Hello all, I'm looking for an E70 in France or Germany

[RenoHuskerDu]

I've been looking for a F10 535d for months without success. People seem to be holding onto them, even in Deutschland. Most F10s here in France are 4cyl, and I don't much like 4-pot diesels of any ilk. We already have two in our driveway, of necessity, and that's enough.

So recently I started also considering an X5 E70 LCI; 35d or 40d. There is a greater choice of 6cyl vehicles out there on the market in France and Germany. The interior space is greater than the F10. I'm a tall guy, and the extra room for our ever-taller kids would be useful. We also have a long driveway that requires 4wd to get up if it snows. This winter we had no snow but in years past I had to drive our Disco td5 often just to make it home.

So I test drove an X5 30sd today, having read a few reviews stating that it's the closest to a sporty sedan that you get in an SUV. That sounded good to me, and my short test drive did not disappoint at all in that regard. It felt like a 5, just a little taller.  The one I drove was pre-LCI so had the 6spd auto, which is a bit 'snatchy' at times.  I have a line on a 2011 40d LCI thru a broker that should come available next week, and I just may buy that.  The cosmetics of the LCI are not a main concern for me, but the mechanical advances and lower fuel consumption are indeed.

Are there any E70 drivers here who might like to share their advice or experiences?  Are there any must-have options to shoot for?  If I buy from a broker I'd only have a 3rd-party warranty; would that be a worry?  I'd love to buy a new F15 but we have kids to put thru university so will have to settle for a good used E70 for now.

I'm a software marketer (Ingres, Sybase, Business Objects, Perforce) who left that field in order to be able to live in the countryside, work part time and thus be able to raise our four kids. Now I teach English to frogs part time, if you catch my drift. We live in Alsace near Germany and speak several languages including British as I spent time at the bobj offices in Maidenhead. We also are all involved in karate and music. La vie est belle, nice to meet you!

[X5Sport]

Welcome aboard.......

I don't have the E70 but I do have the E71 40d and for me the 'must haves' would be Professional Nav, Comfort Seats, heated seats front and rear, window blinds in the rear doors (especially with kids though if the are approaching Uni age that's not so key), privacy glass, pro audio, Bluetooth with smartphone integration, electric folding mirrors, rain sensor etc.

Given you live in the rural areas of France you ought to consider having top down cameras, reversing camera and front wing cameras.  I think it's called 'all round vision'.  Certainly pulling out of narrow lanes and having the front wing cameras can save you having the car's nose removed suddenly!

The pano roof is nice to have, but there remain issues with reliability.  E70's are beginning to show early signs of the issues the E53 version had with that part.

The HUD is nice but not essential.  TV may not be functional for you depending upon the coverage across France.

If you do not like a harsh ride then consider 19" wheels and sport suspension delete.  If that does not bother you then 20" wheels and sport suspension.

Richard

[Nat]

Hi,

I have a 2013 40d..............I guess the roads in France/Germany are considerably better than over here so an M sport will be ok for you. I got an SE with M sport suspension delete on 20 "'s. I have no issues with the ride unlike most M sport drivers who constantly moan about harsh ride/runflats/20" wheels.
I think 7 seat option is the more desireable if you have the need.
An SE runningboards ( cant be fitted to M sport) being that much wider than the trim fitted to the M sport stops your sides & rear doors being peppered with stone chips. I also find SE models having the wheel arch extensions in plastic ( not painted ) look better as they remian stone chip free. Again personal preference but an explanation why I went SE.
As for the rest, I concurr, avoid the pan roof ( nothing but expensive trouble ). I am a +1 on the
Comfort seats ( superb)
Heated seats front + rear
4 zone climate control,
Prof nav + bluetooth+ smartphone integration
Heated steering wheel.
Privacy glass
Top down cameras + front cameras.
Adaptive headlights.
Folding mirrors.

Items I didnt bother with

TV ( everyone seems to have an I pad these days+ it doesn't work on the move ( can be fiddled ) )
HUD
Powered tailgate
Comfort access ( security issue for me )
Hi beam assist

Each to their own, its been a good car so far all I would say is got for the 40d.............same fuel consumption , but with the noticeable extra performance.
I don't think you will be disapointed with the X5.

Regards,
Nat.

[RenoHuskerDu]

Thanks for the tips gentlemen. Now I just have to wait for the right car to show up... The 35 and 40 are rather less common in France. I'm waiting for the right 40 to surface.  It's surprising how it's easier to locate a good used E70 than it is an F10. But then the F15 just came out recently and that may still be driving E70 trade-ins.

Reno