Second-hand sense: If the BMW X5 was a cheaper car, I suspect the leafy suburbs of South Dublin would be overwhelmed by it. Big, full of status, impressive to drive and utterly unnecessary, the X5 has become a runaway hit for BMW since it cottoned on to the idea that a 4-wheel drive was a very profitable proposition indeed.
The fact that such cars are in huge demand - despite being heavy on fuel and generally having very poor ratings when it comes to pedestrian safety - will not weigh on BMW's corporate conscience. After all, everyone else is at it too.
The X5 is a global car. Built in the US and aimed at that market, it has also been a big success in other markets. Ireland and Britain have long waiting lists, despite very high prices, because people undoubtedly are attracted by a number of things: the cachet of owning a BMW, the solid and stylish build of the car and the fact that they perceive it to be a safer car. The last is a point of debate about all 4-wheel drives - because they look stronger does not necessarily mean they are safer.
This car, it has to be said, does have a lot going for it and beats many competitors hands down. It has better looks than many, drives more like a car, is very comfortable and it does have very competent all-wheel drive.
Inside, it has that classic BMW ergonomic design with practical and well-laid instrumentation and switch-gear. Few cars have such a well-designed and thought-out seating arrangement. You really do feel you are driving something that has been engineered to the last detail and the similarity with BMW cars is especially enhanced when you have the air conditioning and the CD in the beautifully designed cabin.
There is a choice of engines, the smallest being 3-litre petrol and diesel units. Being a diesel fan (at least the more modern and cleaner ones), I would consider the diesel as being the better option. The petrol is very thirsty and you even need to drive the diesel with some care to get a reasonable return. These are, after all, heavy cars. Road behaviour is good and there is little of the roll you get in corners with other 4-wheel drives.
After initial problems with a front seat belt and the introduction in 2003 of a seat belt reminder system, the X5 was awarded a full score in the EuroNCAP crash tests. The five star rating was given after the tests showed all the doors could be opened after the frontal test, and intrusion levels were found to be low. The restraint system did cause "fairly high loads" on the driver's chest and the child restraints worked "reasonably well". Pedestrian protection, however, was described as "dire".
Some X5s, although not all, have been recalled for problems with front brake hoses and engine cooling fans and an even smaller number have been recalled for problems with steering column joints and seatbelt tensioners. My advice is not to buy an X5 with a questionable ownership or service record.
Now for the bad news. The X5 doesn't come cheap but it does have excellent equipment levels and often leather seating. A 2002 model with a 3-litre automatic diesel engine and 30,000 on the clock has an asking price of €64,995. A similar 2004 car with less than 20,000 on the clock has an asking price of €82,950. If you want to ignore my advice about the petrol option you can get a 2001 model with a 4.4-litre engine and 56,000 on the clock for about €48,950.
FOR: Of the 4-wheel drives, apart from Range Rovers, the nearest to a car in terms of driving pleasure. Impressive design and presence
AGAINST: Very expensive indeed and also expensive to run. In a market segment where off-road driving usually means parking on the footpath, do you need one?