Should You Buy a BMW X5? (Test Drive & Review E70 X5 M)

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The BMW X5 (E70) has been around since 2007. They're now very affordable. Should you buy one? Let's find out...
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[@Adam-dope]

I genuinely think you are one of the best car reviewers with honest down to earth reviews , brilliant as always.

[@HighPeakAutos]

Thanks 👍

[@gepwxaqdfsidsesg1548]

Agreed

[@jimmccarthy6015]

👍

[@TheComputec]

In addition to good reviews, he's also a decent genuine car Sales business too. I bought a motor from him quite recently. Genuinely decent guy and the car is faultless.

[@LukePC]

I was just going to write a similar comment. Couldn't agree more :)

[@Z-u-m-a]

Refreshing approach to reviews - like it.

[@dailyhunter3683]

"Plenty of room in the boot for the mother-in-law." 😜

[@rakib2911]

He's a legend ;)

[@MartinJG100]

Reminds me of the old joke. Two blokes chatting, one says' When I go anywhere in the car, I always shove my dog in the boot and when we arrive, out she jumps, happy as anything. If I did that with my wife I would never hear the end of it'....

[@dailyhunter3683]

@@MartinJG100 I think you've just given me a good idea🤔💡👍💯.

[@charlieboylol527]

It must be big lol 😂

[@jackpitchford4488]

I've got a e70 X5M exactly the same as the one you reviewed, and I love it! Yeah it's expensive in fuel but most of the parts are standard X5 so it's not too bad. Great family car and great fun too. Spot on review 👌🏻

[@stephenhuggett5954]

This is what top gear used to be like 👍

[@andybrown169]

So true, until it was presented by ego’s and watched by non car enthusiasts.

[@djmg3704]

Your reviews are spot on. Bought a jag xjl on your recommendation and have never regretted it. Thanks mate.

[@Dino-qq2jp]

Another banging review. Thanks for sharing! Congrats on 80k, very well deserved. You'll have that 100k plaque in no time.

[@HighPeakAutos]

Fingers crossed! Cheers

[@5ebra1]

I always thought that the second series looked great. I had a similar aged 5 series touring that did 230,000 miles with original engine, gearbox and exhaust. It did 50 mpg minimum and handled like a dream. I miss that car but it was about to cost a lot to keep it going. Great review again.

[@jimh65]

Good review, I have a 2008 x5 4.8 V8. Has been awesome till recently, issues with power-saver mode from ECU/steering angle sensor. That aside car drives great, assured on the road and you nailed the overview of the car in your review!

[@robertgarrett876]

Excellent video and excellent advice. Always enjoy your philosophy on cars and life.👍

[@XSAoRAD]

Really enjoyed this review! And as a recent purchaser of an LCI E70, i'd agree; while it's firm, it's so easy to drive, even on some decidedly average country roads. While ours is a 3L diesel and not the M, it still punches out enough torque to make things fun, making uphills and overtaking a breeze. We're all 6ft+, and four adults fit in the car without much trouble. As you've pointed out, the transmission MUST be serviced, which the previous owner failed to do; a replacement transmission runs approx $2,000.00, and will require removal of the exhaust, transfer case, and subframe, so approx 1 days labour. Another issue is water leaking from the scuttle panel onto the engine, resulting in the rear most diesel injectors being flooded and failing, causing random engine stalls.

[@doyle201206]

Another brutal and honest review. Don’t change. It’s straight talking and not reading from a brochure that makes these good.

[@zgpm7031]

“Orange bride”...hahaha...you slaughter me

[@blairyc]

Really enjoy the videos, it’s really good that the cars you discuss are within the reach of ‘most’ folks.... take care! :)

[@HighPeakAutos]

Glad you like them!

[@brunodguedes]

Just bought a 07 3.0d and came here to listen to how good of a purchase I have made and how smart I am. Thank you! Jokes aside, I never thought it would be so good. My only problem is that I want it to last forever! I even like how it looks. Good video, nice review of an older car.

