2016 X5 35i as a loaner, not impressed

[IndyRed128i]

Originally Posted by P1et

I have a 135i M Sport and an X5 35i M Sport. Going from one to the other is about as apples and oranges as you can get. The 135i is a go-kart and the X5 is a very comfortable cruiser.

I wouldn't say the F15 drives like a tank. The E70 drove like a tank. The F15 is much more nimble, and actually faster than my E70.

Do you have the VIN of the X5? I bet if we pull it, you'll quickly notice it probably had very few options. Get a nicely loaded X5 and it's a whole different ballgame.

5UXKR0C53G0S92676-VIN

BTW, I agree about it being comfortable and good looking, just not quite what I expected driving wise.

[IvanLZ]

Like others have said, you can't expect the car to drive like a sports car with all the weight and size. If you try it with DHP i think you would be very impressed. Many people have given positive comments about it.

Pretty sure the acceleration of the X5 is faster than the 128i so I don't know why your saying it's so so. The sense of speed differ from a small car and a big car. Try racing a X5 and you will see it passing you on the red light. For a big vehicle... that's impressive

[artem123]

Look, people, i ate apples last night, instead of peaches, and was disappointed. I mean, they are all fruits, right?
Of course i am saying it in jest, however, that is how comparing 1 series with X5 looks like. Sorry OP, you are either joking or trolling.

[beammeupscottie]

Originally Posted by IndyRed128i

So I have always thought that aside from the X5 being sort of a "soccer mom car", that they were a decent looking SUV, and I assumed the driving was good as well.

Fast foward to today, and while my 128i is in the shop, I get to drive an X5 35i around, and I gotta say, was pretty disappointed, especially considering this is a 70k vehicle.
-Drive like a tank, with so-so acceleration
-Poor turning radius
-Feels bland overall

The X3/X4, for far less money even seem to drive better, which I get because of the size, but still, just kinda surprised me because this vehicle is supposed to be competing with Range Rover, Porsche Cayenne, and other large SUV's that still drive well

Anyone else that has driven a late model X5 notice these things, or is it just me?

Try the 5.0i in sport plus mode or the M version- that's where this vehicle takes flight otherwise it's just another SUV "soccer mom" vehicle as you stated...the 3.5i doesn't do it any justice - and yes, I own the F15 5.0i

[XXX5]

I had a base loaner before my 50i M Sport was ready for me to pickup. No comparison, my 50i is impressive and Ive owned a lot of impressive SUVs including two Porsche Cayenne turbos. Drive my car and Im certain your feelings would be different.

[IndyRed128i]

Originally Posted by artem123

Look, people, i ate apples last night, instead of peaches, and was disappointed. I mean, they are all fruits, right?
Of course i am saying it in jest, however, that is how comparing 1 series with X5 looks like. Sorry OP, you are either joking or trolling.

Well this was supposed to go in the general forum, but the mods moved it to the X5 form, so no wonder my opinion is in the minority.

BTW, I wasn't comparing it to the 128i, I was comparing it to other SUV's that I've driven.

[samguan]

Originally Posted by XXX5

I had a base loaner before my 50i M Sport was ready for me to pickup. No comparison, my 50i is impressive and Ive owned a lot of impressive SUVs including two Porsche Cayenne turbos. Drive my car and Im certain your feelings would be different.

man, you're making me wanting to trade in my 35i for a 50i.. always wanted a V8... but X5s aren't cheap here in Canada especially if you add in the packages. And it's like you can't pick and choose, you want the MSport, you gotta get the premium... so so the X5 50i with a starting price of $77000, plus $10000 of packages. you're at $90000 before all the fees and taxes. X5M starts at $105000....

Anyways...I think until get a X5M, I would never be satisfied...But definitely 50i would be a good compromise if X5M is what you want. I'm seriously thinking about the Mustang GT for myself while the X5 would be used for family only.

[spike5150]

Originally Posted by IndyRed128i

Well this was supposed to go in the general forum, but the mods moved it to the X5 form, so no wonder my opinion is in the minority.

They tossed you into the lion's den!!

[puckybadger]

Originally Posted by IndyRed128i

So I have always thought that aside from the X5 being sort of a "soccer mom car", that they were a decent looking SUV, and I assumed the driving was good as well.

Fast foward to today, and while my 128i is in the shop, I get to drive an X5 35i around, and I gotta say, was pretty disappointed, especially considering this is a 70k vehicle.
-Drive like a tank, with so-so acceleration
-Poor turning radius
-Feels bland overall

The X3/X4, for far less money even seem to drive better, which I get because of the size, but still, just kinda surprised me because this vehicle is supposed to be competing with Range Rover, Porsche Cayenne, and other large SUV's that still drive well

Anyone else that has driven a late model X5 notice these things, or is it just me?

It is just you.

[Kzang]

Originally Posted by samguan

man, you're making me wanting to trade in my 35i for a 50i.. always wanted a V8... but X5s aren't cheap here in Canada especially if you add in the packages. And it's like you can't pick and choose, you want the MSport, you gotta get the premium... so so the X5 50i with a starting price of $77000, plus $10000 of packages. you're at $90000 before all the fees and taxes. X5M starts at $105000....

Anyways...I think until get a X5M, I would never be satisfied...But definitely 50i would be a good compromise if X5M is what you want. I'm seriously thinking about the Mustang GT for myself while the X5 would be used for family only.

Wow... we must be twins. I echo your thoughts exactly down to the mustang GT... however I've been contemplating on the GT350

[Kzang]

Originally Posted by IndyRed128i

Well this was supposed to go in the general forum, but the mods moved it to the X5 form, so no wonder my opinion is in the minority.

