Is a BMW X5 a good car for a high school student?

Hi everyone!

This is my first post and my question is... Is an X5 a good car for me? I'm a high school student in south-central Oklahoma. What are your experiences/opinions? My concerns are reliability and durability. Is it a good idea or blasphemy for me to get one? I've been thinking of 2000-2001 X5 4.4i. Thanks, Tom :biggrin:

Tom,
I think if you can pay for the X-5 and the insurance yourself, then it is an excellent car for you. If not, then get something affordable and don't make dad pay his hard-earned money! :)

Grumpy1

I agree, yet, no good luxury car like a BMW, or even a 3-series is good for a high school student. either a mitsubishi, honda, toyota or mazda will do it. Its better, because no offense to high school students, but you're still new to driving, and what if you come to destroy a nice car? woulndt u want it to be a honda, or sumthing rather than a BMW? wouldnt it be better saving up for a nicer car, instead of buying one as your first?

But, its your choice man, I cant alter your decision here, cuz i barely kno ya, hehehe, but as an AF member, i just give u sum advice.

Thanks for your opinions!
You brought up some good points, but, in my case, neither money nor wrecking a nice car or SUV (or SAV for that matter) is much of a problem. I've come to favor the X5 for its style, performance, and numerous safety attributes. As for money, no prob as long as our oil wells don't go dry! My only major concerns for the X5 are reliability and safety...
Thank you again for posting, and have a happy Valentine's Day!

The X5 is truely a perfect car. It is faster then a 330 or 325, it has a lot of room, the 4x4 system is simply amazing, and it handles like a dream. Mine is a loaded 04 X5 4.4i and i love it. I could not ask for a better car. Have you driven the 4.4 yet? Before i bought mine, i drove the 3.0 and it seemed to lag a bit. The 4.4 can beat 85% of the cars on the road. I pass two tolls everyday (sometimes more) and i love killing the Miatas, Explorers, and Civics. They never expect it. Also, the computer in the 04 brings the engine right up to redline (not warning) when in "sport mode," which i think is cool.

One of my dads friends let me drive his X5 3.0i. I loved it! Even it can beat 95% of the cars here in south-central Oklahoma, but then again, most of the cars here are giant pickups! I loved the way it handled. Thats why I'm stongly considering getting one...

Another thing I didn't mention earlier is that my next car should also be able to tow a boat! My dad has a 2003 21-foot Triton that I would like to take fishing on my own sometime! I'm pretty sure an X5 could handle it. Fast car + fast boat = fun summer! lol
Thanks for your thoughts!

Just imagine the 4.4!!! I think its got 1.5 times as much torque and horsepower, i may be wrong though, as i do not know the exact specs on the 3.0.

Just imagine the 4.4!!! I think its got 1.5 times as much torque and horsepower, i may be wrong though, as i do not know the exact specs on the 3.0.

How about, just imagine the 4.6is! o-6o in what, like 4.5 seconds? thats more of an "M" X5!(kinda the M5+X5= the MX5)

True, the 4.6 does really move. Has it offically been discontinued? I can't wait for the 4.8is!!!!!!!

I just recently purchased a BMW X5 3.0 and I am a high school student and i love it, I put 20" chrome rims on it and it gets lots of attention.

you just made one large leap in making yourself sound spoiled. :loser: :grinno:

I still agree with my original opinion. no person around the age of 18 or a frist and early driver should be behind the wheel of a car more than 20-25 grand.

well the x5 is absolutely a great car.

i´m very happy with it myself.

we have it for over a year now and have driven around 45.000km in 14 month with it. we have the 3.0d but if i would live in america i would go for the 4.4 or 4.6(or new 4.8) you don´t have to pay 1,20€ (around 1,40$ for a litre of petrol...

the x5 is safe and does not make problems. good car. take it and enjoy your summer :)