Hey guys/gals,

I'm new to Bimmerforums.com and this is my first post. I've been a member of my330i.com and BMW-forums.com for a while now, but just recently found this forum.

I'm currently a 330i owner and was thinking of "upgrading" (if that's an appropriate term) to an X5. My wife and I recently had a baby and we've agreed that we need something a little bigger. Originally we were going to trade in her car for a truck (I didn't want to give up my BMW), but she's a little reluctant to driving anything larger than what she has now. Personally I dont care if i'm driving a coupe, sedan, or an SUV (SAV) as long as it's a BMW. So we're seriously considering an X5 Can anyone give me any reason not to get one and stick with my little sedan.

Please advise,
Wosby

1) fuel economy...if its any better (I get around 19mpg on my 04 4.4i).
2) price tag
3) requires premium gas, 24 gallons of it
4) hmmm...nothing else

and that is coming from a person who had a 01 323Ci and 03 M3.

Is the 7 a possibility?

Automatic trany?
My mother had an x5 3.0 and I liked it a lot. The 3.0 was not underpowered if that was a concern, I thought it was fast, then again i didnt have a 330 either. they are a bit expensive but other than that i think it is a good buy if you need something bigger.

Maybe I'm an idiot, but is there a real purpose in getting a bigger vehicle because you're having a baby? Doesn't your 330 sedan offer PLENTY of storage space and have all the fixtures needed to install a carseat? I have no problem fitting a bunch of bulky items in my e46 325xi, it has a ton of space. The only reason I would understand is if you had two doors instead of four because pulling a carseat out of a two door bimmer is a bitch. This whole "I need a bigger car in order to have a baby" trend is illogical. I know a lady who has a baby and drives around in a 1980 something toyota coupe, and she seems to get by just fine. So if you have four doors, you dont need any more car for your baby.

Well, my buddy has a 4.6is, and he has 53 pages of service reports in 1.5 years, is this a legitimate reason not to get one?

So we're seriously considering an X5 Can anyone give me any reason not to get one and stick with my little sedan.

Please advise,
Wosby

It's built in South Carolina.

Go test drive an X3. I love mine. If I were you I wouldn't consider the X5, too many little headaches and especially because it's built in the US.

Maybe I'm an idiot, but is there a real purpose in getting a bigger vehicle because you're having a baby? Doesn't your 330 sedan offer PLENTY of storage space and have all the fixtures needed to install a carseat? I have no problem fitting a bunch of bulky items in my e46 325xi, it has a ton of space. The only reason I would understand is if you had two doors instead of four because pulling a carseat out of a two door bimmer is a bitch. This whole "I need a bigger car in order to have a baby" trend is illogical. I know a lady who has a baby and drives around in a 1980 something toyota coupe, and she seems to get by just fine. So if you have four doors, you dont need any more car for your baby.

I don't think the poster was asking your opinion on whether he should get a bigger car becuase he now has a child.

It's built in South Carolina.

Go test drive an X3. I love mine. If I were you I wouldn't consider the X5, too many little headaches and especially because it's built in the US.


Do not I repeat dont look at the X3 having been in the top range version. I must Say I got a better ride in my mates lambo goin over cobbles. Unless you like to get out a car feeling like a tossed salad, Not good for a baby, esp if you just got the baby 2 sleep. Also as a family car the back windows are too high and kids cant see out the back windows in booster seats. un like the luxury you get in an x5 its very plastic, although there is a big price difference i guess its good for the money in its range.

X5 is a great car and over here in the uk is one of the top choices for family cars for any one who can afford them. sturdy great ride quality and very safe and comfortable.

Do not I repeat dont look at the X3 having been in the top range version. I must Say I got a better ride in my mates lambo goin over cobbles. Unless you like to get out a car feeling like a tossed salad, Not good for a baby, esp if you just got the baby 2 sleep. Also as a family car the back windows are too high and kids cant see out the back windows in booster seats. un like the luxury you get in an x5 its very plastic, although there is a big price difference i guess its good for the money in its range.

X5 is a great car and over here in the uk is one of the top choices for family cars for any one who can afford them. sturdy great ride quality and very safe and comfortable.

Everyone's got their own opinion.

