In the new CAR they review the new X5. Bottom line they don't like the fact for everything it gains, it loses something in the process.

What was amazing to me, was BMW predicted they would sell 350,000 worldwide during the first gen's duration, and they sold over 600,000:eek2: :eek2:

Now that is a great business decision. I am also glad they are built in America (South Carolina) where its keeping us employed. :thumbup:

600K? Wow, I had no idea it was that many. Very successful indeed.

Though they cost WAY MORE down here than in the U.S., even my friend at the Mercedes dealership at admitted that the X5 outsells their ML big time, and there is not much luxury competition down here in the SUV market.

wow 600k, that's a lot. but i think it's possible, over the years i really see TONS of them everywhere

The new one is even better. But I don't like the fact that it is assembled here in the U.S. Possible build quality issues may crop up. They should be built in Austria along with its little brother X3.

The new one is even better. But I don't like the fact that it is assembled here in the U.S. Possible build quality issues may crop up. They should be built in Austria along with its little brother X3.

The quality issues that early X5 has is more related to the parts/materials used, and little with build quality and workmanship. Looks like BMW has learned a lot from the Z3 experience and apply the lesson to the much better profit model.

In the new CAR they review the new X5. Bottom line they don't like the fact for everything it gains, it loses something in the process.

What was amazing to me, was BMW predicted they would sell 350,000 worldwide during the first gen's duration, and they sold over 600,000:eek2: :eek2:

Now that is a great business decision. I am also glad they are built in America (South Carolina) where its keeping us employed. :thumbup:
was it really that great of sucess? It sold for 7 years.

Thats average of 7,000 per month, for all world markets, and only in germany it averaged 20% of that.

Thats almost 3x less than RX350, which doesnt have an diesel engine in Europe.

No doubt an great car, but I very much doubt that they expected 350k in 7 years. That would be pretty bad.

Soon enough we will hear how X3 is an sucess too :P

One thing that I noticed and someone else pointed out to me down here is that BMW and Mercedes brought everyone of their models to Mexico, including those found in Europe. I was wondering if this was true in other countries, as even Toyota lacks its entire range along with companies like Honda, Acura. I wonder what a little more competition might do to those X5 sales. When I think luxury vehicles down here, it seems most of my friends have a 3 series, Mini and an occasional Audi.

The new one is even better. But I don't like the fact that it is assembled here in the U.S. Possible build quality issues may crop up. They should be built in Austria along with its little brother X3.
The X5 has always been built in South Carolina. Woud you prefer it to be built in South Africa, where another BMW plant is?

The X5 has always been built in South Carolina. Woud you prefer it to be built in South Africa, where another BMW plant is?Austria as mentioned in my previous post. Most BMW owners /enthusiasts would rather their vehicles be built where they were bred. I wonder how Porshe & Ferrari owners would react if their cars were being built in the U.S or China:uh:

Austria as mentioned in my previous post. Most BMW owners /enthusiasts would rather their vehicles be built where they were bred. I wonder how Porshe & Ferrari owners would react if their cars were being built in the U.S or China:uh:

Austria ain't Germany. And gotta love mitsubishi turbos in the 335, or the old GM automatics in the old BMWs.

I agree, I don't want my BMW made anywhere but home like my Lexus or my Benz. But we do live in a WORLD market, with parts oursourced everywhere.

The badge might say one country but its really a sum of parts from all over.:thumbup:

Austria ain't Germany. And gotta love mitsubishi turbos in the 335, or the old GM automatics in the old BMWs.

I agree, I don't want my BMW made anywhere but home like my Lexus or my Benz. But we do live in a WORLD market, with parts oursourced everywhere.

The badge might say one country but its really a sum of parts from all over.:thumbup:BMW's are bred in Austria as well. Perhaps you need to see this video Mike:p

http://youtube.com/watch?v=10xz0U68tmU&mode=related&search=

For some reason when I saw build in Austria, I picture a lot of surfer dudes with long hair and no shirt building those cars. :D

was it really that great of sucess? It sold for 7 years.

Thats average of 7,000 per month, for all world markets, and only in germany it averaged 20% of that.

Thats almost 3x less than RX350, which doesnt have an diesel engine in Europe.

No doubt an great car, but I very much doubt that they expected 350k in 7 years. That would be pretty bad.

Soon enough we will hear how X3 is an sucess too :P


It is amazing they can sell it for 7 years straight without having to redesign it, shows how much they got it right from day one.

You can't compare the sales figure for X5 to RX because they cost more than twice the Rx at the baseline price.

It is amazing they can sell it for 7 years straight without having to redesign it, shows how much they got it right from day one.

You can't compare the sales figure for X5 to RX because they cost more than twice the Rx at the baseline price.

