Overview & Reviews

After a complete redesign last year, the BMW X5 has only minor changes to standard and optional equipment for 2008. Most noteworthy is that the sunroof is now standard, while a power tailgate option debuts.

• Nimble handling for this type of vehicle, powerful engines, luxurious and handsome interior, huge list of available features.

User Reviews:

Showing 21 through 30 of 74.00

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  Ill always own one - 2008 BMW X5
  By grizzy54 - April 22 - 10:07 pm

  Since I bought this Ive enjoyed it everyday. It rides as tight as my M did but I like the higher sitting. Great performance & handling. I-Drive is easy to use. I dont get all of the complaints? Its very logical & easy to use common sense. I just read that they are launching an M version with a twin Turbo 4.8 V8 for 555 HP & 500 Torq. Ill wait until year 2 to get the bugs out. I love the 4.8 motor, very quick and a nice growl. Handling, brakes are superb. Ive owned 4 other BMWs, Acura RLs, Lexus (dumped this in 6 mon.) and I didnt feel the road. Its for folks who want a numb ride. Expensive to maintain. My only gripe is the gas mileage. Hwy I get 20 with a full load and 14 in city.

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  Avoid this vehicle - 2008 BMW X5
  By City Engineer - April 13 - 9:34 am

  Bought brand new, June, 2008. Two months later the motor on the A/C blower failed. Three months after that the fuel pump failed and left me stranded on a busy highway. Six months later the transmission failed while on a family vacation. BMW highway assistance is worthless. You get put on hold for 5-15 minutes (if they answer at all) then are told they can send a tow truck within 1 1/2 hours. Overall a disappointing experience for an expensive vehicle.

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  Not for What it Cost - 2008 BMW X5
  By Lt Dan - April 2 - 2:29 pm

  Ill make this blunt. I have had the car over a year now and put 15k miles on it. Overall nice vehicle. Very fast and handles great. Its a BMW and it rides like one. The back up camera is useless at night. Had it in the shop for 3 days to fix it. There is nothing wrong with it, it is junk. Gas mileage is lousy. Run flat tires can not be fixed, at least not by BMW. Get a nail as I did, youre out $280. I agree with one poster who mentioned it does not shift consistently. Sometimes it lurches into gear enough to snap your head back if you stomp on it. Voice controls stink. I had an Acura RL which had a great system (I think it was by Alpine) BMWs will have you yelling at the car. Not intuitive.

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  Did I buy a lemon? Tastes bitter! - 2008 BMW X5
  By Jimmy - March 27 - 8:52 pm

  Bought X5 a year ago tomorrow and will be taking to dealership again. This time a repeat 4x4 and DSC warning. Last time fault blamed on us leaving a battery powered XM radio plugged into the receptacle inside the armrest storage that caused the battery level to drop?! Today same problem while driving on the highway. Cant wait to hear next excuse. Have taken car in at least 5 times for loud noise when taking out of park. In December Parking Brake would not disengage while 700 miles from home. BMW Assist could not tell us how to manually disengage brake but wanted to drag it onto a flatbed. Dealer told us how. Start-Off Assist jerks back on flat ground!! This is normal? Otherwise great car.

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  Dont buy BMW X5 - 2008 BMW X5
  By 2008 BMW X5 - February 12 - 6:56 pm

  This SUV handles like truck and rides like truck in regular road. I took it to off road recently, I wish I could return it, it was worst riding than 18 wheelers. (1) In 2 months A/C motor had to be replace. (2) Back up light at night is so bad you can not see the curb (try it). (3) You need to continually give gas to go forward, or it will drastically slow down. (4) Now motor sit adjusting on the drive side makes noise. (5) So on, it is just bad SUV.

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  So far so good - 2008 BMW X5
  By Patrick - February 4 - 12:44 pm

  Great driving. Sun visors are not very useful. Running boards need to have a re design. They are not user friendly. Any rain or snow leaks any time you open doors. Needs a drip rail or something. How did that get through? No trailer receiver available either? Only had one problem with the 3rd row heat not working. Took dealer 5 days to fix. Otherwise very nice.

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  Schizophrenic Transmission - 2008 BMW X5
  By Chuck - January 24 - 11:02 am

  Transmission shift points unpredictable, hangs in lower gears sometimes, have to upshift manually. Also, run flat tires are awful. Problem with parking brake locking up will not release by electronic control, had to release by manual method in truck compartment. ROYAL PAIN in the rain this morning. Good luck.

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  Beware of the X5 - Very Disappointed - 2008 BMW X5
  By mattshahidi - January 14 - 7:17 pm

  At first the X5 was great to drive until all the problems started. What we did not know about the X5 is that it has a history of electrical problems. BMW has yet to fix them for 2009. If you are unfortunate to have these the dealers will never be able to fix them. Be aware if you have a fatal or any other warning light it will show up in the computer, so you must tend to it right away to avoid liability. As for contacting BMW assist, forget about it if you have a problem on a weekend. Better yet, just have a second car. Less disappointing that way.

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  Inspires driving confidence, but flawed. - 2008 BMW X5
  By AbaundvrM3 - January 14 - 12:32 pm

  Overall my wife and I love the X5, its classy, rides good, and gets decent mileage. Average 18 mpg in mixed driving, but 40 hp more would help move it better. On the Autobahn the faster you drive the better it runs and it gets the same 17 mpg at 110 as 80 mph! We keep the baby seat in the center, but it lacks the latch anchors so we have to stagger the two side seat anchoring points. Also, my biggest beef with the X5 is the factory running boards. While making it sportier they get in the way getting in/out. My poor wife gets dirty every time she puts the baby seat in. Lastly, the drivers seat always ends up in the wrong spot even w/memory seats, a few flaws that get irritating!

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  A real driving machine - 2008 BMW X5
  By mb - December 13 - 2:41 pm

  I have been an Acura/Honda owner for the past 7 cars but the MDX was just too ugly so that forced me to look around. I am so delighted I found the X5. It is a monster in the 4.8. Very classy, clean design inside especially. 3rd row seat is a waste. Literally I have not opened it up yet. The tech on the X5 nav etc is about 90% as good as Acura but the MDX ride does not compare. The 4.8 is a race car and races through fuel to be sure. Even with the 4.8, sport package - pretty much loaded it still does not have power lift gate. That is a little lame.