2008 BMW X5: Solid at One Hundred and Forty Something MPH

what is the top speed on the SRX? Its got to be at least 130mph and I'm sure its stable at that speed. If it wasnt limited it could surely hit a buck fifty. Same with TB SS. Give me a break. Body on frame SUVs arent made for crusing the autobahn but that doesnt mean only the Germans are smart enough to make a fast SUV.

From the coloration of the gauges, can we infer that you did this in the dark/night? If so, thats sort of alarming? Or is the gauge cluster area always this dark looking? I can't tell if its just the angle/scope of the shot.

a friend of mine told me of one time he had his honda prelude pegged at an indicated 155mph... he's a professional driver on a closed course, of course... and a BMW X5 just passes him like it was nothing and was gone. these things are beastly...

So could you actually watch the gas guage move down when you were doing this?

"Hey you stupid, don't try this at home."

I wouldn't say so. This is an immense feeling and experience. And it's not a big deal at all. When talking about BMWs, Audis or even Mercs I find these statements absurd and ignorant such as "Don't try this yourself" or "In closed course the car was very stable at high speeds"... Come on, people drive these beasts daily at speeds over 130mph. It's really not a big deal for German cars.

BTW, the 4.8i could reach 155mph without a downhill road. The U.S version should be limited to a lower speed as usual.

Proof:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRB1D6OzNP4

The SRX v8 has a top-speed of 141mph, according to car and driver.

Trailblazer SS is limited to 130mph and is supposed to be dead stable at that speed, according to Scott Oldham: http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/vdp/articleId=108306/pageNumber=1

The only place I could find a top speed listed on the Durango Hemi was Gayot....yeah, that's right, Gayot: http://www.gayot.com/lifestyle/automobile/reviews/dodge_durango.html

112 mph electronically limited

Just for comparison.

Joe

+1 to 1487.

If I want/need to get my vehicle up near a buck fifty, I'll be strapped into a two-seater with a helmet on at Mid-Ohio.

Part of our global economic chaos is caused by marketing technology to the masses that will never be used. Sure that technology is great to have, and will derive benefits to some down the road, but lets face facts. Our road conditions, our lack of driver education, and the sheer number of drivers on the road prohibit the use of 90% of this technology IN A DAILY DRIVER.

If we had an autobahn-like capability, I'd be willing to trade in my Enclave for something more X5-ish. But we don't. We're not going to get it. I can't move to Europe.

What I can do is pick up a used car like the Honda S2000 and go blasting around the myriad of twisties here in rural southeast Ohio. I'd venture to guess the visceral thrill of heel-toeing through a series of esses matches if not exceeds your buck-fifty rush.

Excuse me while I head over to Edmunds used cars to see what's available!

I aways thought that all body on frame SUVs and pickup trucks were limited to just over 100MPH. looks like I was wrong.

When I had my 2002 X5 4.6is loaner it was nearly impossible to keep the cruising speed down. I was driving home from the press intro at what I thought was 75-80; I glanced down to find I was doing 125. I always used the cruise control after that...

"If we had an autobahn-like capability, I'd be willing to trade in my Enclave for something more X5-ish. But we don't. We're not going to get it. I can't move to Europe."

I think you have more than the capability to convert your many interstates into autobahns. Unfortunately the necessary mental will is not existent. You have wonderful long-distance roads but the applied 55-65mph speed limits are ridiculous at best. I've been in U.S several times and that regulation in those empty, perfect highways is just unacceptable. It is a deadly boring experience in terms of "driving".

And on the TBSS all you need is a decent tune to take off the speed limiters and 150 is definitely not out of the question. Not that my dad and I did that to my mom's....

i drive a 535xi and took it to 155 last summer for about a minute. no drama at all the car felt great. my brother drives an X5 same took it to 130 and it feels very safe.

Two things: Stability at 140-150 mph translates into other benefits at 75-85mph (which, lets face it,a large portion of the population cruises at that speed in their 5000 pound vehicles).

