Just signed up to the forum after collecting my car last week. We had a little boy at the end of last year so we needed something bigger. The e46 M3 convertible had to go as it was just proving impossible to get him in, plus all our junk in the car easily. We seemed to be spending hours packing the car like a game from the crystal maze / Krypton factor whilst getting funny looks from passers by and the odd "tut" as we posted the car seat with baby through the rear window into position on the back seat! Loved the M3 to bits and sad to see it go especially before the Spring/ Summer weather. I manged to get a fantastic price on the private sale so i was mad not to let it go. Then came the decision, 4x4 or estate car. Looked at the RS Audis but seemed crazy running costs (a friend was getting 8mpg in his!) and could'nt face a people carrier !!
After much thought and consideration I was convinced it had to be a 4x4 for something a bit different to all my previous cars, and the X5 seemed to win hands down. I looked at the RR and RR Sport but was shocked at how non-sporty the Sport was ! I can see why land rover called it that though as the Range Rover tractor doesnt have the same ring to it! Also shocked at the poor build quality of the Sport too. Admittedly I tried the 2.7 but even if the TDV8 was a huge leap forward the interior and build quality of the 2.7 i tried was enough to put me of. I then seriously considered the proper RR TDV8 too. Lovely car, but felt far too big and not much fun to drive either. Also thought that I was not old enough for a RR just yet! Maybe in a few years, lovely car though! Briefly considered the other options for a few days like Toureg, Q7, ML but non came close in terms of all round quality, performance, looks etc compared to the X5. I went on a few test drives in a single and twin turbo X5. After driving them both back to back I was not initially sure if the twin turbo was worth it. However, after coming from an E46 M3 I decided to go for the extra oomph as I thought in time I would regret not getting it, also there is not much difference between the two in terms of running cost so thought it was a no brainer providing I could find one on budget and the right spec etc.
I never really got to drive the BMW demo car properly on the test drive in London as the salesman took me on a congested route round west London. I then found a great car advertised in Hants. The spec i was looking for (M Sport, panoramic roof, shadow line trim in Saphire black, plus several other good extras on too) so decided to try this car in Hants one Saturday morning. The dealer was a great guy who let me try it on my own for a proper run. I was sold. So over the next couple of days and a bit of negotiation the deal was done. Anyway, collected the car last week. Its a 2008 E70 X5 Msport 3.0sd and I'm delighted with it. Such smooth power delivery and plenty of grunt for such a big car. On the long drive back home via BMW to get a dealer stamp in the service book I couldn't stop smiling when I put my foot down, it really does go well. After the M3 I thought I would find the X5 a huge change. I had accepted it would be very different but I now just love the the twin turbo and I'm really glad I went for it. A superb car. I'm a happy man. A brilliant car to ferry the new family round in safely for the coming years, and enjoy driving and bit harder when I'm on my own!
I'm a member of M3 cutters, terrific forum, and now looking forward to being a part of this forum too.
