2008 BMW X5 Reviews

Ewan Kennedy reviews the first, second and third generation BMW X5 from 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 as a used buy.

The BMW X5 received rave reviews when it was launched; road testers were ecstatic about the performance and handling of the big wagon. NEW The new model released in 2007 looked much like the previous model, but it was bigger, and for the first time there was seating for seven.  There were lots of other upgrades too,

It's a topic of debate -- some would argue the Range Rover kicked off the prestige SUV craze 40 years ago.Others say SUVs aren't serious off-roaders and the modern category was established by ze Germans. It is the latter crowd that -- regardless of the origins of the species -- have come to dominate this prestige SUV segment.Be it an upper-crust shopping centre carpark or the leafy confines of a private school's grounds, you are guaranteed of spotting three particular vehicles -- the BMW X5, Audi's Q7 and examples of the Mercedes-Benz M-Class.The brand that has built its image on sheer driving pleasure and derivations therein has the X5 on its books, the benchmark in the class for on-road dynamics and some epic powerplants.The X5 sits behind only the 3 Series as BMW's top seller and is the best of its SUVs, fitted with six and eight cylinder petrol engines and six-cylinder turbo diesels.For those not concerned with fuel economy, the petrol V8s provide much in the way of propulsion and aural amusement but the oilers are the gems. The X5 has badge cred, car-like dynamics and family wagon versatility -- even a third-row option but space isn't abundant.Audi's Q7 has been outshone to some extent by the introduction of the smaller Q5, but the big Ingolstadt wagon has space aplenty. Among its petrol and turbo diesel engines, the 3.0-litre V6 oiler is the value pick. Not as nimble or car-like as the BMW, the Audi has a more useable third row of seats but lacks low-range.The M-Class is best off the beaten track, with an optional off-road package for the more serious adventurer. It has V6 petrol and turbo diesel, and V8 options including the super-quick ML63. As with the Audi, the V6 diesel is the best all-rounder.Last year the sales of large SUVs over $70,000 topped 17,000 , up 11 per cent. This year the segment is up more than 30 per cent with all three brands' SUVs selling strongly.Getting into one of these late-model beasts is relatively not expensive. Thanks to finance defaults, leased vehicles moving on and even trophy wives wanting something new, the "pre-owned'' market has no shortage of them, some with new car warranty remaining.Top TipsAs with all used cars, signs of poorly repaired accident damage (inconsistent welds, paint and panel fit) as well as signs of water intrusion (given recent flood events and submerged new car stocks) can point to rusty consequences.Diesel powerplants are generally more frugal when towing or on the open road but the fuel economy is offset by higher purchase price, service costs and the price of diesel. Do the numbers based on your driving habits (using urban and extra-urban fuel economy figures, not the combined-cycle number) and pick the appropriate machine.If you are hauling polo ponies, dressage nags, a boat or a van, check the towing capacity details, as some 4WDs make big boasts but fall over in real-world applications.2006 BMW X5 4.4Engine: 4.4-litre V8 petrolTransmission: 6-speed automaticThirst: 14.8L/100kmCARSGUIDE SAYSThe slogan "there's nothing quite like a V8'' applies here -- while the X5 has worthy diesels, the 4.4-litre V8 on offer in the big Beemer has appeal and when used sensibly won't drink ridiculous amounts of pulp. Leather trim, the full gamut of electronic safety gear and a clever all-wheel drivetrain make the big wagon more nimble than many passenger wagons and more than a few sedans.2008 AUDI Q7 3.0 TDIEngine: 3.0-litre V6 Turbo DieselTransmission: 6-speed automaticThirst: 10.5L/100kmCARSGUIDE SAYSThe V6 turbo diesel, one of the brand's better engines, deals well with the Audi's mass. Not as nimble as an X5 but far from a truck, the Q7 has a long features and safety equipment list plus leather trim. Tips the scales over two tonnes but can drag 3.5 tonnes when asked. There are bigger diesel and petrol engines but the 3.0-litre is a good all-rounder.2009 MERCEDES-BENZ ML 350 CDI WAGONEngine: 3-litre V6 turbo dieselTransmission: 7-speed automaticThirst: 9.6L/100kmCARSGUIDE SAYSUS-built -- as is the X5, which pipped the Benz by 49 sales last year -- the ML progressed significantly from the original M-Class, maintaining a greater off-road ability while closing the gap to the X5 in on-road dynamics. The badge holds plenty of cachet. There is an off-road pack with diff locks, low range, height-adjustable suspension and under-body protection.  