Even though the X5 does NOT cost more than twice the RX at the baseline price, I agree with your point in the first paragraph. For a car that's built in one plant only, sharing the assembly line with two other models, and is targeted to one sole market at the beginning, that's a very impressive sales figure.

Some people gotta take off their Lexus/Toyota glasses and understand that the world is not against Lexus/Toyota, and some other car manufacturers can be praised for their success as well.

BMW's are bred in Austria as well. Perhaps you need to see this video Mike:p

http://youtube.com/watch?v=10xz0U68tmU&mode=related&search=

Awesome video!

Here is a new X5 commercial being shown on televison. The X5 on the famous Nubergring. This is an actual track lap on the ring, and not a computer animation.:)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=laceJ7HEniE

This vid is a documenatary

http://youtube.com/watch?v=WpfTmnuypJQ&mode=related&search=

I'd like to run my RX300 out there. I think they let an RX300 with the TTE Compressor run out there once (did a search on the net), but can't remember the time. I wish the track here would let me run (Hermanos Rodriguez), but they said no SUVs, just lowered trucks. :mad:

Awesome video!

I caught the commercial in HD last night. Nice! Even my wife liked it, and she could care less about things automotive...

For some reason when I saw build in Austria, I picture a lot of surfer dudes with long hair and no shirt building those cars. :D

I'm almost positive there is nowhere to surf in Austria. :D

Austria ain't Germany. And gotta love mitsubishi turbos in the 335, or the old GM automatics in the old BMWs.

Wow , i did NOT know that !

I'm almost positive there is nowhere to surf in Austria. :D

How about kangaroos and crocodiles in "Austria"? :p

I'm almost positive there is nowhere to surf in Austria. :D

I think he was probably confusing Austria and Australia together lol

I drove an X5 non-sport once... it handles very very well for a truck. My only complaint with the previous X5 was that back seat legroom was horrible in comparison to the RX and MDX.

The new one is even better. But I don't like the fact that it is assembled here in the U.S. Possible build quality issues may crop up. They should be built in Austria along with its little brother X3.

I don't know that build issues are a problem with the location of the workforce, as much as it is a problem with the assembly process or material quality.

I think he was probably confusing Austria and Australia together lol



Ya I know. :p

I think he was probably confusing Austria and Australia together lol

I drove an X5 non-sport once... it handles very very well for a truck. My only complaint with the previous X5 was that back seat legroom was horrible in comparison to the RX and MDX.

You think the back seat legroom was horrible? Try the trunk space. For a vehicle this size the trunk is even smaller than the 5-series (E39) stationwagon and I believe it's smaller than the X3's.

Same thing can be said to the Infiniti FX. I think that's even worse, but at least the FX has better rear seat cushion than the way-too-low X5's

I think he was probably confusing Austria and Australia together lol

I drove an X5 non-sport once... it handles very very well for a truck. My only complaint with the previous X5 was that back seat legroom was horrible in comparison to the RX and MDX.

I have driven it 3 times now and IMO, its just one of those things you HAVE to try, to find out how good it is. The RX, IMO mastered how to drive like a friendly car. The X5 has mastered how to drive like a sports car.

What I really liked was how SOLID the car felt. IMO, it FELT worth the price, even if it is not the size of one of those huge SUVs for the same price.

A friend echo'd the same feeling recently, he was expecting to be disapointed and left saying "Damn it drives like a 3 series".
:thumbup:

I'm almost positive there is nowhere to surf in Austria. :D


I knew that :p

I knew that :p

http://images.google.com/images?q=%20SURF%20IN%20AUSTRIA&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&sa=N&tab=wi

:D :D :D

http://images.google.com/images?q=%20SURF%20IN%20AUSTRIA&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&sa=N&tab=wi

:D :D :D

Haha, ya - I'm sure they're all surfing in Konigsee. :D

was it really that great of sucess? It sold for 7 years.

Thats average of 7,000 per month, for all world markets, and only in germany it averaged 20% of that.

Thats almost 3x less than RX350, which doesnt have an diesel engine in Europe.

No doubt an great car, but I very much doubt that they expected 350k in 7 years. That would be pretty bad.

Soon enough we will hear how X3 is an sucess too :P
I disagree totally. I started this thread b/c ANY BUSINESS would be happy as a lark to DOUBLE expectations. This X5 is a cash cow for BMW. Clearly enables them to have money for other ventures and cars.

It costs MORE than the RX, the price pretty much starts where the RX stops.
The X5 is not a volume vehicle. Hell Lexus only expects 5k worldwide of the GS 450h. Its not a failure or its not bad, its just NOT MEANT TO SELL in huge quantaties.

BMW should be commended for basically a grand slam with the first gen X5.:thumbup: