dazzpowder

Hi all,

I'm looking to buy a either an X5 E70 or X61 has anyone gone from one to the other? apart from the obvious differences was one easier as a daily driver than the other, I drive mainly in town.

Oh I should add I'm looking at either the 535d or standard X5 se or @ a strech the sd.

Opinions welcomed.

Thanks

cwickberg

I had a x5 ( 2001 model , Sport Premium 4.4) and did not like it much...Ride was harsh and thre sport package made it worse. Prior to that was a E34 525iT (1995 model) that was great. Got out of the X5 after a few years and into a MB E Class wagon. Great car, and drove well but wanted something a bit more performance oriented. Now in a 2006 530 xiT. Great car, but disappointed that the new F11 wagon won't be coming to US.

The drivability of the wagon is so very much better. I find that i can also get a bit more cargo in the wagon. Can pack luggage for family for a week without too much trouble.

FWIW I would never own another X5

Richard in NC

They must have changed things. The ride of my '11 X5 50i with M Sport package and RFTs is better than the '08 550i with M sport package and no run flats. The impact harshness is similar but the X5 has more suspension travel to deal with bigger impacts. Obviously the X5 feels bigger and heavier but has very impressive handling with the active stabilizers.

Vista

I have an E61 535D and they're a great car. Very comfortable, fast, quiet and spacious. They do have a few foibles to look out for though:

Panoramic roof drain issues
Self levelling rear suspension compressor failure
Tail gate opening glass latch failure
Failed thermostat (common on all diesel BMW's but hard to detect on the E60 / E61 as there's no temperature gauge)


If you're using it mainly in town then I wouldn't get a 535D, they're very thirsty in urban use and you'd have little opportunity to use the grunt anyway. a 525D would probably be a better bet. The LCI models from 2008 have a more user friendly I-drive interface and better fuel economy with lower UK road tax group for the 535d (if your heart is set on one of them)

rsyed

Not sure whether a 535d or a x5 is the right car for london traffic - you average something like 20 mph in town so your consumption is going to be in the low 20s MPG, in fact the x5 will in the 10s - I can assure you that: had a x6 and compared to the e6x, you are about 3l/100km worse off...

In an ideal world, get a 520dA for city driving...

dazzpowder

Just an update I bought an E61535d 2007 probably not the best 5 for city driving but I couldn't resist the alure of all that power even more so since I had it tuned.