BMW X5 2006-2013 used car review

The BMW X5 offers strong engines and excellent handling for a large SUV. Electrical issues and expensive parts can make it costly to run.

The X5 was BMW’s first SUV and was originally based off the large 5-series sedan, along with components from Land Rover. It quickly developed a reputation for being one of the best of its kind on the road. The second generation grew larger, by nearly 150mm in length, giving it a more spacious interior and the option of seven seats.

Inside the car, everything feels very high quality, with nice soft-touch plastic surfaces, and leather and wood trim. The gauges are huge, easy to read and nicely trimmed with aluminium rings. The dashboard features BMW’s iDrive infotainment system, controlled by a dial on the centre console. 

It operates the radio, media system, satellite navigation and some vehicle settings. The radio in this used imported car will require a band expander to receive local stations. The navigation system on import models will not operate in New Zealand without reprogramming.

Our X5 has the optional panoramic roof, running from near the windscreen all the way back to above the rear passengers. It is tinted to block UV, though on hot days you will want to close the electric blind.

The front seats are clad in quality-feeling leather and are very firm yet still comfortable and supportive. Both are adjustable electrically in a range of directions, including lumbar support. The base can also be adjusted fore and aft to provide more leg support.

Three adults will easily fit in the rear seat, with the centre section flat and comfortable for that passenger. Legroom back here is also excellent. A third row of seats was an option, though rare and hard to find. Rear-seat passengers also get controls for the ventilation system.

At 620 litres it should handle four large and two medium suitcases. Fold down the rear seats and the space expands to a reasonable 1,750 litres. The X5 features a two-piece rear door, with the top two-thirds opening upwards and the lower third downwards. That means you can drop smaller items in without opening the full, heavy door. It also creates a practical bench with the bottom section down.

The only transmission available with this engine is a six-speed automatic which can be shifted manually. All-wheel drive is standard. The engine is very smooth and quiet, and the transmission shifts well. It offers reasonable performance and, even with a full load on board, you will overtake other vehicles easily.

The X5’s handling is excellent. There is virtually no body roll, and the steering is nicely weighted and direct for this type of vehicle. The brakes are good and pull up the car very quickly. The handling comes with a significant penalty though - the ride is very hard and you will feel many of the bumps and imperfections in the road.

With full-time all-wheel drive and traction-assisting electronics, the X5 can handle most slippery surfaces, although it is best kept on the tarmac. Ground clearance is not great; the front and rear bumpers and exhausts hang low. Travelling across uneven ground puts them at risk of damage.

Tinted windows, thick rear pillars and three rear headrests make visibility to the rear extremely poor. Thankfully, all X5s come standard with rear parking sensors and a reversing camera. An optional system available from 2010 uses multiple cameras to provide a “bird's eye” view of the car.

The tow rating is impressive for a luxury SUV. It will pull up to 750kg unbraked, (a medium-large garden trailer) and up to 2,700kg braked (a medium-to-large trailer boat). The all-wheel drive system will be beneficial on slippery boat ramps.

Generally, they run low-profile tyres and the combination means curb damage is very common. While usually just cosmetic, it can lead to imbalances and cause vibrations.

The big SUV tyres fitted are also expensive. Expect a bill of around $1,500 for a full set of tyres if you have the basic 18-inch wheels, to more than $2,000 for an X5 riding on 20-inch or bigger wheels. The front tyres are narrower than those at the rear, meaning they cannot be rotated around the car to extend their life.

The soft surface of some interior plastics can break down and wear off over time. Although it looks untidy, it does not cause problems with how the car operates. New replacement parts are pricey and used parts are hard to find.

The BMW dealership we spoke to recommends purchasing mechanical breakdown insurance with any used X5. They say the model is not problematic but items that do occasionally fail are costly to replace. An example they gave was the electric water pump. A water pump typically costs $300-$500 but the X5’s costs $1,600.

This review covers the BMW X5 for model years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Review vehicle supplied by Turners Cars.

*Our insurance estimates are based on a 35-year-old male with no accidents in the last two years, garaging the car in Mission Bay, Auckland. The car is not used for business and will cover 10,000km to 20,000km a year. We estimate with no option add-ons and $500 excess. Customise your estimate at Trade Me Insurance.