X5 3.0 d 400 mile test

nitrous · 4th June 2005, 11:57

iceman, cool it. even i feel embarassed.

Montoya · 4th June 2005, 16:34

Turbo Lover or shan it would be nice if you could provide us with the links please

Shan2nu · 4th June 2005, 17:36

Try this - http://fun.diadiktyo.net/stream29/video/bmwRally.wmv

Shan2nu

sridhar24 · 4th June 2005, 18:41

Oh that video was crazy, how the hell could he do that? I thought it would topple. Thanks for the video.

ajmat · 5th June 2005, 13:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman91

oh...you outta town....thought the black X5 seen around bangalroe was yours...yuo got me going for a while

!!

Apologies to all for teasing you all - was smitted by the car that I had to get it off my chest. I am in the UK on holiday and up to a lot. Am so busy that I have had not much time to write. Believe me I have done a lot that will be of interest to team-bhp. Ask the old man - he might know a thing or two. I would like to compose my thoughts and report out properly so please hold on.

ajmat · 6th June 2005, 16:03

okay guys - got a spot of flu so what better than write the test out

[img=http://img63.echo.cx/img63/9889/dsc013199ch.th.jpg]

(click link for the interior)

So was armed with a X5 3.0 d sport - it comes with a mother of a low profile tyre and wheel combo. 185 bhp engine and oodles of torque.

Drove in city, motorways and undulating country roads in th Yorkshire dales in pretty blustering conditons - total of 450 miles see pic below

At the wheel - Very easy to set all the buttons and get comfy. Like a merc everything gets familiar at ease. Stereo controls are on the wheel as also cruise control . Good stereo but no sub. Bit of a stretch to get to the buttons due to the width. I really could not see the point of i-drive unless it is for suspension settings etc which one sets before starting off.

Performance - after a 530d - a bit disappointing from start but not really an issue. Mid range acceleration not bad. When I first drove it with 300 miles o nthe clock it was a bit stiff, 40000 miles on, the performance has improved. This is a big heavy car. Once on the move it keeps up. I took it upto 80mph as I was being careful about the greed cameras. In drive - the auto shifts well and responds to kickdown well. I tried the tiptronic and it was a bit slow witted when down shifting - flip the lever, after one second it responds. Same thing happened with a 316i that I also used.

Steering - Despite PAS, it is firm and on the stiffer side, I am not complaining ! It felt better than my VTec, once you are used to the height and car dynamics, you can accurately turn-in and and be in control. Powers out of bends well

Ride - low profile tyres means you feel the surface like a tightly set up track car. YOu do not feel knobbly surfaces unlike a swift.

On the motorway - Really great panoramic view - engine is muted - does not chug like the 530 d. Midrange acceleration is good but not fierce - tried dragging it on an airfield - brisk but do not expect much. Amazing car in heavy rain - just swish by

In town - well this is a big car

Country roads - this is where the car really got to me . On curvy roads - it held on, no rolling, body control taut - dulating curves at 60 mph - no problem - it even kept up with a Porsche 996 on a curvey road - although the porker out accelerated me.

Brakes - awesome - great feel and you know what the car is doing

Verdict - A really great all rounder for normal use- just put it in sport and let it shift. Car is three years old so the owner is selling it to get............another x5 - he will get close to what he paid for it. Not sure if the sport package would be right for India

After this, I knelt down and prayed in thanksgiving for the generosity is being allowed to be let loose with this car!!! Revvmaster must be having wet dreams !

iceman91 · 6th June 2005, 17:10

haha...awesome...drove it for 40000miles!!! thats quite a bit..guess driving the vtec might be a problem now..

ajmat · 6th June 2005, 17:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman91

haha...awesome...drove it for 40000miles!!! thats quite a bit..guess driving the vtec might be a problem now..

I drove it for a few miles on delivery three years ago. Three years on, I took it for an extended 450 mile drive

artofzen · 6th June 2005, 17:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajmat

I drove it for a few miles on delivery three years ago. Three years on, I took it for an extended 450 mile drive

is it your parent's or relative's car?.Ands what was that about a merc ?

ajmat · 6th June 2005, 17:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by artofzen

is it your parent's or relative's car?.Ands what was that about a merc ?