[@stoyanchohadzhiev6918]

An honest and competent review, with a good sense of humour. Good job!

[@spaccaboy]

Bought one. I’ve loved every minute of ownership. 2012 e70 30d with 7 seats. Diesel is a bit agricultural when cold but warms up pretty quickly and on a run it’s a pretty relaxing cruiser. Far more sporty than it has any right to be. Mine came with all the bells and whistles but with sports suspension pack. That’s the only thing I’d change. Slightly softer setup rather than the sport is the way I’d go if I bought it again. 80k on the clock, 5 owners, fsh and almost comically immaculate inside and out. All for 12k. Probably the best bargain car I’ve owned.

[@muratnewman5345]

I have one, 2010. I love it. Electronics (modules) have been the problematic part for me. The engine and powertrain have been bullet proof. At 120k miles, and still feels like 20kmiles. I do most of the things myself, and the parts are widely available and mostly cheap through Pelican Parts, FCP Euro, Rockauto etc, so it's not a big deal to get hit by something every now and then. I actually enjoy working on it and love the feeling on satisfaction after I tackle an issue. I would buy this over and over. Great review by the way!

[@PrettyGreenMonk]

U have the X5M?

[@18_rabbit]

yeah, intersting but only intersting really if u say which engine u have!!

[@alansteely4638]

Superb review mate.... I’ve been contemplating buying one, and you’ve not put me off 👍👍. Thanks for taking the time 👍👍

[@lash9400]

i love this era of BMWs , with their hefty steering and firm suspension really had a unique driving feel.

[@ahmedfuture]

Man, i was waiting for this video long time ago. Thanks alot

[@thushanbalasingam8285]

Matt love the videos. Also appreciate the short egoless intro. Appreciate you get straight to it unlike many others!

[@HighPeakAutos]

Thanks! I know its a bit repetitive but you dont need a longer intro than that. The car is the topic of the video, not the presenter :)

[@sorinstefan6038]

Thanks been waiting this for a while

[@grantmount]

I just picked up a my11 x5m and i love the thing. I gave up my modified my16 wrx as we need to buy something to tow my wakeboard boat and i was looking at prado's and dual cab utes when i stumbed across one of these by accident. I never knew they existed . So glad i got it plenty of smiles driving it..

[@Camrocok]

Another sensible practical review. I have a 2013 X5 40d and your comments are spot on.

[@Camrocok]

The gearbox oil change on the later E70s is £5-600 so easily missed by owners on a budget. The tyres need to be replaced in pairs and the front and back need to be within 2mm of each other. This means one puncture can mean all four tyres need replacing.

[@andrewwootton6592]

Spot on with the narrative, it's a serious car that you're getting for a song so put some aside for the day when it comes.

[@jamesbaxter904]

One of my family daily drivers is the e70 and it's hands down been the best car for the job. I have an S-max and a Merc ML too as family buses, reliability is shocking on those two and the BMW has cost me nothing and the ride quality is spot on. Bloody fast too! The m50d is a beast.

[@keitho1454]

Loving the image quality!

[@Bloom0to9]

thank you :) I bought a couple of these recently. They really put a smile on your face. I am someone who hasn't had many SUV's cos they handle quite badly, I have no kids and i never go off roading. These handle GREAT, are quiet, smooth and pretty quick :D

[@stanleyandrew92]

This is a really good car. My dream car, prefer it to the new ones. Great review as always. Top Gear will be calling you soon !!

[@yakoobjunior9631]

Brilliantly done mate and subscribed 👍🏼👍🏼

[@fx02zbn]

Great Vid. Thanks for uploading.

[@maffthetaff8625]

iv got the 08 twin turbo sd 7 seater,, and i absolutely love it,, every time i get in it i just love to drive it... 😉👍

[@satishshingadia6402]

Absolutely brilliant review. Totally enjoy all your reviews.

