2009 BMW X5 Consumer Reviews

Fed up of inconsistent diagnostics

Written by: faizal ali on 10/19/2009

Vehicle

2009 BMW X5 xDrive30i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6A)

Review

My BMW is under 6 months old with less than 4000 miles and has been back to the dealer for the same problem. It has an annoying vibrating sound from the engine. The dealer changed the power steering pump and problem still exists; now I am told it might be an engine mount. I would like to return this truck because I am fed up of the inconsistency of what a new car should have. I should have kept my infinti qx4.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

3 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Early impressions 100%

Written by: Stimulus on 10/19/2009

Vehicle

2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A)

Review

I purchased a dealer demo with 8000 miles. Paid $51K pre-tax, sticker of $63K, Invoice of $57K. Included $4500 eco credit. Dealer extended Warranty to 55,000 miles. I have driven 3000 miles so far and can find nothing to fault. Performance and handling is superb. There is no turbo lag if you use kick-down mode or shift to M1 for quick starts. Hiway accel is gutsy, mind the staties. I-Drive is easy to use, but it helps to practice when you are not driving. The Nav is DVD based but terrific. BMW Assist lets you download locations from Google Maps. Cool. I drive a lot in my job. Mileage averages 21mpg around New England and Boston. 27mpg on a long hiway trip at 75mph to 80mph.

Favorite Features

Engine, brakes, I-Drive, Audio System (pop in a USB stick, IPOD too), full moon roof, seats.

Suggested Improvements

I would prefer a bigger center console, but the split lid is really cool.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Exceeded Expectations

Written by: Senoroso on 10/07/2009

Vehicle

2009 BMW X5 xDrive48i 4dr SUV AWD (4.8L 8cyl 6A)

Review

Car is very nice, great build quality, great mileage on the road, looks good, passengers and bystanders both seem to like it. Driving comfort is impressive, 400 miles in the seat is nothing.

Favorite Features

Lumbar seat, keyless entry and operation, comprehensive engineering.

Suggested Improvements

Looking forward to the redesigned x3, same size as the old model x5

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Mixed Thoughts

Written by: PhillyDude on 09/10/2009

Vehicle

2009 BMW X5 xDrive30i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6A)

Review

The car drives and handles great. From a pure driving perspective, it is probably the best SUV I have ever had. However, it has some serious flaws in the interior. The navigation system is terrible and almost impossible to use. The all in one computer system for using most features in the car is also not easy to use. Something simple like changing the air from your head to your feet takes way too many steps to do. The car just feels over engineered. Also, don't believe the maintenance is included sales pitch. I just got my 10,000 mile done and all it covered was an oil change and not rotating and balancing the tires.

Favorite Features

Acceleration and driving performance. Luxury feel for long drives.

Suggested Improvements

Scrap the whole computer console and start from scratch. Redo the navigation system to at least match those you can buy over the counter. Go buy an Acura and see how they do it to get an idea of how to do it right.

21 out 23 people found this review helpful

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Our first deisel & BMW

Written by: mdezine on 09/09/2009

Vehicle

2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A)

Review

Picked up a demo w/7500mi on it. Loaded with most options. The torque is plentiful, if switched to sport mode, it's even sweeter. Drove 1500+miles in 5 days and had no body aches. Very precise steering and fantastic brakes. The turning headlights and fog lights illuminate the roadway very well. Sound system is also amazing. This SAV is a blast to drive. It's my wife's so don't get to drive it much, but I feel good to have my family travel in this solid vehicle. Good crash ratings. Everyone says that the i-drive is a pain, however everything new in the world of electronics has a learning curve, once you master it, its all intuitive. Patience is a virtue. Lastly we got 27mpg on our road trip.

Favorite Features

Steering, braking, sound system, safety features, real time traffic updates, heads up display, bluetooth, panoramic glass roof, sport mode, 600+mile range w/one tank. 4yr/50000mi maintenance plan, BMW roadside service, BMW SOS plan, heated steering and most of all the torque.

Suggested Improvements

Replace run flats with normal tires. Provide spare tire for 3rd row option.

24 out 24 people found this review helpful

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Great for long drives

Written by: FLBMWDriver on 09/06/2009

Vehicle

2009 BMW X5 xDrive30i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I just picked up my brand new X5 last month and I am very impressed with it so far. I drive 100+ miles per day so a comfortable ride is very important to me. I had my X5 built and I chose the ventilated seat package which was well worth it. The seats adjust in so many ways and the massage feature for the driver is great! My black sapphire X5 turns heads when its clean and the interior is impressive with the brushed aluminum trim giving it a sporty look. The driving position is great and the car is pretty quiet at 70-80mph on the highway. Also, the premium sound system upgrade sounds great and I also like the iPod interface. I would highly recommend this SUV.

