How reliable are the cars at the top of my list? What are some things to consider for grand touring from a reliability perspective?

BHPian rev8 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

• Disclaimer 1 - This is my first post ever, so please let me know if I should be doing something differently!
• Disclaimer 2 - This is going to be a long read! If you are not interested in the story and background, please skip to 'The “What Car?” Section'.

Background

The story begins in 1995 when my dad brought home a Maruti 800. I was too young to even walk, so obviously did not have any thoughts or reactions to it, but as I grew up, I distinctly remember considering it my little sister. Cars meant something beyond a machine or pieces of metal and I felt that before I really understood the world as much.

As I grew up, I would eye every single car on the road, appreciate the beauty and visualise the sheer pleasure that the human in the driving seat would be experiencing. I knew in every moment that I will be that human some day and as soon as legally possible.

In 2005, we moved from Delhi to Gurgaon and back then, public transport was non-existent in the city. Dad drove the 800 to the office and mom was left longing for a ride at home to fulfil the household duties. So after long debates, in 2006, dad finally accepted the idea of buying another car.

Over these very many years with the 800, dad grew very much attached with the car as well as the brand, so while there were many new players in the market, we pretty much knew that it was going to be a Maruti. After many considerations, the Swift came to be the top choice. I on the other hand, looking out of the 800’s backseat windows, drooled over sedans, and did not want another hatch in the garage. And for some weird reason, I hated the halogen tail lamps of the Swift (which they later improved a lot with facelifts). While mom and dad were excited about the prospect of bringing a Swift home, I vocally protested and lobbied for an Esteem.

It took time and we were in the year 2007 now, but one day out of the blue, dad brought home the brochure of a new car. And, oh my! Was I starstruck! The SX4 had recently been launched and the Men Are Back adverts totally won me over. Me, an 11 year old kid, inspired by Maruti’s marketing as if I was buying the car with my own money. The brochure was on the house mantle for the next few days as we excitedly awaited the test drive.

By this time, I had ridden in a few sedans of relatives - Celio (Daewoo brings back memories), Esteem and Accent; and it was now time to experience the SX4 from the back seat. The salesperson was the one on the wheel first, and he knew how to show the car off! He went pedal to the metal and I remember every detail of the moment. It was my first time experiencing a G-Force of the sort and I was mind blown. Dad on the other hand was not so mighty impressed and asked the salesperson to take it slow. He understood and the rest of the test drive was not very momentous for me. But I knew, if we can get this car, I was going to be on cloud nine.

A few days later, dad broke the good news. We were getting a SX4 in our garage

The next few years went amazingly with the new ride and we enjoyed various road trips, mightily impressed with the SX4’s driving dynamics and high speed manners.

In 2013, I finally received my much awaited learner’s licence and practised on the 800. Soon enough, it became my daily ride to college and oh boy, did it grab attention. Me and my friends still reminesce the joy rides in the 800.
2014 however, became an eventful year for our garage! The 800 developed a problem with its choke in the winter since it was never used as much before, and it became a looming safety threat. The SX4 also developed some issues with its sensors and a service technician hammered something too hard and the engine developed issues. Dad decided to get another car for his office drives, and I would get the upgrade to SX4. Yay in my heart!
We took multiple test drives, and I called out early on that we need to test drive something other than Maruti this time. As fate would have it, my heart developed a love for the VW Polo. For my dad however, love was too strong a word to describe the Polo’s experience. He wanted a no-nonsense car, and a Honda Amaze was promptly booked. I however promised him (holding back tears) that once I secure a good job, I’m going to save up for a Polo.
During these test drives, a Maruti dealer offered a mouthwatering exchange price of an Alto for our 800 factoring in the loyalty bonus, exchange bonus, and more. Dad loved driving the 800 so much that he saw it as an opportunity of rebirth for the 800 in a fresh guise and the Alto too was quickly booked. We bid a sad farewell to the 800 and welcomed the two new cars to the garage.

