Go from BMW X5 to what?

[spartacus]

My brother currently has an old BMW X5 on a 2006 plate. It’s a monster. We’ve done some work on it over the years and to be honest it’s old technology. It’s a 3.0 litre diesel and he’s paying some astronomical road tax on it every year. Currently needs door handle repair, thermostat needs changing and some paint work to tackle isolated rust. Eats tyres for breakfast given its lardy stance.

He needs to change, but doesn’t want a standard car. He like auto box, higher driving position and space for dogs in the back. Needs to have decent wheels and 4x4 capability. Not that he goes off-road much, but you get my drift.

I’ve looked at Mercedes ML350 but older cars just look old. Amarok - what exactly do you do with it, it’s just a double cab and interior is rubbish.

He was looking at Discovery Sport, don’t like them myself, neither one thing or the other and Discovery 4 is two tonnes on axles, with fuel economy that will make your eyes water. He doesn’t tow so seems pointless. 7 seats but it’s just him and his wife and a couple of dogs.

I thought Porsche Cayenne. Now hear me out. You can get standard 3.0 litre V6 (245PS), 45mpg extra urban, all the toys, £330 road tax, and yes it’s only a bleed’n Porsche. Looked at High Peaks review too. 13-14 plate for £22k. Would he be mad?

I get Porsche parts will be expensive, but regular oil changes including auto-box on car with 50k miles, it should run for years. Build quality is meant to be renowned. Did I mention it was a Porsche!

I’ve read early examples had issues with cooling due to plastic pipes. All Porsches are timing chains and good for 160k miles.

[69cmw]

45mpg? 🤣🤣 Someone is taking the piss

[Jon Tallis]

There's only one answer to that question IMHO......whatever your budget....buy the best Toyota Landcruiser you can find for your budget.

[A1an]

Itchypussy Shogun?

[GuyC]

Originally Posted by Jon Tallis

There's only one answer to that question IMHO......whatever your budget....buy the best Toyota Landcruiser you can find for your budget.

Whilst Land Cruisers are renowned their toughness, reliability and capability, these tend to excel in areas that don't interest your brother. I think he would be underwhelmed with the road manners and ergonomics after a BMW.

The popularity of the Cayenne almost singlehandedly rescued Porsche. There are loads around and lots of specialists and owner's groups. From looking at your brother's wants, I don't think a Cayenne would be a bad shout.

I've got a Land Cruiser 200 but I did test drive a Cayenne when I was tyre kicking. It was the full fat diesel and was very nice but the on-off nature of the throttle put me off. I'm very pleased with my LC although the Oliver Reed penchant for diesel is a bit wearing.

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by spartacus

Amarok - what exactly do you do with it, it’s just a double cab and interior is rubbish

Now I'm not suggesting a pick-up as unless you need the deck space, towing ability and 1 tonne load capacity, it's not the right vehicle. But why compare a VW Amarok! Probably one of the worst "premium badge" pick-ups ever made, even VW thought it was crap as they stopped production in 2020.
Apparantley a new improved one is to be launched by VW, I think they are going to call it Ranger! similar to Mercedes calling their pick-up Navara.

[spartacus]

Originally Posted by GuyC

Whilst Land Cruisers are renowned their toughness, reliability and capability, these tend to excel in areas that don't interest your brother. I think he would be underwhelmed with the road manners and ergonomics after a BMW.

Thanks Guy. Completely agree regards Land Cruiser reputation and built like a proverbial brick **** house, which would be overkill for what he needs. The UN buy them for a reason. The facelift versions from 2014/2015 are around 140k miles and at the top of his budget. I know they’ll go to the moon and back, but I think he just wants to drive it and do routine servicing. Once you’re over 100k on any car, especially heavy 4x4s, you’re into suspension refreshes, and frankly I’m getting too old to wrestle with rusted nuts and bolts.

His E53 X5 has a silky smooth transmission that he swears is going to let him down if he plants his right foot. He drives like Miss Daisy.

[spartacus]

Originally Posted by 69cmw

45mpg? 🤣🤣 Someone is taking the piss

Okay 43mpg extra -urban, one person on board, perfect ambient temperature, going downhill will a following wind.

[spartacus]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

Now I'm not suggesting a pick-up as unless you need the deck space, towing ability and 1 tonne load capacity.

To be fair, I threw that into the equation. Ford Ranger and such like. Basically a utility vehicle. My neighbour who’s a builder has an Amarok. Looks okay, but ultimately a compromise unless you use it for the reasons mentioned. I didn’t realise they’d stopped making them.

[lakelandterrier]

Can't complain about my Skoda Kodiaq 4x4.

Tows RC585 really well, well built, reliable very comfortable.

Depends on what it will be used for, budget and whether he is precious about a "posh" badge.

TBH I don't go real off-roading I have done a few tracks and in ice / snow it's it's fine

[69cmw]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

Now I'm not suggesting a pick-up as unless you need the deck space, towing ability and 1 tonne load capacity, it's not the right vehicle. But why compare a VW Amarok! Probably one of the worst "premium badge" pick-ups ever made, even VW thought it was crap as they stopped production in 2020.

Apparantley a new improved one is to be launched by VW, I think they are going to call it Ranger! similar to Mercedes calling their pick-up Navara.

I always thought the 3lt Amarok was a good pickup with decent power?

[GuyC]

I'll put the Mercedes Vito into the ring although not a 4x4. VW do their Transporter / T5 etc in a 4WD but they are still very expensive.

[pow2gran]

Would go for a Touareg any day. Same floor pan as a Porsche.

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by 69cmw

I always thought the 3lt Amarok was a good pickup with decent power?

