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Why (Not) the BMW X5?

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TrueDelta's "Why (Not) This Car?" reviews of the BMW X5, posted by owners, focus on the information most sought by many car buyers: the reasons to buy (or not buy) the BMW X5 compared to other car models.

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Comparisons: BMW X5 Preferred

BMW X5: Reasons to buy
Discounts & incentives: It was an unusual offer of $6000 less on the end of year models.
Powertrain performance: The pep, the tightness of the suspension, the thrill of the drive!
Safety & braking: The fact that it is a safe car, the braking is effective. The safety was an important issue.
Handling: The response, the cornering..
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Acura MDX: Reasons not to buy
Handling: The MDX was great until I test drove the X5. I found it to be less tighter and found the front of the car seemed to pitch forth when braking hard.
Past personal experience: Not MDX - HONDA service was terrible. After owning the Odyssey, having horrible experiences with service, I vowed to stay away from HONDA products.
Price or payments: Comparatively speaking, the incentive from BMW (less $6000) was what did it for me. Acura could not match it.
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Comparisons: BMW X5 Not Preferred

BMW X5: Reasons not to buy
Powertrain performance: No diesel available, poorer mileage and performance without
Reliability & durability: BMW is getting a BAD rep for reliability (wiring, etc) NOT 'high end' quality.
Fuel economy: poor compared to diesel
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Acura MDX: Reasons to buy
Exterior styling: Has an agressive wide stance
Quietness: Very quiet cabin
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Mercedes-Benz M-Class: Reasons to buy
Reliability & durability: Owned two ML's and one G in the past and just purchased a GL, all solid cars, zero issues.
Materials & workmanship: Well built.
Brand reputation & image: Mercedes engineering.
Past personal experience: Second ML we had.
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BMW X5: Reasons not to buy
Cargo capacity & towing: Cargo area not as large as the ML.
Past personal experience: Family had BMW's in the past with some reliability issues.
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Single Vehicle Reviews: BMW X5 Pros and Cons

BMW X5: Reasons to buy
Exterior styling: very agressive and modern look
Rear seat room & comfort: due to the third row seat, the second row has a tilt function
Safety & braking: best brakes ever
Handling: best handling in its class
Reliability & durability: german engineer
Ride smoothness: feels like a luxury vehicle
Discounts & incentives: with the 4 year free maintenence plan the is no better deal
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BMW X5: Reasons to buy
Exterior styling: Nothing
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BMW X5: Reasons not to buy
Materials & workmanship: Poor fit & finish, orange peel in paint
Color choices: Bland color choices
Audio & nav systems: Antique nav system, Hate I-Drive
Exterior styling: Flame surfacing
Powertrain performance: Not enough torque, no Diesel offered
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BMW X5: Reasons to buy
Handling: This vehicle is extremely responsive in the city and feels great while crusing on the HWY. I will add (I do not have a heavy foot) that my gas milliage is excellent for a vehicle of this caliber (20 City / 25 Hwy).
Materials & workmanship: The overall quality is great. Everything is in place, is well finished, and fits. Also, everything works as advertised. I read a few complaints concerning the iDrive but after an hour or so of instruction, it is easily mastered.
Safety & braking: This vehice has excellent (but not overbearing) braking power. Also, the harder one brakes the brighter the tailights become. As for safety, there lots of air bags and the vehicle rated very high in its class.
Exterior styling: I chose this vehicle over the Lexus, Mercedes, and Audi as it has a more agressive stance and looks very masculine as well as refined(the Audi and Mercedes run a close second).
Powertrain performance: The powertrain feels very competent as well as responsive. The engine is competent and transitions very well when challenged on hills and any incline. Acceleration for the 6 is about normal in response time as it is truly pushing a lot of weight.
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BMW X5: Reasons not to buy
Price or payments: It was very hard to find one close to or under invoice. But the vehicle does retain a lot of residual value. I had to do a lot of research to find one at a decent price...but I did!
Ride smoothness: If you do not like to "feel" the road at low speeds as this vehicle comes with run flats, this may not be a good choice for you. That being stated, this is a great crusing vehicle. I completed a 7 hour hwy jaunt with no issues!
Audio & nav systems: The base audio is simply to vanilla. There are no major controls such as a mid range or eq unless you upgrade. The ipod connector is a must and it works great (the cable is $70..ooch). The nav may be too hard for non tech types but I find it a great tool.
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BMW X5: Reasons to buy
Brand reputation & image: Its a BMW
Handling: Corners really well. Sporty
Powertrain performance: 3.0 is super smooth and strong
Fuel economy: Better than our 6 cyl Grand Cherokee by far
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BMW X5: Reasons not to buy
Price or payments: Overpriced relative to USA prices
Insurance & depreciation: High insurance cost
Ride smoothness: A bit harsh compared to a car
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BMW X5: Reasons to buy
Brand reputation & image: Have always liked BMW from afar, finally able to get one.
Powertrain performance: Big V8 puts power down when it's needed. Xdrive and DSC are terrific in the winter here with 2 feet of snow. Huge tires really help.
Handling: Handles better than our other vehicle which is supposedly a sports sedan.
Interior styling: Excellent fit and finish. The car just feels dense and well put together. The materials are heavy, not clunky. High quality.
Safety & braking: Best crash ratings, very heavy car and feels like a tank. Braking is superb.
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BMW X5: Reasons not to buy
Fuel economy: 15 mpg in City. Huge fuel economy on highway though, but I don't drive like a maniac.
Ride smoothness: Bumpy, but only because we have low profile sports package tires. This is my own fault.
Insurance & depreciation: Car depreciates like crazy and insurance went up about 15% a year in cost.
Price or payments: I feel that the certified pre owned program from BMW adds much too high a cost to the vehicle. However, wife wanted from dealership, so we had to get from there.
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Hundreds of websites include BMW X5 reviews. But with your typical BMW X5 review car buyers must dig to find the information they really want. And too often they still don't find it.

With "Why (Not) This Car?" TrueDelta is providing the information many car buyers considering the BMW X5 are looking for: the reasons to buy--or not buy--the BMW X5. As reported by other car buyers.

The survey process is simple:

  1. Select two cars to compare
  2. Describe your time in each
  3. Select reasons for buying one and not buying the other
  4. Explain and provide additional detail for these reasons

 

 

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