In 2016, I started working professionally, and the dream for a Polo never lost sight. I kept back-calculating how many years until I can afford a Polo. Things took a turn in 2017 when I got an opportunity that elevated my financial capabilities which put the Polo easily in my reach. Unexpectedly though, the company was in Noida and a self-driving daily commute from Gurgaon to Noida would be insane for even the most enthusiastic drivers among us. In all fairness, I did attempt the drive a few times only to come home cursing by night. This completely derailed my plans for a Polo. The last thing I wanted was to get my beloved ride and only see it standing in the garage.
A few more years passed uneventfully and in 2019, the SX4’s engine problems started to grow. The car needed a fresh supply of engine oil every 3-4K kms and we did not have the heart or patience to open up the entire engine for inspection. The car was also approaching its 15 year mortality rate imposed by the government, and so we decided that it was time to let go of the beauty and sell it off. The quotes were so low that we just could not follow through with our intention to sell. Every single platform and dealer knew how to take advantage of the NGT ban. We decided to try in a direct market instead, but then Covid struck.

In 2022, once the lockdowns started lifting and the used car market improved, we took the hard call to sell it off. I also grew tremendously in my profession over this timeframe and the aspirations expanded in reach beyond a Polo. I also had to move to Bangalore for my job and decided that I will buy a car once in the city.

Once I moved to Bangalore and saw the traffic, I really did not have high hopes for my own ride. I knew that even if I got one, it would have to be a weekender only and certainly not my daily ride. My company being a tech workplace also provided cab services, so I decided to only invest in a car when I would prefer to drive a lot over the weekends. Up until the move to Bangalore, I explored a lot of North India in our humble Amaze with my partner, so I knew that the time would certainly come to explore South India by road, and with my better half, and so, the wait continued.

All of this brings us to today, where the wait has finally come to an end, and I write this post reminiscing every one of those beautiful moments throughout life, all connected by the desire to have my own car, the one I know I would truly love, dare I say, as much as my wife (please don’t tell her I said this).

I am truly as nervous as I am excited about this purchase, so let’s begin!

The “What Car?” Section

Team BHP has been my home for a long time, but I have always been lurking as a reader. When this moment came, I knew that the first thing I needed to do was to apply for a Team BHP membership and write this post, because I was in no way going to make my first purchase without posting on the What Car? thread. So here goes!

Budget

I have drooled over a lot of cars through the backseat and more recently the driver’s seat, and every time my focus was always on cars that my pocket could accommodate so I have focused on every segment as I grew financially. I am fully aware that in 2024, the best value will easily be fulfilled by cars in the 20-40 lacs bracket, but this is not a brain buy, rather much more of a heart buy. I intend to keep this car for as long as the warranty lasts and certainly do not intend to own a German without protecting the pockets.

I have set my budget up to 1 cr all inclusive (including maintenance packs, extended warranty etc). Another thing to note is that I will be going for a BH series registration and am only accounting for the initial registration cost (not recurring) in this budget.

Requirements

Must Haves

• Luxury - Any car that makes the final list has to drape me in luxury for the budget. Luxury is quite subjective though, but primarily, what I mean is that I want the cabin to feel business class - leather or leather like, electric adjustments for seat and steering, good massage seats a plus (you get the idea).
• Seat Comfort - I will be taking this car on grand tours - at least one Bangalore-Gurgaon round-trip every year and more to visit corners of the country via road, so comfort has to be paramount (think 12-15 hour rides per day). The backseat will only be used when the car is in NCR, so not as often, but I certainly want it to be a decent place to be, even if not as luxurious as the front.
• Reliability & ASS - Since this car will be driven most of its life on highways, I certainly do not want a breakdown in the middle of nowhere, and worse with no support from the manufacturer. This car would also see a lot of mountains, so preferably something that could be fixed at a local garage in case of emergencies.
• Impressive Music - I am not an audiophile but I truly appreciate a good sound system. It makes or breaks the experience for me, and the car has to absolutely do well in this regard.
• Power - While I would love to buy an enthusiast car, I don’t think this one is it. I want this one to be a luxury grand tourer, with enough juice to not be left hanging on mountain road overtakes. The power should be available on tap and not have a lag.
• Safety - Needless to say, this is paramount but I don't have a detailed requirement from this perspective.
• Looks - This would be very subjective, but as a rule of thumb, I want to turn back and look at her every time I walk away. The octavia (4th gen) in lava blue tugs at my heart all the way. Just look at her!

• Fuel Choice - This has to be a petrol or a hybrid. No diesels because of NGT and no fully electrics because this car is going places where an electric charger might be the last thing available.