My cousin's - have driven loads of mercs also

All car buying decisions of my relatives are usually outsourced to Bangalore

4th June 2005, 11:57	#16
nitrous Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: UAE/Lon/Madras Posts: 6,965 Thanked: 325 Times View My Garage	iceman, cool it. even i feel embarassed.
	() Thanks

4th June 2005, 16:34	#17
Montoya BANNED Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Best City In India Mumbai Posts: 665 Thanked: 0 Times	Turbo Lover or shan it would be nice if you could provide us with the links please
	() Thanks

4th June 2005, 17:36	#18
Shan2nu Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hubli - Karnata Posts: 5,533 Thanked: 125 Times View My Garage	Try this - http://fun.diadiktyo.net/stream29/video/bmwRally.wmv Shan2nu
	() Thanks

4th June 2005, 18:41	#19
sridhar24 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 1,046 Thanked: 88 Times	Oh that video was crazy, how the hell could he do that? I thought it would topple. Thanks for the video.
	() Thanks

6th June 2005, 16:03	#21
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 14,865 Thanked: 27,980 Times View My Garage	okay guys - got a spot of flu so what better than write the test out [img=http://img63.echo.cx/img63/9889/dsc013199ch.th.jpg] (click link for the interior) So was armed with a X5 3.0 d sport - it comes with a mother of a low profile tyre and wheel combo. 185 bhp engine and oodles of torque. Drove in city, motorways and undulating country roads in th Yorkshire dales in pretty blustering conditons - total of 450 miles see pic below At the wheel - Very easy to set all the buttons and get comfy. Like a merc everything gets familiar at ease. Stereo controls are on the wheel as also cruise control . Good stereo but no sub. Bit of a stretch to get to the buttons due to the width. I really could not see the point of i-drive unless it is for suspension settings etc which one sets before starting off. Performance - after a 530d - a bit disappointing from start but not really an issue. Mid range acceleration not bad. When I first drove it with 300 miles o nthe clock it was a bit stiff, 40000 miles on, the performance has improved. This is a big heavy car. Once on the move it keeps up. I took it upto 80mph as I was being careful about the greed cameras. In drive - the auto shifts well and responds to kickdown well. I tried the tiptronic and it was a bit slow witted when down shifting - flip the lever, after one second it responds. Same thing happened with a 316i that I also used. Steering - Despite PAS, it is firm and on the stiffer side, I am not complaining ! It felt better than my VTec, once you are used to the height and car dynamics, you can accurately turn-in and and be in control. Powers out of bends well Ride - low profile tyres means you feel the surface like a tightly set up track car. YOu do not feel knobbly surfaces unlike a swift. On the motorway - Really great panoramic view - engine is muted - does not chug like the 530 d. Midrange acceleration is good but not fierce - tried dragging it on an airfield - brisk but do not expect much. Amazing car in heavy rain - just swish by In town - well this is a big car Country roads - this is where the car really got to me . On curvy roads - it held on, no rolling, body control taut - dulating curves at 60 mph - no problem - it even kept up with a Porsche 996 on a curvey road - although the porker out accelerated me. Brakes - awesome - great feel and you know what the car is doing Verdict - A really great all rounder for normal use- just put it in sport and let it shift. Car is three years old so the owner is selling it to get............another x5 - he will get close to what he paid for it. Not sure if the sport package would be right for India After this, I knelt down and prayed in thanksgiving for the generosity is being allowed to be let loose with this car!!! Revvmaster must be having wet dreams ! Last edited by ajmat : 6th June 2005 at 16:08.
	() Thanks

6th June 2005, 17:10	#22
iceman91 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: melbourne/banga Posts: 1,961 Thanked: 34 Times View My Garage	haha...awesome...drove it for 40000miles!!! thats quite a bit..guess driving the vtec might be a problem now..
	() Thanks