Buying E70 X5

fifth

Hi folks,

Currently driving a 2007 E60 530D, black, auto. Would like to change to an X5, 2007 M-sport, black, auto, 7 seater variation. Yes this is quite specific but they tend to be at the upper limits of my price range, and there's no difference in the tax that I'm currently used to paying, so that's not really an issue.

From looking around and speaking to car dealers, these are quite hard to come by and even importing is difficult due to the demand in the UK.

Is my best option just to stalk DoneDeal and the likes for the next few months until something comes up? I would be looking to part exchange my 5-series if possible, I will consider selling it privately but not sure what money to expect for it.

Are there any things I should look out for on those, e.g. turbos, timing chain issues or other known problems? Consumption is not an issue for me. Extra space is a requirement (increase in family size) and I love the driving feel of BMW so I would preferably like to stay with the brand (in case anyones wondering).

Edit: Also the styling of the tourer does not appeal to me.

Cheers.

Blazer

There's a great thread over on bmw-drivers.net that turned me off the X5s specifically around the service costs ie tyres etc.

http://www.bmwhaus.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?455-Moe-s-e70-X5-Review

I'd love to buy one in a heartbeat but think I'd stick with the touring 5 series.
For the money for a 2007 X5 you're probably edging close to a 2010 F10 touring at this stage I'd reckon.
Another thing is its the same dash inside so it doesn't really feel like a new car.
I went from a 520D to 525D M-sport (lci) and it didn't really feel like a new car. Sure it looked better, went faster and better to drive but from the inside it just looked like the same car ie dash.

They are lovely to drive though...nice and high up..I test drove a 2008 model which had the upgraded twin turbo engine and it has great power in it..around 250hp I think.

fifth

Thanks Blazer I'll have a read through that thread this evening. The F10 tourer looks like a good fit I just can't get past the styling, never could. Owned a 2010 F10 520D for 3 years and loved the interior though..I do miss that on the E60.

Blazer

fifth wrote: »

Thanks Blazer I'll have a read through that thread this evening. The F10 tourer looks like a good fit I just can't get past the styling, never could. Owned a 2010 F10 520D for 3 years and loved the interior though..I do miss that on the E60.

yeah I'm looking out for a nice f11 touring as well..but again you have the chain issue in the first 2 years of it
I would have been the same regarding the estate but when you have kids etc they're a godsend.
I'd take the X5 in a heartbeat but you're talking 20-255k for a 2008 X5 (see one on bmw.ie for 28k for 2009 model with 2 years warranty) but that price will get you a 2012 f11 touring.
3 years up, cheaper car to run and better mileage and lower service costs..decisions are a bitch

fifth

Going to test drive one (X5) tomorrow and see for myself what the fuss is all about. It's been fully serviced, looks spotless, clean car history check, getting a potentially good trade in on my own if I decide to buy.

fifth

Maybe nobody is interested, but to anyone who stumbles across this maybe in their search for an E70 in the future... I bought one.

I love the car. LOVE. IT.

It's pretty much what I wanted it to be. Ride a little firm over bumps but it's so comfortable and has a nice growl under harder acceleration. Love peoples reactions when they see it. The car is huge and spacious enough for a family of 4-5 and baggage.

So far, happy with the purchase.

ondafly

I had actually been following this thread and glad to see the update. What exact model did you go for in the end ? as I can see myself in the future changing one of our gtis for a larger car, as space is beginning to become a requirement and I've always had a soft spot for a SUV style car with a bit of poke.

fifth

ondafly wrote: »

I had actually been following this thread and glad to see the update. What exact model did you go for in the end ? as I can see myself in the future changing one of our gtis for a larger car, as space is beginning to become a requirement and I've always had a soft spot for a SUV style car with a bit of poke.

I went for the 7 seater, 3.0d, with dynamic pack. So it's got the extra bumper kit and the side runner/step. Sports seats and the sports steering wheel. With the furthest back two seats folded down there is a lot of boot space. It looks good, drives well and has enough poke (i've just come from a 530D).

_Brian

fifth wrote: »

I went for the 7 seater, 3.0d, with dynamic pack. So it's got the extra bumper kit and the side runner/step. Sports seats and the sports steering wheel. With the furthest back two seats folded down there is a lot of boot space. It looks good, drives well and has enough poke (i've just come from a 530D).

Would it be rude ask mpg numbers or is it a case that if you have to ask you can't afford it 😳

fifth

I'll post up some MPG numbers once I've had a few more days to drive, i'd imagine i'd be getting around 19-20mpg around town .. low 30s on a run.

I'll be doing mostly around town driving the next few days so will be interesting to see how it is.

ondafly

that's a nice color in the X5 - I could live with those MPG figures, as I had similar in my M3 but alot less usability when it comes to dragging baby seats about!

How many KMs do you see on average from a tank ?

The only off-putting part for me - I'm guessing a fairly large diesel tank ? so probably €100+ to fill up ? its the mental barrier of handing over that amount for fuel.

Gumbo

I will buy an E70 soon too. I will of course crew cab it as with my current and previous car, but i'd be chasing a 5 seater for that reason.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-x5-sport-12-month-warranty/12314666

I'd buy this tomorrow if I wasn't in the middle of saving for a house extension.

I get 21mpg in my ML270 with 99.9% city driving, measured long term using the one click method. I would expect the X5 to get slightly more as my E53 was getting 25mpg.

fifth

That's pretty much what I got except theres 20" wheels on that one. I've noticed, my iDrive screen is really dim. Impossible to see in the sunshine even with brightness up full. Can't find much relevant information online. Getting 19.7mpg around town the past 2 days.

