Test drove a 2016 BMW X5 today

[JulesMaximus]

Space grey with M package, premium package and a couple other packages. MSRP was $71k.

It was AWD with the 3.0l I6 turbocharged engine. Drove really nice, very sporty, much better than the GLE350 or the RX350 or even the GX460. Interior is very upscale and luxurious. I thought the latest version of iDrive works very well. Similar to Mercedes COMAND system. These cars are just loaded with technology which I dig.

This one had the 20" wheels too which look very meaty and provide quite a lot of grip in the corners. I took it on an extended test drive which included some freeway and twisty bits. It goes well, stops amazingly well and corners well. Ride was very controlled and comfortable. I liked it quite a lot. Wish it had a little more power.

Anyway, we didn't buy it, we're still a two sedan family (although, one of those sedans has a twin turbo V8 engine). :sneaky:

If we end up with this I guess I have to resign my position of President of the anti-SUV Brigade. :'(

 

[lxskllr]

I use a 2003 as a work truck. Aside from age related issues, it's a lot of fun to drive, and is fairly suitable for my needs aside from German repair prices. They're barely an suv. It's not as inappropriate for suburban use as many are.

 

[Sheep221]

I occasionally drive X6 at work, they are good cars, although inside they are not so big as they appear and trunk of the X5 is much larger than that of X6. If you feel that 3.0 engine is not enough you can still order one with 3.5 to 5.0 engine. However I really think that current engines are performing much better at same displacement than the ones made just a few years ago and unless you plan towing something overly heavy I would stick to 3.0 as best option for daily commuting and family trips.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I occasionally drive X6 at work, they are good cars, although inside they are not so big as they appear and trunk of the X5 is much larger than that of X6. If you feel that 3.0 engine is not enough you can still order one with 3.5 to 5.0 engine. However I really think that current engines are performing much better at same displacement than the ones made just a few years ago and unless you plan towing something overly heavy I would stick to 3.0 as best option for daily commuting and family trips.

I'd probably never tow anything heavier than a Ducati with it which the 3.0l turbo motor should do fine with.

Not a fan of the look of the X6 and it cuts out quite a bit of the cargo capacity of the X5.

 

[KentState]

Have you shopped other SUV's in the same class? The X5 seems to be behind the Volvo and Audi in some of the latest reviews. Coworker just got one and it seems pretty nice, but I would be tempted to shop around a little more.

 

[hans007]

friend of mine has one of these with the diesel engine. its a pretty huge vehicle. i haven't had a chance to drive it, but i did drive the previous version (my dad had an xdrive 35i).

from what i remember it was suprisingly sporty for agiant SUV. Its pretty close to its next replacement cycle though, I'd personally get the new GLC300 if i were looking for an SUV. smaller, way more efficient and brand new. better interior than the X5 (and its a class lower). whenever mercedes finally fully refreshes the GLE i'm guessing that will be teh one to look at.

 

[Engineer]

Does the X5 have Eco-Pro, Comfort and Sport mode (I think it does)?

If so, did you drive it in Sport mode? Steering should be much tighter and acceleration should be much better too (at the loss of fuel mileage).

 

[Demo24]

Have you shopped other SUV's in the same class? The X5 seems to be behind the Volvo and Audi in some of the latest reviews. Coworker just got one and it seems pretty nice, but I would be tempted to shop around a little more.

Yep, the current one has been on the market awhile. New one should be coming within the next model year, I think?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Have you shopped other SUV's in the same class? The X5 seems to be behind the Volvo and Audi in some of the latest reviews. Coworker just got one and it seems pretty nice, but I would be tempted to shop around a little more.

From everything I've heard Volvos are rubbish. Audi are even worse than Volvo. I'd never buy an Audi.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Does the X5 have Eco-Pro, Comfort and Sport mode (I think it does)?

If so, did you drive it in Sport mode? Steering should be much tighter and acceleration should be much better too (at the loss of fuel mileage).

Yes, it had those modes. I put it in Sport mode and drove it on some twisty roads. It handled well and was very grippy in the turns. Very confidence inspiring and comfortable.

I'm comparing it to our CLS550 though which has a twin turbo V8 making over 400hp. I know, not really a fair comparison.