Nice to Haves

• All-wheel Drive - I plan to take this car in a lot of mountainous terrain, sometimes snow. This is certainly something that I feel would help big time in such environments, although I will probably not take the car significantly off-road ever (probably just dirt or mud tracks).
• ADAS - While I would prefer to keep the wheel in my hand and feet on the pedals at all times, it would be great to have a Level 2 ADAS for the boring straights with average speed monitoring systems in place now on some expressways.
• Practicality - Some key items I'm looking for in this regard (all good to haves) are:
• A spare wheel tucked under the boot (not separate on top)
• Android Auto, preferably wireless (no Apples in my world)
• Auto Dimming IRVM and ORVM (to live with a Fortuner in my rear-view)
• TPMS
• Hill assists
• Heated windshield (to be able to drive in the rare extreme weather)
• Cooled glovebox (a hot day on the road warrants this often)
• Fuel Economy - Anything above 10 kmpl in the city and I'm happy. Mild hybrids for the win!
• Maintenance Costs - I expect luxury buys to lighten deep pockets but I don’t want the spends to exceed 1-2% of the value of the car per year. I will most likely go for extended warranty and service covers.
• Driving Dynamics - While it’s not top of my list, I would certainly enjoy a ride that can handle itself well in the mountains without a ton of body roll. Not looking for a sports car level drive though. Something like adaptive dampers would be a great add.
• Up to Date - I am not looking for cars with the latest gadgets and tech. I still like my cars mechanical over electrical, but I also do not want something that has been on the market for over 5 years and has had only mild refreshes.
• Badge Value - While this is not a strict requirement, but, if I end up spending over 40 big ones on the car, I would prefer it to have some badge value.

Choices, Choices, and more Choices!

Here are my top choices:

Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 - Absolutely fits the bill and my top choice at the moment.

The brand has been on my mind ever since I saw a W211 E-class in Autocar magazine and then on the road.

Some things that I love about the GLC:

• Burmester audio - Enough said!
• The famous ambient lighting of a MB.
• An intelligent air purifying system - Loved the concept.
• Gimmicks like the transparent bonnet, boot locker.
• Interior looks are top class - The baby S!
• A tempting motor. Enough power available.
• Safety and Pre-Safe.
• Some things restricting me from booking it right away:
• Looks of the Avantgarde trim. The front grill looks absolutely cheap with gaping plastics. If this was available in the AMG line trim, I probably would have not given a serious thought to other options. And, I am absolutely in love with the AMG line steering wheel! Digital lights would have also helped a lot with the looks.

Please tell me that I'm not the only one who sees a HUGE difference in these trims? The AMG line looks significantly opulent to me!

• Missing level 2 ADAS. Not sure about the availability of Distronics, and will be checking this during test drives.
• No seat massage, although not a deal breaker since I hated the massage in the rear of the XJ. Seat kinetics might be good enough but I need to try it out.
• Luxurious leather is not an option, so I need to try out faux leather in terms of comfort and feel.
• Nitpicks - Missing heated windscreen and cooled glove-box / cup-holders. Thankfully they’ve added ventilated seats now. I don’t care much about the missing keyless entry.

Volvo XC60 - The amazing seats, sound system, safety and ADAS from a Volvo are all best in class which makes this a very lucrative option. The main concern is the lack of a new look since many years and I am not particularly a fan of its tail end (love the front absolutely though). If they simply gave another refresh to the petrol instead of going all electric, this might have been a top choice, but it is still a strong contender that I am yet to experience.

BMW 6 GT - Grand touring and luxury at its finest, with the heart of a real BMW. The concern is the outdated model and no major refresh in a long time.

Here are my potential choices:

BMW X3M / X5 - To give a chance to what the heart really wants but is not practical for the uses I intend for this car. Maybe the second car, which doesn’t have to be a grand tourer. X5 also seems to be too big.

Porsche Macan - Same reasoning as the beemers, and the lifelong dream of owning a Porsche. Macan is probably not the best way to do it though, but I would like to experience it before dropping off the list.

The new E class / 5 series - These are the cars expected to drape me in luxury so I certainly want to check them out discounting the major con of ground clearance for the grand touring road conditions. I hate the amount of touchscreens they have now though and the backseat is not the place I’ll be, so it will come down to how I feel about the front seats.
Here are some other considerations:

Hyundai Tucson - Primarily going to check it out to give another chance to the brain.

