What do you think of the 2005 BMW X5?

I am thinking of a 2005 BMW X5 3.0d Sport Auto. I don't like the ride of the new version and think this one is better. What do you think of this car? Have you any review on it or can you direct me to one please? I'm not concerned about economy, tax or insurance, as I do only 15,000 miles per annum.

Thanks

Justin Mc Elwee (Sligo)

Jun 2010 Filed under: choosing used car

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Expert answer

I did like the original BMW X5, although it was probably always a little over-priced for what is was. As they have aged and the new model has arrived the first generation has come down quite a lot in price. You say that you aren't concerned about the running costs as such, which is just as well, as they can be quite high. The repairs and spare parts can be expensive too. I think in buying one of this age and at this price you will certainly not see it depreciate that hard in the next year or so, but once it creeps over 100,000 miles it will drop in value again.

We haven't reviewed this car on the site because it has been quite a few years since it was on the market (and CompleteCar.ie is very new), but we have driven it in the past. It is very agile for an SUV and was always one of the best handling SUVs around.

You did mention to us by e-mail that the car you were looking at is €23,000 with 88,000 miles on the clock. Well we found this one on beepbeep.ie from a SIMI dealer with just 45,000 miles for €19,750, so perhaps this would make a better buy?

Hope that helps

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