Luxury and babies don't mix.

If I'm going to pay $50,000 for an auto I don't want knobs to fall off, trim to come unglued and bad throttle response. The X3 actually has more room in it than the X5 and it will fit into parking spaces better.

A test drive in the X3 in not an outrageous suggestion.

Hey WagnerX5 .. thanks.

Cosmos4life, if the 7 series came with all wheel drive like it's competitors (Benz E and S class, and the Audi A8), I would definitley consider it.

Forgot to mention, I'm not just looking for bigger, but with winters here in the Northeast US, I'm also seeking 4WD or AWD.

Stroker67, I was in fact concerned that the 3.0 woud be underpowered. It's the same engine as in my 330, but there is a difference in weight of several hundred pounds. The 330 is pretty fast.

Darkpoeticken, my 330 does not actually provide enough storage space. With the 2 extra speakers in the rear deck that come with the Harmon Kardon system, my trunk wont even hold 2 full sized tires (have summer and winter set of tires), or the 2 suitcases my in-laws brought with them a few weeks ago, or the box that the stroller came it. On several occasions we've purchased items that did NOT fit in the trunk. Maybe that lady makes use of her 1980 Toyota cause it's all she can afford. The extra room isn't for the baby, it's for all the stuff people buy for their baby.

Le Mans67, does your buddy have a lot of different issues with his 4.6, or is it a recurring problem that they're unable to resolve?

Undertheradar, I have driven the X3. Not just the lame test drive you get from a dealer, but I attended a BMW event where they were showcasing the X3 and we were allowed to torture the damn thing around a closed course. We (the several dozen invited guests) drove them so hard, they had to change the tires every 50 miles. I must admit it handles pretty well. But it did seam "very plastic" like Dej4y mentioned, and not comfortable enough. You're right though, on paper the X3 does have more luggage room. But it doesn't have as much passenger room or ammenities as the X5.

Thank You All for your responses.
Wosby

Everyone's got their own opinion.

Luxury and babies don't mix.

If I'm going to pay $50,000 for an auto I don't want knobs to fall off, trim to come unglued and bad throttle response. The X3 actually has more room in it than the X5 and it will fit into parking spaces better.

A test drive in the X3 in not an outrageous suggestion.

as i said for the money and in its class it is a good car and its a bmw :buttrock

You cant get much safer than an X5. I rest my case, thats my vote.

as i said for the money and in its class it is a good car and its a bmw :buttrock

Exactly!

I guess my biggest problem with the X5 is the fact that it's built in the US. I can't imagine spending that kind of money for BMW quality engineering and American craftsmanship!

Don't get me wrong, the X5 is a beautiful truck and in the luxury department well outweighs the X3. But like you said, it's a BMW! :)

Wosby,

I don't see where anyone else has mentioned it, but have you considered a 3 or 5 series touring car?

Just because the X5 is built in the US doesnt mean that is is built bad. It is designed in Germany and partially tooled there. It is just screwed together here. The true quality of a part is in the design and materials. Ok, that is my .02. Also, if you are looking for a bunch of room, dont be fooled by the X5. I have one and absolutly love it but it wont hold much more than my 325it. That said, I have a baby and all the associated crap and both cars do fine.

Just because the X5 is built in the US doesnt mean that is is built bad. It is designed in Germany and partially tooled there. It is just screwed together here. The true quality of a part is in the design and materials. Ok, that is my .02. Also, if you are looking for a bunch of room, dont be fooled by the X5. I have one and absolutly love it but it wont hold much more than my 325it. That said, I have a baby and all the associated crap and both cars do fine.
Exactly.

To me, American cars and foreign cars built in the US lack quality in craftsmanship. I've seen it. Take a look around this section of the forum, you will find people who own X5's and have had silly issues like knobs falling off or exterior trim coming unglued. I'm sorry, but that shouldn't happen to a $50,000 car that is only a few years old.

Just my opinion, though. :)

I agree with you about the touring. There's a guy on this board that has a white one and it is stunning! Not your typical station wagon!

Exactly.

To me, American cars and foreign cars built in the US lack quality in craftsmanship. I've seen it. Take a look around this section of the forum, you will find people who own X5's and have had silly issues like knobs falling off or exterior trim coming unglued. I'm sorry, but that shouldn't happen to a $50,000 car that is only a few years old.

