Quote:
Originally Posted by W37V
Hi all,
I am currently looking to purchase 2012 x5d (e70) with 50k miles for 27 out of the door. Vehicle has no warranty on it, and I don't want to spend additional $4k on buying an aftermarket one, so most work would be DIY.
Should I even bother with this vehicle? Maybe just get the new x5 (f15) or something else? I drove new x5 (f15) and I liked it, but the steering felt kind of numb. Drove MB GLS (very impressed with it), GLE (ex-ML), new Audi Q7, VW Touareg.
From my research it seems like the engine and transmission on e70 are rather solid and the only issue is the carbon buildup.
Also, if you have any advice on what to look for / what are weak points for this vehicle, please chime in. It appears loaded - it has sport package, but does not have sport suspension - I don't like the way it tends to handle. Does anyone have any advice on how to remove the bounce and make it handle better?
Should I just forget about it and get a f15 or maybe something else?
Thanks
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F15 has a bit more "comfort" feel to the handling. I mean it's not as direct as E70. For me it's good as I am in my 40s now and I'm looking for power
with comfort, but it depends what are you looking for? I would say X5M (old generation) is a better handling machine of course, but it's more expensive and at that price point f15 is a more preferable choice - newer, much better interior, more reliable, BUT more expensive too (compared to E70). So it all depends on how much are you willing to pay or finance imho.
IMHO the only worthy contender to f15 x5 is a Audi Q7 and even that is not as agile as x5, not as fast as x5 and so on. Then there's Porsche Cayenne Turbo of course, but that's another price category. I think if you can afford f15 - it would be best overall choice. You'll probably need to upgrade suspension, but that's the only issue I'm having with my f15 x5. Suspension is way too comfy. A good set of coilovers or a lowering springs may make it a more "ideal" SUV
I don't know much about E70, but when I test drove one - it was day and night difference compared to f15. After that test drive I excluded E70 completely. But then again, if you like it and price is right - it's still better than majority of bland SUVs out there on the market. I test drove new Lexus RX and it felt like a bus - big disappointment. BMW got softer lately, but it's still way above the rest (well at least majority of them)
Just my 2c