2007 BMW X5 user reviews

Pros Performance, technology, style, cargo utility

Cons Some molding has loose fit, valets don't know how to drive it

Summary I've had this vehicle a month and love it. I expected a lot with BMW performance and it exceeds my expectations. If you get a chance, get your sales rep to arrange a test drive on a performance track in this car (with a professional driver - available at the larger dealerships). Once you've done that, you'll know that the Lexus and others 'comps' are really not comparable at all.

What I didn't expect was all the utility in the technology package. The DVD navigation system is very good with restaurants, traffic information, and route information all integrated. I've gotten into the habit of setting a Nav destination even on commutes and well-known routes because the BMW system gives me traffic and detour warnings all along my route.

Now that I've gotten skilled with the iDrive, I like it very much. I think a lot of thought was put into how to make it very functional yet have a stylish look (instead of the 50 buttons you'll see in the Infinity). The iDrive has a bit of a learning curve. But if you're reading this review on CNET, you should be able to handle it.

The display screen is not as bright as some other modern navigation screens and might not look as good on the dealer lot. After driving this car for while, however, I'd say the positioning of the display screen at the top of the dash, the sloped angle of the screen, and the deep setting in the dash with a sun shade over it makes the BMW X5 screen very easy to read while driving in any light condition.

The system can can also do a split screen display which lets you watch the map in one window while simultaneously showing your radio, telephone list, etc. in the other window. Why my sales rep didn't demonstrate this great feature amazes me because it is very cool.

I wasn't sure how much I'd use some of the other technology such as rear camera, weather band radio, satellite radio, and bluetooth. But I use all of them frequently and do not intend to own another car without them. Yes, the technology packages put a 4.8l at near $70k, but it's also going to increase your resale value -- especially as these kinds of features become standard and cars without them become 'dinosaurs'. As I said, Lexus and most other SUVs are really not comps to the performance and technology of this vehicle.

I also added a dealer-installed radar detector (Escort 9500 with Laser shifters) and love that. The only technology I'm really not using a lot is the Heads Up Display. It is a good quality display and shows your speed, direction, and next navigation turn. But since I'm not driving turn-by-turn very often, I haven't used it a lot.

Pros large panoramic moonroof, heated/ac seats in comfort sport package

Cons iDrive froze on daily basis, electronic gear shifter had to be replaced, radio volume froze/unable to raise or lower until car would restart, rear camera stayed on sometimes for 20 minutes

Summary I can't possibly remember all the horror I went through with this car. I would tell even my worst enemy to RUN away from any X5, even if one was given to you for free.

I had mine 'built' since the color I wanted was not a standard (white). So last summer my brand-new 2007 LOADED X5 showed up. Didn't even make it to the first stoplight off the dealership before my Check Engine light came on. Dealership was closing, told me to bring it back the next day -- I did, they couldn't find anything wrong with it and sent me along.

3 days later I parked my brand-new car and ran inside a store for 5 minutes; came out and the 'amazing' electronic gear shifter would not let me out of park. Couldn't reverse, couldn't go into drive -- NOTHING. BMW's response system (built into car) supposedly called a tow truck for me -- it showed up 3 hours later and the guy told me since the gear shifter was out, he needed a special truck and couldn't take the car! Then he laughed when he saw the gear shifter and said they were worthless and he'd been on more new-car tows for that problem than anything else the past year.

So after taking the car in AGAIN to the dealer to get the gear shifter replaced, two weeks later I get more red light/engine warnings flashing on my screen, warning me to take the car to the nearest dealer and stop driving immediately. This is in downtown Chicago rush-hour traffic. So aside from the panic of not knowing what the hell was going on, my radio volume was stuck and as I tried to call for help from my cell, I couldn't turn it down. (By the way, the wonderful Bluetooth installed in my car never worked with my phone (new Blackberry) and the BMW 'specialist' just couldn't figure it out, so I had to do without that extra option I paid for.)

Needless to say I told my dealer to keep it since it was an obvious lemon. Talked to more people who told me they had absolutly nothing but trouble with theirs.

Folks I've owned almost every brand of car and SUV out there, from Toyota to Mercedes to Chevy to Ford and more than I can list -- save yourself the aggravation, hassles and money and do NOT get an X5. They are overpriced versions of a brand that's become more of a 'budget' luxury car than any other I've seen.

Pros Impeccable service, head-turning styling, racecar-like handling & acceleration, throaty V-8 growl that sounds like a Mustang, plethora of technological features, a sport mode that actually pins you in your seat - all with the practicality of an SUV.

