Overview & Reviews
The BMW X5 gets significant powertrain changes for 2011. The base engine is BMW's latest 300-horsepower turbocharged six-cylinder, while the V8 gets upgraded to the same 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 first seen in the 7 Series. A new eight-speed automatic becomes standard on all but the diesel-powered xDrive35d, which carries on unchanged. The 2011 X5 also gets a mild styling refresh and the wider iDrive screen now found throughout the BMW lineup.
- Athletic handling, potent and efficient engines, luxurious and comfortable interior, huge list of features, steadfast high-speed stability.
- Standard steering is stiff at low speeds, ride may be firm for some, hefty price.
User Reviews:
Showing 1 through 10 of 63.00-
Awesome machine - 2011 BMW X5
By Joey - August 3 - 11:00 amThis thing is a blast to drive, and a really good option for families with one or two kids. You cant beat the safety features this things a tank. The only real concern with the X5 35d is the upkeep cost. If you consider the fuel economy, maybe it evens out...but doubtful. I cant say the repair cost is high, because we havent had to actually have any repairs done (60k miles). The warranty covered a few sensors that needed to be replaced, but everything else has been routine. Dont bother with a dealership for oil changes. They will straight up lie to you. I had two local BMW shops tell me its over $300 to change the oil and fill the DEF on my 35d. Order the Castrol oil, a filter and some DEF and do it in the driveway, or take it to a small shop and pay 15 bucks. Total cost for me was less than $100. If we can afford it in the future, we will certainly invest in another X-model. Lets hope we can squeeze 150k out of this one.
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German engineering at its finest - 2011 BMW X5
By piredon - May 3 - 9:02 amI have about 21,000 miles on the odometer and am mostly very pleased with the vehicle. Fuel mileage is frankly amazing for a 5200 lb SUV. Worst tank was 22mpg and best was nearly 28, overall average of 25mpg. Its fast enough for nearly any situation. Its a fantastic long-distance vehicle with a range of nearly 600 miles between fill ups, and grown-up back seat passengers have commented the rear is plenty comfortable. It also handles better than any other SUV Ive driven. Complaints include some cheap plastic in certain places in the interior, an "upgraded" audio system thats just so so, some turbo lag off idle, turning radius is terrible, and you have to get used to the diesel noise.
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Its a diesel? Yup - 2011 BMW X5
By dasdzl - February 13 - 12:44 pmGot a 2011 left over that the dealer had for a while probably because of the color (sparkling bronze) but I kind of like it. I have almost 4000 miles on it now and have done 2 longish trips with it. I avg around 25 for urban driving and on the 2 longish trips have seen 31. Even with the ski box on i still see around 27 on the highway. I would have liked it it have the sport seats, but the standard seats seem to be fine although it has taken some time to get the right seating position for comfort and visibility. I very much enjoy the rear seat room for friends and the ability to have room for the dogs in the back. I did get a trailer hitch for it for the bikes. Kinda pricey though.
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Beautiful vehicle, but still has flaws - 2011 BMW X5
By _pj - September 22 - 7:20 amThe X5 is beautiful, but not flawless. The navigation sucks and doesnt even give correct directions. There was no dvd included to update it. Ive read elsewhere the dealer charges alot for a new one. The ride is firm. The seat bottoms on the active ventilated seats are hard, flat, and unsupportive. They quickly become uncomfortable. I had to buy a seat cushion to make them bearable. The drivers seat puts out alot of heat from underneath and behind. The transmission on the diesel isnt always smooth starting out. Now that I have close to 6,000 miles on the vehicle, it sounds like the diesel is getting louder. The worst thing of all, was the way we were treated at the first BMW dealership.
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2011 BMW x5-35i need further work - 2011 BMW X5
By ikalajmi - July 9 - 6:34 amI have recently purchased the new 2011 X5-35i and So Far So Good. I was previously driving a 2010 lexus RX 350. Bought this X5 after much research comparing it with 2010 RX350 and 2011 VW Touareg
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Great car, Poor service. Cannot get them to do an oil change - 2011 BMW X5
By bodomo - May 13 - 9:09 pmThis is an update on my previous review titled so far so good. Actually not so good anymore. I currently have 15500 and BMW still refuses to do an oil change. I called for my first oil change at 10000 miles and made an appointment for an oil change and some minor work. After a couple of hours, I get the news that my car does NOT need an oil change, I have to come back at 15000 miles. Crap, why waste my time for this? So recently I made another appointment for an oil change at 15000 and again after another couple of hours of waiting they tell me that again they will not do an oil change because in oil is in good shape and I need to come back in another 5000 miles. This is not worth my time.
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Good Car, but not perfect! - 2011 BMW X5
By ezhang - February 25 - 12:37 amI purchased the X5 diesel in Dec 2010 and I have only put on 2500 miles so far. I took one month vacation overseas in Jan/Feb. When I came back, I was worried that the battery might be dead. To my surprise, it started like I just parked it overnight. I have gotten 25.8 mpg on 70/30 Hwy/City driving. It handles most road conditions well. We had some snow just yesterday and today in Seattle, I can feel that the car swins a little bit on the road (less than one inch accumulation), not as confident as other 4wd suvs. Luckily we dont have too many snow days here. The navigation is not very accurate. When I was driving on highway, it showed that I was on a road pararel to the hwy. When I get home ( rural setting), it showed that I am on my neighbours road 200 ft off my home. Looks like the Germans are not as good as the Japanese in terms of electronics. Also, my second key lost its battery already and can not open or lock the car. It is on my to do list to bring it to the dealer.
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NOT PERFECT BUT GOOD - 2011 BMW X5
By jasunlaw - February 16 - 5:40 pmBuild quality and driving experience are top notch. Here are my issues (i) because it handles so well, it is not that great in the snow (ii) it is vault tight but there quite a few rattles in the back which started after 5000 miles (iii) there could have been a bigger cargo area-my corvette has almost as much room (iv) very sensitive check engine light warning system and not all deales know how to fix it-one dealer said my car need a full day of re-programming... a second simply reset it minutes after I arrived for service. Do not open gas cap while engine is running.
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Update on my Original Review - 2011 BMW X5
By AX5 - November 26 - 2:00 amI still think the X5 and all BMWs are a blast to drive, but Im starting to have the High Pressure Fuel Pump issues. It takes longer to start up (anywhere from 4-5 seconds) and Im starting to see re-occurring error codes whenever I hook up my diagnostic system. BMW went public on there HPFP issue, but only for 2007- 2010 model years. They need to include 2011 models in their recall, as my X5 and several other 2011 model year cars are having HPFP issues
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Fun to drive, few odd quirks, delicate - 2011 BMW X5
By MonkeyDo - November 7 - 1:00 amI purchased a 2011 X5d at Long Beach BMW. So far, Im not impressed with Long Beach BMW and may never return, but that is another story for another time. One month in, I still like the vehicle. It has a few odd quirks and some parts are of questionable durability, but over all, not bad and fun to drive. Odd quirks: rear tailgate button on keyless remote is too sensitive. Shoulder belt height is not adjustable. Questionable durability: plastic on under side of running boards and around wheel wells is not going to hold up. Already a few minor pits and scratches in the first 1000 miles on average city streets. Also, one rim already scratched and I dont parallel park.
