BMW X5 (2007 - 2013) 3.0d SE 5d Auto (2007/57) Owner Review
Want to know everything there is to know about this car?
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Summary
What does this car say about you?
Successful, likes classy cars, chooses driving dynamics over Range Rover prestige.
What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?
They call it the "Tank" but everyone who has had a ride in it loves it and is a convert! Neighbours think I have too much money - perhaps true until I fill the 85 litre tank!!
Would you buy this car again and why?
Yes. It does everything supremely well. Handles like a large sports saloon, accelerates well, has enough space for almost anything you could ever need it for and is comfortable on whatever journey you throw at it, aswell as returning an av 26.9mpg in the last 3,000miles I've had it.
What are you likely to buy next?
Another of the same - perhaps the twin-turbo derv in M Sport guise.
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Buying experience
Type of dealer you bought from?
Franchise
Did you buy this car new?
No
What price did you pay?
£32,500
When did you buy the car?
September 2009
Did you get a good deal and why?
Got a good deal on my P/X - 2005 E46 330Ci coupe, but there was very little in the way of a deal to be done on the X5.
Is there any special reason why you bought this car?
Needed a practical, estate-type car, with space for dog and children. Plus it was the wife's choice!
What was the dealer like?
Dick Lovett, Hungerford - I travelled a fair way to get there and the service was very good. Hadn't noticed a crack in some interior trim until collection day - they had my local dealer replace the requisite trim and sort out all the payment between themselves. Very impressed.
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Driving it
What's it like to drive?
Drives supremely well for something so heavy and big. Handles really well and with more ability than it conceivably should have for such a big car. Even though I have the 'base' 3.0d engine, it's got sufficient shove to keep me interested and has a strangely intruiging V8 burble under load. I live in the countryside and it copes with b-road very well indeed. Love it!
What's it like to park?
Easy once you've had it for a few weeks. Its size makes itself apparent in small spaces / old car parks but with the standard front & rear parking sensors, it can be parked reasonably easily. Don't believe the optional reversing camera is particularly worthwhile as standard parking sensors are more than up to the job.
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Living with it
Have you had any problems with the car?
Touch wood, nothing. Maybe too early to tell, but everything feels very solid, beautiful internal trim and soft-touch controls. The only issue is it looks like some of the door trim is a little fragile and could get punctured easily.
What's most practical about your car?
The sheer size of it - it can pretty much swallow anything I can think of putting into it! Got three mountainbikes in with the rear seats down.
Favourite gadget, option or accessory?
Love the underfloor storage space in the boot (I don't have the 7-seat option). The electric memory steering wheel with the mirrors & seats is brilliant. I love the lights in the door handles which look great at night!! Folding mirrors etc.
