2014 BMW X5 sdrive35i: The Oppo Review

"touring the brook - now with ZHP!" (touringthebrook) 11/14/2015 at 12:22 • Filed to: OPPO REVIEW, BMW X5

3

25

Another Oppo Review is upon us! This is my mom’s third generation BMW X5, or the BMW F15 if you’re a BMW expert. BMW updated the X5 in 2014 with a new chassis, styling, and a new rear-wheel drive base model known as the sdrive35i. All gasoline-powered engines carry over from the last generation including the 3.0 liter turbocharged inline-6 that powers this car.

(Disclosure: BMW wanted me to review this car so badly they specially built this car and shipped it to Tom Williams BMW in Birmingham, Alabama, where they gave my mom excellent service after haggling over the price for 8 hours)

Exterior: 8/10

I don’t know what to say for this section. I think it is a great looking SUV, though the front end is too imposing for my taste. Plus the wheels are cool.

Interior: 8/10

Overall I think the X5’s interior has great styling and ergonomics. The driver focused dashboard is helpful when you are driving, because you don’t have to reach that far for anything. The optional Terra Dakota Leather is good looking, versatile, and comfortable. All of this looks like a 10/10 rating, but the non-sport seats are not very good. Sure they offer enough support on the bolsters, but coupled with the stiff ride, these seats need more cushioning.

Performance: 7/10

A twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0 liter inline-6 powers this X5. With this engine pulling a 4,680 pound SUV to 60 MPH in around 6 seconds, it’s pretty impressive. Considering this is the famed BMW N55 engine, I would give it a perfect 10/10, but city fuel economy is around 16 MPG for this car.

Braking: 7/10

It has brakes. They stop the car.

Handling: 8/10

You’re probably fuming right now thinking: “HOW IS A TWO AND A QUATER TON SUV GETTING 8/10 ON A HANDLING RATING!” Well calm down and I’ll tell you; it handles great for what it is . A 4,600 pound SUV shouldn’t handle as well as this does. Steering is precise, with good weighting for some fun on the twisties. Steering is lacking in feel, but for an SUV I consider that to be a small trade-off.

Toys: 6/10

This car has the famed (not in a good way) iDrive infotainment interface. It has the newest version of the system, so it actually isn’t that bad. There still is a learning curve, but navigating through the menus is easy once you get used to it. Navigation is included with this car, and it has proven to be useful with its ease of use. The X5 gets a 6/10 on this section for its lack of driver safety technology; the only thing that could be counted as safety tech are the parking sensors.

Value: 5/10

While the X5 has plenty of toys, performance, looks, and practicality, it isn’t worth the $63,000 this car costs. For that money I would rather have an Acura MDX that has lots of options, better reliability and practicality. But if you have your eyes set on an X5, I’d say go for it.

Total: 49/70

AM3R shamefully returns > touring the brook - now with ZHP! 11/14/2015 at 12:34

2

That turbo inline six is a gem. I love mine and the aftermarket is huge for moar power. I love that interior btw, I desperately wanted terra leather but I just couldn't find any near me.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > touring the brook - now with ZHP! 11/14/2015 at 12:37

2

City gas mileage is 16? That’s my highway mileage.

Nibby > touring the brook - now with ZHP! 11/14/2015 at 12:45

1

How’s the ride on longer trips? My uncle had a 2011 X3 and those seats were uncomfortable after an hour

Nibby > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 11/14/2015 at 12:45

0

On your 4runner? That seems low

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Nibby 11/14/2015 at 12:56

0

That's an average per tank.

jjhats > touring the brook - now with ZHP! 11/14/2015 at 13:01

0

What does sDrive mean? Is it rwd?

Nibby > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 11/14/2015 at 13:19

0

I get 21-22 highway

Under_Score > jjhats 11/14/2015 at 13:54

1

Yes. Welcome to the south, where xDrive is uncommon.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Nibby 11/14/2015 at 14:10

0

I probably don’t get near that because it’s not a fan of more than 65 MPH.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Under_Score 11/14/2015 at 14:13

1

I see a good amount of xDrive.

Nibby > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 11/14/2015 at 14:17

0

Ah, right. Mine is at 1500rpm @ 70mph

Under_Score > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 11/14/2015 at 14:20

1

True; I don’t see a lot of BMWs in general. The ones I do see though are just the regular versions, not the xDrive ones.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Nibby 11/14/2015 at 14:23

0

I have the miserable 4 speed auto so it’s about 2100 at 70. I get my best mileage at around 55.

Nibby > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 11/14/2015 at 14:33

0

Regardless of transmission most cars get their best mpg around 50-60mph

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Nibby 11/14/2015 at 14:37

0

That is true. But when everyone else is doing 85, I feel I should at least do the speed limit.

Nibby > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 11/14/2015 at 14:57

0

Wanna know what’s scary? We used to lease a 2011 Wrangler. Doing 80mph on it was terrifying

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Nibby 11/14/2015 at 15:41

0

The speedo goes to 110 but probably not good for more than 85

jjhats > Under_Score 11/14/2015 at 16:05

1

Why would someone buy a rwd SUV?

touring the brook - now with ZHP! > Nibby 11/14/2015 at 17:31

0

It’s about the same here, more than an hour and you’ll want to get out and walk.

touring the brook - now with ZHP! > jjhats 11/14/2015 at 17:32

0

It does mean RWD, but they aren’t that common. Most people upgrade to the V8 which is xdrive only.

touring the brook - now with ZHP! > jjhats 11/14/2015 at 17:34

0

I don’t really know, I guess to save money because you live in the south and it snows once every 2 years.

touring the brook - now with ZHP! > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 11/14/2015 at 17:35

0

Yeah. It only gets a low rating for that because the “city” is the suburbs of Bham. I think the EPA rates it at like 18/19.

jjhats > touring the brook - now with ZHP! 11/14/2015 at 20:09

1

But it's a truck....if you don't need 4wd buy a sedan or wagon

Nibby > touring the brook - now with ZHP! 11/14/2015 at 23:05

2

Ah, “luxury”

touring the brook - now with ZHP! > Nibby 11/15/2015 at 11:38

0

Indeed. Very luxurious.