So there are benefits to it besides actually using the full capability. Kinda like a high top speed tends to translate into not just alot of power, but good aerodynamics....which benefit fuel economy.

Second: I actually prefer to find the vehicle that is completely stable at 100mph, but FEELS great doing 60mph.

At the annual BMW Susan B. Komen driving event, I took out a 335i coupe automatic. I was doing 100mph without even thinking about it....but it wasn't exhilirating. It was kinda boring.

That's great if I was autobahn cruising, but I want my driving experience to feel engaged at those speeds.

For that, I find older BMWs to excel moreso.

Joe, who is test driving a 1997 328is 5-speed with 200,000 miles on it tonight

"Joe, who is test driving a 1997 328is 5-speed with 200,000 miles on it tonight"

The E36 coupes are great cars. Long-lived and dependable.

The Infiniti FX45 Top Speed: 142 mph (229 km/h) (electronically limited); so I bet the FX50 should be at least as fun, now back to Edmunds German bias:
"so there's still something special about the X5 and other performance minded German utes like the Cayenne"

Say what?

GC SRT-8; FX50 are not German...but I guess I should just give up when it comes to Edmunds and BMW/German cars.

Scott, very interesting!

It doesn't seem to get very good mileage at 140 mph. I would wait for the diesel version.

"GC SRT-8; FX50 are not German...but I guess I should just give up when it comes to Edmunds and BMW/German cars. "

Maybe you should because Edmunds is right about BMW/German cars for the 99% of the time. That's my opinion of course..

Maybe you should because Edmunds is right about BMW/German cars for the 99% of the time. That's my opinion of course..

I offer a name change to "Germancarsfans.com" at least put it out there.

You see no one was arguing about the X5 doing 140+mph, no one was arguing the FX isn't very practical, no one is also arguing an X5 would perform better with summer tires, or that the FX with summer tires would not perform well in snow...
What is confusing is the context, you see its all about the presentation. Why not say "If we switch the FX into all seasons it would be as good as the X5 in the snow" or "as is the X5 doesn't perform as well as the FX" or "The X5 cargo is very small, smaller than the not practical FX" or "there is something about ALL (not just German) sporty SUVs"...

But you won't get it, as edmunds.com (or germancarsfans.com) get it right 99% of the time...

"Three: It was a steep downhill."

That makes for a very difficult comparison.

"mileage at this velocity was 7 mpg"

Somewhat meaningless, considering #3.

I appreciate the full disclosure though. :)

German cars offer something other cars just don't. Maybe its their breeding... they are built to withstand sustained full throttle cruising! Sure we don't need that, but we get it because it is what they need. Just like we get funky bumper and grill designs because over there they like to hit pedestrians and allow them to live afterwards to suffer... here we just like to kill pedestrians humanely.

Closed course, professional driver...

I picked up a copy of "Muscle Car Confidential" this weekend written by someone named Oldham, with a foreword by someone named Oldham.

For some reason I don't think the apple fell very far from the tree.

The FX50S has no problem going past 140.

In fact, 260 KPH/ 162 MPH

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RrGY4I219A

"The Infiniti FX45 Top Speed: 142 mph (229 km/h) (electronically limited); so I bet the FX50 should be at least as fun, now back to Edmunds German bias"

I've sat in a FX, I have driven a lot of GM cars and Chrysler cars- SUV's, sedans, etc... I've owned Fords/Audis/BMW/Mazdas/Lexus/Mercedes/ Infiti. And I currently drive the X5 4.8i like this one.

Truthfully: BMW's are really that good. If you are looking for a car that makes you smile everytime you drive it- that's a BMW.

They also do a great job protecting you. I got into a bad accident with my 2002 M3. The car automatically deployed the airbag, cut off the fuel/engine, turned on all lights inside/unlocked the doors... this was in 2004. It was a total loss, and I had no injuries. None.