I liked it quite a lot though. It's a nice sled.

 

[echo4747]

Yes, it had those modes. I put it in Sport mode and drove it on some twisty roads. It handled well and was very grippy in the turns. Very confidence inspiring and comfortable.

I'm comparing it to our CLS550 though which has a twin turbo V8 making over 400hp. I know, not really a fair comparison.

I liked it quite a lot though. It's a nice sled.

If you haven't.. compare it to the Cayenne GTS or even better yet the Cayenne Turbo

 

[Scarpozzi]

Coming from a sedan, the X5 will feel bigger to you....but consider the back seat leg room. I looked at X5 and thought the leg room back there was minimal. I thought the Lexus RX350 had more space...

 

[z1ggy]

From everything I've heard Volvos are rubbish. Audi are even worse than Volvo. I'd never buy an Audi.

Latest compare o on c and d says otherwise.

 

[JulesMaximus]

If you haven't.. compare it to the Cayenne GTS or even better yet the Cayenne Turbo

Might have to test drive one of those. They option up ridiculously fast though.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Latest compare o on c and d says otherwise.

I'm looking at it on Edmunds.com but it doesn't really impress me much and some of the owner comments are downright scary.

I am NOT willing to put up with these types of problems.

I hate this car by mbj1227@gmail.com on Apr 23, 2016
Vehicle: 2016 Volvo XC90

I ordered this car last May and took delivery in January. Since then it has been in the shop 12 days for a myriad of ailments. "Hybrid System Failure" warning had it in the shop 8 days. Parking brake failure and alarm had it in the shop 4 days. The touch screen cuts in and out while driving, sometimes the windows won't roll down, it wouldn't shut off once. Lots of electrical glitches. The battery charge never charges more than 18 miles on the screen, but in reality the battery range is about 7-10 miles if that. The gas tank is too small so I have to fill the tank each week even with the battery. The interior is not well laid out - no storage space and the glove compartment barely holds my bottle of Advil. I bought this car for a family vehicle but it is far from being family friendly. It is not easy to move the seats up and down, not enough cup holders... DO NOT BUY THIS CAR.

Think twice about a 2016 xc 90

by OJ on Apr 8, 2016
Vehicle: 2016 Volvo XC90

8 day "old", spring break trip ends 200 miles into an 800 mile return journey! Overheating and no AC - engine management system advises to immediately shutdown the engine. Towed into a local dealership. Has taken 8 days to have vehicle repaired and still do not have the car back home. Very poor customer service from Volvo, the Corporation. Have received good but not outstanding service from the dealerships in trying to resolve the issues. I assume Volvo brand and value proposition is based upon the fact that a $64,000 car is actually "a cheap car" and therefore the customer should not really expect superior customer service!

 

[echo4747]

Might have to test drive one of those. They option up ridiculously fast though.

they depreciate very fast too... if you don't mind a 2yr -3rd old Certified pre owned. You can get something quite nice for a nice price compared to new.

 

[Torn Mind]

As someone who has only watched X5s from another vehicle twice, I think, they certainly can be driven hard and make turns quick and snappy. Quick jump off the line.

 

[JulesMaximus]

they depreciate very fast too... if you don't mind a 2yr -3rd old Certified pre owned. You can get something quite nice for a nice price compared to new.

They aren't that much cheaper. I've looked online at some of the asking prices and they're between $55-65k for a 2014 with anywhere between 20-30k miles and that's not even for an S model. Forget about the GTS.

 

[echo4747]

They aren't that much cheaper. I've looked online at some of the asking prices and they're between $55-65k for a 2014 with anywhere between 20-30k miles and that's not even for an S model. Forget about the GTS.

You would need to go back one more year to a 2013 to get a gts for that price.

 

[z1ggy]

I'm looking at it on Edmunds.com but it doesn't really impress me much and some of the owner comments are downright scary.

I am NOT willing to put up with these types of problems.

That's every car, ever. Yes some problems are severe, but for every 1 severe problem reported, how many cars do you think had minor or no problems that aren't reported?

