[ade555]

I have been toying with the idea for few weeks now, looked at some test drove but is very common to find them with Oil leaks, most that I have seen from traders and private sellers been wet underneath. Very hard to check if is just old leaks or something major going on due to shields. I know the N57 will leak with age around oil filler housing/rocker cover ect. How are they with transfer case/diff seals? I will be staying away from models with sunroofs or them panoramic ones. Might be main car in future not sure if I will get rid of my 4 series or not yet. Bit of a love hate relationship with that car and I do prefer bigger cars.

[Wolverine]

I looked into an E70 X5 as a replacement to my 4GC. They seem like nice cars, if you’re after something that sized. We needed a 7 seater and a larger 5 seat SUV or 2nd 7 seater. As most of my driving is on my own, a second 7 seater felt egregious so I was looking mostly to 5 seat variants (though we did cross shop the 7 seater with the XC90)

Ultimately for me, I felt the interior was a slight step back from my 4 series and after having a couple of BMWs in a row, I wanted a change.

So I’ve put a deposit down for a Porsche Macan S instead.

[ade555]

Originally Posted by Wolverine

I looked into an E70 X5 as a replacement to my 4GC. They seem like nice cars, if you’re after something that sized. We needed a 7 seater and a larger 5 seat SUV or 2nd 7 seater. As most of my driving is on my own, a second 7 seater felt egregious so I was looking mostly to 5 seat variants (though we did cross shop the 7 seater with the XC90)

Ultimately for me, I felt the interior was a slight step back from my 4 series and after having a couple of BMWs in a row, I wanted a change.

So I’ve put a deposit down for a Porsche Macan S instead.

Yeah I can agree felt bit dated, but seating position front and back milion miles better compare to 4GC, I have honest opinion of my daughter who absolutely hates sitting in back of 4GC. Would love to own something like Macan but other priorities first.

I will use more for longer family trips ect., where room is preferred as we traveled all over Europe in past and looking to get back in to it. Not sleeping in it or anything like that and I don't think I want do this in 4GC as I feel broken after 4-5h, great car otherwise. XC90 yeah I just can't stand the look of them, the newer ones are better but as this will be 2nd car for my self at the moment can't justify spending £20k on one.

E70 2012-2013 you can pick something that is kitted out for about 6-7k with 110-130k

I owned other series BMW but never X5 and always stayed away from xdrive but we planning few winter trips where it might be beneficial to actually have some form of 4wd

[MY340i]

great cars, but lots of dogs on the market. Timing chains etc need to be considered and they have a habit of chewing through tyres.

Have you looked at Touaregs of similar era?

[KRS_SN]

Test drove one in 2016. Very comfortable. It's not that different from the F15 series which was in my understanding a facelift hence only lasted a 5 year cycle before the g05 was introduced. I wouldn't dream of owning one unless from a local bmw dealer approved used. EGR system and air suspension system are suspects. Squeaks and rattles are common.

[ade555]

Originally Posted by MY340i

great cars, but lots of dogs on the market. Timing chains etc need to be considered and they have a habit of chewing through tyres.

Have you looked at Touaregs of similar era?

I'm under the impression that the 2011-2013 have the N57 engines? Same as I have in 4GC, no rattles on chains on any of them I looked at but both needed bit work, which In all fearnes I don't mind, I can do it my self and be done properly. Problem is with most cars a that age people won't spend money. One X5 I looked at rear suspension been done last year, seller was claiming one of the oil leaks was done but when looked under car looked wet. Now this might just been old oil that wasn't cleaned of shields ect. but until you lift it up you won't know. It wasn't picked up on MOT, it didn't have doggy one as other things was highlighted so alarm belt ringing. Looked at nice X5 on paper, one owner 107k, I was thinking perfect. Oh boy the wasn't a single panel on car that wasn't dented / scratched/, rear tailgate was very badly repainted ect.

I don't know much about the 3l v6 diesel in them VWs, I wouldn't mind getting discovery 4 for space if it wasn't for the crank made of cheese.

I don't think there is much out there that I like or is within my price range in that category.

[ade555]

Originally Posted by KRS_SN

Test drove one in 2016. Very comfortable. It's not that different from the F15 series which was in my understanding a facelift hence only lasted a 5 year cycle before the g05 was introduced. I wouldn't dream of owning one unless from a local bmw dealer approved used. EGR system and air suspension system are suspects. Squeaks and rattles are common.

I do wonder if the EGR cooler is under recall in BMW , mine has been replaced twice now on 4GC

[SkyJawa]

A friend of mine had a Touareg and replaced with an X5, both the same era, the VW felt a noticeable step down compared to the X5, and felt much smaller inside.

[KRS_SN]

Originally Posted by ade555

I do wonder if the EGR cooler is under recall in BMW , mine has been replaced twice now on 4GC

It's a consumable they replace it at every service visit. I believe it has lifetime warranty.

