Moving on from X5

[hertfordshire1]

So having owned a 2010 LCI 4.0d M Sport for the last 18 months, it's time to move on and try something different..
I tend to only keep my cars for a few years and I wasn't planning on moving it just yet, but a good deal on another car was too good to turn down.
Thought I would summarise my owner experience, for those perhaps looking to buy something similar, or for those that may share my views.
So car was bought via AUC network and came with 24k miles on the clock.
Supplying dealer was a joke, would never use them again and I was very nearly put off the BMW brand buy the whole experience.
Anyway 30k miles later, these are my findings.
The good:
Looks
Performance - remap helped
Service pack was handy having never paid for a service
Comfort access - although this wasn't without fault (see bad)
Pano roof
Rear camera a must for such a big car
Huge boot

The bad:
Fuel economy - unless driving like a nun - MPG would always be 24
Comfort - m sport suspension + run flats made for a really firm choppy ride
Corrosion with the alloys - ended up painting them to stop the hassle of sending the wheels off for more refurbs
Comfort access - 2 door handles broke and hand to be replaced - 1 was broken when I collected the car!!
Standard audio - lacks any real punch

Overall it's been a good car to own. It's served us well and I hope it's new owner enjoys it.

Cheers Steve

[celica]

Nice write up

Surprised the 40d LCI wasn't any better on fuel
My 3.0sd is low 20s

Wander if the new age x5 is better on mpg

What are you replacing it with

[hertfordshire1]

End of the day it's a big heavy car but I was expecting better to be honest.

Previous car was a Jag XFS and that would see 29/30 MPG driven in the same way.

Next car - well forget about MPG, it's a F10 BMW M5  :blink:

[Horizon]

[quote="hertfordshire1"]
End of the day it's a big heavy car but I was expecting better to be honest.

Previous car was a Jag XFS and that would see 29/30 MPG driven in the same way.

Next car - well forget about MPG, it's a F10 BMW M5  :blink:
[/quote]

Gallons per mile then ) ) )
Good choice 

[graemeX5]

An interesting summary of the 40d and surprised by the probs with comfort access. Its useful for me as I'm thinking about changing from my E53 shape to one of these.

Look forward to pics of the M5 when you get it

Graeme

[X5Sport]

Interesting about the handles, it seems BMW still need to toughen up the component spec somewhat.  Either that or there are some really rough owners out there used to Fords and Vauxhells which need a more 'robust' approach to open the doors!

I have never (yet) had a handle break in any car....though I do have to tell HRH not to slam car doors!

[brewer]

Thanks for taking the time herfordshire1 to describe your ownership experience.

6k miles in 18 months - that's a mere 4k pa?  Expensive motoring.

Sad to hear the same old complaints of BMW still hold true;
- Terrible MPG (real world gone backwards since the E53 in this dept.!)
- RFT's are a mistake - the disadvantages far outweight any advantages
- Audio - still one of BMW's Achilles heels unless you spec right up


Anyway, M5 sounds great - you of course have a good BMW warranty?!

Cheers.
Brewer

[mark hamster 28]

[quote="brewer"]
Thanks for taking the time herfordshire1 to describe your ownership experience.

6k miles in 18 months - that's a mere 4k pa?  Expensive motoring.

Sad to hear the same old complaints of BMW still hold true;
- Terrible MPG (real world gone backwards since the E53 in this dept.!)
- RFT's are a mistake - the disadvantages far outweight any advantages
- Audio - still one of BMW's Achilles heels unless you spec right up


Anyway, M5 sounds great - you of course have a good BMW warranty?!

Cheers.
Brewer
[/quote]
Think you will find he has done 30k in 18 months = 20k pa 

[pvr]

I only do long distance in mine (well, I am on 14k after 3 years so long distance is a bit relative  …  ) ).

On those journeys, I get about 30 - 32 on mine cruising in France etc at a steady 85 - 90. Don't generally "rag" the car though as I generally have passengers who would object  :-[

[hertfordshire1]

I was surprised by the frailties of the handles.

I also forgot to mention the entire rear bumper was replaced do the the clip issues that other owners have experienced..

I would have extended the warranty, but BMW wanted silly money.

M5 is a brand new car, currently being built, so will have a full warranty and also put a service pack on that.