5 Series GT...? Anyone driven one..?

[X6_40d_Nick]

As the title says, has anyone got any experience of the 5 Series GT model?

Think the X6 maybe on its way after recent issues and starting to think of alternatives.

It's nearly 100% going to be a BMW, but need added comfort as I have always found the X6 too twitchy and way too firmly sprung, the GT seems to fit the bill otherwise maybe a 5 series Touring but definitely going to avoid large 20" rims....

[X5Sport]

Not driven one, but was very impressed with one in the showroom when I was 'building' the X6.  We did do a build for build comparison (well as bear as we could get) and a new 5GT was a lot more expensive (about £10k+ more) than the X6, which made no sense to me so it was discarded. 

I did like the idea of individual Comfort Seats in the rear though (I have them in the front of the X6).  Very cool.  Quite a rare car too I think....

May be a second hand one in the future......

R

[X6_40d_Nick]

There are a few late 2011-early2012 530d M Sport GTs kicking about for mid 30k!

Which is want I'd hope for the x6, so maybe no cost change, but nearly two years newer!

[Horizon]

It seems all BMW,s are twitcy, skitish and suffer from a noisy rough ride since they put them on runflat tyres.
I have heard of many die hard BMW fans say they wont buy them anymore due to the ride comfort being ruined by ultra low profile run flat tyres.
I had them on my 530I and changed them to normal tyres, transformed the car back to a BMW !

Not to mention I had to replace the rims, as the run flats had buckled them. If they are so much needed for safety during a high speed blowout, why did they never fit them to the M5

[X6_40d_Nick]

The run flat debate is well known, but where the X6 seems to fall down is that it is just too damn stiff for its own weight, I had run flats on my previous 325 M Sport Touring, and was nowhere near the hard drive that the 6 is.

I did a return trip from Leicester to Blackpool yesterday, I was knackered by the time I got home!

Shame as I love everything else about the car but the missus Astra Estate is nicer to travel long distances in!

[X5Sport]

Odd how different people get on with cars innit.....

I have no trouble travelling to west Wales in the X6, yet the Mini is a no no (not enough thigh support) and as for the E46.........that being a vert (and the M Sport) is so stiff there's almost no give in the suspension and the tyres may be non-RFT but they're only the profile height of rubber band so you feel every ant you run over.

Have you got the Sport or Comfort Seats?  I suffer with the Sport Seats in the E46, hence having Comfort's in the X.

I guess with BMW positioning the X6 as a sportier SAV, it needs to be stiff to handle as well as it does - and let's face it you can chuck em into corners at surprisingly high speeds.  Discos and Rangies may have a more comfortable ride, but they lean horribly around corners and make my other half car sick.  The X5 and X6 don't and never did - but the ride isn't as comfortable.

R

[X6_40d_Nick]

Looking at a 530d M Sport GT over the coming weekend. It's got the adaptive ride dampers and the Top Gear review surprisingly rates it....! And I'm hoping it can be both comfy and sporty when my moods dictate...?

Anyway, I'll post my findings when I can...

[MJim]

Did you go for the  5GT in the end? They're getting hammered on the second hand market so I'm sure a v good deal can be struck...

[X5Sport]

I'm not surprised they're getting hammered!!  I specced one up at the same time as my X6 and it was thousands more for what was in effect 'less' - even if you could have Comfort Seats in the back too.  Even for a BMW I thought they were way too pricey, and if the prices are low on the used market, then the punters feel it is too.

As MJim says, bargains to be had......a bit like the VW Phaeton which was silly money new, and a bargain used.

Richard

[westside]

i was following this thread as I was also looking at the 5 series GT I quite like them a lot of car for the money second hand.  However everyone seems to thing there an ugly car and I was a bit worried about how easy it would be to shift on in a year or so.

[X5Sport]

It's a lot prettier than it's Merc equivalent...... :blink:

Seriously though, people said the X6 was ugly when it first appeared but it's sold around 200,000 examples worldwide and both Audi and Merc are 'developing their own equivalents'.  Says it all - or the Germans have no design sense..

I like the 5GT, but not for it's 'new build' price point.  It's rare too, which makes it more exclusive (as the X6 was in 2010 but everyone seems to have one now.... ) ) )

Richard