My 2013 gene coupe 3.8 had horrible reviews and when I owned it I never had any issues. My friend's 2011 328i which got favorable reviews had his coils fail TWICE on him within the first 2 years of owning it.

As far as I know Volvo's are known for being very safe and reliable cars. You should make your choice based on how it looks and feels to you, price, and available options.

Alllllll I'm saying is consider the Volvo and even the Audi, although if you don't like Audi... then you don't. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[Elganja]

at the end of the day, it's still a BMW and it will still fall to shit soon after the warranty expires

my mom's 2004 325xi was a piece of shit soon after the warranty expired ... they spent so much money on that car and finally dumped it this year (for an acura rdx)

my friends 2011 X5 is currently a piece of shit that has had so many repairs for oil leaks and injector failings, etc... she's finally getting ready to dump it now (looking into an A4 or S3)

I will never own a BMW after seeing multiple friends and family deal with the repairs post warranty... and I'm not talking about a few hundred bucks here and there... i'm talking about thousands here and there

 

[PricklyPete]

at the end of the day, it's still a BMW and it will still fall to shit soon after the warranty expires

my mom's 2004 325xi was a piece of shit soon after the warranty expired ... they spent so much money on that car and finally dumped it this year (for an acura rdx)

my friends 2011 X5 is currently a piece of shit that has had so many repairs for oil leaks and injector failings, etc... she's finally getting ready to dump it now (looking into an A4 or S3)

I will never own a BMW after seeing multiple friends and family deal with the repairs post warranty... and I'm not talking about a few hundred bucks here and there... i'm talking about thousands here and there

Since we're sharing anecdotal stories, my friend has a 2011 or maybe 2012 X5 diesel that has been nothing but trouble for him. Bought it new.

I still like them as vehicles, but would never go into it thinking they would be reliable.

We owned a 2010 A4 for 4 years. Performed perfectly over those 50k or so miles. Would still own it today if we had a need for two vehicles. Less anecdotal, but still suspect, Consumer Reports has moved Audi up the reliability ranks considerably.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

Space grey with M package, premium package and a couple other packages. MSRP was $71k.

It was AWD with the 3.0l I6 turbocharged engine. Drove really nice, very sporty, much better than the GLE350 or the RX350 or even the GX460. Interior is very upscale and luxurious. I thought the latest version of iDrive works very well. Similar to Mercedes COMAND system. These cars are just loaded with technology which I dig.

This one had the 20" wheels too which look very meaty and provide quite a lot of grip in the corners. I took it on an extended test drive which included some freeway and twisty bits. It goes well, stops amazingly well and corners well. Ride was very controlled and comfortable. I liked it quite a lot. Wish it had a little more power.

Anyway, we didn't buy it, we're still a two sedan family (although, one of those sedans has a twin turbo V8 engine). :sneaky:

If we end up with this I guess I have to resign my position of President of the anti-SUV Brigade. :'(

Be glad you did not buy it. A friend of mine has the X5 with the 4.4L twin turbo v8 and it has been nothing but a huge PITA to him.

 

[slag]

at the end of the day, it's still a BMW and it will still fall to shit soon after the warranty expires

my mom's 2004 325xi was a piece of shit soon after the warranty expired ... they spent so much money on that car and finally dumped it this year (for an acura rdx)

my friends 2011 X5 is currently a piece of shit that has had so many repairs for oil leaks and injector failings, etc... she's finally getting ready to dump it now (looking into an A4 or S3)

I will never own a BMW after seeing multiple friends and family deal with the repairs post warranty... and I'm not talking about a few hundred bucks here and there... i'm talking about thousands here and there

I own a 98 M3. Very reliable car in the 9 months I've owned it. I think as with everything, some are good, some are not so good. Everything mechanical will break eventually.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Be glad you did not buy it. A friend of mine has the X5 with the 4.4L twin turbo v8 and it has been nothing but a huge PITA to him.

We recently bought a CPO 4.7l twin turbo Mercedes. Wonder how that will be long term. Oh well, we have almost 4 more years of warranty, unlimited mileage so we're just going to drive it and if it breaks Mercedes can figure it out. They have a very generous loaner program so we won't be out a car or have to pay for it.

I assume it's the same with BMW.