Favorite Features

Panoramic sunroof, comfort access, ventilated seat package, premium sound system, xenon headlights, fog lights that shine in direction you are turning in.

Suggested Improvements

Better iDrive (supposed to be on 2010 models), some uneven gaps might need to improve build quality, trim around side windows already looks bad... all models should have chrome trim around windows. Better gas mileage for I-6 engine.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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I got what I hoped

Written by: Aussie_Rob on 08/24/2009

Vehicle

2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A)

Review

I have been researching an SUV (Landcruiser, Nissan Patrol, Discovery 3 or Bimmer) for 4 months and after a lot of deliberation went for the X5 turbo. I couldn't be more thrilled with what I got. The turbo is smooth and delivers great performance and yet is amazingly fuel efficient for a large vehicle. I'm 6'3" and so there is plenty of space, great driving position and visibility. I had an E90 325 manual and the X5 isn't any slower and the handling isn't vastly different. My wife thought paying this much for a car ($90k Aussie) was ludicrous but she's already a convert - "it's very comfortable isn't it??" She never liked the 325. So I'm wrapped - so far anyway.

Favorite Features

Turbo diesel. Rear door opener. Drink holders location. Seats. Front & rear parking sensors. Visibility. Fuel economy. Exterior design.Interior space. "Secret" glove compartment. All the gadgets and tie downs in the rear trunk area.

Suggested Improvements

Make the iDrive more intuitive. I agree with the guy who suggested you could have an accident trying to get it to work when driving. Make run flat tires optional.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Very Happy with Diesel X5

Written by: NorthernVABMWdriver on 08/09/2009

Vehicle

2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A)

Review

This is my 6th X5 and probably my favorite. I like the idea of driving clean-diesel and a more fuel efficient SUV without much trade off in performance and comfort. Acceleration is excellent; it feels faster than performance numbers indicate. Diesel engine clatter does not intrude into the cabin; you would not know it's has a diesel engine from the interior. I custom order my BMWs and this one took only 9 days from production start to delivery.

Favorite Features

Comfort seats are a must-buy option. Heads up display. Taught suspension. Tight build quality. Upgraded sound system is very good. Roomy interior.

Suggested Improvements

Reduce the exhaust rumble. It's "sporty" but can be annoying and intrudes excessively into the interior. OEM tires are poor performers with short tread life. Remove the backup camera from the technology package. It's a useless waste of money that takes too long to start, so I just turn it off.

13 out 14 people found this review helpful

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X-5 Diesel

Written by: Lakerdad on 08/06/2009

Vehicle

2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A)

Review

Clean burn diesel engine and great fuel mileage, no black smoke or smell. A little bite noisy when standing by the car. When staying inside of the car, cannot tell the difference between gas and diesel engines! It is the first BMW I own. Hopefully the quality as good as Japanese products!

Favorite Features

Handling is great!

Suggested Improvements

Most X-5 Diesel equipped a few option. That is a disappointment!

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Our First Diesel

Written by: pedalian on 08/01/2009

Vehicle

2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A)

Review

Purchased this as a demo vehicle, have put over 4000 miles on it so far. The diesel is amazing. This thing has power! My wife drives it to work every day on the freeway, getting about 28mpg on the highway. Our combined average is 24.5 (according to the computer). Very comfortable to drive. We do have the 3rd row seats and they are pretty useless except for kids under 12. We checked out the VW Tourareg TDI as well and liked it too, very much. Almost got it instead, but we got better financing through BMW Financial. No regrets. Engine can use B5 biodiesel according to the manual, and I have been using that as well. No issues. (I mix 100% biodiesel at 20:1 ratio with regular diesel).

Favorite Features

Engine, mileage, ride, power. The bluetooth works well, and the iDrive is nice once you understand it. The large double-opening sunroof is very nice. Backup camera includes dynamic indicators showing your path as you move the steering wheel. Sounds/feels like a big V8.

Suggested Improvements

Please put an OFF button on the climate control (you have to press the fan control down button repeatedly to turn it off). Engine could be a little quieter at idle, and on initial take off.

13 out 13 people found this review helpful

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