First Impressions from an ex-Jap man.

[grizzle]

Hi everyone- just bought an x5! (yey!)

Having previously been a Jap 4x4 kinda guy and even the occasional Range Rover the X5 is my first German... so what are my first thoughts compared to what I had previously??

Well the build quality is superb, my X5 is hardly new, (2001), but compared to the equivalent Shogun, Landcruiser or even Range Rover, the cabin feels so much more modern, better put together, just generally feels a much better and more modern vehicle.

One of two of the cabin materials are a little suspect though, all that silver plastic - very easily scratched, might have to cover in carbon fibre or something at some point - probably the only thing Id change in the cabin though.
I have the full comms pack, and whilst the Nav is terribly dated, it still serves a purpose - plus the sound from the stereo is pretty good too.

A truly epic engine - I have the 4.4 and compared to the 2.8td or the 3.0 in the shoguns it really is a different world!  I do like the 4.6 engine in the Range Rover... but that reliability.....  )

Talking about epic..... fuel consumption really doesnt seem to be the X5s forte - I seem to averaging around 19mpg at the moment, mostly country roads. I suppose its around what I would expect, but coming from my other car (Golf TDi) that hits 55+mpg its a little hard to adjust to!

The X5 for me is just a fun car, a toy for weekends, mpg not really 'too' much of an issue... what is bugging me though is the central locking.. Sometimes it works, often it doesnt - is it likely to just be a fob battery?  Ive youtubed how to change it and it looks simple enough.

Anyway - intro over, seems I rambled a little! 
Is it time to go home yet? I do love the feel of that big v8!  :drive:

[the shreksta]

Hi and welcome

How long have you owned the x5?

I've just sold my 450bhp impreza and I'm looking at getting either an x5 v8 or a 2003 range rover vogue v8 but I think I've read too much into it and scared myself off a little  (mainly due to mega bills if autobox fails)

[grizzle]

If you were scared off by the threats of autobox failure - surely the Range Rover had you running for the hills!  Never had a car so unreliable as my Range Rover...
Go on the RR forums, even they will tell you not to get one!

[the shreksta]

yeah both scared me off to be honest

its like £2k for an autobox rebuild on an x5..........................yikes

surely the vogue uses the same gearbox/engine as the x5 so why is it more un-reliable? or is it that the rest of the car is (MOD EDIT) 

[Greydog]

Welcome
Enjoy your X5, loads of help and advice here for you to call on
I am on my second, the first was a 4.4 running LPG filling it up for £40 and hooning around in a V8 was fun. Now in a 4.6is (no LPG) both cars have been reliable (so far) with only suspension bushes as the notable weak point, I re-bushed both cars. The 4.4 had a FSR failure (stops the heater working) but a simple fix. Nav can be upgraded as can TV with a Freeview tuner.
Ours pulls the horse trailer and moves me plus a couple other old boys with our dogs around shoots, so gets a good workout at least once a week.

[the shreksta]

[quote="Greydog"]
Welcome
Enjoy your X5, loads of help and advice here for you to call on
I am on my second, the first was a 4.4 running LPG filling it up for £40 and hooning around in a V8 was fun. Now in a 4.6is (no LPG) both cars have been reliable (so far) with only suspension bushes as the notable weak point, I re-bushed both cars. The 4.4 had a FSR failure (stops the heater working) but a simple fix. Nav can be upgraded as can TV with a Freeview tuner.
Ours pulls the horse trailer and moves me plus a couple other old boys with our dogs around shoots, so gets a good workout at least once a week.
[/quote]

its deffo a v8 i would want

are yours the pre-facelift?

what sort of mileage is on them?

[Greydog]

Morning
The 4.4 was a 2002 (pre face lift) and had 86K with a full BMW history we were looking mainly for a tow car after selling the Horse Lorry. It had LPG fitted and the filler was hidden behind the rear bumper cover, the dealer didn't know if it worked or not. The car had Nav Tv removable tow bar in fact everything but heated seats (not high on my must have list) On the test drive the only thing that showed up was the FSR (no fan for the heater) I used the LPG as an unknown to get the price down and the dealer (Not BMW) fixed the FSR and threw in 6 month warranty. The LPG just needed a service and it was fine. Terrific car after 6 months I was using it everyday so sold my AMG. I had no major issues for just over 2 years then in December 2012 an 80ft Cedar tree was blown over and guess where it landed!! it had covered 114k when squashed.
The replacement is a 2003 pre-facelift 4.6is it had 76K and a full BMW history when brought apart from suspension bushes a leaky header tank and a rear diff (changed under warranty) I think it is a stonking car for the money now on 97k. Average mileage (includes towing and mild off road use) over the last 1000 miles 19.4mpg (cars computer)

X5 V8's tend to be 2 or 3k cheaper than diesel versions and 3 to 4k cheaper than other makes with similar spec some Merc ML and Toyota's we looked at had more miles on them than the Star Ship enterprise. So I see them as great value for money.
Just be patient make sure absolutely everything works don't fall for any "easy Fix" Bull S**t if it's easy then get the seller to fix it and check again when you find the one make sure you have a warranty just to be safe (my it never rains when your carrying an umbrella thinking)

Then drive it as it should be driven and enjoy it