BMW X5 40i: Impressions from a remapped Octavia 1.4 TSI owner

For reference, I own a remapped Octavia 1.4 TSI and this was my first time driving any BMW.

BHPian livezero recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Took a test drive of the X5 40i here in Pune. Was planning to try the 30d but dealer offered this citing unavailability.

Sharing a few observations.

For reference, I own a remapped Octavia 1.4 TSI and this was my first time driving any BMW:

• The X5 is huge and you sit really high. And it has a massive road presence. People make way for you.
• Interior is top-notch. Loved the new generation layout.
• Leather is great.
• Excellent seats with 16 way adjustments. You can adjust side bolstering too.
• Plenty of leg room at the rear, more than Octavia. Seat width is adequate. Leather touches on door panel feels nice.
• Boot space is as good as Octavia.
• Split-tailgate is cool feature. Also has option to lower the car with a touch of button to load luggage easily.
• Ground clearance can be adjusted between approximately 160 to 250mm.
• Lower part of tailgate can act as a sit-out place while camping or a lunch break.
• Spare wheel has proper space.
• Comfort access means driver seat moves back and steering moves upward. Once you get in the car, seat moves forward and steering comes down.

Coming to the  drive, the car is extremely fast. It does 0-100 in 5.5 seconds. But it lacks the drama you come to expect from a 3.0 turbo petrol. The power delivery is super quick but linear. There is no push in the back feeling. The one I get in my humble Octavia. Like Turbanator said in one of his posts, there is no kick like the one you get in the 30d. I didn't get to try Sport mode for a long distance, maybe that will take care of that. I wish I would have tried manual Sport mode. That must be something else.

No complaints on gearbox. It never feels strained and is always in the right gear.

Body roll is extremely well controlled, less than my 75k run Octavia.

It almost feels like an electric car, such is the refinement.

The ride quality is exceptional. I test drove the Citroen C5 a day before and it was too soft. Whereas the X5 is rock solid. It gobbles up bumps and potholes like anything. My wife who felt dizzy in the C5 had no complaints with X5.

The X5 reeks of sophistication - the way it picks up speed, NVH, suspension, cornering, etc. This car is made for long distance trips. And its a great answer to the extremely bad roads of Maharashtra.

And worth every penny if you can afford to ignore 30-40 lakhs you would pay to the government in taxes (customs, GST and coad tax) if you decide to buy this 1.1crore BMW which doesn’t get the legendary 10 lakh BMW discounts we are familiar with.

Here are few clicks:

Probably the only BMW besides the X7 which has some road presence. I mean the Fortuner type:

That’s my Octavia in the parking at the back:

That’s my wife at the wheel. She is sold. Gotta get back to work to earn it:

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