[@HighPeakAutos]

Glad you like them!

[@tcallumg]

We used to have one of these in grey we loved it, we got a Range Rover sport to replace it and had lots of issues so got rid of it and had x5s every since currently got a 2020 x5 30d fully loaded

[@renovateandflip2073]

Thanks for this Matt.. really enjoyed it as missus wants one so good to hear side of view on them 👌👍

[@izzirosenberg9339]

Another thing to comment Matt - you've changed my outlook on cars and deff looking after my car now better than I did with any other cars I've owned!

[@HighPeakAutos]

Pleased to hear it

[@philipcross5332]

Lovin the X5M 👌 I was always amazed at how wide the tyres were! Great review 👏 and very nice car

[@HighPeakAutos]

Thanks! 👍

[@borisyanev4632]

this is the first time I see this channel but I would like to say this is the first time a see a proper fucking review.WELL DONE !

[@martyn1992]

As always a real world review 👍

[@sibusisosithole6069]

Great review, honest and straight to the point. You are a pro!

[@HighPeakAutos]

Thank you

[@jonricketts2408]

Another great review please keep them coming love the x5

[@HighPeakAutos]

Thanks, will do!

[@KissTheGreat]

Love these videos. And I agree with you that this shape looks like the first one was left near a fire too long, and it sadly hasn’t grown on me 😂

[@jakekemp21]

Your reviews are the most honest and non biased going . Great job buddy . Your videos are helping me weigh up what to get . X5 or late L322

[@jakekemp21]

what would be your preference?

[@godiskungen27]

You one of the best reviewers really good in the way you present Youre videos!!

[@HighPeakAutos]

Thank you

[@alchapman1052]

Interesting as always with the usual one liners , certainly looks the business.

[@BEGGARWOOD1]

Love these videos

[@adamweir6338]

Another great video! Never thought to service my E70 gearbox. Will get this done now..

[@HighPeakAutos]

I would

[@vascofamily6703]

Bought one of these and love it! A nice 2012 example, full history, cream interior which looks well with the metallic navy blue (I’m sure there is a proper BMW name), the extra two seats for the kids mates are really useful and when down the boot is massive which was great driving over to Spain. An autobahn monster so makes a drive like that a pleasure… But, since stumbling across the channel I have now been sucked in to all your videos. Honest, knowledgeable advice, a throw back to when motoring shows were actually useful! So, thanks to you Matt I’m now thinking I need a Range Rover 🥴 my mate works for a independent specialist so I literally go in and see them all stripped to pieces. He tells me they’re the best thing to specialise in as they break and cost a fortune, but despite all that I think you’re right! They break as much as any other car and buy the car you want, then fix it when it breaks. I’ll be keeping my eye out for when High Peak have a late L322 on their website/forecourt! When it does break, at least I have an indy specialist who is a mate to fix it 😂

[@DrCJamhuri]

Excellent honest unbiased review!!! Thank you!

[@HighPeakAutos]

Thanks for watching

[@chrischadwick3079]

Love all the younger viewers comments as I drive a Corolla because I'm retired in Thailand. My budget won't run to my old BMW,s & MGB,S any more but I still dream. Enjoy you reviews & humour well done.

[@jaimearmstrong5275]

Well you've done the first two generations, looking forward to the F15 review some day. I love my V8 F15 50i as it's got all the comforts, but bonkers fast. A real wolf in sheeps clothing. Best car I've ever had.

[@donoconnor4204]

Brilliant as always!! Great delivery.

[@HighPeakAutos]

Thanks again!

[@hitchupngomr_p3927]

Love your car reviews. Love the humour you put in them. You should have your own TV show📺🤔👍

[@mickrepairscars9004]

Great review as always Mick

[@HighPeakAutos]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@SS-gw1jc]

Really appreciate your reviews🙏

[@HighPeakAutos]

Glad you like them!

