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 1 through 10 of 74.00

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  2008 BMW 4.8i X5 Sport Pkg at 5 Yrs, 50K - 2008 BMW X5
  By keith - February 12 - 9:07 pm

  Strangely, agree with most reviews, + and -. But overall, happy I bought it new. Power is plenty. You pay at pump - never beats 14 MPG around town, 19 MPG highway. Sometimes quirky shifts at low speeds, but never when you pay attention or hit the throttle - pure, magnificent pull. Totally trustworthy handling on most pavements of course. Never leans. "Heavier" feel than our 04 4.4i X5 Sport which I prefer - but wife likes 08 better. 20" OEM Dunlops great, but $$$ to replace every 14K. Battery tends to go low dont leave tailgate up! Worthless rear camera & NAV. Minor oil gasket leaks, but garage floor is clean. Brakes squeal if you break too lightly, but perfect slowing & stopping.

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  A Beauty and a Beast - 2008 BMW X5
  By tcpch - August 4 - 8:53 am

  Just purchased a very low mileage CPO. This car is very powerful yet very refined. Works well with two kids around town, but it really shines on the freeway. So smooth, so stable, even over 75 mph with twists and turns... Lower end power not as ideal as Id hoped (its a heavy vehicle), but once you get going its like flying a jet fighter. Technology works great (for 2008 vintage) and iPod integration, bluetooth, and everything else is seamless. Actually love the iDrive- its intuitive and really lets you customize the car how you want it. Just spend an hour learning it- its well worth it. Yes, it guzzles gas, but if you buy this vehicle you know what youre getting into.

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  Slow response transmission - 2008 BMW X5
  By PT - May 8 - 9:50 pm

  The Vehicle has great styling and the comfort seats are very supportive. This is my 3rd X5. The biggest complaint is the transmission. I have taken it to the dealer 3 times for this problem with a little improvement although very short lived.The transmission is always in too high of a gear at slow speeds. Trying to accelerate, the transmission will not downshift without flooring the accelerator pedal which results in a rough downshift after a time delay .My previous X5s had a very responsive transmissions. I have driven the 3 and 5 series vehicles and their transmissions are nothing short of excellent. This is very frustrating and I will not be purchasing another X5.

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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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  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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  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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  Disappointed - 2008 BMW X5
  By kz - December 7 - 12:15 pm

  I have had my x5, fully loaded, for less than 3 months. I have had it towed 1x and will be taking it in to the dealer again this week because I cant use my bluetooth or BMW assist. I can hear them but they cant hear me. Additionally, I dont think I have the power I should. My last vehicle was a loaded 530i, I expected the same performance and do not get it. Yes, I realize it is a heavier vehicle, but supposedly adjustments have been made for power. I dont have the confidence to pass when immediate acceleration is required because of potential lag. I want to love my car, this is a purchase not a lease. Given the cost of this vehicle I am kicking myself.

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  Love the X5, hate the running boards - 2008 BMW X5
  By JH - August 29 - 3:50 pm

  After years of traveling to Europe on business and having Mercs and BMWs as rental cars I finally bought one for my daily drive. I absolutely love my X5. I test drove the 4.8 and 3.0 and came to the conclusion the 4.8 was well worth the loss in gas mileage. At 57 getting in and out is a bit difficult, the vehicle is exactly the wrong height for me, and the running boards get in the way more than they help. The power and performance is fantastic, this vehicle corners better than my Acura TL. The throttle response can be a little quirky at times. Having the CD changer in the glove box takes up room and is a clunky location. The plastic on the fold down tail gate scratches too easily.

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  Very satisfied. - 2008 BMW X5
  By LG - August 11 - 1:00 pm

  Replaced our LR3 with a 2008 X5 3.0si. Test drove Acura MDX, Mercedes GL and R classes, Mazda CX9, Toyota Highlander and Audi Q7 before making our purchase decision. 3.0 engine has more than sufficient power. It is actually quicker than my 2002 325i.

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  Nice looking and fun to drive - 2008 BMW X5
  By CL - July 2 - 10:35 am

  This is my first BMW. I just broke the 1k break-in period. If you expected a race car-like feel for X5, you will be disappointed. The V6 3.0si is clearly not a M3. Maybe the 4.8 will be better. I picked 3.0 for the slightly better gas mileage. Overall, this is an excellent SUV. Drives better than my Mercedes E320. The transmission picks up swiftly and smoothly. Great brakes. The new space gray color matches well with the style. I dont have the active steering so my wife complains about the heavy steering in parking lots. The worst thing is battery. Since they loaded so many things on the car which consume power, the battery wouldnt last long if you dont drive it for a while.