VW Tiguan - Same as Tucson.

Audi Q5 / A6 - A refreshed Q5 and lesser glossy surfaces (fingerprint magnets that you can spend your life cleaning and would still not be clean) could have kept these in the potential choices but I’m still not keeping these out of consideration entirely.

Here are some considerations that have been ruled out:

• Entry level Germans - They all feel like Creta on stilettos (no offence). The new X1 is a joke (again, no offence). I did consider the GLA AMG but it has been discontinued and also did not fulfil the luxury quotient.
• Skoda Kodiaq - Reliability & ASS does not meet the benchmark and the size is also bigger than necessity.
• Lexus NX - No refreshes from a long time and looks boring.
• JLR trio - Reliability issues. Defender is out of budget and rejected in looks by the high command.
• Mini Countryman - Limited ASS network and not really excited by it.

Where do I need your help?

Here are some questions I still have:

• This is obviously a What Car? thread, so the primary question - Did I miss something that should have been on my radar?
• If you were in my position, what would you have chosen?
• Does anyone have any information about the GLC’s AMG line trim coming to India? Or, do you have any connections who can help out with this information?
• Any suggestions for the order of test drives?
• Does it make a difference, which dealer I choose to buy from for a BH registration?
• How reliable are the cars at the top of my list? What are some things to consider for grand touring from a reliability perspective?
• What should be the recurring expenses that I should expect? Is there any cost-benefit analysis for buying service packs upfront? And how long of an extended warranty should be purchased?

If you made it this far, thank you for the time you have invested. I truly appreciate it!

Looking forward to hear from you all!

Here's what BHPian Anonymousguy had to say on the matter:

Since you are only using highways, I believe a 6GT should be good, also check out Mercedes C/E classes for reliability, comfort, brand value etc. Why not get a second hand X7 or a Seven series??

Here's what BHPian Jhinchak had to say on the matter:

You can also consider the Jeep grand Cherokee.

My best advice is to test drive all the cars on your shortlist and see which car speaks the most to your heart.

Some cars might not have all of your requirements but will make you more happy compared to all of your checklists.

Here's what BHPian CEF_Beasts had to say on the matter:

If you can stretch for the X5, then absolutely nothing like it !

The LCI is well loaded with features, both petrol and diesel inline-6 engines are at the top of the game and BMW’s reliability and service experience is also better in my books.

Otherwise the GLC would be my pick in the luxury segment (<= 1Cr) at the moment.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The next-gen BMW X5 will be offered with both ICE and EV powertrains

BMW is working on the next-generation X5 SUV. The upcoming X5 will be the 5th-generation iteration of the SUV and will feature the brand's latest design language.

The next-generation BMW X5 will be offered with both ICE and EV powertrains, with the pure-electric version called the iX5. The report also suggests it could replace the similarly sized iX. Also, the new-gen X5 and iX5 are scheduled to enter production in August 2026.

Ahead of its arrival, the new-gen X5 has been spotted testing for the first time. The spy images showcase the X5 featuring BMW's new design language previewed by the Neue Klasse sedan and Vision Neue Klasse X SUV concepts.

This includes a wider and more horizontal front kidney grille. The iX5 is also expected to ditch the conventional door handles, instead featuring buttons to release the doors. The new-gen X5 could feature X-shaped LED DRLs and new LED headlamps.

Source: CarExpert

I like the design and overall feel of the Range Rover Sport, but on the other hand, I want a car that I can enjoy driving.

BHPian ace_driver9000 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I too was pondering over that. Do you think the additional 30L and 2.5-month wait are worth it over the X5?

On one hand, I like the design and overall feel of the Range Rover Sport, but on the other hand, I want a car that I can enjoy driving. I'm specific and value things like steering feel, engine & gearbox tuning etc, which actually I'm not sure if the Range Rover Sport can offer.

I’ve never driven a Range Rover before, hence the confusion. Planning to get a test drive soon.

Please share your thoughts with regard to the above. By the way I enjoyed reading your 6GT thread.

Here's what BHPian samyakmodi had to say on the matter:

I think you should try both the cars back to back to get the feel properly

With my experience with BMW so far - I'm on the fence for the first time to recommend it to anyone.