They do have electrical issues and the first year models are not the best in reliability, but they really are the best cars bar none.

If you don't believe Edmunds/Car and Driver/Autoweek, etc. then go to the users reviews of BMW's on Edmunds site to see people tell you of how much they enjoy their cars.

Anyway, my 2 cents.

+1 to dkhm3
'If you are looking for a car that makes you smile everytime you drive it- that's a BMW'

There's always a joy when you carve the twisty roads,merge/exit highways at double the speed limits with full confidence. Its quiet, solid, and comfortable and it handles like a dream.

I was never a BMW fan until I drove one. Now its been 6 years since I bought my e46 330ci (115k miles now) and I am still so much in love with it. People always judge BMW owners as 'badge chasers', its the performance that comes with the badge that I look for.

"German cars offer something other cars just don't. Maybe its their breeding... they are built to withstand sustained full throttle cruising! "

is that so? My thinking is that there are a huge number of cars today that can comforably cruise at 100mph with no drama. People seem to think just because Germany is the land of the Autobahn that engineers from other countries cannot figure out how to creat vehicles that are capable at Autobahn speeds. Last time I checked numerous global players that arent based in Germany sell products there and thus have some clue as to how to tune a vehicle for high speed stability. Performance is not a BMW exclusive in 2009. This isnt 1985.

dear 1487,
once more you seem frustrated with people that enjoy and share their feelings with others about import cars. Please don't feel insulted but continue strong as your comments are highly entertaining.
Your biggest fan,
BanHugh

I've seen 120+ in my MS3-sometimes you simply HAVE to teach a ricer or a redneck that looks can be deceiving-but I'd still give the nod to my BMWs as regards to effortless high speed cruising capability.

banhugh,

Did I say anything about imports? When I say "other" I am including imports not called BMWs. I have no issue with peopel enjoying their BMWs, but I noticed BMW people have a tendency to (publically) declare that anyone not driving a BMW is obviosuly having a sub par driving experience. I agree that when it comes to ADVERTISING sportiness BMW is tops. The reality is that there are dozens of vehicles on sale today that can cruise easily and comforable at extra legal speeds. Again, in 1985 or even 1995 this may not have been the case. Aside from large SUvs I doubt there are any luxury cars on sale today that cant effortlessly cruise at 120-130mph.

banhugh,

PS: you sound like the type who also believes in the toyota/Honda mythology that only they know how to build a car that can last past the warranty period. This is a competitive business, no manufacturer can maintain exclusive territory for long. Just ask BMW about the CTS-V. When you consider Cadillac has only been making V series cars for 5 years vs a few decades for M division it is a great example of how quickly gaps can be closed in this business.

Congratulations, BanHugh- You just earned your first 1487 double post!

"I have no issue with peopel[sic] enjoying their BMWs, but I noticed BMW people have a tendency to (publically)[sic] declare that anyone not driving a BMW is obviosuly[sic] having a sub par driving experience."

Well said!

Having driven a couple different cars (legally of course) at 130 mph+ speeds, I can definitely say no one does it quite like the Germans. I think this is one area where they have the competition locked up.

I bet it really is because Germany is one of the few places in the world where it's legal to regularly drive at those speeds. It's not hard to keep a car on the road at 140 mph competently... but vault-like stability? Arrow-straight tracking? Perfect steering weight and on-center feel? Tailored aerodynamics and drag characteristics? Only the Germans really have reason to put their development dollars into actually perfecting these factors. Outside of Germany the top speed of a car is really just a number on paper.

I must say it's pretty cool being able to cruise along all day at 130 mph and it feels like you're doing 70 after awhile. Almost boring, really. At least until you pass that bus full of wide-eyed tourists!

"Congratulations, BanHugh- You just earned your first 1487 double post!"

Oh oh, what does he win!???

"I have no issue with peopel enjoying their BMWs, but I noticed BMW people have a tendency to (publically) declare that anyone not driving a BMW is obviosuly having a sub par driving experience"

I guess I would qualify as a BMW "person."

