6 months of ownership

[Benstan]

So I'm either very considered, waiting 6 months to post, or else shy, or maybe even a bit lazy.  I'm also selfish, so thought I'd write the kind of post I'd have been interested to read 7 months ago when I was thinking about an X5.

I used to have an E60 (520d SE) which I really loved - 80k of trouble free motoring and my first BMW.  Not blistering performance, but it did me just fine and 50mpg was easy.  2 kids later and I wanted a 5 series estate; but my wife doesn't like estates but was happy with a 4x4.  I didn't like the environmental impact or the idea of the running costs, but it was the only way.

I really wanted a Volvo XC90 - I really like the honest straightforward styling and whilst the image isn't exciting, nor am I really.  Anyway, the high tax bracket, depreciation and performance (consumption and acceleration) put me off - I could also see that my wife would hate it, having been used to the relative good handling and performance of the 5 series.

I don't like RRSs and the Q7 is way too bling for me.  The M-Class had a terrible interior (too much chrome) although had I known about the M250 I would have looked at it much more closely.  The Lexus wasn't a nice place to sit inside and so I kept coming back to the X5.

I wanted a 2-3 yr old car and spent a lot of time agonising about spec - what was important and what wasn't - how critical was a pan sunroof and did we really need 7 seats?  In the end, Snows of Portsmouth did us such a good deal on a new car, that we couldn't say no.  Back then, BMW UK were offering 3.9% as against 10.9 on an AUC so the difference in the monthlys was marginal.

So, we ended up with a 3.0D Msport, Carbon Black (is there any other colour?), pan roof, 3rd row seats, media pack, heated seats, folding mirrors, TV function, power boot, uprated speakers, top view camera and privacy glass. 

The pan roof is amazing - keeps the kids quiet - and when the local fireworks were on, we drove to a nearby spot, watched TV while we waited (in the warm) and then opened the roof and had a great view.  3rd row seats - used weekly on the school run and school trips and surprisingly useful.  heated seats - we don't bother with normal heating now (takes too long).  TV - probably wouldn't get this again, but useful to keep kids entertained in traffic jams and when someone is just nipping out of the car to get a loaf of bread at the supermarket etc.  Power boot - bit of a toy...sometimes you quite enjoy pressing the button and getting a "that's cool" comment, other times you feel like a flash git.  Speakers - seem really good, but then I'm not a man who knows much about these things.  Top view camera - brilliant, would be lost without it - makes my Pug 307 hard to park in comparison.

So, I'm 9000 miles in.  Economy just over 30mpg, which is probably ok - it's a family car so does a lot of urban miles when my wife uses it and I have a heavy foot when I get it at weekends (I just want to play!).  I can get 38mpg on a run into London from Essex, but that's at 60-65 mph. 

We took it to Italy in the Summer - fully laden and did 2000 miles.  We got 32mpg and mostly drove at 80mph through France and Germany.  On the A'Bahn, it cruised at 100mph and felt no different to being at 40.  I was surprised how few X5 I saw and how many X6s I saw on the Continent. 

So overall I am delighted with it - and my enjoyment is without doubt enhanced by this site.  On various folks' advice I bought the BMW winter wheels (18s) and find them to be fantastic.  I find myself stopping on icy hills and then moving off without spinning the wheels, just because I can.  They were pricey (I bought from the dealer with a discount rather than ebay due to warranty concerns) but I figure that I need to spread the cost over 4-5 years use and then with a trade-in, the cost may be reasonable.  I also figure that the extra safety has no price.

I don't really go in for mods, but a towbar is on the cards in the Spring.  Doubtless Sanj will be cursing me for thinking that a towbar counts as a mod.

On behalf of the legion of lurkers, I'd like to thank you all for the 6 months' entertainment - I weirdly think I know some of you.  I saw a choc brown lab the other day and instantly thought that he would be called PVR. 

To avoid calls for photos, I will post a few in a moment.  They are sitting ready in photobucket, but I need to re-read Sanj's sticky before I know how to.....

Ben

[Benstan]

Photos.....

[Rusty]

Well ,I must offer you a suitably belated welcome.

Lovely car and what a great colour. Interesting to hear that prices were close enough to entertain a new car, you must have driven a hard bargain.  Well done.




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[kkodal78]

Looks just right! Great colour by the way, eventhough some say there is a better colour on X5 than black.(i think i am about to start a big debate on colours here)
That pan roof looks really entertaining. I would have wanted to sit in the back seat just to enjoy the view if i had the pan roof. lovely motor and enjoy the ownership

[ITBarbie]

Beautiful example and welcome to the forum.  Was interested to read your journey to selecting the x5 and who'd have thought it would be a near match to by new as opposed to AUC.  And I love the colour

[Rusty]

[quote="ITBarbie"]
  And I love the colour
[/quote]

That'll be the infamous 'Carbon Black' that only a few of us have, the select few I might add


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[MJim]

Great looking car - welcome to the forum, and glad you've emerged from the bushes!  )

[Raj]

Welcome and very nice example.

[X Box]

Great write up and lovely car.

I will look to do the same at 6 months in.

[johnx5]

Great write up and am really looking forward to my car arriving now!! Really glad I have Panoramic roof and Top View camera based on your comments.

[X5Sport]

Great write up and a belated  too.

When looking for our first 4x4 I also considered the XC90 but the running costs were too high, as well as the performance too poor.  It also wallowed a bit too much and with tother half being prone to car sickness if the ride is 'soft' it got eliminated.

Hope the next 6-months are as fun as the first....

Richard

[xl5]

nice read and welcome Ben, very nice motor..

[snipez999]

+1 on the colour choice (totally unbiased view, of course!)

I wonder how you ended up at a dealer in Portsmouth, when there is a perfectly good dealer along the A127 near Sarfend ?

(ps.  as I originate from Chalkwell I am allowed to use the local spelling LOL)

[Sanj]

Welcome to the forum Ben - hope you keep posting!

Lovely car btw. Well done on the pics!

Oh and the toolbar is a mod - anything retrofitted is a mod in my book!   )

[5wany]

[quote="Benstan"]
TV - probably wouldn't get this again,
[/quote]

This would be my fist pick on options list, well after the media pack (cant get tv without it)  Try TV in motion, it can be coded or you can buy a DVD to do it for you, might change your mind on TV option 
Oh
and welcome,
glad u got a deal on a new one, I found the same when I got my 61plate, dealer discount for new matched against AUC (new=full warranty for 3yrs, no mileage, your own spec and colour), for just a wee bit more, it was a no brainer & never regretted it with 19.5K over last 14months. 

Agree with your comments on potential alternatives considered, even the new ML250 as a nice car but ML250=no 3rd row, so as you use 3rd regulary you made right decision on X5.