Yep. My wife has a 2018 X5. We have about 60K miles on it. Maybe more. I hope I don't jinx it, but it's been very reliable. We have the base engine and I personally think that's the best way to go. It's not crazy fast, but it doesn't have to be. It's very practical and comfortable and just works. I think the X5 is the best luxury-ish SUV on the market, but I'm a BMW fan so take that with a grain of salt. I should mention that I had a Macan loaner for a few days and the Macan feels way more nimble than the X5, but the Macan is smaller and less practical.

 

I am fortunate to own a 2020 X5M in addition to the CGTS; had it for two years with zero mechanical issues.
The ride is a bit rough on road imperfections, but the M variant is known for its harsh suspension.
Overall, I would highly recommend X5M.

 

I have an X3 and a 3 series. Both have been very reliable, and get surprisingly good gas mileage. Don't get the m sport suspension unless you pop for adaptive, as the suspension is too harsh for my wife in my non adaptive m sport suspension. Suspension harshness is the one thing where BMW seriously lacks,
in my opinion.

 

We have a 2012 X5d with a little under 90k miles. Mostly just regular service, although we did get hit with a DEF tank replacement a year ago, 1 year out of the 10 year extended warranty. My sister in law and her husband have a 2024 X5 50e that they love. We also have an 2018 M540d which is fast, powerful and incredibly fuel efficient. I am disspointed that BMW no longer brings diesels into the US, but if we had to replace our X5, I would still put the new gas or hybrid X5 at the top of the list.

In the meantime, I wash ours regularly, with no end of ownership in sight......

 

We have a 2020 X5 45e PHEV with just over 40K miles. It’s fast, comfortable, reliable, spacious and economical. 390bhp and 442 lbft, achieving an average of 42 mpg despite having been regularly used to tow an enclosed car trailer. It has air suspension which I’d highly recommend as the ride for an M sport car on 21” wheels is excellent.

 

How is it behaving at high speed?
I had a 2018 X5 PHEV for some time as a company car, and it was scary at high speed. Anything above 140 km/h it felt like I had a loose trailer attached to the back. The weight of the battery at the back was probably the reason, but it did not have air suspension or active dampers.
The PHEV drivetrain was very awesome, smooth, and well behaved.
I see the newer version you have was a big update.

 

Another 2020 X5 owner here. No problems whatsoever, stark contrast compared to 405L Range Rover which I owned before.

 

Thx everyone! Great feedback that I can trust. I was amazed that CR gave the X5 a 92 in its most recent survey scoring.

She’s considering a Lexus RX too, but I think her heart is with the BMW. Plus, Lexus inventory is low and we can more readily build her preferred spec thru BWM.

 

I haven't driven the latest RX but if it's anything like all the other Lexus SUV's I have driven or ridden in, they are the definition of boring. Reliable as heck, good fit and finish, OK design, but a rolling cure for insomnia. Our 12+ year old X5 drives crisper and tighter with less body roll than any newer Lexus SUV I've ever driven. So if your wife has her heart set on a BMW, and she has an ounce of driving enthusiasm herself, get that order in yesterday. 👍

And, BTW, consider specifying pickup at BMW's Spartansburg Performance Delivery Center. I did it for ours in 2012. Not sure if it's still the same program. I bought a one-way airline ticket to arrive the night before. BMW picked me up at the airport in an X6, put me up at the Marriott hotel with dinner with the group (15+/-). After breakfast the next morning, took us to the PDC for 1/2 day at their track that included skidpad, accident avoidance maneuvers, and several instructed laps at their track. Plus a hot lap. All done in their vehicles, not yours, but matching the model you purchased (for me an X5 diesel). As an added bonus for SUV purchasers, we went for another hour on their off road course in which you were instructed on how to use their hill descent and other features. We went up and down 30-40 degree side banked hills. Had us balancing on three wheels. I am sure that our previous Acura MDX and a Lexus RX "crossover" would have ended up broken in half or upside down trying to do some of those maneuvers. After lunch was a 2-3 hour tour of their factory and private tour of the on site BMW museum. Only disappointment was that my wife couldn't come due to a schedule conflict. I drove the 500+/- miles back to Maryland starting at 5 p.m. and getting home at 2 a.m., but I think you might be able to have them ship the car if you live too far away. It was a spectacular and FREE experience. 😃

Good luck, you've gotten me thinking I'd like to do that BMW experience again, but we love our 2012 too much to sell it.

