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| 2005 Bmw X5 Review | |||
| Whether you're about to spend $40K on a brand new car, or half that on a used car, it is always important to learn as much as you can about the used car. Read these car reviews to learn about all aspects of the vehicle. Each of the usedcar reviews cover interior and exterior features, options, road tests, and more. | |||
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Introduction
| Road Test
| Inside & Out
| Other Thoughts
| Last Word
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| Other Thoughts | |||
In the world of luxury, engines are everything. Check out the base stickers for the three X5s: $43,670 for the automatic X5 3.0i (the same 225-horsepower V6 shared with the 330/530/Z4). The V8-powered 4.4i (tested here) goes for $53,495 - a mere $4,913 per extra cylinder. After that, the top-dog V8-powered 4.8is goes $70,795, meaning each of those final 36 horses only costs $481 per head. A manual transmission with that V6 earns $1,275 back.To the base X5, the 4.4i adds the parking warning system, rear climate controls, leather, xenon headlights, the load-leveling rear suspension, and 18-inch wheels. The 4.8is adds heated seats, BMW Assist system, moonroof, tilting right-side mirror, tinted rear windows with sunshades, sport suspension, and 20-inch wheels. The options list comes down to four big packages, available on the first two X5s only. The $2,500 Premium Package adds power rear seatbacks, panorama moonroof, auto-downward-tilting right-side mirror and puddle lamps, auto-dimming rearview mirror, 8-function onboard computer, and GPS. The $1,600 Sport Package gets a stiffer suspension (not recommended), star-spoke wheels, chrome exhaust, titanium bumper grille insert, Shadowline trim, 12-way power front seats with 3-way memory, power tilt/telescope leather steering wheel with cruise/audio/phone controls. The $750 Cold Weather Package adds high-pressure headlight cleaners, heated front seats, and a ski bag. Finally, the $400 Rear Climate Package adds tinted rear windows with sunshades. Some individuals are navigation ($1,800; replaces CD with cassette), premium sound ($1,200), heated steering wheel ($150), retractable cargo floor ($380), and rear-side air bags ($385). Two last mentionables are Servotronic steering that quickens the response at low speeds ($400) and the aforementioned Adjustable Ride Height ($500) that allows you to raise the X5 by 1.5 inches upward or drop it down by 0.8 at the touch of a rocker switch. Something you don't see every day is a BMW that starts higher than its Mercedes equivalent. An ML500 runs a bit lower at 47; an Infiniti FX45, Volvo XC90 V8, and Land Rover LR3 SE even less, at 46, 46, and 45. Getting closer takes the Cadillac (yes, Cadillac) SRX V8 at 51, and to spend more takes the Porsche Cayenne S at 57. Up until that last one came along, the X5 was the performance leader of SUVs. It still blows away the Benz, whose aging V8 and flaccid responses have it getting blown away even after the 2006 redesign. However, those other four competitors are new and very closely matched, especially that 557-pounds-lighter Infiniti. But listen up: there's still one thing that can blow away the X5. More power pulling every pound means it's faster, even while getting 30% better gas mileage. It stands closer to the Earth and weighs half a ton less, so it doesn't feel like there's a boat on the roof every time you turn a corner. It grips better, brakes better, and has the same all-wheel-drive system. Best of all, there's no sacrifice in utility - it holds cargo just as well and passengers even better - it treats all of you better with a smoother ride, and it even costs less. Oh, and it's made in Germany with all the reliable BMWs, unlike this spotty South Carolina-built anomaly. Want to know more about this little secret? Just go up to the salesman who showed you the X5 and ask him about - write this down - the 2006 BMW 530xiT. Tell him we sent you. |
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