USED BMW X5 4x4 (07 - )

My car

This is an excellent car only let down by some cheap plastics inside, in particular the blanking plate in the rear air con unit. The X5 handles like a car, astonishing really given its size and the 4.0d is very quick. Despite being high up you do feel like you are driving a sports car. I cannot get anywhere near the claimed 37.7 mpg and am now at about 30 mpg! I have the 20 inch wheels and the M sport model. The ride is firm but not uncomfortable. I did test drive a RR Sport but found it too slow and a spongy ride. The Lexus RX450h was pretty good but is basically front wheel drive and felt like it. The professional sat nav and idrive are easy to use and intuitive.

My car

What a car.

Having traded up from a 5-series, I have been delighted by my first month with the X5. Handsome in the M-Sport guise (I opted for silver), the SD engine gives it some real shove without damaging fuel eceonomy too much. I would agree with other comments here that 27-28mpg is about average and that this can rise up into the 30's if you are careful with your right foot on long journeys - but frankly, why deprive yourself of driving pleasure. If you can't afford the car, buy something else.

I would definitely recommend the comfort seats as an option, they are tremendously comfortable, allowing you to achieve a perfect driving position. the Panoramic roof is also a great addition.

Beats the pants off the discovery - and just about anything else. Highly recommend this vehicle and the dealer (JCT600 in Bradford) who bent over backwards to deliver a great deal.

My car

Owned for 3 months/4000 miles, replacing a (trouble free!) Disco 3. Chose BMW over new Disco/RR Sport hoping for better fuel consumption & improvement on Discos 'boat like' steering & handling on motorways. The latter is way better in the BMW, though chose the optional Adaptive Drive (expensive, but recommended) after experiencing fidgety ride on standard test X5. Fuel consumption is a disappointment though, averaging only 27mpg (way short of the 34mpg BMW claim), a tad better than the Disco (26mpg). However, unlike the Disco, the X5 consumption is highly dependent on how you drive & whether it is low speed or cruising - returned over 40mpg on cruising A roads at 50 to 70mph.

Some minor negatives include puncture in rear run flat after a week which took 5 days to source a replacement at £350, protruding sills mean you plaster your legs with dirt on exiting car & paint on front edge of body coloured rear wheel arches is being 'sand blasted' by muck kicked off front wheels and no mud flap option for M Sport body kit.

Positives – ride, handling, engine refinement, performance & smooth auto shifting, well built & comfortable cabin (rear seats much better than Disco), useful lockable under floor compartment if 3rd row seats not specified and as good as the Disco at towing a horsebox (includes trailer stability system).

Overall, very pleased, despite my economic justification of better fuel consumption offsetting higher vehicle cost not being true in reality.

My car

Replaced a Discovery 3 with the X5 and so far have had 6 months of trouble free motoring - constantly average at least 28mpg and can hit 32 on a long run. Best car I've ever owned - mine was bought second hand having previously been a BMW UK car - it was loaded with extras and I saved a fortune. Doesnt have sports suspension but does have adaptive drive and this coupled with the comfort seats, smaller alloys and all season tyres makes it really comfortable. Its great on the narrow twisty roads in the Highlands. Agree it doesnt look quite as good as those with the big 20" alloys - can't have it all.

Was unfortunately hit up the rear last week by a Fiesta - I'll need a new lower bumper panel - Fiesta is probably heading for the scrap yard! BMW accident assist have been brilliant as well.