[ade555]

There is few of them X5 about, some are better then others, not going to be easy to find okish example. There is still a lot asking silly money. I need to do more digging regards transfare boxes ect.,

Most when you looking at MOT history has the same line Oil leak but not excessive. People won't spend money on replacing gaskets then bloody things weep and goes everywhere so is hard to spot which one has the big problems and which one don't. Pulling down gearboxes, transfare cases ect to do seals is not ideal but can be done if car is at the right price 😉

[ade555]

Originally Posted by KRS_SN

It's a consumable they replace it at every service visit. I believe it has lifetime warranty.

Must be at the rate they replacing it. Few years ago I worked for well know scrap merchant and we collected 40yrd bins full of brand new EGRs out of Northampton Warehouse along with alloy wheels.

Reason why I asked if any of the potential purchases have problem with EGR might be able to get them to replace it under recall 😉

[G50]

I'd say a 5 series touring is a much better car for touring Europe. You'll get better condition/newer for your money and spend less on fuel.

When I look at what mine is worth at 115k miles and 6 years old, it's crazy how much car it is for the money, had zero issues with it. Done 2 Euro road trips, one as far as Croatia.

[ade555]

Originally Posted by G50

I'd say a 5 series touring is a much better car for touring Europe. You'll get better condition/newer for your money and spend less on fuel.

When I look at what mine is worth at 115k miles and 6 years old, it's crazy how much car it is for the money, had zero issues with it. Done 2 Euro road trips, one as far as Croatia.

You are right in terms of running cost ect., problem is I honestly prefer to sit bit higher up, having slight problems with my back and BMWs I always find it you sitting on floor, longer journeys are painful in 4 series for my self. It won't get any better in my case calling to doctors. Getting out of car after 4-5+ hours yeah is not fun any more. Hence why I'm looking and SUVs type vehicle. I honestly don't think I would find 5 series touring comfy enough, space and running cost yeah makes sense and I do like the 5 series.

[Alscoob]

I looked at an X5 admittedly the F15 and liked the driving position better than an earlier (2006) Cayenne I had a long while ago, (same as a Touareg) but ended up with a 5 series tourer.

Like that much better for many reasons, long haul trips being one and it is very comfortable and easy to cruse, also I find that you sit in the seats and not on them, strange analergy I know but 4x4's can make you feel as if you are on a perch. On the other hand it can also double up as a drivers car an hustle along some twisty roads. I have the sports seats in mine as opposed to the comfort seats which having tried both I far prefer. In my last car, F31, similar to a 4er, on a long run I would get out with a back ache, in the 5 with a 7 hour drive through Germany, no such problem.

With the X5 I could see a high maintenance bill (was a 4.0d) EGR's for one and tyres. OK it had the 21" rims with the 315 tyres on the rear but at £1500 a set and being a heavy car they would get eaten up quite quickly and while you can have smaller wheels, they will still eat up tyres quicker than your typical car.

Can't comment on the E70 as not driven one but to me unless you can find the low milage with full history version with just a couple of owners you could be in for some serious expense in putting it all right.

Go drive a G series 5 touring or even an F series and you may well be surprised just how big it feels by comparison to a 4er and how comfortable it is....

[SkyJawa]

Originally Posted by G50

When I look at what mine is worth at 115k miles and 6 years old, it's crazy how much car it is for the money

This is exactly what me and even my wife has said about mine. I have a 2011 F10 (so the newer 258 3.0d engine) on 113k, has most of the kit I want, was lacking in the audio but fixed that, I paid just over 7k for it. It is a ridiculous amount of car for the money, and with a remap putting out 300hp its gets along great, doesn't need any more power for todays roads. Easily returns mid to high 40's mpg on most times we go out, and seen over 50mpg multiple times. Its also really comfy, and a much nicer place to be than my old 2014 335d.

In comparison my mum paid more for a 2014 Ford B-Max on 40k which has been loads more problem than my 5!

[ade555]

I get all the recommendation regards 5 series. But honestly I'm having problem with any car if my legs are elevated to high for longer period of time. So term of seating on seat like you would do when you sit at your dinning table is preferred for my self. Less pressure on back.Hence why I even look at SUVs in first place. I don't need one and 5 series would have enough space. I won't be getting 5 series or any other normal car for that matter been honest. Strangest thing is I can be moving all day and I'm fine, put me in wrong sitting position I'm in pain.

So can we go back to x5 or something similar 😀

[SkyJawa]

Comfort? Range Rover it is then!

[ade555]

Originally Posted by SkyJawa

Comfort? Range Rover it is then!

Yeah I was looking at it, bit to flashy I think, insurance is sky high is well about 1k more along with bit shaky reliability. I looked at Discovery 4 but the problem with crank put me off them otherwise I would have made perfect sense. Loved the space 2 meter length in back with seats folded, very nice opening ect. Spoken to local LR specialist 12k for rebuild just incase. Makes X5 looking cheap in terms of repairs