Rental review X5

[Andrew1972]

Maybe I hit the insurance rental lottery but got an BMW X5. My 160k 2007 Acura MDX got hit(parked) by my friends mother in law and in body shop for 4 days.

BMW does incredible but simple modern interiors very well. The screen with spin control is simple but you can shut the screen off and use normal elegant controls for all systems. No idiotic touch screens to run controls of vehicle.

The transmission and engine work incredibly well together. The transmission drops the gear near instant and gives this 3.0 turbo 6 wonderful response. I found the ride a tad bumpy but steering precise. This vehicle was quicker then my MDX similar HP but guess it was turbo and better than aged Honda 5 speed auto.

Just like my Acura which apparently is fun to drive for SUV this vehicle is not. Yes enough power but while this eludes what a BMW I have driven in past (3 series cars) it's not nimble nor fun to drive. To note I drove a Porsche Cayenne and felt the same way.

The price of $57k MSRP surprises me but BMW is automotive jewelry.

The other vehicle they were about to hand me was a GMC Terrain which would have been interesting to try modern domestic.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: madRiver
Just like my Acura which apparently is fun to drive for SUV this vehicle is not. Yes enough power but while this eludes what a BMW I have driven in past (3 series cars) it's not nimble nor fun to drive. To note I drove a Porsche Cayenne and felt the same way.

When it comes to "fun to drive", if your point of reference is a car, then no SUV will really compare due to the added weight and higher center of gravity. Out of those I've test driven, I think Porsche Macan came the closest, but it's quite a bit smaller than the X5 or your MDX.

 

[Bgallagher]

I love my terrain but it isn't a fair comparison to a BMW X5. Apples and Oranges. Still, cool review of the X5. I will have to see if I can get one the next time I am in need of a rental.

 

[cptbarkey]

You are not the first to notice that BMW has lost its way.

 

[BrocLuno]

I've driven a Porsche Cayenne and owned a number of Beemer sedans. I agree, the Cayenne was a dog to drive. Sorry the X5 is similar

My Big Bronco is "fun" once off pavement. That's why we still have it all these years later. Was up in the Oregon Dunes with it this year having a ball

Would not even consider driving a Cayenne in the same places the Bronco went ...

 

[DriveHard]

My wife DD a BMW X3 sport...it is by far the best handling SUV I have ever driven. I would guess it would beat many sedans around a track.

 

[MCompact]

Originally Posted By: DriveHard
My wife DD a BMW X3 sport...it is by far the best handling SUV I have ever driven. I would guess it would beat many sedans around a track.


We have an X3 of the same generation; it is entertaining to drive. As for the X, I've driven several at work. They are great for long interstate slogs but its size makes it a pain around town. The most entertaining drive in the BMW SUV stable is an X1 M Sport.

 

[MNgopher]

Had a rental upgrade to an X5 this past Spring.

To be honest, if your comparison point is other BMW cars, yes, it probably doesn't feel nimble.

If your comparison is to most other run of the mill SUV's, it is very nice to drive and has enough power on tap. I enjoyed my time in one...

 

[RooflessVW]

Originally Posted By: cptbarkey
You are not the first to notice that BMW has lost its way.


I never understood this line of thinking. What would you have BMW do? Release a 2017 E30 with 150hp? LOL

BMW is still who they have always been. The entire automotive industry is different, however, and they have adapted to survive.

 

[Dave Hess]

Originally Posted By: rooflessVW
Originally Posted By: cptbarkey
You are not the first to notice that BMW has lost its way.


I never understood this line of thinking. What would you have BMW do? Release a 2017 E30 with 150hp? LOL

BMW is still who they have always been. The entire automotive industry is different, however, and they have adapted to survive.


Many buy a BMW for show... not for speed.
Neighborhood will impressed with shiny new BMW even if it had 100 horsepower.

 

[MCompact]

Originally Posted By: rooflessVW
Originally Posted By: cptbarkey
You are not the first to notice that BMW has lost its way.


I never understood this line of thinking. What would you have BMW do? Release a 2017 E30 with 150hp? LOL

BMW is still who they have always been. The entire automotive industry is different, however, and they have adapted to survive.


I do think that they have changed in one significant way; today you have to add options to some models so that they will perform in the way all BMWs used to perform- particularly in the case of the current 3 Series and 5 Series. That said, BMW still makes some true "driving machines"- the 2 Series, i8, M Performance cars, and M cars. As long as BMWs continue to make those kinds of cars I'll tolerate the fact that Munich now often caters to people who wear cars as opposed to driving them- the dweebs who think trailing throttle oversteer is a band that used to open for Styx.
And early reports indicate that the new G30 5er is a much more entertaining sport sedan than the numb F10 it's replacing. The RWD 540i M Sport in particular may prove to be a very compelling sport sedan.

 

[RooflessVW]

Originally Posted By: MCompact
Originally Posted By: rooflessVW
Originally Posted By: cptbarkey
You are not the first to notice that BMW has lost its way.


I never understood this line of thinking. What would you have BMW do? Release a 2017 E30 with 150hp? LOL

BMW is still who they have always been. The entire automotive industry is different, however, and they have adapted to survive.


I do think that they have changed in one significant way; today you have to add options to some models so that they will perform in the way all BMWs used to perform- particularly in the case of the current 3 Series and 5 Series. That said, BMW still makes some true "driving machines"- the 2 Series, i8, M Performance cars, and M cars. As long as BMWs continue to make those kinds of cars I'll tolerate the fact that Munich now often caters to people who wear cars as opposed to driving them- the dweebs who think trailing throttle oversteer is a band that used to open for Styx.
And early reports indicate that the new G30 5er is a much more entertaining sport sedan than the numb F10 it's replacing. The RWD 540i M Sport in particular may prove to be a very compelling sport sedan.


I get what you're saying, but I don't agree. See: E30s with roll-up windows, 528e, 325e, M10-powered 318i, 318i compact... BMW has ALWAYS had [censored]-spec cars. Let's not forget all the 1.6l winners they soldmin Germany.

FWIW, a base-model F30 320i is a way better entry-level car than BMW has EVER made in the past.

My opinion of course; I know it's not the popular one.

 

[MCompact]

I actually like the lower spec BMWs- why else would I have kept my Club Sport(M Sport in Europe) for over 21 years? What I'm referring to are cars like the F10 that need the M Sport suspension to handle even remotely close to a base E39. I do agree with you with respect to the 320i. I had one for a loaner; manual seats, no hole in the roof- it was great fun, and exactly the way I'd option one.