|
Review 4 of 144
Price Paid:
$42000.00
from BMW of Concord Year / Model Reviewed:
2007 BMW X5 4.8i 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 up 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 kitty cat. Do yourself a favor: ignore those dissidents and take one for a spin; I guarantee you, you won't be disappointed. Strengths:
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.
Weaknesses:
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!
Would you like to Comment?Join CarReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
| 
Link to this page
2 of 5
1 of 5
3 of 5
4 of 5
5 of 5
