Newbie on the hunt for an X5 2011 7 seat

[tristan]

Hi Everyone,

Newbie here in need of a car!

Very impressed with the knowledge base on this forum, I've read lots of useful advice already, thank you!

Having sold my previous car and using the wife's golf (much to her annoyance) i'm being prodded into action...

In search of a low mileage (sub 30k) well spec'd 30d or 40d. Would prefer it still under warranty, but not essential.

Budget £27 - £35k, must be a 7 seat, professional hifi would be great.

I'm in Tunbridge Wells but prepared to travel for the right vehicle.

Please advise if I should be posting this in a different section!

Cheers Tristan

[X5Sport]

Hello and 

Good luck with the search.  40d will provide more fun than the 30d.

Richard

[535dboy]

Find a 40d if you must !

Otherwise a nice new 330d xdrive will do a better job.

You are not a million miles from me!!

[tristan]

Hi Mr 535,
The toss up for me was a 530d F11 or an x5 but the wife doesn't like the look of estate cars and 7 seats would allow the kids to bring friends on trips out.
I agree with many of the comments you've made on this forum, BMW is loosing its edge. The F11 for me isnt as engaging as it should be and not worth the compromise dropping back to 5 seats and the higher driving position of an x5 is appealing.
No perfect solution out there for me with only 30k to spend.

[535dboy]

Fair enough

I know Nat will comment but what about a disco?

[tristan]

Im told discos are unreliable and for me I think the performance would be a problem. I'm a boy racer at heart and the idea of remapping an x5 really appeals. I should know better having destroyed 2 auto boxes in an e46 330d but I've read that shouldn't be a problem with the new 8 speed box.

[535dboy]

Fair enough.

How often are you going to use 7 seats.

[tristan]

I guess hardly ever, once a month at most!

[535dboy]

[quote="tristan"]
I guess hardly ever, once a month at most!
[/quote]

Big extra expense for hardly ever then!! 

[Wakey]

Hi!  Sounds like you had the same search criteria (minus the 7 seats), as me a few months back. 

I also wanted to get a 40d over the 30d, but went for 30d after extensive test drives as I really couldn't see or feel to much of a difference in my daily drive.  Plus the 40d I drove was an absolute pig, it rattled like a farm yard cart and for a 2 year old car I ran a mile.  The 30d shifts pretty well I reckon for a 10 tonne beast, but make sure you test drive a few because I found varying drives on each car.  Strangely I found  the 19 inch wheels gave a far more impressive and compliant drive than the 20 inch wheels (on the msport models) but ultimately you'll most probably want the gangster wheels if you're a boy racer at heart.

Also, I'm turning into a bit of a stuck record on this, but comfort seats are by far the best option my x5 has got.  You can keep the heads up display, sun roof and reverse camera malarkey!  Just saying. 

Lastly, the standard issue sound system I reckon is pretty good and I was more than happy with it, but I'm no audiophile.

Have fun and let us know how you get on.

On a completely different note.  My 2 year old son 'christened' my x5 today and projectile vomited i the back.  Spend the whole afternoon scrubbing and cleaning.  Not happy.  So glad we got black leather.

[X5Sport]

Oh dear..... :puke:

+1 on the Comfort Seats.  Definitely worth having if you can find them.  19" wheels are also more compliant as said - but the 20" do look good and fill the wheel arches..

Richard

[shadrack]

[quote="535dboy"]
Fair enough

I know Nat will comment but what about a disco?
[/quote]

you can get a new disco for 39k, then reliability dont matter, also they are 255bhp so should be ample, also have pretty good residuals

[Nat]

Hi,

Im not far from you............

40d...........thats what you need.

That suggestion of a Land Rover................2 words, the second one is Off....!!

You wont be disapointed. I wouldnt bother with a pan roof, nothing but trouble IMHO. There again its a must have for many, but at some point you will have a £2500 bill with that because it WILL fail.

The 8 speed g/box is great and i'd say its the must have.
I went for a 40d SE , m sport suspension delete. Its plenty firm enough , and there is little out there that you cant keep up with. Even the X5M doesnt get away that easily, I know I chased one 2 weeks ago down the A21. Being an SE ,  I have running boards ( which are wider than the Msport sill extensions ) and I dont have the issue of stone chipping on my painted arches or my rear doors. Comfort seats are great too. Only other thing I can say is I would't buy one from your local main dealer, nor any of their afiliated branches. Lets just say after many years of going to them I found then utterly pony.
If you are after a main dealer , I can recomend Arden BMW maidstone.
Otherwise, they are plentifull and finding one shouldn't be too much of a problem.
I hear everything you say about your driving style, but would advise dont be 100 I want an M sport only. Go drive an SE, think you will find it a much better ride for little or no loss of handling.

Good luck,
Regards,
Nat.

[tristan]

[quote="Wakey"]
Hi!  Sounds like you had the same search criteria (minus the 7 seats), as me a few months back. 

I also wanted to get a 40d over the 30d, but went for 30d after extensive test drives as I really couldn't see or feel to much of a difference in my daily drive.  Plus the 40d I drove was an absolute pig, it rattled like a farm yard cart and for a 2 year old car I ran a mile.  The 30d shifts pretty well I reckon for a 10 tonne beast, but make sure you test drive a few because I found varying drives on each car.  Strangely I found  the 19 inch wheels gave a far more impressive and compliant drive than the 20 inch wheels (on the msport models) but ultimately you'll most probably want the gangster wheels if you're a boy racer at heart.

Also, I'm turning into a bit of a stuck record on this, but comfort seats are by far the best option my x5 has got.  You can keep the heads up display, sun roof and reverse camera malarkey!  Just saying. 

Lastly, the standard issue sound system I reckon is pretty good and I was more than happy with it, but I'm no audiophile.

Have fun and let us know how you get on.

On a completely different note.  My 2 year old son 'christened' my x5 today and projectile vomited i the back.  Spend the whole afternoon scrubbing and cleaning.  Not happy.  So glad we got black leather.
[/quote]

Hi Wakey

Very sorry to hear the sick incident, my worse fear when carting kids about and my excuse not to let them use 'screens' whilst on the move.

You're surely right a 40d is pointless at least 95% of the time - you have more sense than me. I've only driven a 30d and felt it more than adequate but I've got a history of over speccing purchases especially if i've spent too long researching the topic.

One of the biggest downsides with an x5 for me is actually the image it projects, especially at work. I thick the standard 19" wheels look more subtle and in a way makes the vehicle look more classy. I should be buying a 5 series touring as that gives a more professional look IMO however the wife said spending 30k on a boring estate is a waste and on this I'm happy to agree!

Many thanks for your advice, best regards Tristan

[Benstan]

Good luck with the search.  I have the 30d and 7 seats - the 30d is fine for me and it's plenty fast enough and in the real world it can keep up with most things (if you like playing chase with other cars that is) - it can certainly get from 60 to 80mph on an A road quickly for a safe overtake.  I'm sure the 40d is quicker, but it's all relative - I came from a 520d and my X is a lot faster.

Re the 7 seats - we use them once a month or so and they've been very useful.  It also helped justify the X5 over a 5-series or an X3 and it makes the car even more practical (it's a people carrier as well as a 4WD as well as an estate...).  The 3rd row will help on resale too - I think it adds £1k or thereabouts.

The 19s on mine look good and the ride is ok.  I wouldn't want it firmer though.  Putting the 18s on in winter makes it even more comfortable.

I was worried about image when I got mine, but there are so many SUVs about these days, I don't think it's a big concern (although I don't know where you work of course). 

B