BTW, I wasn't comparing it to the 128i, I was comparing it to other SUV's that I've driven.

Yeah... I agree that a base model X5 ( which is normally what Loaners are ) is nothing to write home about... Just for example, I've received a loaner X5 Xline and it drove like crap compared to mine. So I can fully understand and appreciate OP's comments. I would however, test drive a X5 with a suspension upgrade and MPPK tune upgrade and I'm pretty sure you would be impressed.

[alphaod]

X5 doesn't handle like a sedan. Never really will. That's why I like sedans. However got the X5 since we don't get the touring here. Simply put way more utility.

[jlstyle]

BMW these days must be equipped right to feel right. They cut cost everywhere and without good packages, it will feel cheap, drive cheap. But at least, X5 feels much more luxurious in standard form compare to X3 where it feels worse than the Honda CR-V IMO. And let's not even get started on 3ers...I cannot stand how cheap F30/32 feels compare to E90/92 no matter how loaded they are.

[x5mannn]

I have an X5 and get 320's as loaners

[Winn]

Funny, I just had a base model X5 loaner yesterday when I dropped off my 50i (w/Dinan Stage 1). My impressions with the base suspension and straight six were a little different, I didn't think it was too bad. Granted, I was driving it like a rental, but I was impressed how it moved given the weight and the suspension wasn't nearly as bad as I was expecting (I've only driven X5s with DHP). Don't get me wrong, I was happy to get back into my rocket, but the "base" model isn't nothing to overlook. I came from an '14 Explorer Sport and I prefer the base X5 to that.

[Sharp_Cai]

For me, X5 is a family SUV. I will never put up a comparison between 1 and X5. They are two different type of cars which doesn't stay in the same category. We all should stop wasting time at this topic.

[m_alnimah]

I love the X5!
I used to have an F15 and recently got an F16,,, loving them both!

[GeeRam]

Originally Posted by P1et

I have a 135i M Sport and an X5 35i M Sport. Going from one to the other is about as apples and oranges as you can get. The 135i is a go-kart and the X5 is a very comfortable cruiser.

I've had a 135i for nearly 6 years, and I'm just about to replace it with a X5 40d, and I know it's going to take a bit of getting used after having the 135i for so long.
I know I'm going to miss the 135i enormously, but I need something bigger with greater ground clearance, and I have to say more comfort in my old age.
It will optioned with the DHP and comfort seats though....and a few other nice toys.

[P1]

Originally Posted by GeeRam

I've had a 135i for nearly 6 years, and I'm just about to replace it with a X5 40d, and I know it's going to take a bit of getting used after having the 135i for so long.
I know I'm going to miss the 135i enormously, but I need something bigger with greater ground clearance, and I have to say more comfort in my old age.
It will optioned with the DHP and comfort seats though....and a few other nice toys.

You absolutely will miss the 135i. It most certainly is a very fun little car to cruise around in. Mine is a 2011 and it only has covered 24K miles. It's even still on the first set of RFTs... But you're right, if you are going to replace the 135i with an X5, then option it with DHP otherwise you'll be in for a world of disappointment. For me, I have the 135i and the X5, so if I want comfort, I take the X5 and if I want a bit of fun in the twisties, I take the 135i.

[GeeRam]

Originally Posted by P1et

You absolutely will miss the 135i. It most certainly is a very fun little car to cruise around in. Mine is a 2011 and it only has covered 24K miles. It's even still on the first set of RFTs...

It's barely run-in at that mileage!

Yeah, 24k should be getting near end of life of the RFT's, my original RFT's lasted to 29k.......but that included a couple of track days as well

Originally Posted by P1et

For me, I have the 135i and the X5, so if I want comfort, I take the X5 and if I want a bit of fun in the twisties, I take the 135i.

Having fun in the twisties is what I will miss, having done a lot of rallying in my younger days, but the years have roll on a lot since those days, and the body needs comfort now not speed
Still, by next spring the '32 will up and running, so weekend fun will be definately 'old school'.....err very old school

[termigni]

have you driven other SUVs you mentioned? if not please do so and comment about X5 again. you can't expect an SUV to be nimble like a 128. heck, go drive the F30 328, you'd think it's a Lincoln Towncar. at least that's what I thought when I got a F30 loaner when servicing my E92.

[CiprianS]

Originally Posted by IndyRed128i

So I have always thought that aside from the X5 being sort of a "soccer mom car", that they were a decent looking SUV, and I assumed the driving was good as well.

Fast foward to today, and while my 128i is in the shop, I get to drive an X5 35i around, and I gotta say, was pretty disappointed, especially considering this is a 70k vehicle.
-Drive like a tank, with so-so acceleration
-Poor turning radius
-Feels bland overall

The X3/X4, for far less money even seem to drive better, which I get because of the size, but still, just kinda surprised me because this vehicle is supposed to be competing with Range Rover, Porsche Cayenne, and other large SUV's that still drive well

Anyone else that has driven a late model X5 notice these things, or is it just me?

I had a X6 xDrive 3.5i as a loaner and I really liked it. Coming from my BMW M4 which has a rough suspension this one was very comfortable. Of course you can't compare them because they are in different classes, it just depends on what you want from a car. But I did not feel that engine to be lazy, it was doing its job quite well considering the size of the car.

Originally Posted by F80Dreamer

Interesting...I am taking my car in for the 1200 mile service this Friday and asked for an X5 loaner as we are thinking of getting one for my wife. Hoping I like it more than you did!!

Watch it, not to fell in love with it and do just like me that I will change my M4 with an X6.