BENZGal

I could use some feedback on the G55vsX5. Does anyone know how dependable they are? My 210 was a tank and will be missed! It hit home when I had to stuff my 7ft. tree in the back seat of the 210 with it hanging out the window.

x-tian-230k

My brother just got the 4.8is X5... That thing is awesome... Drives like a sedan... I have driven in a G class before...Not impressed with it at all....

jangy

I have a new X5 on order, but I may go with the G instead. It all depends what you want. Reliability, I'd give to the X5, even with the newe body style. The G was never the most reliable around. Also, the G has solid axles (front and rear), so the ride on the road will be very "truck - like). However, it will handle like a beast off-road (if you do that kinda thing). The G has a cultural aspect to it as well, which you may enjoy. I'd say they both depreciate evenly. The G holds about as good as any MB, and the X5 is new.

x-tian-230k

My bro got the 2006 model X5 which is the year before the new body style and got a killer deal.. Brand new with 100 miles on it fully loaded for 63k.... Something you might want to look into...

aintME

I'm sure you know the X5 & G-Wagen are two completely different vehicles. The G is a true "truck" and drives like one; the X5 handles very well for a "SAV." I personally prefer the G simply for it's road presence, plus, the sound of the G55 is just awesome. I have not had the opportunity to drive the new X5 yet; however, we did own the previous generation X5 and it held up well. There are minor electrical issues with the G that seems to have been sorted out in the later years. The X5 is NEW and in its first year run, so, I'm sure there will be some things that will be needed to worked out as well. That being said, you couldn't really go wrong with either choice.

newton22

I don't understand, the G IS a truck, which is why it feels like one. It would be disappointing if that thing handled like a car. It shines when pavement ends.

The X5 is in an entire different class. Can't compare these vehicles.

edit - aintME beat me by a minute.

JAY55

G55 all day every day. The suspension is really rough though, it's like driving a tank but I love it

aintME

vraa

I've got a 4.4i X5 2004 and my uncles got a G500 which I think is a 2002, might be a 2003.

I prefer the X5 because it's more of what it's supposed to do if that makes sense.
For off roading, I prefer the LX470 because it's a lot larger and a lot more comfortable. The LandCruiser is the same truck but service is different and IMO justifiable for the price hike. Not to mention the reliability on the LX is insanity to the max. Get a decent front bar on the truck and some better tires and you're unstoppable.

Yes, I am slightly biased.

BENZGal

Jay,
Boy I didn't see that one coming. LOL

Thank you guys for the feedback. I'm looking for something to haul stuff around in. Ya know like dogs, kids, christmas trees, mass shopping bags from the mall. I had an Expedition a few years back that I took off road a few times and it drove like a tank. The G55 was an option for me due to the power. I hear nothing but good things about the X5 and it would give me the extra room I am looking for. I really want something dependable! My 211 has been challenging this year with the recalls and stuff.

BENZGal

Is your X5 dependable? What is the gas mileage?

newton22

You need a 1982 Silverado cammed 350 with a 8" lift kit and 38" swampers.

vraa

The X5 is okay. It got a new tranny at around 18k miles if I remember right. I drove that thing very very hard and it got abused. It hauled stuff around well. Advantage it had was it was a 5 seater, but had a massive cargo hold because it was relatively long compared to a sedan.
Thank god for the free maint. It has I think 28k miles on it and rotors have been changed three times, pads I've lost count.
There is stiching on the steering wheel that is coming out, but that's just I think from my sister, it's her car now.
The car is very powerful, very safe. My sister got rear-ended she barely felt it. The Camry was raped.



The front seats are nice, second row (last row) is kinda tight. I didn't like being put there whenever we went on family trips. Off road capability suck hard, I found out the hard way. On-road it's amazing, it's not Porsche, but it IS a BMW.

Gas mileage is 16mpg. I did a statistics project on it.

aintME

If you are looking at the E53 X5 to haul stuff around, you might be a lil disappointed. There is not that much room in there. If I remember correctly, it has as much room as the E39 wagon. The seats fold flat but not down into the floor. At least in the G, the seats fold flat, and then forward giving you a decent amount of space.

vraa

I'm not sure if I understand your folding issue.

Once you fold the second row down, the entire rear is flat. That means you can haul quite a lot of stuff. I liked having the X5 because in highschool I had to move a lot of stuff.

I wis I had the X5 with me right now, I'd take a few pictures with some items in it to give you a relative comparison.

psk145

+1 on the LX470. I had a 98 with 210,000 miles on it, and it was still running like a champ when I traded it in for an 06 QX56. NEVER had a major problem with it. Even with 210K miles, doors still shut solid, and no rattles or creaks.

vraa

If it's any other testament, my uncle has rolled two of them and is looking to get another...
There is something to be said about the LX/Landcruiser -- it just kicks major ***.

dragonAMG

I had a X5 4.4i for about 2 years. Recently just sold it and bought a Range Rover. Very happy with my decision, have you considered a Range Rover?

aintME

The rear cargo area (floor) of the X5 was at the same level as the seat backs of the rear seats. So yes, when you folded down the seats, they were flat. The cargo floor of the G, as well as the ML, is set lower. So, you have more room from floor to the interior roof. For example, I can transport a mountain bicycle standing upright in the back cargo area with the seats folded in the G. I couldn't do that in our X5 or the ML. The G and ML just has more space for hauling crap.

psk145

my only complaint is the lack of power relative to the competition. It was good at the time it came out, but Toyota didnt improve upon it as the competition. Then again, maybe thats why that engine was so solid.

I feel like a traitor because I went with the Infiniti, but the 06 Lexus was almost identical to the 98, and I didnt want to wait for the new revision.

vraa

You are right, thanks for the clarification.
We put around 13 kids in the back of the G for a birthday party once....


Yeah, it does lack majorly but that's something I've just looked over. The entire Lexus lineup (except the IS350) suffers the same fate.

aintME

I need to see a pic of that

BENZGal

Not crazy about the look. It will be pretty hard to go from an insane 211 to a slow boat SUV.

Josh,
I still laugh when I think about the time you took out your two baby seats to race. I told Vrus that we need to creat a CF babyseat.

BlackC230Coupe

Angela,

Your a BENZGal! Go with the G500 or G55! I would love to get a G. They make an awesome statement! I think it fits you best!

x-tian-230k

RR supercharged....