Discussion
Have you seen the interior of the current RR? Its fabulous in a "olde worlde meets current contemporay style". Lots of wood, technology and in the very latest version, probably the best satnav on the planet....
The RR is a smoother ride, has significantly more cachet at Polo matches (?!?!?) and is likely to be a smidge better on the residual value.
But the X5 is quicker, a better drive and more economical..... but its an X5.... need I say more?
The RR is a smoother ride, has significantly more cachet at Polo matches (?!?!?) and is likely to be a smidge better on the residual value.
But the X5 is quicker, a better drive and more economical..... but its an X5.... need I say more?
I'm on my fifth or sixth X5......so I think you know where this is going!
Actually I did try to buy a RR but the dealer was an idiot and so I bought another X5 instead. First of all if you are going to go off road or need more tha five seats buy the Discovery 3. However, the X5 V RR comes down to what do you want it for. If you want to be seen but aren't bothered by on-road dynamics or performance then buy the RR. They do grow on you and they can be hustled along. Unless you own shares in Shell I would suggest the TDV6 and get it chipped.
If you like a 4x4 for on road handling and performance then take the X5. Residuals are about the same. They both plummet IMHO. The X5 4.6 is good but the 4.8 is sooo much better. I have the best of both worlds really a 4.8 to hoon around in and a Disco 3 for off roading and the family.
Alternatively buy a 535d Sport Estate get it chipped and be amazed!! I think I might buy one!!
Actually I did try to buy a RR but the dealer was an idiot and so I bought another X5 instead. First of all if you are going to go off road or need more tha five seats buy the Discovery 3. However, the X5 V RR comes down to what do you want it for. If you want to be seen but aren't bothered by on-road dynamics or performance then buy the RR. They do grow on you and they can be hustled along. Unless you own shares in Shell I would suggest the TDV6 and get it chipped.
If you like a 4x4 for on road handling and performance then take the X5. Residuals are about the same. They both plummet IMHO. The X5 4.6 is good but the 4.8 is sooo much better. I have the best of both worlds really a 4.8 to hoon around in and a Disco 3 for off roading and the family.
Alternatively buy a 535d Sport Estate get it chipped and be amazed!! I think I might buy one!!
need 4x4 for getting up the hill to my house in the 'beacons...got stuck last week.... changing from chipped 330d touring... 4.6is looked attractive at 30-34k... also may be moving to channel islands soon so wont do so much mileage so can contemplate petrol 4x4! Only real concerns on x5 front were the need to get some different tyres for winter and the fact it dosent seem much bigger than a 3 series estate inside. if it wasnt for the 4wd requirement i'd have bought a 535d by now!
I never quite understand that comment about the X5 being not that big. I used to own a 3 series (in fact I still do own an M3 CSL) and the X5 is much, much larger inside. I also owned three E39 5 series before my X5's and bought the X5 because we wanted a bigger car (which it very definitely was, and still is) but didn't want anything as barge like as a 7 series. I guess we all have different stuff to carry but we've been on half a dozen ski trips over the years, filling our X5s up with ski gear, 4 people plus luggage and it's always managed it with aplomb.
Grip is purely determined by the tyres you fit it with. I used to use a set of narrower tyres on 18" wheels for ski trips but last year reverted to keeping the 20" wheels/tyres and just using spikes spider chains. Worked a treat.
The RR has without a doubt the more impressive interior, but then the X5 is still a very nice place to sit in. One thing you should 'seriously' bear in mind with all this talk of bigger SUVs such as the RR. We use our X5 as a go anywhere, do anything kind of vehicle but that would be seriously comprimised if it were any bigger. Many, many times we've breathed a sigh of relief getting down or up a city car park (in places like Monaco or Pau) when we only manage to fit with a few inches to spare. A RR, Disco, XC90, Q7 etc would have no chance and that would really pi$$ me off if either I got stuck or had to park out on the street instead. If you can't use if for everything then it's not really an SUV/SAV in my book, and the RR is too big for me.
Grip is purely determined by the tyres you fit it with. I used to use a set of narrower tyres on 18" wheels for ski trips but last year reverted to keeping the 20" wheels/tyres and just using spikes spider chains. Worked a treat.
