BMW 540i Touring vs X5 xDrive45e

[BMW343]

Hi all

Turning to the collected wisdom of the PH Crew

I currently have a 530GT (Diesel) -- Brilliant car - fast comfortable and flies under the radar.

However its time for a change -- The boot is not large enough for the dog and all the family gear for long road trips.

Requirements is petrol - 3.0L minimum hybrid or straight 6 - don't mind which and RWD would be lovely

Looking for guidance on which is better / different / and the actual running costs of the 540i vs an X5 e.g. tires / annual serving etc.
Planning on keeping the car for 5 or more years or running costs are kind of important


In the garage is a 110 Defender - for trailer towing and off roading and slow trips to France and a 120i -- the Wife car for the short trips

So I'm looking for a driving car that is quick when I'm on my own and big enough for week family trips and the like with the dog in the boot.

Any guidance / recommendations is most welcome

Also I live in southern Ireland so any guidance in importing is most welcome. Since Brexit its a little more complicated. But have brought all my cars from the UK.

Thanks

Tadhg

[rassi]

I had a fully loaded 540i Touring in the past, and have gone through three X5 (G05), from a 40d to M50i to current 40i.

I considered the X5 45e too, but would not charge it regularly and would therefore be left with a detuned B58 engine with 280ish hp vs the 340 hp of the 40i as well as 300 kilo more deadweight, so went for the 40i.

As much as I liked the 540i as a smooth and nice cruiser, the X5 40i is just a superb combo. Technology is a generation up, it is supremely comfortable (mine has air suspension and integral steering, and acoustic glass) and as relaxing car that does it all it is very difficult to beat. I also use mine for dog duties, and shooting, so the ground clearance is actually needed.

While the M50i obviously had much more grunt, the 40i feels like the better allrounder, and the B58 engine is just superb, and is more than fast enough (0-60 in the mid 5 second range) and economical if you need it to be and a great range with the very large 83 litres tank.

The 45e comes standard with air suspension, and if you manage to charge it overnight, all the positive points I listed for the 40i still holds. Do try to get one with all the nice options (laser, upgraded merino leather, comfort seats and Harman Kardon if not the full Bowers Wilkins audio) as it makes a big difference to the feel good part of it.

Edited by rassi on Tuesday 2nd July 16:11

[BMW343]

Hi Rasii


Thank you -- appreciate you input-- I should add I'm looking a 2019 / 2020 model and the defender is the previous version not the new shape


I'm starting to be tempted by the X5 but on a back road blast at 2 am when no one is looking which is better

I know its not a racing car and both are big and heavy cards

As James May said which one gives the fizz

Thanks

Tadhg

[Billy_Whizzzz]

I’ve had both. 5 ‘technically’ better to drive but I like the stance and height of the x5 more. X5 slightly more costly in terms of tyres because of size but nothing to lose sleep over.

[Fox-]

rassi said:

Technology is a generation up

It's not though - it's the same, assuming you are comparing cars of a similar year. A 2021 540i and a 2021 X5 will have largely the same technology.

This makes the decision much easier - it's purely personal preference and there is no real downside to either.

[cerb4.5lee]

rassi said:

I considered the X5 45e too, but would not charge it regularly and would therefore be left with a detuned B58 engine with 280ish hp vs the 340 hp of the 40i as well as 300 kilo more deadweight, so went for the 40i.

That was similar to us as well. We were both left disappointed with the test drive of the X5 45e. You felt the extra weight, and the performance didn't live up to the on paper figures for us. In the end we stuck with ICE only and we went for a Merc GLE400d instead.

However I think if we'd test drove the X5 40d instead, we would've more than likely gone with that I reckon.

[d_a_n1979]

cerb4.5lee said:

rassi said:

I considered the X5 45e too, but would not charge it regularly and would therefore be left with a detuned B58 engine with 280ish hp vs the 340 hp of the 40i as well as 300 kilo more deadweight, so went for the 40i.

That was similar to us as well. We were both left disappointed with the test drive of the X5 45e. You felt the extra weight, and the performance didn't live up to the on paper figures for us. In the end we stuck with ICE only and we went for a Merc GLE400d instead.

However I think if we'd test drove the X5 40d instead, we would've more than likely gone with that I reckon.

Very similar feedback to what my Dad's given recently...

His X3M is coming up 3 years; undecided whether to keep it/extend warranty etc...

Had an i5 for a week; just too impractical and too low for them both really... A hoot to drive he said though; but it'd never get them up to the Highlands in one go and that's what really puts him off EVs currently (more so mid winter)!

X5 45e - test drove one and he said it felt like a tank; could feel every ounce of its weight and wasn't up to all it's meant to be, in his opinion

He'd love another touring and will see if a hybrid version comes out that he likes; but still concerned re how low they are, with being so used to sliding in and out of their X3M rather than dropping in / crawling out etc; same with the new X3 range too

So for now; the X3M stays and hell extend the warranty when needed (pus he's just had a new set of wheels replaced under warranty, 3rd set in nearly 3 years)! When will BMW learn that diamond cut wheels are just stupid...