Just my opinion, though. :)

I agree with you about the touring. There's a guy on this board that has a white one and it is stunning! Not your typical station wagon!

Well I had a 2003 M3 and my weatherstripping on both doors fell off in 2 months. And that car was built in Germany...as well as many of the E46 bodies that had the exact same problem. The problem was so bad infact that when I went to the dealer to have it fixed, I didn't even have to spend 2 seconds explaining it (that common). And as for the American guy who fixed it...yah..didn't fall off after that. And in my 323Ci the leather ripped..that too was fixed by an American :cool

Interesting comparison of X5/X5/Porsche/VW/Range/ML (graph that is)
http://www.autotitre.com/forum/X5-vs-X3-vs-Cayenne-vs-Touareg-51811p1.htm
http://www.speeddreams.net/images/icons/2cents.jpg

X5 is definately an extremely safe vehicle. It has better road grip than almost any other SUV. As for the space, we've fit everything from a 50" TV w/box in there with the rear two seats folded down to about 15-20 large bags of flower bed soil you can buy at home depot.

In terms of passenger space in the rear, you can easily fit 3 full size adults comfortably in the back seat.

As for the american build quality, we've driven the crap out of the X5 and its not very pampered but so far after about 2 years and 40K miles nothing has gone wrong (knocks on wood). Well actually, the universal garage door opener popped up into the roof but we took that into the dealership and with the free maintenance till 50K it took about 1 hr and they put a new one in there. I think that was more due to rough handling on our part rather than build quality.

I'm not sure about the X3 build quality but i heard it was made in Austria or somewhere. Undertheradar, maybe you can answer this question: How does that build quality of your X3 compare to a German assembled vehicle such as a 5 series or 3 series? Also, if i'm not mistaken, aren't the Z roadsters also assembled in the US? Correct me if i'm wrong but I haven't heard of any significant 'american' build quality problems with those.

It is only my opinion based on experience that American made/built cars leave a lot to be desired compared to their Euorpean and especially Japanese counterparts, that's all.

I answered the original posters question, reasons not to get an X5, and this is the main reason I will never purchase an X5.

The X3 is built in Austria and I consider it to be very solid and well built. As far as comparing it to a German built I would say it's similar if not the same.

I don't think there is enough info available on the Z4 yet is there? I haven't checked out the forum here dedicated to the Z4, maybe there is more input there?

Well I had a 2003 M3 and my weatherstripping on both doors fell off in 2 months. And that car was built in Germany...as well as many of the E46 bodies that had the exact same problem. The problem was so bad infact that when I went to the dealer to have it fixed, I didn't even have to spend 2 seconds explaining it (that common). And as for the American guy who fixed it...yah..didn't fall off after that. And in my 323Ci the leather ripped..that too was fixed by an American :cool

Interesting comparison of X5/X5/Porsche/VW/Range/ML (graph that is)
http://www.autotitre.com/forum/X5-vs-X3-vs-Cayenne-vs-Touareg-51811p1.htm
http://www.speeddreams.net/images/icons/2cents.jpg

Sorry to hear about your weatherstripping, sounds like a bad product rather than bad craftsmanship. It's also something that could have occured during overseas transport, who knows.

There will be lots of people with stories to the contrary of my position, and that's fine. :) It is only my opinion based on experience.

Your comparison only shows what the people voting like, and most likely what they like to see. I think the Porsche Cayenne is hot, but I would never buy one. I don't want something from Porsche based of a VW platform, I hold Porsche to a higher standard. But this is only my opinion and doesn't mean much to anyone else!

I just really enjoy my X3 because it suits my needs. That is the most important part. :D

A quick counterpoint to the poor American build quality arguement. Look at the Hondas, Toyotas, Lexus vehicles that are assembled in the United States. Year after year these cars come out near the top in quality surveys.

I'm not making the arguement that the X5 is assembled to the highest standards. A lot of people have expressed various issues w/ their cars. However, I don't think it's a matter of the American assembly.