V6 3l great engine & the 2l isn't bad, but take a closer look under the bonnet and everything apart from the block was stamped "made in Mexico", I don't think anything apart from the block, had any German engineering or design. The bodywork is shocking, I'm sure Heinz had something to do with it (they did have a plant next door to the VW plant in Argentina) The inside feels and looks cheap, the doors sound so light and tinny when you shut them & I can lift the tailgate with one finger!
I think when it was launched pick-ups were on the rise and VAG wanted part of the action, in my opinion they got it badly wrong with the 1st gen Amarok. I've read that the 2nd gen Amarok is made at the same Ford plant in South Africa that designed and makes the Ranger, which apart from the "marmite" styling is a brilliant pick-up.

Originally Posted by pow2gran

Would go for a Touareg any day. Same floor pan as a Porsche.

Next door neighbour has a Touareg, brilliant car, great drive, lovely finish, just a shame its a VW!

[Orwell boy]

Originally Posted by spartacus

My brother currently has an old BMW X5 on a 2006 plate. It’s a monster. We’ve done some work on it over the years and to be honest it’s old technology. It’s a 3.0 litre diesel and he’s paying some astronomical road tax on it every year. Currently needs door handle repair, thermostat needs changing and some paint work to tackle isolated rust. Eats tyres for breakfast given its lardy stance.

He needs to change, but doesn’t want a standard car. He like auto box, higher driving position and space for dogs in the back. Needs to have decent wheels and 4x4 capability. Not that he goes off-road much, but you get my drift.

I’ve looked at Mercedes ML350 but older cars just look old. Amarok - what exactly do you do with it, it’s just a double cab and interior is rubbish.

He was looking at Discovery Sport, don’t like them myself, neither one thing or the other and Discovery 4 is two tonnes on axles, with fuel economy that will make your eyes water. He doesn’t tow so seems pointless. 7 seats but it’s just him and his wife and a couple of dogs.

I thought Porsche Cayenne. Now hear me out. You can get standard 3.0 litre V6 (245PS), 45mpg extra urban, all the toys, £330 road tax, and yes it’s only a bleed’n Porsche. Looked at High Peaks review too. 13-14 plate for £22k. Would he be mad?

I get Porsche parts will be expensive, but regular oil changes including auto-box on car with 50k miles, it should run for years. Build quality is meant to be renowned. Did I mention it was a Porsche!

I’ve read early examples had issues with cooling due to plastic pipes. All Porsches are timing chains and good for 160k miles.

Interesting post for me as i have been looking around for a replacement for my disco 4 ........FWIW I run disco 4 2016 with ad blue ,driving miss daisy gets 34mpg and have even managed 38mpg on long runs @62ish mph ,road tax is under £340 pa 76k from new for me ,towing boat gets 25mpg but tbh i still love it and cant see anything obvious outside of the LR brand which pricing has got ridiculous ,reckon Touareg may be the best option ?
Have had a Hilux but would never venture to a pick up as i like my dog in the car with me

[Wave Rider]

Touareg

[spartacus]

Originally Posted by Orwell boy

Interesting post for me as i have been looking around for a replacement for my disco 4 ........FWIW I run disco 4 2016 with ad blue ,driving miss daisy gets 34mpg and have even managed 38mpg on long runs @62ish mph ,road tax is under £340 pa 76k from new for me ,towing boat gets 25mpg but tbh i still love it and cant see anything obvious outside of the LR brand which pricing has got ridiculous.

Thanks Orwell. I’ve had diesels for years, granted old school and my own car is an A4 Allroad which is Euro 5. I follow Audi forums and the A4 B9 build (2015+) which are Euro 6 are plagued with AdBlue issues including failed pumps, basically £1300 fix from main dealer. They also suffer from a brake pressure sensor issue that can destroy the ABS pump if not dealt with immediately. Euro 6 pushed the technology to get diesel emissions under control with EGR valve, DPF, cat, etc. Anything on the Disco 4, that’s a potential Achille’s Heal?

[pow2gran]

Three Touaregs on the way to Spain!

[Orwell boy]

Originally Posted by spartacus

Thanks Orwell. I’ve had diesels for years, granted old school and my own car is an A4 Allroad which is Euro 5. I follow Audi forums and the A4 B9 build (2015+) which are Euro 6 are plagued with AdBlue issues including failed pumps, basically £1300 fix from main dealer. They also suffer from a brake pressure sensor issue that can destroy the ABS pump if not dealt with immediately. Euro 6 pushed the technology to get diesel emissions under control with EGR valve, DPF, cat, etc. Anything on the Disco 4, that’s a potential Achille’s Heal?

I will be at 7 years old next service april 2023 ,thats LR cambelt time service is £1500 + at main dealer ,owned since new never had ad blue issue always filled by LR annual 12 k service (lasts till next service ) had service plan so always been to LR main dealer ,other than service i have only had Battery ,stop start back up battery ,brake pads all four corners and tyres (now on 3rd set ) ,never failed an mot
Graphite model we buy any car today £18k

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Orwell boy

Have had a Hilux but would never venture to a pick up as i like my dog in the car with me

That's why I stuck with my pre 2015 Navara, lift up the rear seats and the dog has loads of space. The new Navara is a much better pick-up, especially the auto, but it doesn't have the same room behind the front seats for the dog. I've been looking for a replacement truck and nothing suits like the Navara I've got. Perhaps I need to wait a couple of years until I don't need the rear deck space and load capacity, I'll always need the towing capability, and go for something like the Touareg.

One thing that does surprise me is all the mpg figures being quoted below 30 mpg!
I've had my Navara since newi'sh, 3500 miles, it's now on 96k, and the average mpg figure showing over the 96k is 31mpg. That's 50% town/country road driving loaded or pulling a 2t trailer, 30% pulling a twin axle caravan and 20% batting up and down a m'way at 70 mph