The RR has without a doubt the more impressive interior, but then the X5 is still a very nice place to sit in. One thing you should 'seriously' bear in mind with all this talk of bigger SUVs such as the RR. We use our X5 as a go anywhere, do anything kind of vehicle but that would be seriously comprimised if it were any bigger. Many, many times we've breathed a sigh of relief getting down or up a city car park (in places like Monaco or Pau) when we only manage to fit with a few inches to spare. A RR, Disco, XC90, Q7 etc would have no chance and that would really pi$$ me off if either I got stuck or had to park out on the street instead. If you can't use if for everything then it's not really an SUV/SAV in my book, and the RR is too big for me.
DoctorD said:
.... and the RR is too big for me.
Yeah, have to agree. Loverly car, but a chap round the corner has one and it dominates the road! He has no drive, carparking space etc - so its on the road with the Focus, Kia and Clio.... flippin' huge and I would imagine a bit of a pig to get used to. Would have one in a shot, but I simply dont have the lifestyle - I have no dogs, two small children (no point going off-road then!) and on-street parking - to be honest I would have a problem justifying an X5 too....
Mind you, cant remember who said it, but always remember - "the X5 4.6 / 4.8 - the closest thing to a X5M that you can buy, since the M division refused to allow their badge to fitted to a 4x4 car".... wonder for how long though?
Ross, bear in mind that the 530d Touring / 530i Touring are now available with 4wd, although ground clearance is obviously lacking and the option is unavailable on the 535d.
It's hard to beat a X5 4,6 for smiles-on-face though. Superb handling until it goes over the limit, but then it can get messy because of the weight.
It's hard to beat a X5 4,6 for smiles-on-face though. Superb handling until it goes over the limit, but then it can get messy because of the weight.
Not driven an x5, but had a Supercharged RR Sport last month (see pic below). Its light years different from the normal RR on the road, and an utterly brilliant drive (for a 4x4). It has the Disco 3 offroad system as well. The interior isn't as good as the RR, but it's definitely smaller bodywise. Hence I think its better to compare the x5 with this.
pps. I also think its a whole lot better looking than the x5, which I can't help think looks a bit dated now?
pps. I also think its a whole lot better looking than the x5, which I can't help think looks a bit dated now?
RR Sport - yeah, would have one of those!!!!
But I think that RR should have done it the other way round - the RR Sport first (to take on the X5) and then the RR (luxury model) to mop-up the rest of the customers.... But hey, what do I know? Still, chatted to a bloke with a Sport the other day and he really rated it though. Was his first full-sized 4x4 and liked it, but still thought it heavy.....
But I think that RR should have done it the other way round - the RR Sport first (to take on the X5) and then the RR (luxury model) to mop-up the rest of the customers.... But hey, what do I know? Still, chatted to a bloke with a Sport the other day and he really rated it though. Was his first full-sized 4x4 and liked it, but still thought it heavy.....
I had an X5 4.4 sport for 18 months and have had a RR Vogue V8 or the last 12 months.
Both are terrific cars but very different in character for all the obvious reasons. I think it boils down to whether you want comfort and class or a more sporty drive to be honest. The Range Rover is a league above the X5 in most aspects except handling & fuel consuption! They are very comfortable and very relaxing to drive and that high driving position is brilliant. Whilst I did like the X5 I don't think I would switch back in future.
I reckon the RR is best car I've had to be honest.
Both are terrific cars but very different in character for all the obvious reasons. I think it boils down to whether you want comfort and class or a more sporty drive to be honest. The Range Rover is a league above the X5 in most aspects except handling & fuel consuption! They are very comfortable and very relaxing to drive and that high driving position is brilliant. Whilst I did like the X5 I don't think I would switch back in future.
I reckon the RR is best car I've had to be honest.
cy88 said:
Not driven an x5, but had a Supercharged RR Sport last month (see pic below). Its light years different from the normal RR on the road, and an utterly brilliant drive (for a 4x4). It has the Disco 3 offroad system as well. The interior isn't as good as the RR, but it's definitely smaller bodywise. Hence I think its better to compare the x5 with this.
pps. I also think its a whole lot better looking than the x5, which I can't help think looks a bit dated now?
The big issue when comparing RR Sport with the X5 is the woeful lack of rear seat space in the RR Sport. It's been a show-stopper for many people that ordered one. Land Rover seem to have deliberately compromised the spaciousness of the RR Sport so that it doesn't steal too many sales from the RR. It's a shame really because otherwise I thought it was a really nice car when I drove one.