Yes your driving experience is subpar.

I guess I can also be labeled a Lexus Person, or an Infiinit Person, or an Audi Person, or a Mazda Person, or a Mercedes Person, etc.

I've driven substantially or owned:

2005 Audi S4
2008 Lexus LS460
2001 Lexus IS300
2005 Infiniti G35
2003 Mazda Protege5 wagon (commuter car)
2003 Mercedes E500

In terms of driving experience, they are subpar to the bmw's I've driven.
In terms of reliability, then the experiences vary, and BMW is not the best.

Understand that many cars feel stable at 140 mph, but they differ in feel. When you feel confident with the steering, with the suspension, with the engine ability, you get a complete experience.

The closest I can say a car has felt to the driving experience of a BMW is Infiniti.

"When you consider Cadillac has only been making V series cars for 5 years vs a few decades for M division it is a great example of how quickly gaps can be closed in this business. "

Cadillac is part of GM- they stuck a Corvette Engine inside CTS and tweaked the suspension.

BMW M division created engines to suit the cars-

Namely M division cars only have engines developed for the M division chasis.

M5/M6 share engines

M3 has its own engine- for now- might be shared with any Z4M in the future.

Cadillac V shares it's engines with the Corvette, and shares that engine with the Pontiac G8, GTO, etc. They'll charge you almost the same price for the comparable M car, but you are not getting the engineering and the attention to detail.

Only Mercedes does the same thing to its AMG series engines.

That being said, the CTS-V is a great car.

Solid stability at 150 mph in a SUV is quite an accomplishment but the X5 was never really designed to be a real SUV that's why the call it a SAV. The Porsche Cayenne is truly unique in this segment. It can literally follow and Range Rover anywhere off road and then run with its brothers (911, Caymen)on the highway.

Dkhm3 said that BMWs do a good job of protecting you in a crash stating that way back in 2004 his his 02 BMW deployed airbags, turned on interior lights, unlocked the doors and turned off the engine. I got into a bad accident in my Mom's 1994 Oldsmobile way back when I was in high school and the car was a total loss and I also didn't have a scratch and neither did my passenger. But it also deployed the airbags, turned on interior lights, unlocked the doors and turned off the engine. BMW copied GM 1990's safety technology, who knew!!

allthingshonda:

Unfortunately, when you buy a GM car, you make a gamble. So often times side airbags/stability control are not standard.

And, this is key- Crash test results vary widely vehicle by vehicle. Some do rather well, while others do rather poorly.

Check BMW's consistency in crash tests. You know what you are getting. Though you may not get power seats, leather, or navigation standard on a BMW- you will always get stability control/traction control/side airbags/curtain airbags standard. There is no compromise to your safety.

allthingshonda:

Porsche Cayenne is indeed the best Luxury SUV, in terms of performance both on road and off.

"Cadillac is part of GM- they stuck a Corvette Engine inside CTS and tweaked the suspension. "

spoken like a true closed minded BMW phile. You are exactly right. All they did was add a corvette engine (its not the same BTW), tweak the suspension, add Recaros, upgrade the brakes and tires and make a car that can beat the M5 around a track. But you are correct, its nothing to brag about and BMW is still the only manufacturer than can build a high performance RWD sedan. Glad you cleared that up for me.

Pile on the insults and enjoy Roadburners wisecracks. What I said still stands. There are dozens of cars made by various manufacturers that can cruise at 100-130mph and remain rock solid. A $24k cobalt can hit 150mph. Wake up guys. You can love your BMWs but dont fool yourself into thinking no one else can design a high performance vehicle.

"Unfortunately, when you buy a GM car, you make a gamble. So often times side airbags/stability control are not standard. "

Name 2 GM cars that cost as much as BMWs that dont have side airbags? The Vette is one of the vew Gm cars that doesnt have 6 airbags. Cadillacs, Buicks, Saabs, etc. all have 6 airbags standard.

