Caught in the classifieds: 2010 BMW X5 M Sport xDrive 30d
In this week’s “Caught In The Classifieds” we spotted a lovely 2010 BMW X5 M-Sport on sale for £13,990 which has done 58k miles. Features include sat-nav, DAB, Bluetooth, xenon headlamps, traction control, rear parking sensors, optical parking system, M-Sport suspension, M-Sport sports package and finally the M-Sport aerodynamics package. Here's why the X5 is a bargain.
If you wanted a fast, sporty off-roader back in the late 1990s, you weren’t presented with a lot of options. Most of the ladder chassis 4x4s back then were too bulky and cumbersome for any real decent on-road performance. They were great off-road but drove more like a van than a regular saloon car. In 1999, BMW decided that what the 4x4 segment really needed was a sporty offering, so they came up with the X5.
Initially branded as a Sport Activity Vehicle (SAV), the X5 is really the one responsible for creating the whole SUV segment and creating what is currently the most popular class of cars on sale. It was the first crossover to step away from the traditional body-on-frame concept and move to a unibody. Ultimately, this would set a benchmark for all future crossovers and the X5 would become known as the definitive class leader.
With a starting price of £60,125 before options, the latest X5 is anything but cheap though. Thankfully, second-hand prices are affordable because the X5 takes a massive depreciation hit when new, as is the case with most luxury cars. We were able to find this example with just 58,000 miles for an astonishing £13,900, or in other words, less than a quarter of what it would cost you to own a new X5. Is it worth it though? Read on to find out.
Exterior
Visually, the X5 is one of the most recognizable cars in its class. We recommend finding an M-Sport model as they’re the most sought-after and aesthetically pleasing. This particular example is finished in Alpine white and has black wheels, making it one of the meanest-looking SUVs you’re bound to see in the classifieds.
The M-Sport adds new front and rear bumpers, bespoke M wheels, wider flares, as well as some interior and suspension upgrades we’ll talk about later. The front M-Sport bumper is a significant upgrade over the stock one, with added air dams on both sides and a wider opening in the middle to compliment the kidney grille openings. If you think BMW’s gone overboard with the enormous kidney grille found on most modern BMWs, then you’ll definitely like the look of the previous X5.
The rear end is just as sporty as the front, with a twin-exhaust setup (yes, those are real outlets and not fake plastic shrouds), a rather hefty hatch spoiler at the top, and a splitting gate for the boot. From some angles it looks like a higher, slightly bulkier 5-Series, but if you love BMW styling that will hardly be an issue.
Interior
Inside, it’s somewhat conservative but most people seem to think that’s a pro and not a con. If you’ve had a chance to own any BMW model made in the last 10 years or so, you’ll be instantly familiar with the X5. It’s laid out almost identical to the F10 5-Series, so it’s really easy to get accustomed to. It’s a great place to spend time in and it comes with a brilliant iDrive system. The 2010 iDrive takes slightly longer to get accustomed to compared to the latest unit found in the 2020 X5, but once you get the hang of it, scrolling through the menus is fast and intuitive.
Cabin build quality is simply exceptional despite the fact that most of these examples are now ten years old. The materials used are premium and have little to no wear, and fit and finish are second to none. BMW knows how to put a cabin together, even if it might be considered somewhat boring and ‘traditional’.
As for features, this particular X5 has satnav, a trip computer, remote locking, front and rear parking sensors, leather seats, cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity, and a list of other features too lengthy to mention here.
Engine and Performance
If you want an SUV that drives better than 99% of all saloons and hatchbacks currently on the road, there’s no alternative to an X5. This particular example has BMW’s 3.0-litre straight-six diesel engine famed for its reliability and pulling power. In M-Sport guise, it makes 242 bhp and 398 lb-ft of torque at just 2,000 rpm. Power is sent to all four wheels through the xDrive system and ZF’s brilliant 8HP automatic gearbox.
The xDrive30d can hit 62 mph in 7.6 seconds and it’ll top out at a not-so-sluggish 130 mph. To give you some perspective, a Golf GTI Mk5, one of the greatest hot hatchbacks of the last two decades, does the same sprint to 62 mph in 6.9 seconds, just half a second faster than a diesel SUV.
Where the X5 really shines is in the way it drives and handles. Weighing in at just less than 2.2 tons (4,740 lbs.), it’s remarkably light by SUV standards, especially for a diesel. Equipped with the M-Sports suspension like this particular example has, the X5 is a force to be reckoned with on the road. Fast hatchbacks and estates will struggle to keep up with the X5, especially if the roads are damp or completely wet.
The way the X5 extracts traction from a damp surface is extraordinary. Wide tires and that 2.2-ton mass help it dig into the ground and catapult out of corners in a way no large SUV should be able to. The steering is surprisingly positive and full of feedback for an SUV, meaning you can place the car with real precision anywhere you want to.
If you love driving and you’re adamant about getting an SUV, nothing trumps an X5. It’s maybe the obvious and therefore boring choice, but there’s a reason it’s constantly considered the benchmark when it comes to on-road driving dynamics.
Model: BMW X5 M Sport
Year 2010
Trim: 3.0 xDrive 30d Step Auto M-Sport
Mileage: 58k
Target price: £13,000 - £14,500
Rating: 9.5 out of 10
Why you should consider one
For less than the quarter of the price of a brand new X5, you can have a used one which drives just as good, comes with nearly the same features, and if you find a low-mileage example like this one, will serve you faithfully for years to come. It’s truly one of the bargains of the decade because you’re getting so much for so little. Search used BMW X5 cars for sale on DesperateSeller.co.uk right now to find your perfect one!
