 was frightening, the weight made it just slide on like a big sleigh and steering, braking made no difference. A few very near misses and terrified my wife.

Set of 19" Vredestein Wintrac Extremes now on 19" SE wheels, cost about £1000 and its transformed.

[misterS3]

I have the 40D M Sport Nov 2010 model spec'd up to an inch of life.

Fuel Econ around town is 28mpg. On the motorway at 70 you'll get around 40 and on a track at indicated 84mph low 30's

I keep thinking of selling mine as it's only down 14000 miles in 2.75 years but it's such a nice vehicle to drive.

The only thing i regret about the spec is not getting comfort access (i have huge bunch of work keys). The individiual audio is brilliant. The Pano roof open all time (as in the cover open) - i hardly actually open it. I don't think powered boot is that useful - my gf doesn't have any problems with it at 5 foot 6.
Parking camera all round with top down view is very handy for parking such a big machine.
HUD is something i wish more cars had. Simple tech but so useful. But not seen many cars with this spec'd.
If you need to tow stuff - not that if your car is spec'd with factory fit tow bar the towing weight is significantly more. Not an issue for me. But was for one guy that came to look at my car last year.
Steering is really nicely weighted. Think it's variable because you can steer with one finger at low speed and nicely weighted (for me an non expert) at speed.
It's not the best in the snow as in the bridgstone duellers are more summer tyres. But then if it's that bad i'm not venturing out. So you may need a 2nd set of wheel/tyres. I haven't bothered.

Can't compare to a RR or Q7 as i haven't driven them. But i still have it and can see this car being driven into the ground.

[peterg1965]

Thanks all. I've been enquiring about this one too:

http://www.approved.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/...AwMExKMTMwMTM=

A bit older, in fact it's 5 years old, but only 36000 miles, two owner. Pre facelift, but good spec, just had new brakes and two rear tyres. I know it's not always easy enquiring by email and the odd phone call, but once again my intelligence has been insulted. When I asked for an indicative finance figure, he came back, no APR given and a ridiculously high figure for HP and PCP. Eventually drilling down to the detail, they had added Supergaurd (£500!!!), roadtax (£490, when it is actually £280) and £1250 for a further two years AUC warranty, so over £2000 of extras! Plus the APR was 12%. I must look like an idiot at the end of the Internet...... I know they have to start somewhere, but please....

[rogerxp]

BMW dealers really just presume everyone is a complete fecking mug. Really annoying. I just say from the outset to not piss about, remove all additions (paint protection, tyre insurance, etc), then hit me with their best offer & I'll decide same day. They still managed to screw things up by being stupid though.

[peterg1965]

Originally Posted by rogerxp

BMW dealers really just presume everyone is a complete fecking mug. Really annoying. I just say from the outset to not piss about, remove all additions (paint protection, tyre insurance, etc), then hit me with their best offer & I'll decide same day. They still managed to screw things up by being stupid though.

Çheers Rog, but they just really annoy me and it makes me not want to even converse with them. I am not a complete idiot, but they just presume everyone is, as you say. If they were making the right noises I would excuse myself from the office on Friday and do a quick (5 hour) excursion to north Norfolk, but I ain't doing it if they are taking me for a mug/muppet.......

In these modern days of the t'internet you would think they would go that extra mile to attract punters from far and wide.....

[davyk31]

Peter the 35d is sublime and worth going for if you find a nice one. I know exactly what you mean about some salesmen but I generally find if you politely tell them to stop pissing about and show them you know a lot about cars and what you should be paying they either get the back up or they can sometimes radically revise their approach and knock £££s out of the deal. If the car is right its worth trying to work with them.

If I was travelling a long way I would drill them by phone/email to get their best deal, at this stage they need to tempt you to make the trip. Often they will try hard but then you can't expect a lot more off once you get there if the deal sounded good enough. Obviously a few flaws can maybe be found when you visit which help extract a few more pounds out of the deal.

[peterg1965]

Thanks Davy, please help...
Same car
http://listers.co.uk/Used/Cars/BMW/X...dr_Auto/137110
Different description - it says 3.0sd not xDrive35d, what is it?

I can't find a link to a free car valuation site either, but I think it is also overpriced by some way. The registration isn't X10TMW or X5GAF as indicated by photos and BMW site so it has had some rapid plate changes too!

[davyk31]

3.0sd is the 35d engine. When that engine was first released they were known as the 3.0sd and then towards the end of 2009 when all X5s gained the Xdrive badging the twin turbo became known as the 35d.

My X5 is a 3.0sd registered in 2008.

Curveball thought Peter, have you considered an X3. The new model is a big improvement on the previous one and quite a bit cheaper to buy and run yet still pretty big. Late models are selling for pretty decent cash.

Whatcar site offers free valuations, best taken as a guide rather than the exact truth.

[rogerxp]

Yup, it's old vs new with the 'sd' & 'xdrive' references. Check check the efficiency & tax costs on the 'sd' one to be safe. Remember my grudge that our 3.0d (pre-xdrive) was highest tax band. Think by 2008 these issues were ironed out (our X3 was a 56 plate) but better to check.

Good call on the new X3 though. It's basically that same size at the previous generation X5 but far more efficient.

[davyk31]

3.0SD won't be in the high ( over £400 ) tax band, its something like £270 to £280 from memory.

[peterg1965]

The 3.0sd is 216gm/km, so its £280 a year VED. I have had a peek at the new X3 and I think an excursion to the BMW dealer is in order this weekend. Instinctively I prefer the X5, but will see what the X3 has to offer space wise.

i am trying to see if the 2008 car is badged as an xDrive on the pictures (front wing) but it's hard to tell.

[rogerxp]

Pretty sure you're right, think (for the X3) it was Sept 07 build cars that got the more efficient 3.0d engines.

[davyk31]

Some of the earliest E70 X5 were in the high tax bracket, these will be 2007 registered cars. Anything 2008 onwards should be fine unless it was old stock not registered until 2008. Any twin turbo model will be lower tax bracket as they weren't released at the start.

As regards the 2008 car having Xdrive on the doors, it shouldn't have, it should be badged 3.0sd ------ however some people have swapped the badges to the Xdrive35d ones the same as later models to make it look a bit fresher and highlight the fact that the engine is indeed the 35d as most people do not understand the 3.0sd badging. Not a cheap option to change the badges, I should now as thats exactly what I did on mine!!

[Mud]

I had a brand new 640d March 13 reg which I part exchanged for an X6 4.0d (2012 model) in July and I have to say I regretted it.

So much so that after 12 days I got rid of it!

The build quality is no where near as good as the 640d, and the interior is super dated.

Many things grated me about the X6, and I found out from that experience that I am not a big car guy.

Picked up a fully loaded F10 530d now and am much happier.