It still doesn't compare with the best X5 (i.e. 4.8is) when it comes to handling prowess, LR instead choosing to differentiate the RR Sport by being quick 'enough' but much smoother riding and more laid back. It makes a nice alternative and I'm sure some people will prefer that.
On the subject of the X5 looking dated, I actually feel the opposite (and I'm on my 4th X5 so I should be getting tired of it by now). Maybe because I don't live in Surrey, but I rarely see another X5 and perhaps only see a few every week. I have actually been surprised how dated the RR Sport has begun to look. Those that I've seen on the road look self-consciously broad shouldered and brutish, whereas the X5 looks more elegant in comparison. It doesn't help that most owners seem to have stuck on some big bling alloys and dark smoked glass, so it seems desperate to steal the Footballers Wives/Street Rapper image that some people labelled the X5 with. Time will tell, but the RR Sport doesn't seem to posess much of the elegence and class of the RR.
Yes I was considering the RR Sport Supercharged when I changed my 4.6. Having bought the Disco 3 there are some very nice touches that the X5 lacks, touch screen Sat Nav for one. However, having driven one I was dissapointed. They are quite small, certainly appear smaller on the inside than the X5 whilst seemingly huge on the outside, a reverse Tardis if you will. Add to that they're not really all that quick for the money.
The Disco does most of what the Sport does, better and £20K cheaper. So I bought a 4.8. Yes it plummets in value, name a 4x4 or large car that won't, but it handles so well, goes so well and has the best exhaust note this side of an SL55. Far from looking dated, the 4.8 in the right colour has a new lease of life IMO. The RR Sport just looks too fussy for my liking and I just don't like the rear at all.
I like the Range Rover, they do grow on you, but again forgetting the badge snobbery the Disco 3 is the better car.
I must confess I do like the look of the new ML. The old one was appalling but a newly sorted ML65......mmmm.
The Disco does most of what the Sport does, better and £20K cheaper. So I bought a 4.8. Yes it plummets in value, name a 4x4 or large car that won't, but it handles so well, goes so well and has the best exhaust note this side of an SL55. Far from looking dated, the 4.8 in the right colour has a new lease of life IMO. The RR Sport just looks too fussy for my liking and I just don't like the rear at all.
I like the Range Rover, they do grow on you, but again forgetting the badge snobbery the Disco 3 is the better car.
I must confess I do like the look of the new ML. The old one was appalling but a newly sorted ML65......mmmm.
[quote=hunttheshunt]
I like the Range Rover, they do grow on you, but again forgetting the badge snobbery the Disco 3 is the better car.
In what way is the disco 3 a better car? Handling?, performance? Ride quality? Interior? I think not.
It has one advantage - its cheaper!
The interior quality of the Disco is crap in comparison with the RR, (the proper RR I mean not the Sport!)
I like the Range Rover, they do grow on you, but again forgetting the badge snobbery the Disco 3 is the better car.
In what way is the disco 3 a better car? Handling?, performance? Ride quality? Interior? I think not.
It has one advantage - its cheaper!
The interior quality of the Disco is crap in comparison with the RR, (the proper RR I mean not the Sport!)
hunttheshunt said:
I must confess I do like the look of the new ML. The old one was appalling but a newly sorted ML65......mmmm.
I enquired about the ML65 earlier this year but the MB dealers were clueless and didn't even know it would exist.... but they still wanted a £1500 deposit just in case MB decided to make it! Doh! No wonder MB are struggling.
p.s. I liked the Disco 3 more than the RR Sport as well. It has more of an 'honest' feel to it, what you see is what you get. Whereas the RR Sport seemed like it was trying to be something it's not. Disco 3 handles better than the RR, but less dynamically than the RR Sport. But I'd agree that the Disco 3 is the better car to buy unless you need the status and grandeur of the full RR.
kinetic said:
In what way is the disco 3 a better car? Handling?, performance? Ride quality? Interior? I think not.
It has one advantage - its cheaper!
I think you missed one there. Add off road ability and I think you've got it nailed, the Disco 3 is superior in each of those categories and it's soooo much cheaper! I believe I have an Autocar article that says just that!
Anyway if I were really keen on handling, performance, ride quality I'd have bought a 4.8 X5!!!....oh I did!!
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