We looked forward to being seen in the latest edition of BMW's X5 with the special enthusiasm one might reserve for being clamped in stocks and pelted with rotten vegetables by a jeering mob of vigilantes.It's not for nothing that the regular reader (happy Mother's Day, honey) has begun to suspect we're not altogether in favour of fat SUVs in the city.So, just to clarify: we do not advocate persecuting owners. Gosh no. They should have a fair trial first. Then on to the persecution.It isn't that SUV owners are necessarily worse drivers than the rest of us — the Australian standard is universally awful. Which is a bit like the roads, actually.It's just that when an SUV-head lurches down the City West Link (mobile clamped to ear and two wheels in each lane) or U-turns at a red-light intersection, or can't be bothered indicating before lane barging, they're liable to inflict a lot more damage on an innocent road user than the idiot who does likewise in a Yaris.Possibly the best that can be said for the X53.0sd (“super diesel”, for heaven's sake) is that it almost overcomes the prejudice of even so vehement a critic of SUVs in the suburbs as we.It's hardly BMW's fault that this country's mad tariff and tax regime would make a behemoth such as this more affordable than a sedan fitted with the same stonking 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six-cylinder diesel. Not that the hugely-praised-in-Europe 335d is on the cards for this part of the planet.And that's a pity because, in typically clinical Bimmer fashion, it's mightily impressive — even more so in its way than the marque's much babbled-about (by us) twin-turbo petrol engine.As harnessed to the 3.0sd, it achieves an impressive 200kW and a truly alpine torque peak of 565Nm from way down low in the rev range.Near as frugal and low-emitting as the lesser X5 3.0d Executive, the uber version is almost sports-sedan quick. A neat 7.2 seconds is claimed for the 0-100km/h dash and it feels it — you have to look hard to detect any substantial lag when leaping off the line.And it gets about as close you could reasonably expect something of this size and displacement to sports sedan-like handling.BMW likes the X5 to be known as an “SAV” — for sports activity vehicle — as opposed to the utilitarian SUV. This isn't just the jargon you expect from a car company: the X5's rear-biased all-wheel-drive, balance and general dynamic surety are enhanced when pushing on a bit by electronic safety devices that presume the driver has some slight idea of what they're about.Still, as we say, that's a generous assumption in a country of non-existent driver training.In oppressive city conditions (and let's face it, most X5s leave town once a year to go to Thredbo), the reversing camera and all-around visual proximity sensors make it easier to reverse park than certain hatchbacks we've driven lately.Though the vehicle is well-endowed with kit by BMW standards, the options list is long and varied enough to fill one of these columns.Suffice to say, our loan vehicle came with the $4500 sports package which adds sport suspension settings (which, just for once, manage not to wreck the ride), a fat steering wheel, 19-inch light-alloys, nicer seats, poncey trim and even tarted-up roof lining.None of these niceties disguises the stark fact that this is basically a Bimmer interior, comfortable enough to be sure, but some way from the MLs, Q7s or Cayennes of this world.Of all the German marques, it's the current generation of BMWs that serves most to remind us of Blackadder's immortal remark that “there's no word in the German language for fluffy.”Frippery aside, the newest X5 is remorselessly impressive — a better idea in most circumstances than the substantially more expensive and thirsty V8 petrol jobbie.Yet for everyone sitting smug in an X5, there's always going to be someone who sees you as a complete knob. Even if they don't lob an old spud at you. Snapshot BMW X5 3.0sdPrice: from $105,800Engine: 3L/6-cylinder turbo diesel; 200kW/565Nm and 0-100km/h: 7.2secondsEconomy: 12.4L/100km, as tested