[@davey6024]

I'm made up you have reviewed this motor as I have been looking for a 7 seater diesel 12 plate for a while. Great and honest review as always. Just browsed over your auto trader advert for this exact car and I tell you if I had 20k to throw at a motor it would be this exact one!

[@jampot20000]

I enjoyed my X5 ownership...just got too expensive with the dpf not regenerating properly. Superb to drive on road and I recall pulling a discovery out of a ditch. In the ice one year I recall it was far better than anyone thought it would be. Got me around many forests with work

[@danmasterj272]

had 3 BMW X5s, E70, F15 & G05. 30D every time, loved every one

[@bungle5785]

Evening, great vid, keeping it real..

[@mrtechstawk]

Congratulations on the 100k

[@silvermovermedia9737]

Good advice from a sensible reviewer

[@BobMc87]

Another great video!!!

[@SuperEjep]

I run an E53 X5 4.8is and love it. Not too costly to maintain and with an LPG conversion it can be frugal when you want it to be and a performer when not. Moving up I would happily look at one of the V8 powered E70s. I tow a lot and the increase in towing weight would be useful on the E70.

[@EddyKuul]

I didn’t know what car to buy next until now. I’m going to look for a decent E70 for myself. Great review as always, your one linners are hilarious dude haha.

[@funnymarco1]

I had an X5M and put a grin on my face every time I dove it, eventually swapped it for an evo 6. Spot on review.

[@andybrown169]

Excellent review, as reviews go there’s only yourself and Harry’s Garage worth watching ( perhaps Supercar Blondie as well ! )

[@SpasMartinov]

Got mine few months ago but its a 4.0d . The review is spot on.

[@ruk2023--]

I hate to be pedantic, but that's who I am....the 40d is a 3.0 litre engine and there is not a trim level called 4.0d.

[@pedromanafaia]

Nice car! Thanks for the video!

[@panz3r696]

hope you've got a nice 30 minute plus Christmas special lying in the wings for release Christmas eve ? nice Landover video knowing you probably :) keep it up, love these videos

[@jamesshephard2013]

Yes shame you didn't do a 'grand tour' special in the RR when you went to Spain earlier in the year!

[@paulefc1971]

@@jamesshephard2013 or did he??

[@VRJSNGH]

Love your videos man, keep it up. Nice detailed description and history of the cars! 👍

[@HighPeakAutos]

Thanks, will do!

[@VRJSNGH]

@@HighPeakAutos Nice

[@summitdetailing6697]

Yourself, Harry Metcalfe, Henry Catchpole & C. Harris would make an epic car show / channel.

[@AutoAbsolute]

Don't forget Matt Watson

[@stcuthbertschurchwesthamps1549]

Excellent as always!

[@HighPeakAutos]

Cheers

[@maggygwire]

Love it. I’d have one. Love understated power and just being the quickest in the range would mean I’d have to go for it. Forget the diesels as good as they are

[@sketcher68]

I like your Good honist reviews . Keep up the good work.

[@HighPeakAutos]

Cheers!

[@paulcollins7209]

Great channel great review so new subscriber good work 👌

[@manikiro]

Superb review!

[@LHRSBN]

Brilliant review.

[@stevenlomas8812]

The best review yet!

[@HighPeakAutos]

Cheers

[@wristcandy5451]

Best reviews by far

[@gt7940]

Great review 👍

[@TLGElectro]

I owned a 2005 e53 for 7 years.. It was fantastic, expensive for repairs, tyres, etc, but a great family car. I'd probably still have it now if it hadn't set itself on fire whilst i was driving it. 🔥 Great cars, great review, as always. 👍

[@cameronmitchell8441]

Good review mate, I like your honesty about the cost of running one at the end

[@adrianflower3230]

Bought by premiership footballers for their orange bride with a bad attitude 😮🤣😂🤣😂🤣 loving these character assassinations, keep em coming! 👍

[@tomthepigeon6272]

All the best to you mate thank you for that informations.