Here's what BHPian androdev had to say on the matter:

Range Rover is primarily about prestige and signature design. BMW and Porsche SUVs would be noticeably better to drive. I feel BMW offers the best long term ownership among the luxury brands - should be a big factor to those buying with frugal personal funds and wishing to keep the car for long vs business-expense/HNI cars that are typically replaced after 4 years.

The most common complaint with BMW is tire/wheel damage. This is because BMW uses RFTs, often low profile tires with cast alloys - a terrible combination for our horrible roads. Going tubeless, downsizing the wheels (avoiding low profile tires) and/or using forged alloys (if sticking to low profile tires) would totally avoid this problem.

Here's what BHPian Abi5sek had to say on the matter:

Sorry to digress from the topic of this thread. I have driven the 6cyl diesel versions of both these cars. Going by what you said, in terms of driveability ,the X5 should be the car for you. The engine and gearbox are in perfect sync with each other and sport mode feels almost telepathic! It's an absolute delight to drive and it's so engaging that you sometimes forget that it's a >2 ton SUV.

The Sport is a relatively more opulent and relaxed experience. It's got a lovely engine. The ride is wafty in comfort mode and glides through roads like it's no one's business. I could also notice quite a bit of vertical + sideways movement over uneven roads. It does stiffen up in dynamic mode despite which there's plenty of roll to contend with. Safe to say it doesn't like to be hustled around. The gearbox does wake up in sports mode but it's still not as quick as that of the BMW. The car has massive presence though and will definitely catch a lot of eyeballs.

I would've been blow over by the Sport had I not driven the X5 which feels like a precision tool.

Here's what BHPian Tutenkhamen had to say on the matter:

Between x5 and RRS, I would pick RRS 10/10 times just for the shear road presence and that green oval logo!The engine options are cherry on the cake too. No more downsized 4 pots.

Between x7 and RRS, thats bit different and I think I’d go with the latter 8/10 times still.

To be fair, x5 can be much more commonly seen and for good reason, but thats bit of a negative point too (its suffering from success?  )

< silly analogy ahead />

RRS is like JLC (or IWC), built well with a balance of luxury, opulence and caters to a niche while x5 is more like an Omega.

It does quite well for what it’s built but doesn’t stand out as much and typically goes under the radar (relatively speaking!).

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Currently, I am using Google Maps on my smartphone but it would have been great to have a useable built-in navigation in the SUV.

BHPian vivekiyer20 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I recently purchased a pre-owned BMW X5 (F15, 3rd gen). The built-in navigation in it is really outdated and hardly useful. It obviously doesn't have CarPlay. While currently I am making do using Google Maps on my mobile, it would have been great to have a usable in-built navigation. The current navigation system is a 2013 version and doesn't recognize any of the locations inputted.

On speaking to the BMW service advisor, he said it could be updated for a price of 9K INR. I'm wondering whether it is worth it. Does anybody have any ideas/tips regarding this?

PS: I am in Mumbai, if it helps.

Here's what GTO had to say about the matter:

Not at all and IMHO, that applies to all "inbuilt" navigation systems by car manufacturers. Google Maps is the best and offers up-to-date information, routes & traffic data. My smartphone fits perfectly in the cupholder with the screen facing me. If that's not the case with you, either rely on audio instructions or get a smartphone holder.

Here's what BHPian ssjr0498 had to say about the matter:

It's not worth it! If you plan on keeping the car, the local accessories dealer could help you with a retrofit MMI box basis your current I-drive model.

Here's what BHPian kdp had to say about the matter:

The BMW maps are not terrible, especially if they are up to date. There are times that I prefer BMW maps to Google maps. For Example, in Bangalore, as a non-local, I have been guided down increasingly narrow "Main" roads; while relying on Gmaps. BMW maps, for the same run on a subsequent day, on the other hand, kept me on the real main roads. (longer, but ultimately about the same travel time. And yes, Gmaps is set to minimise travel time). You do lose traffic information, but an integrated map has a nice interface and it's useful to see directions on the HUD.

It does not need to cost an arm and a leg to keep BMW maps up to date. it can even be free. I am assuming that you have a CIC Head unit if it's a 2013 map. I had NBT on my F25. DM me if you need guidance on how to go about it.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The only thing chargeable was the wheel alignment which costed 4000 plus GST. Honestly, that felt like a total rip-off.

