BMW X5 (2000 - 2006) 3.0d SE Sport 5d Auto (04) (2005/55) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

This is why I got rid of it after just three months - it just is not us. I cringed everytime I walked over to it.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

My friends thought it was impressive, my neighbours thought it was antisocial, my family grudgingly admitted it was quite good. My wife LOVED it.

Would you buy this car again and why?

No. I got rid of it after three months because of what it said about us. I bought a 4wd 3 series with the same engine. It does the same thing, but sends out no message.

What are you likely to buy next?

I just bought a 330xd Touring.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Franchise

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£0

When did you buy the car?

September 2008

Did you get a good deal and why?

Yes, because I have bought about ten cars from then in the last eight years.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Our convertible three series could no longer cope with two growing children and a golden retriever hound. My wife liked the idea of a four wheel drive as we live in the country in northern Italy where snow ploughs rarely pass.

What was the dealer like?

Excellent as always, tried to talk me out of it.

What's it like to drive?

Deceptively quick. You get the feeling that BMW started with a bad concept (the SUV) and made the best of it. It was no sports car, but got pretty close.

What's it like to park?

Would have been impossible without sensors all round. As it had them, it could be squeezed into spaces as big as the car...

Have you had any problems with the car?

Yes, but the dealer dealt with it before it became a major issue - the gearbox started bouncing into first as you pulled up to red lights/traffic jams. It was fixed with no quibble in a couple of days.

What's most practical about your car?

Surprisingly little was practical about it. Boot was not that large, the dog could not jump in.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

I liked the leather sports seats and chunky wheel...