I remember reading an enlightening article in Bimmer magazine. The gist of it was that the current German mentality is that cars are almost disposable. The author was talking about how 4 or 5 year old cars are viewed as very old there. If this is true, is it any wonder that German cars are falling behind their Japanese and yes, American counterparts in recent quality surveys?

my friend has had different problem almost everytime, and he just had his brakes go out and they have to replace them before turning it in the car at the end of the lease, and the dealership say they wont cover the problem and the brakes cost 16,500 dollars

I have an X5 3.0, and it's quite a practical vehicle. I also have a 323iT and the X5 definitely does have more storage space. This was demonstrated again this morning as I tried to shove some big boxes into the back of the 323iT - they did not quite fit. I pulled up to the X5, shoved them in, shoved in another wad of boxes and drove off.

The 3.0 is, as someone else mentioned, NOT underpowered, although neither is it an M3 (what did you expect?) It also handles VERY well, and especially compared to other SUVs that I've driven. You can still tell that it's a lot taller than a 330, and no it isn't as quick, but it's not slow and it definitely does not wallow around like some other big beasts.

However, my personal experience suggests that perhaps things are NOT screwed together so well in South Carolina as in Europe. I have owned NINE BMWs over the past twenty years, and in total I've had 12 warrantee claims. They were distributed as follows: 6 on the X5, 4 on the '98 Z3-2.8, 1 on the 86 528e and 1 on the 02 M3C. I've owned several 3-series (sedans and convertibles), and an E32 740, and nary a claim against any of them. That distribution seems a bit suspicious to me, since the X5 and Z3 were built here and others in Europe.

The X5 issues have all been different, and most of them are relatively minor:
- water pump seized at 70 mph and blew out the alternator belt; power steering was lost. this was a really scary incident as steering a 4000lb vehicle with no power steering is quite a trick as you slow down
- blower motor was possessed and turned on at random intervals (including when car was off and unoccupied)
- driver side window mechanism fell apart leaving window in down position. naturally this occured during a massive thundershower.
- left rear tail light mounting area badly corroded. this area is NOT exposed to weather.
- power locking mechanism stopped responding to key remotes (key itself worked fine)
- mechanism for kiddie sunscreen on right rear door suffered "spontaneous disintegration" and fell into door frame, necessitating relatively extensive work to retrieve. mechanism disintegrated while only the driver was in the car!

A couple of other things with the X5:
- the stock tires are really good all-weather tires, but they are TERRIBLE in snow. if you have snow conditions, get a set of Blizzaks or you will be four-wheel-snowshoeing. (the stock tires really are very good in any other conditions.)
- highway mileage is medicore to me (20-21 mpg), while in-town mileage seems relatively decent (18-19 mpg). not sure why the differential isn't bigger. my 323iT obliterates it at about 29-30 mpg overall.

At the end of the day, would I buy another X5? Nope. Next time I need something like that, I'll likely be buying a 330xi.

my friend has had different problem almost everytime, and he just had his brakes go out and they have to replace them before turning it in the car at the end of the lease, and the dealership say they wont cover the problem and the brakes cost 16,500 dollars

Sounds a little like my problems, only worse. But $16K for brakes? Surely you mean $1650? I had to do my brakes a bit prematurely too, but I don't remember mine costing anywhere near that. I think it was about $500 for pads and rotors on the front and slightly less for the rears. Maybe the model with the bigger engine has bigger and more expensive brakes, but that seems quite a big differential to me.

Forget the BMW!

Get a Range Rover or even the new Discovery. Those Discoverys are huge!

Yea, get a discovery..... If the unreliability doesnt make you happy, Im sure the huge depriciation will.

Weel, I used Subaru Forester vehicles from 1997 to 2003. In 2004 I changed to X5 (3.0d). I have a child (3 yrs. old now) and as a future father you should know:

* It's true you need a safer car: you are lot more concerned about security while driving with children inside.
* It's true you need a bigger car: think about placing/removing car seats, sitting at the back and watching a movie while long trips, getting in/out the car lots of times a day.

just my 2 cents.

Paolo.

4.4 X5 2002 26k miles Black Black sport Nav 19's.. ... Only probelm. Fogging headlamps . As far as a subaru or a disco or some other suv's mentioned?
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