My wife wants a new car. So we are looking at SUVs, especially the X5 4.4i. (the 2004 has the e60 V8 engine)
Can current X5 owners give me a run-down on their experience over the past couple of year with their cars?
More or less reliable than your M5?
Any areas of trouble?
Any option that seemed like a good idea, but ended up being a waste of money? (because right now, we're probably going to get all the options!)
We're even going to have it painted a non-standard color... one of the Z4 colors! And we intend to pick it up at the Factory and drive it home to California.
Thanks!
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1989 750iL sadly ignored, but still runs great
2000 M5 121,000 miles. All mine.
2001 Tundra Hauls Stuff
2008 Z4 M Coupe My Roundel Cover Girl
2008 Mercedes C350 Sport wifey's car
2009 BMW R1200GS-Adv for on & off-road
X5s are great cars. Just avoid purchasing a 2001. Like the 1997 E39, they suffer from a ton of electrical gremlins. But since you are purchasing it new, you won't have the problems. My family upgraded to a 2003 4.6is, and it has been super-reliable.
The earlier 2001 models were definitely tough, but with all recalls done you should be fine. Regardless, since you are looking at a '04 anyway, it doesn't make a difference does it?
The X5 has some 'teething' problems initially, but overall its a great vehicle. Since your in CA, I assume snow traction isn't important, otherwise I would say skip the Sport Package and go with the all season tires included.
As far as options go, skip the DSP sound system. It is not worth the $1200. The regular stereo has the same exact speakers as the DSP system (look 'em up in the parts catalog!). The DSP just gives you a nicer amp, DSP sound effects, and two 6" subs in the rear. You can do better for $1200, like adding a Dinan chip when it comes out
Comfort seats definitely kick butt -- although that depends on if you are getting the sport seats or not. The standard seats are fine and I have them, but we have a set of the comforts in a 540 and they are VERY comfy. Good for long trips. Expensive at $1200, but why not
The only thing that comes to mind is that you might want to test drive the Sport Package with 19" wheels to see if it is too stiff for you or your wife. Some people say it is very stiff, some don't. I found it more stiff than the M5s ride qualities. I found the 18" wheels. while they may not look as nice, to be much better riding and a good match.
That's about it! There are a lot of 5 series parts in there so you'll feel right at home (climate control, Navigation system, etc)
-Chris
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'00 M5 Anthracite - Imola Red/Black, bone stock, 11,000 miles (Yep she's a garage queen)
It's been reliable, no problems at all. It's great for going shopping or packing in all my friends to go dancing at the beach, then driving around and acting all stupid and girly afterwards. It's served it's purpose well since we bought it. My dad uses it as his daily driver.
I wish I had it the other night. I took out my mom's S-Class and got it stuck in the mud when I was picking up my friend at her house to go to the beach. It was horrible. I was so scared haha. Mud all over the car and everything. The AWD in the X5 would've been great.
If you do decide to get an X5 for your wife, I'm sure she'll enjoy it.
Rocket,
Thanks. I got a little concerned when I saw Consumer Reports reliability on the '01 and, to a lesser extent, the '02s.
Chris,
Thanks for the great info on the Stereo and Comfort seats. We're going to borrow (for 24 hours) an '03 that has the Sports Package and 19" wheels to see if we are ok with how it rides. I'm going to try to get the sports seats, without the sports suspension. It isn't a listed option, but we'll see how far I can twist their production line to my desires! Otherwise we'll probably go for comfort seats.
I'd rather buy a new generation BMW (Z4, e60, or new 7) just because I love new technology, even if they have been "Bangled". I guess I'll have to eventually buy an e60 or e63.
DiscoFish,
Thanks. Hopefully we'll have a chance to "act all stupid and girly" at the beach! I got my M5 stuck in the mud a few months ago, so I know your pain!
Louv...Mrs Apples drives the 4.6is and l must say it's one very sporty ride for a truckster.
She's knocking off miles 5x quicker then l am in the M5 with no probs at all.
It would be fair to say it's a tall 540...great at 100mph and very happy to tuck into a corner at those speeds and great at 10mph in crappy traffic.
APPLES
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2000 M5 LeMans blue
Headers/cats/exhaust/KW suspension/sway bars/UUC shifter/UUC clutch/BBS LM 19's.
2003 M5...actually MIB's (master yoda)
2004 Lamborghini Gallardo Pearl Yellow. HRE 840r 19's front 20's rear
2006 Ford GT Heritage blue
I purchased a new 01 X5 4.4i Sport with comfort seats, DSP stereo, cold weather package, sliding load floor, hid, and BMW tow hitch. This was my wife's daily driver and was extremely reliable. The only item replaced under warranty was the HVAC control unit (a common BMW problem...also just replaced under warranty in my 00 M5).
On the plus side, we found the engine/drivetrain, handling was outstanding. The comfort seats are the most comfortable seats in ANY of the 27+ vehicles we've owned over the past 2 decades. The DSP stereo was not worth the money. I liked the load floor option...my wife didn't use it. It was an excellent hauler and pulled a trailer with two ATVs with ease. We also used it (with snows) as our ski vehicle over two winters to and from Vermont. Last winter it pulled through 27" of fresh wet snow without any problems!!!
So why did we get rid of it?
The Sport suspension finally wore us out after a particularly tough NE winter with frost heaves galore on the local secondary roads. The ride was FAR more ridgid than the M5 which still never ceases to amaze me.
We traded in at 49K miles for a new 03 Range Rover and have been very happy with the switch.
In summary, I think the sport package would be great if you live in a year-round warm climate with perfect road surfaces. I knew what I was getting into with the sport suspension...I had read all the reviews that warned against it...oh well, I'm a sucker for styling...I still think the 19" wheels are the best looking on any SUV.
Good luck with your decision.
I would agree with Kevin in that I find the M5s suspension more forgiving than the X5's with 19" wheels. Call me crazy but that's how I feel....just a FYI.
No problems in 17K miles with my '02 3.0. My friend just got out of his '01 4.4 (amazingly, few of the gremlins that Consumer Reports mentions) for a VW Taureg, and he's very happy with the new ride so far. Likes it a lot more than the X5, which he was pretty satisfied with. Haven't been in it myself. FWIW, C&D put the VW at the top of the class in their last comparo.
pw
M5 owners X5 experiences
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