Bmw X5 celebrates its 10th anniverssary

I have aways liked this vehicle and the way it continues to evolve.

It's too bad you can't evolve from being a dope.

I love mine.

Only reminds me of how old I'm getting. 10 years already?

I think you need to consider the designs relative to the era they were sold. In 1999/2000 the first X5 was aggressive and revolutionary (compared to 2009 vehicles its perhaps less so).

The 2nd gen model, with the awkwardly stretched rear doors and chunky cargo/hatch area (designed so a 3rd row could be squeezed [and I mean squeezed - the third row is so small as to be virtually useless] in, if the owner chose to go without a spare tire) may look agressive from the front - but its quite porky-looking from the back.

Anybody who owns one care to comment? I hear they are not that reliable, electrically.

The first generation was not so reliable. I had quite a few problems with mine.

Being an owner of one, I actually prefer the rear over the front. I love the lines and bends under the rear window, it really gives the car a sporty look that no other SUV can beat. I also like the tail lights. Gives the car a very muscular look. The front end is nice.

But then again, I bought mine with the aero-kit. I hate the normal version which comes with the bumper being all black. Check my agent page to see mine and you'll know what I mean.

And referring to reliability, it does have a couple of minor electrical problems, but it doesn't spoil the whole experience. But I think they have fixed these issues by now on the latest ones. I would still buy one again... in a different colour.

I've had mine for 8 months now... and yes, I can confirm the electrical issues -

- on a few occasions, the comfort access didn't seem to want to work for no apparent reason;
- the stereo would turn on by itself [this occurred on 3 diff. occasions];
- the car alarm went off by itself when I entered the car.

All in all - good vehicle, the glitches are annoyances but no major problems so far and the problems noted above all corrected itself w/o a visit to the dealer. Maybe it's the cold canadian weather? Always wondered if I should've went w/ the Range Rover.... but reliability was the major deciding factor.

Best handling SUV money can buy in my opinion. Much better than my second option, the Porsche Cayenne. Handles like a sports car yet in an SUV package. Only really cared for the 4.8+ however. Did not like the 3.0.

here's to 10 more!

always helps when your fan base are a bunch of gushers willing fork over heaps of dough for these quality control nightmare POS with no questions asked :)

Does someone here have ego issues?!

I had a 2004 X5 3.0 and loved it, then we got the 2007 4.8 both cars had sports package. We have never had one problem with either, our new X5 has comfort seats w/ventilation, this is the most comfortable fast great handling SUV anywhere. Go drive one,

NO , I think the MB ML series truck of the comparible year was even worse

Hey truthpursuit, did you know when that vehicle was crash tested in October of 2000 it was rated the safest VEHICLE ever tested. Not just for the SUV segment but all vehicles. Yes an SUV was the safest vehicle on the road, I would not call that a POS. I had a client of mine get in a front end collision with another vehicle head on at 60 m.p.h. and he walked away, he never thought his was a POS. He purchased another one the next week saying the car saved his life!!

I mean "comparable"

I have a relative who has a new 3.0 w/ 7 pass. But I think he uses regular fuel and man it was struggling! All u hear is engine noise while ur foot is buried w/o much speedo. movement. But the transmission works really nice on it. Always use premium fuel on this.

I've had a 3.0 with the third row for about 7 months. While I liked the old one, I think the styling of the new one is great and looks good from all angles, nice proportions, not overly large. Unless you get the 4.8 which has chrome trim, the car looks better in lighter colors or grays which provide contrast against the windows. I have dark blue, and with the black trim of the windows, there's not enough contrast and doesn't look as good.

I knew going in that the 3rd row was small, but with small kids there on occasion, it's fine - they don't need a Suburban. After having several Audis, I think the quality of some of the interior parts feels a notch below the Audis'. The carpet and some of the lower door panels and lower seat parts feel pretty cheap. If I had a loaded 4.8 with a list of $75K or so, I would never think this was a $75K vehicle.

With premium fuel, which is "required", performance of the 3.0 is fine - it's not a sports car. Plenty of power and very smooth and has that BMW inline 6 feel. However, I think the transmission needs some work - it shifts smoothly, but I often feel I'm in a gear too low when powering out of a curve unless I really give it some gas. I think this is the car's biggest flaw, except maybe the fact that it just doesn't quite "feel" like a BMW car. But compared to other SUV's, I think it has a better driving experience - the handling is fantastic, and I think that this is what sets it apart from other SUV's. The steering is nicely weighted, but doesn't quite have the connection with the road that you get in a BMW sedan or coupe. I'm not totally convinced it's worth the price premium over other SUV's, but it has grown on me since I've had it.

And I have to admit, the heated steering wheel is great!

^ I'm not sure why that came out as one big paragraph....

My girlfriend has had one for 2 years and still loves it. No problems at all, but for any vehicle, it is the luck of the draw. My 335i sedan has nver had an issue either. of course the 3.0si could have a little more punch, but for the daily driver, it isnt bad at all. I think it is comfortable and bigger on the inside that most people think. I like the direct line of site over the hood and the dash isnt huge, like on some SUV's. the backup camera is a nice feature, especially the directional lines. it just feels solid, but lightweight.

I think that the X5 has only been the only design I like from BMW's line of SUV's.

I almost bought one back in '03 but after a pleasant test drive, I was wheeling and dealing with the salesman in the showroom when a flatbed pulled in with an X5 on back. I smiled and looked at the salesman. He shook his head in disgust. I left and bought a GX 470.

I'd still like to buy one but they look a little too X3-ish to me... An easy cure for that resemblance is a nice set of 21" Beemer wheels!! Amazing what wheels can do!!

Or you can just forget the X5. Keep your "nice looking" GX470 (which, you think, doesn't ever need a flatbed). Even better, buy the BMW wheels and mount them on your GX470...

[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/72/Lexus_GX470_white.JPG[/img]

[img]http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-2008/2008-BMW-X5-M-Sport-Package-Rear-1280x960.jpg[/img]

I might wait for the new GX in 2011...hopefully that tall high boy look from the rear will be gone. I assume thats what you meant, bimmer, by "nice looking".