[@HighPeakAutos]

No worries

[@TheShepTV]

Bought a 2012 40d 5-seat version of this car. Absolutely adore it. Torque, comfort, driving dynamics, looks, toys, it has everything. Would wholly recommend

[@jamiefrench8934]

Out of interest, what kind of mpg are you getting out of ?

[@TheShepTV]

​@@jamiefrench8934It does vary. Long term, mixed driving has me at 29.2mpg, but on a long run, reset the computer and at 120kph you can easily get 35+mpg with cruise control on.

[@AangPrima]

great explaination. thank you 😎

[@Getouttahere78]

Whilst everything is working, these are great cars. But damn, when the electronics start acting up you rue the day you bought one. And that is true about all these "Wonder" machines

[@JeffoJonJ]

Wd40 ..wonderful stuff

[@Getouttahere78]

@@JeffoJonJ , where has the days gone when you could keep your vehicle running with a pair of pliers and a roll of steel wire ? 😳

[@zakrialatifsaqib2804]

Awesome vid love your no bs approach still think you should have your own consumer show

[@HighPeakAutos]

Maybe one day!

[@joaofarinha7953]

Your sense of humour never stops to amuse me 😁😁 I also got a speed ticket , I was also doing 37 on a 30 zone , and now I have to pay £90 for a stupid speed awareness online course 😒😒 great review as always mate 👌👌

[@IIAdnan93II]

Another great video Matt thank you very much once again. I would love an X5 but the insurance would be out of the bloody roof as I'm 26! Currently own a BMW X3 2015 which I love to bits but having the extra space, torque and oomph with an X5 would be amazing. One day eh! Thanks again mate.

[@colinpettit3448]

This really was an entertaining review. Are you employing a new script writer ? Great stuff.

[@charlieboylol527]

Great review,I’m picking up a 2009 m sport 3L diesel with 83,000 mls in great condition, thanks 😊

[@undergroundlegend198]

Thank you for the good review am replacing my 2008 x3 with x5 e70 3.0d can't wait to get one

[@alookintoourlife2553]

No matter what car he reviews I just have to watch it as his style is brilliant 👌

[@HighPeakAutos]

Thanks!

[@nervo6321]

You do have a way with words my friend...great reviews too...

[@HighPeakAutos]

Thanks

[@neilrobinson5115]

Great video,I have a 2009 BMW X5 e70 msport xdrive 35d in Titansilver metallic with the M57 engine 286bhp,I swapped it for my Nissan Juke Tekna 1.6 and have never looked back,it has the 20 inch mspoke msport alloys with bridgestone dueller sport 275 front and 315 back tyres,I had to do a bit of work,new original bonnet/boot badges, new offside rear brake/fog lights,new front ballasts and xenon bulbs,and recently the drivers side coil spring broke,so replaced,but apart from that I love it,the E70 to a lot of X5 fans is the most favourite shape of the older bodies apparently,I have put a amazon fire 10 inch tablet at the front using magnets and fittings for Amazon music unlimited etc,Bluetooth dongle in centre console,paired it with stereo,then use iphone hotspot for WiFi,it sounds great through the Sirius sound system with Harmon Kardon speakers,great car and I’d never part with it,autoglym and meguiars products keep it gleaming,and I waxoyled and body sealed all the exposed subframe underneath at the back,as I live at the coast,p.s I agreed with everything you said pal,great video.

[@DoughnutsInspace]

Great reviews, brutality honest too which is rare these days and some comedy thrown in too. Nearly spat out my coffee at the mother in law joke!

[@saeedabri]

Excellent and honest review.

[@HighPeakAutos]

Thanks!

[@MrDallman]

The ride comfort is a kin to being on Boudicca’s chariot with square wheels ( Sport version with M tech suspension)and that’s with the run flats swapped out , I had one and got rid of it after 3 days .... Great video again Matt...top notch as always.

[@HighPeakAutos]

Thanks for the info!