"Cadillac V shares it's engines with the Corvette, and shares that engine with the Pontiac G8, GTO, etc. They'll charge you almost the same price for the comparable M car, but you are not getting the engineering and the attention to detail."

Very little is shared between the LSA and the G8. The GTO isnt even in production anymore. The G8's engine is actually closely related to the 6L found in GM trucks with AFM. The LSA lacks AFm, has a supercharged, has larger displacement and a high redline. It was custom designed for 2 or 3 cars and its hand built. That sounds like attention to detail to me. Most manufacturers use their mainstream engines as a baseline for high performance engines. Lexus did it with the ISF and MB does it with its AMG engines.

"Yes your driving experience is subpar."

Spoken like a stereotypical arrogant BMW driver. Some people dont want to drive BMWs simply because they dont want to be associated with that type of attitude. Truth be told you dont know much about my driving experience. In addition to my own car I have driven at least 5-6 BMW models so I can actually compare the htwo experiences. You on the other hand have no clue about what its like to drive my car or many of the other vehicles I am mentioning.

"Understand that many cars feel stable at 140 mph, but they differ in feel. When you feel confident with the steering, with the suspension, with the engine ability, you get a complete experience. "

I know exactly what you are talking about. A host of Audi, Cadillac, Acura and Infiniti products would be solid at well over 120mph. Most cars that have a natural top speed of 150 or more can handle 140 without flying off the road. I dont know what kind of cars you are thinking of, but I'm not talking about 80s American cars here. Did you read C&D's Lightning Lap issue where the CTSV beat the M3 and the Cobalt SS beat the 135i at the track? IF not check it out and see what kind of comments were made about high speed stability of the non BMW models in the feature.

Why are BMW people so sensitive. I have nothing negative to saw about BMWs, I am merely saying that OTHER cars can do what they do. Period.

As for driving enjoyment, I live in a city and drive in urban situations. Driving an M3 wouldnt make my driving fun regardless of the car's capabilities. If you live in a rural area with no traffic your reality may be different. I cant even tap the capabilities of my inferior car in the city, much less a V8 powered X5.

dkhm3,

You are like a living, breathing BMW ad. You claim that you are taking a risk in a GM vehicle but not in a BMW. HOw many GM vehicles over $20k have poor crash test ratings? Just like performance, safety is increasingly standard in lower level vehicles due to regulations and customer demand. Hyundai has stability standard on most, if not all of its vehicles.

my one extensive experience with German brands is a an '07 Passat 4-cyl auto. took it up to 120, it felt quite stable and as if it had plenty left where THAT came from -- VERY NICE feeling! (obviously driven professionally on closed course, etc) better than my little MZ6 4-cyl that feels winded above 80. :(

And now there's a 1487 Triple Post award waiting for dkhm3! Congratulations!
Now, I don't blame you for savoring that accomplishment, but it's time to quit arguing with 1487. He's obviously a BMW expert- by his own admission he's driven 5-6 of them...

roadburner:

Your comprehension is still lacking. the original point had nothing to do with me being an "expert" on BMWs. It had to so with the fact that BMW isnt the only company on the face of the earth that can design a competent high speed cruiser. Try to ruminate on that for a while and see if you can understand what I am saying. I never said I was an "expert" on BMWs, but I did say I have actually driven a few. I can actually compare the driving experience to some other brands. DKM is telling me my driving experience is lacking without knowing what I drive (although you can help him there!) or having 2 seconds of experience behind the wheel of my model of car.

Hey, you are growing up though because you managed to post without mentioning "Aura" once. Very good!

