- suv 146,586
- 274 below average
- 12,995 fair
- Columbia, SC
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- autoshopper.com
- 274 below average suv 146,586 gasoline automatic
2008 bmw x5 review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Sport over utility. introductionthe bmw x5 puts emphasis on the sport half of the sport-utility equation. As opposed to hauling acres of equipment and gear, the x5 provides the essential equipment enthusiast drivers expect when they want to enjoy the art of driving as much as they're able. indeed, bmw shuns the suv tag entirely, describing the x5 with it own copyrighted label: sport activity vehicle, or sav. This may be a tacit acknowledgement that the x5 can't tow or carry as much stuff as some of its competitors, or it may simply highlight the x5's strength. That strength is its ability to get down the road in the step-on-the gas, shove-through-corners fashion of a genuine sport sedan. bmw focused on improving utility for 2007, when a redesign stretched the x5 by seven full inches and delivered a substantial increase in rear seat legroom. For 2008, x5 upgrades have re-focused on sport. Both the six-cylinder and v8 engines are new, with a revised six-speed automatic transmission. the v8 in the bmw x5 4. 8i increases in displacement, while the 3. 0-liter inline six is an all-new design, with a substantial increase in power. These are bmw engines, which means plenty of usable torque and turbine-like smoothest. The 4. 8i might be the chest-beater, but the bmw x5 3. 0si still delivers the kind of response we expect in a sport sedan, and it shouldn't leave owners pining for the v8. the x5 is styled in obvious bmw fashion, only taller, with traditional bimmer cues like the twin-kidney grille and dual-beam headlight clusters. The back seat is more than roomy enough for two adults, three in a pinch, and there's enough cargo space in back for a two-day family outing. the x5 can expand to seven-passenger capacity with an optional third-row seat. It's not a class leader in fuel economy, either. sport in the x5 context does not mean off-roading. Its all-wheel-drive system was developed for slippery roads and sporty driving characteristics, rather than sand dunes or steep, rutted hillsides. Yet it can tow a substantial 6,000 pounds, and the all-wheel-drive can be a great friend in a blizzard. the x5 gets high marks for safety. It performs well in both government and insurance industry crash tests, and it has been designated one of the top safety picks by the insurance institute for highway safety. These include anti-lock brakes that periodically sweep the discs dry in rainstorms and electronic stability control that works with the all-wheel drive system and even to steering to manage skids. still, the x5's calling card is its driving dynamics. It's not quite as refined or holistic as bmw's best sedans, but the comparison is generally on the mark. Think of the x5 as a 5 series sedan with more headroom and a bit more cargo space. lineupthe bmw x5 comes in two variations, distinguished primarily by engine type, both with all-wheel drive. For 2008, both models get an upgrade in standard equipment, new engines and a six-speed automatic transmission. the bmw x5 3. 0si 46,200) is powered by a 3. 0-liter inline six-cylinder engine delivering 260 horsepower. It comes well equipped, with a 12-speaker, single-cd stereo, niceties such as a choice of wood trim, rain-sensing wipers, power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, driver's seat memory and, for 2008, a power sunroof. The standard upholstery is bmw's leatherette vinyl, and the wheels measure 18 inches in diameter. the bmw x5 4. 8i 54,800) is powered by a v8 with 350 horsepower. The 4. 8i model comes standard with leather upholstery. the sport package 3,700) adds active roll stabilization and electronic damping control suspension, 19-inch wheels, heavily bolstered sport seats and shadowline exterior trim. Other option groups include the premium package 2850 for the 3. 0si, $1,850 for the 4. 8i), which adds front-seat power lumbar support, ambiance lighting, auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors, a digital compass, power-fold exterior mirrors, bluetooth phone interface, bmw assist with a 4-year subscription and leather seating for the 3. 0si. the technology package 2,600) includes park distance control, rearview camera and a navigation system with voice command and real time traffic information. A powered automatic tailgate 500) is offered for the first time in 2008. the insurance institute for highway safety (iihs) has designated the 2008 x5 a top safety pick, and it performs better than many suvs in the insurance industry's crash tests. Standard safety features include front airbags with two-stage activation, side-impact airbags built into the front seats, and curtain-style airbags providing head protection for outboard passengers front and rear. The x5 also comes standard with the full array of active safety features, including electronic stability control and advanced anti-lock brakes with a pre-loading and water-sweeping feature. The 2008 models come standard with run-flat tires, which allow operation at 50 mph for up to 90 miles when completely flat. walkaroundfrom its twin-kidney grille to the clamshell hatch in back, the x5 sport-utility vehicle screams bmw. on the road, that means an emphasis on sporty driving dynamics, even if it comes at the expense of utility. Sitting still, it means the x5 looks like a taller, ganglier bmw sedan. It also increases the odds the x5 will get one of the high-profile valet spots near the entrance to a trendy restaurant. bmw tried to increase the x5's utility when it redesigned its so-called sport activity vehicle for 2007, stretching it seven inches to add rear legroom and cargo space. By wheelbase and overall length, the x5 now sits mid-pack among key competitors: slightly larger than the acura mdx, land rover lr2, mercedes m-class and volvo xc90, and quite a bit smaller than the audi q7, cadillac srx, and lexus lx570. there's no mistaking the x5's classic bmw look. It starts in front, with that trademark grille and familiar dual-dual lamp clusters. its super-bright adaptive xenon headlights come standard. On the x5, they're ringed with led circles that serve as the daytime running lights (and look really cool). These headlights level themselves when the x5 bounces over bumps, and turn slightly with the steering wheel. The standard fog lights also work as cornering lamps, lighting when the corresponding directional signal is selected. in profile, the x5's big wheels and short overhangs promote an agile look, while the roof and taillights trail into a slightly flanged lip. These so-called separation edges smooth air as it rushes over the back of the vehicle. That means a slight improvement in fuel economy, and probably more significantly, less wind noise inside the x5. indeed, with a drag coefficient of 0. 34, the x5 is an aerodynamically efficient vehicle, as tall, boxy suvs go. Its underbody is smoothed with various fairing devices. The lower third drops down, once the upper portion has been lifted up. The split design is handy for dropping smaller packages in the back, and the lower portion provides a nice (if slightly high) bench for changing shoes or just resting a moment. The problem is that the upper portion includes not only the glass, but also half the metal that comprises the rear of the vehicle. In other words, it's the heavier, more substantial portion of the gate. It takes more effort to operate than it would if only the glass opened up and down. The optional automatic gate might help in this respect, but we haven't had a chance to test it. The interior design and appointments will look familiar to bmw sedan owners. Measured by overall fit and finish, the x5 compares favorably to luxury brands such as infiniti and mercedes. panels and pieces inside the x5 fit impeccably. Most surfaces have a luxurious feel, and the seats are perforated to enable the active ventilation option. Every x5 is available with one of three wood-trim packages: dark-stained bamboo (almost black), dark-stained poplar (the most traditional), and light-stained poplar (essentially blond). The vinyl dash and door panels in o. CD Changer✔ Climate Control✔ Anti-lock Brakes✔ Sport Package✔ Climate Package✔ DVD Entertainment System✔ Navigation System✔ Sunroof/Moonroof✔ Bluetooth
12,995 Columbia, SCColumbia, SC at autoshopper.com