 

Just an M5......

Mike

 

X3 M4.0 and E46M3.

 

2020 X5 owner with the base 6 cylinder engine and air suspension, here. I bought it new just prior to COVID shortages drove prices above MSRP across the industry. ~30k miles later and I would buy it all over again. It has been a tremendous family hauler for road trips, is plenty powerful for what it is, very reliable, and gets surprisingly good mileage.

I definitely recommend taking a look. The mid cycle refresh added more tech, but BMW still has physical switches for the most important things, I think.

 

X5 is what I put on my parents short list. They settled for the X5 finally. Base. A lot better for them than the XC 90. It is very roomy and comfortable and has plenty of power for them. For me all those big boxy SUVs are DOA, but that's me. I have to admit that I borrow it a couple of times a year when my combo of 718, GTI and Impreza (you can tell I do not like large vehicules) cannot do the job. My cousin down the street is an X5M Competition owner. The power is impressive, but after getting a 911 GTS, he will get rid of the X5. He now finds the X5MC just too big and not agile enough. He is a spririted driver and does a lot of tracking. His backup vehicule is a F250 so he can easily make it without the utility side of the X5M C which he will switch for a Audi RS6 Avant. It's fun to have options (and budget) like that!

 

We have had three X5s starting in 2003. They have been good cars and very reliable. All have been with the V8, which get terrible mileage, although the new one (M60) is a bit better. The 2024 has the iDrive 8 (I could go on and on about all the things I dislike about it) and way over boosted steering, both of which detract from what would otherwise be a nice car.

I will second the delivery in Spartanburg if you can work it out. We have done it twice, once with a 3 series and once with an X5. Both were a long time ago but we enjoyed it and made it into a mini vacation into the NC mountains. It used to be free, but I don't know if it still is.

 

My wife and I are owners of a 2023 BMW X5 xDrive40i with 23K miles on it. I love the car, even though admittedly I wasn't a fan of the last two X3's we had (the 4-cylinder engine was lacking on the last one). When we shopped for the X5, we also test drove the Cayenne, which we also loved. But the Cayenne would have been $20K+ more when equipped with the same features (and some of the tech in the Porsche is far worse). We also drove the Lexus GX, which was the previous generation and felt like the interior was designed 15 years earlier.

My only complaint with the X5 is the rear seat legroom, which should be better given the overall size of the vehicle. Driving and comfort are top-notch, especially for the front seat passengers. I've had the X5 up to ~120mph on a few occasions on empty highways racetracks (yea, that's it ) and it's totally stable even at that speed. Consumer Reports was definitely right about the X5. But if money was no object, I think I would have preferred the Cayenne - it was a smaller overall package, with better back seat leg room - plus, it drove like you'd expect a Porsche SUV to drive. The BMW is probably a 9/10 on driving dynamics, whereas the Cayenne was a 10/10. Of course, this assessment is only based on a half-dozen test drives in the Cayenne - I'm sure if I had purchased one I'd have found something besides the tech to complain about. That's why I know the X5 is great, because I've had it for 2 years and still love everything about it (except that **** rear seat legroom).

 

You are so right Re rear passenger space… honestly, it’s shocking how bad it is… and slightly worrying considering our boys appear to be taking after me in terms of height/leg length.

I can’t believe we (the wife mostly as she’s the decider after all of her car) missed this. I have to say I’m still overall very impressed with the build quality and have been reassured by the internet praise for the B58 engine (Savage Geese does a great recent X5 vs Cayenne comparison).

And, most importantly, she is thrilled with her upgrade from the Hyundai.

My wife and I are owners of a 2023 BMW X5 xDrive40i with 23K miles on it. I love the car, even though admittedly I wasn't a fan of the last two X3's we had (the 4-cylinder engine was lacking on the last one). When we shopped for the X5, we also test drove the Cayenne, which we also loved. But the Cayenne would have been $20K+ more when equipped with the same features (and some of the tech in the Porsche is far worse). We also drove the Lexus GX, which was the previous generation and felt like the interior was designed 15 years earlier.