Gumbo

fifth wrote: »

That's pretty much what I got except theres 20" wheels on that one. I've noticed, my iDrive screen is really dim. Impossible to see in the sunshine even with brightness up full. Can't find much relevant information online. Getting 19.7mpg around town the past 2 days.

You'll get used to how it drives and it might creep up a little.
Best of luck with it.

You should be able to increase the brightness in the I drive menu or sometimes, the interior light dimmer wheel under the steering wheel actually dims the display too. It does that on our E60.

fifth

It's creeping up a little. over 20mpg now today. I'll keep an eye on it.

The iDrive screen needs replacing it seems.

s14driftking

It should creep up more around town and a lot of towing with my e53 is returning around 25 to 26mpg. Long runs is returning low 30mpg.
Would remapping these give better mpg

Gumbo

fifth wrote: »

It's creeping up a little. over 20mpg now today. I'll keep an eye on it.

The iDrive screen needs replacing it seems.

That's a bummer! Hopefully it's just the screen and not the I drive brain. Have you got pro nav (wide screen) or just the standard small screen?

ondafly

fifth wrote: »

The iDrive screen needs replacing it seems.

just on the off chance - when I had my M3 the main screen (nav/tv/music) would not display at all, but the radio/music would play, you just couldn't see what was going on. The only way to get it back working was a complete reboot of the system, which at the time I only knew how by disconnecting the battery for a bit then reconnecting. I later worked out its just a fuse I could remove and that would reboot the nav and hey-presto the screen would display.

fifth

ondafly wrote: »

just on the off chance - when I had my M3 the main screen (nav/tv/music) would not display at all, but the radio/music would play, you just couldn't see what was going on. The only way to get it back working was a complete reboot of the system, which at the time I only knew how by disconnecting the battery for a bit then reconnecting. I later worked out its just a fuse I could remove and that would reboot the nav and hey-presto the screen would display.

kceire it's the small screen. I've had three bmw's and never had the large screen, whenever I am ready to buy there are never any in my price range with the pro nav. Next time!

ondafly I'll try that actually, I had read that online. It cycles the power to the bulb in the panel might be worth a shot.

Gumbo

fifth wrote: »

kceire it's the small screen. I've had three bmw's and never had the large screen, whenever I am ready to buy there are never any in my price range with the pro nav. Next time!

ondafly I'll try that actually, I had read that online. It cycles the power to the bulb in the panel might be worth a shot.

Well now could be a good time to upgrade.
Mick in Germanicks can upgrade you to the full screen pro nav with up to date maps and all the associated add on's including DAB, reverse camera, Digital TV or if you really wanted to splash out, you can upgrade to the NBT system from the brand new X5. All using genuine OEM parts.

fifth

I was on to Mick this week and he hasn't got anything for me at the moment in stock but it's worth looking at. Apparently I need a new radio unit to fit the larger panel. I love that NBT system. I had an F10 a few years back and really liked the menu look and feel.

Blazer

goddamnit..now I'm back to wanting a x5...

Gumbo

fifth wrote: »

I was on to Mick this week and he hasn't got anything for me at the moment in stock but it's worth looking at. Apparently I need a new radio unit to fit the larger panel. I love that NBT system. I had an F10 a few years back and really liked the menu look and feel.

My favorite feature in our F10 is the Bluetooth streaming!

CountingCrows

Blazer wrote: »

goddamnit..now I'm back to wanting a x5...

Price 4 new tyres and that will pass :P

Gumbo

CountingCrows wrote: »

Price 4 new tyres and that will pass :P

It's relative speaking. I tell my mate how much 4 19" tyres cost for our 5 series and he laughs, then goes out to a machine and drops €20 on smokes!!

CountingCrows

kceire wrote: »

It's relative speaking. I tell my mate how much 4 19" tyres cost for our 5 series and he laughs, then goes out to a machine and drops €20 on smokes!!

Just did a quick search and they're not as bad as I presumed. Hmm...

Blazer

there's a nice 07 model near me (the newer twin turbo model) and its in great nick...I'm really bloody tempted..I only bought my e92 coupe a few months ago but now that my mileage will be reduced from around 50k to barely 15k mpg is not an issue anymore...so many decisions to make
I'm currently paying just over €1600 on tax and about 1300 on insurance for both my car and 07 santa fe.. definitely time to get rid of them both and go for something like this.

Gumbo

Blazer wrote: »

there's a nice 07 model near me (the newer twin turbo model) and its in great nick...I'm really bloody tempted..I only bought my e92 coupe a few months ago but now that my mileage will be reduced from around 50k to barely 15k mpg is not an issue anymore...so many decisions to make
I'm currently paying just over €1600 on tax and about 1300 on insurance for both my car and 07 santa fe.. definitely time to get rid of them both and go for something like this.

My issue with the SD model (35d engine) is that you rarely see them with the dynamic package and they look a little down played in standard form. Although the engine would kinda make up for it

CountingCrows

Trying to get my head around the engine variations. Originally there was a 3.0 twin turn which was followed by the xDrive35d and then in 2010 by the xDrive30d?

Regardless, all 2008-2010 models are taxed at €1,200?

fifth

I thought the 08 onwards were all called xDrive .. not sure though.

Edit: Update, this thing is great craic to drive. Just feel like a boss!