Cons Back up camera is a bit heasitant to come on, computer is somewhat sluggish when running through the never-ending functions, can't disengage my nav once it's dialed in, interior trim work is peeling back - not acceptable for a car of this caliber!

Summary Ever since my collegiate infancy, I've been a bimmer-phile, starting with an ancient 320i of some unknown year which constantly needed work that was always more than the car was worth. I then moved into a 2000 330i after completing professional school which I still fawn over for it's sheer visceral delight and complete lack of problems... EVER! I then one day found myself test-driving a 2002 745i while waiting for routine servicing on my beloved 330i - and was sold. I traded the 3 in right then and there (stupidest thing I've ever done) and that began my way too frequent appiontments with my service advisor. My 7-series, dubbed Gretchen, was paradoxically my biggest financial mistake ever, yet somehome my biggest delight. It was constantly shop-ridden, but it was always turned over to the sevice attendants with love and longing for it's return to me. It was a love-hate relationship of the purest kind. After my warrantee was up, I found that Gretchen needed $5k worth of repairs which I new in my heart of hearts was going to be an ongoing battle with her, so I decided to trade her in. Since my college years, I have always dreamt of piloting an X5 (odd, I know), but I finally got my chance. I opted for a certified pre-owned model since it was absolutely flawless. This vehicle now know as Edleweiss, looked and smelled like a show room virgin and I figured she would save me about $10-20 grand over a brand new one; and I could view the service history and see if I was getting myself a lemon - I wish I would have done this with my 7-series as it would have saved me a lot of headache (I'm telling you - certified pre-owned is THEE way to go). After looking over her clean bill of health and taking her for a test drive, I instantly knew she was the car for me. Immediate gratification takes over from the moment I park my posterior on her coddling, supportive seats. The way her engine roars to life at the touch of the start button, and the unsurpassed luxury and convenience of her multitude of gadgets and doodads is the kind of thing that Christmas' as a child is made of. This car is the embodiment of soul and passion and fervor and elegance. I smile from the get-go to the bitter end of a daily romp. I'm always left yearning for more and am never fully satisfied by any trip of any duration in her as I simply can't get enough of her. You have to experience the way the engine snarls and roars when pushed to the limits, yet purrs like a kitten when traffic restrictions forbid you to tap into her potency. And when you push the shifter column over to the left to access her sport mode: it is truly something legendary. Then revs immediatley fly to upper end of the tachometer and the whole vehicle lurches forward and you are pinned to your seat as you fly through the full rpm bandwidth. The whole time, the transmission holds the gears so every tiny tap of your foot produces sensations of butterflys in your stomach... It is truly intoxicating. When you switch the supension to sport mode, you get a noticable tightening in the steering and suspension which is not bone-jarring, but firm - and it makes you feel in control of the vehicle and the very road itself. But when you back off, the vehicle is instantly transformed back into a luxurious traveller, capable of taking you to the grocery store or a black tie event in complete composure and utmost comfort. (My much-lamented Gretchen had NOTHING on this beast. Do not let the other not-so-shining reviews deter you. You are dealing with a vehicle that is at the mercy of it's prolific technology, which as we all know is going to be prone to glitches, but at it's heart beats a savage lion with the composure of a ***** cat. Do yourself a favor: ignore those dissidents and take one for a spin; I guarantee you, you won't be disappointed.

Pros Design is classy and beefy with a tight and solid ride. Sporty feel and responsive steering. The pano roof allows for stargazing and even with the roof open, there is little wind noise. X5 feels very safe and heavy. Bluetooth excellent.

Cons Acceleration is slower than the previous years' model. Some of the features in the I-Drive are overkill, like the climate control. Frustrating gear shifter. DVD monitor (option) is in a poor location and is always in the way. No sunglasses holder.

Summary I owned a 2001 X5 and just upgraded to the 2007. I loved my old X5. The 2007 model is a lot tighter and feels heavier than the previous model. The ride is unbeatable for an SUV/SAV. Love the new design: classy and beautiful. However, BMW seemed to want to put the "wow" factor into some options that are better left alone as they are more frustrating than helpful. (Climate Controls in Idrive, Ignition) Sattelite radio should be a standard feature, and I'll give up some other options one can find on a luxury SUV in the same price range. The design, ride, feel, comfort and safety of this SUV alone are reasons enough to buy it. (3.0 Reviewed)