My only complaint with the X5 is the rear seat legroom, which should be better given the overall size of the vehicle. Driving and comfort are top-notch, especially for the front seat passengers. I've had the X5 up to ~120mph on a few occasions on empty highways racetracks (yea, that's it ) and it's totally stable even at that speed. Consumer Reports was definitely right about the X5. But if money was no object, I think I would have preferred the Cayenne - it was a smaller overall package, with better back seat leg room - plus, it drove like you'd expect a Porsche SUV to drive. The BMW is probably a 9/10 on driving dynamics, whereas the Cayenne was a 10/10. Of course, this assessment is only based on a half-dozen test drives in the Cayenne - I'm sure if I had purchased one I'd have found something besides the tech to complain about. That's why I know the X5 is great, because I've had it for 2 years and still love everything about it (except that **** rear seat legroom).

View attachment 79510

 

We almost bought the same exact car, I was so sure we were getting one, I bought all weather matts for it. Ended up not finding the right options, and in the mean time test drove a Cadillac Lyriq. Anybody need some all weather matts?

My other car is a 2015 BMW 535D.

Lol.

 

If you’re on a BMW forum, and bonus points if it’s super helpful/overall friendly like the 718 Forum, can you please share for the X5?

Seems the wife is trending towards the BMW and I hope she follows through with tat decision soon. Thanks again.

 

My personal favorite:

BMW X5 Forum (G05) - Powered by vBulletin

Forum for BMW 1-Series 3-Series 5-Series 7-Series M3 M5 M6 Z4 X1 X3 X5 X6 Z2 Z4 325i 330i 335i 535i 550i 755i BMW Forums

g05.bimmerpost.com

 

I'm mostly on the 3 series forum, but this is what I would use: BMW X5 Forum (G05) - Powered by vBulletin

 

***Update

We’ve ordered a Sdrive40i spec for her, some convenience and comfort options were added on. Silver on white.

I’ll be adding PPF, ceramic, and tint right after delivery. Slightly anxious having 2 German makes in the garage now, but I trust our mostly good luck with cars will continue.

I really do appreciate everyone’s input, reassurance, and feedback, including the forums, thanks!

 

Just dropped off the new X5 at the detailer for PPF, ceramic, and tinting.

It’s crazy to me how technological the thing is. It makes me even more appreciate the analog feel of my 982. Again validates I am really old school when it comes to tech.

Her car did make me regret not checking the full leather box when building my car. But the cost to do it in the X5 vs the Cayman was so much less expensive… crazy.

 

X5 owners… I like to bring my own shop supplies to my Indy guys (I’ll be using same shop as for my 718), can I get recommendations for websites to order filters, etc? Thanks so much!

 

FCP Euro

 

We have a 2025 Cayenne (my GFs daily driver) that was supposed to replace my 2016 X3. After the Cayenne was delivered in October, I changed my mind and decided to either keep the X3 or replace it with a new X3 (my daily driver Boxster provides no utility). Last week I stopped by a BMW dealer and looked at the 2025 X3s. I very quickly decided I certainly do not want a 2025 and like my 2016 infinitely better. The all-digital whiz-bang instrumentation is terrible, even worse than the 2025 Cayenne. BMW took a wonderful ergonomic human friendly design they used for a lot of years and turned it into a psychedelic nightmare of somewhat vertically oriented digital displays. Additionally, the eight customizable quick reference buttons are gone, and the console is similar, but no longer the touch friendly real button without looking down at it design, it used to be. It would be a giant step backward for me to go from a 2016 to a new 2025 although I do have a reliability concern as I ordered almost every available electronic option available, and it will soon be nine years old and 102K miles. I do drive the X3 at least once a week but do not put a lot of miles on it now so maybe that might mitigate my concerns about its age. Sealing the no-deal is that incredibly ugly gross new kidney grill. The new styling is just unpleasant to look at, even from the driver's seat due to the seemingly much higher hood. So, if you are considering a new BMW (vs. Mercedes, Porsche, etc.) I strongly suggest you carefully checkout and compare the digital instrumentation and touch buttons that sadly everyone has transitioned to. I recognize I will eventually have to replace the X3 but at this time I am too turned off by what they have done to consider that for another few years when, just maybe, the manufactures rediscover ergonomic design and how incredibly important that is.

 

I’m overall with you… to be clear, most importantly is that my wife is very happy, and she was deservingly upgraded from a 10-yo Hyundai Santa Fe (will be my bad weather option and soon our 14 yo’s car when he’s driving age).
But, I’m not into a lot of the niceties and digital evolution of the X5… I’m aware that I’m a simple person and overall not very techy. I admit the drive quality is great, engine performance looks to be amazing, and for a non-M spec it drives very sporty.

But yeah… I get into the 718 or even the Hyundai and I’m like, ahhhhhh. Haha.