"Your comprehension is still lacking. the original point had nothing to do with me being an "expert" on BMWs. It had to so[sic] with the fact that BMW isnt[sic] the only company on the face of the earth that can design a competent high speed cruiser."

dkhm3 merely stated that he has owned or driven several makes/models of cars and found the BMW to offer the superior driving experience. Sure, there are other cars that have good high-speed cruising capability, but in my opinion, there are very few that can compare at speed with a B7 or an E60 M5. You like to throw out dismissive comments about arrogant BMW drivers yet it always seems that you are the one who posts comments about how BMW's reputation is all hype, how BMW interiors are bland, how BMWs are largely status symbols, or how >insert the name of any GM product< is just as good. I believe that is called reverse snobbery- or maybe just plain old sour grapes.

"DKM is telling me my driving experience is lacking without knowing what I drive (although you can help him there!) or having 2 seconds of experience behind the wheel of my model of car."

Then I suppose it was just a lucky guess on his part?

"It had to so with the fact that BMW isnt the only company on the face of the earth that can design a competent high speed cruiser. Try to ruminate on that for a while and see if you can understand what I am saying. I never said I was an "expert" on BMWs, but I did say I have actually driven a few. I can actually compare the driving experience to some other brands."

Have you driven any BMWs at 140 mph+ speeds and compared it with other vehicles at those speeds?

roadburner,

Ah, I like that GM reference. You caught me- my point has always been that any given GM is actually inferior to GM products. HOw did I think I was going to get that past you. I actually would have said that Infiniti, Audi and Cadillac are the closest to providing BMW like traits but dont let that get in the day of a good attack post. All my posts are summed up by saying that my true point was that GM makes better sports sedans and SAVs that BMW. That is news to me, but you would know best.

BMW gauges do look cheap and their prices are outrageous. The styling and performance of the cars is generally good though. I like the 335i coupe a lot. I would only buy a BMW used. I know its inconceivable to you that ANYONE could possible find ANY faults with BMWs but I assure I am not the first or only person not to think everything they do is beyond criticism. That said, my point here had nothing to do with criticizing BMW. If you actully take a few seconds to read my post before responding that will likely become evident to you.

"Have you driven any BMWs at 140 mph+ speeds and compared it with other vehicles at those speeds?"

Unfortunately I dont get as many chance to go 140mph as I would like. MT did a feature years ago about the fastest cars under $50k. Back then a Nissan Maxima was capable of hitting 140. The increased focus on handling and more Euro like suspensions means that numerous cars sold today can handle triple digit speeds. A mazda 3 is rock solid at 90-100mph and it costs less than $24k. Almost any car with sporty pretentions sold today is going to be comforable at 100-120 and in fact many "normal" cars are governor limited at 120-130mph.

" I know its inconceivable to you that ANYONE could possible find ANY faults with BMWs but I assure I am not the first or only person not to think everything they do is beyond criticism. "

I'll be the first to admit that BMWs aren't perfect-you might check some of my posts on Carspace-but for my street/track driving needs they are very hard to beat. If someone believes a CTS or G37 is a better fit for their driving style, they will get no argument from me; they too are enjoying an interesting car- as opposed to a mind-numbing FWD appliance.

wow, i must have stepped on a landmine.

1487:
GM is on the brink. They are mismanaged, build vehicles that have to be heavily discounted, have one of the worst resale values along with most of the other US brands.

"You are like a living, breathing BMW ad"

"I know its inconceivable to you that ANYONE could possible find ANY faults with BMWs but I assure I am not the first or only person not to think everything they do is beyond criticism."

I am not sure why you are so wound up. BMW's are great at what they claim: Driving experience.

I stated they are not wonderfully reliable. I also stated that the CTS-V is a great car- You're right, it does perform better than the current M5. Keep in mind I am comparing the sum of cars BMW makes vs other makers and their sum of cars. Generalities.

I also stated that the Porsche Cayenne is the best Luxury SUV. The X5 is not good off road.

I don't see how that makes me a BMW ad.

"I like the 335i coupe a lot. I would only buy a BMW used."

Do it- You won't regret. I just bought a used 07 335i sedan CPO. Just get one with extended warranty or CPO. See above reference on reliability. =)