BMW X5 For Sale

A used BMW X5 is one of the best big 4x4s you can buy BMW X5 For Sale

A second hand BMW X5 makes a great buy. If you want a 4x4 car which is fun to drive, spacious and comfortable on long drives, this is it. For big families, it's worth tracking down a second-generation car with the optional third row of seats fitted. Running costs on a used BMW X5 aren't as high as you might think.

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BMW X5 Review

For:Huge presence, sporty drive, lots of space, great engines

Against:Firm ride, relatively expensive

Autoquake.com verdict: star

Why buy one?

The BMW X5 is one of the best big 4x4s you can buy. It does most things very well, and very little badly.

For such a huge, heavy car, it's remarkably agile, especially if you choose one of the second-generation models, launched in 2007. Every engine in the range offers strong performance, and for a 4x4 emissions are low and economy is impressive.

There's a huge amount of space inside, and some cars will have the optional third row of seats fitted to make them seven-seaters.

Why think twice?

Even a used BMW X5 is a relatively pricey car to buy and run, although you can say much the same of most rivals. There's not as much space in the third row as you'll find in the back of a used Land Rover Discovery or a used Volvo XC90.

The ride is firm, especially on M Sport versions

Which generation should I choose?

Early cars are better value than the current model. However, the second-generation BMW X5 is more practical, especially if you find one with seven seats.

How safe?

BMW hasn't stinted on the safety features in this car, with stability control to help avoid an accident and plenty of airbags should the worst happen. Euro NCAP hasn't tested the current X5 yet, but the crash test organisation gave the old-shape X5 a five out of five rating for occupant safety.

What might go wrong?

There's no sign of any major reliability issues with a second-hand BMW X5. BMW finished 9th out of 29 makes in the 2009 JD Power Customer Satisfaction Survey.