BHPian Jay_P2324 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

One Year Update

December 8th marks one year since I took delivery of this beautiful driving machine. Until now the car has covered 10,500 kms, one accident, and a spectacular 2500 km road trip.

The Unfortunate Incident

In June, I had been on a weekend getaway to Mahabaleshwar. On my way back, around Khed Shivapur toll plaza it was pouring down quite heavily. While descending the bridge before the toll plaza I saw some water logged and reduced my speed. A Mahindra Pickup carrying a heavy load could not brake on time and rear-ended me.

The car was sent to Navnit Motors Thane a couple of days later. I made an insurance claim and got the car repaired. The repair took one week as promised by the SA and the fit and finish and the quality of repainting done was spot on. Overall I was quite impressed by the Service Center.

Parts repaired / replaced:

• Rear Bumper and lower cosmetic attachments
• Rear taillight
• Rear left reflector fitment
• Lower split tailgate denting and painting
• Loading sill

Next came the PPF replacement. Spoke to Mr. Amol Chitre; he said that the PPF on a repainted panel should be replaced after one month. I was fine with it since I was traveling to The Netherlands for 20 days and the car would be in my garage. I did not have to worry about driving the car without PPF and having the rear bumper scratched in Mumbai traffic.

The replacement PPF cost was about 26k.

First Service

As per the iDrive, the service message popped up in October. At the time, the car had covered about 6500 kms. Service was covered by BSI+ and the following things were carried out at Navnit Motors Thane Workshop:

• Oil was changed
• Oil filter replaced
• Air Filter cleaned
• AC filter cleaned
• Wheel alignment was done

The only thing chargeable was the wheel alignment which costed 4000 plus GST. Honestly, that felt like a total rip-off.

Road trip to Coorg

During Diwali, we decided to take a trip to Coorg. We left Mumbai at 5:00 AM on 11th November and hit some traffic at the Lonavala Ghat on the Mumbai Pune Expressway.

Little did we know that wasn’t the only patch of traffic we were gonna hit. After crossing Pune, the NH48 is undergoing widening hence traffic was limited to one and a half lanes of traffic, and 2-wheelers took most of the outer lane. A major cause of traffic was broken-down cars, seemed like everyone was out for an annual holiday without running a basic check on their vehicles. There was steady traffic up to the Maharashtra Border. After a late lunch around 3:30 PM in Peth, we crossed into Karnataka around 5:00 PM. The original plan was to reach Apoorva Resorts Davangere, but the ETA was 9:30 PM. We decided to call it a day around 7:00 PM at Hubbali and stayed at the Fortune Park near the Hubbali Airport.

Clear roads after entering Karnataka

Day 1 driving summary

The following day, after a good night’s rest we hit the breakfast table and were on the road by 9:30 AM. Once we were on the Highway, we were greeted by splendid 6-lane highways. I must appreciate the Karnataka part of the NH48; 6 broad lanes and very well-marked highways. The 3.0 6-cylinder diesel finally got to stretch her legs and boy did she enjoy it. We were covering kilometers effortlessly. Google Maps showed a right turn after Davangare but I was unsure of it as it was a single-lane highway. I read on the forum that the road via Tumakuru is better. We decided to proceed ahead on the NH48. It was time to refuel the car around Sira. I started looking for COCO pumps and came across Shell but it was on the other side of the highway. Finally decided to fuel up at BPCL COCO Sira. The diesel price was 88.80/- compared to 92.62/- in Mumbai at that time. The car covered 850 kms on one tank.

Spotted a M340i at the Hotel. Loved the 0340 plates

Beautiful Highways

BPCL COCO Sira

As we were nearing Tumakuru, I took a close look at the route. It was taking us through Tumakuru and joining us on the Bangalore Mysore Expressway. I decided it would be nice to drive the whole stretch from Bangalore to Mysore on the Expressway and the difference in ETA was not much. Just ahead of Tumakuru we had lunch at De Mandrin Restro Cafe, it is within the campus of Sri Siddhartha Institute of Medical Sciences. It is a nice restaurant with clean washrooms, would recommend it to anyone traveling on the route with a family.

After a nice lunch we headed on towards the outskirts of Bangalore and took the diversion onto the NICE road. Traffic was a bit slow since the road was under construction. Once we joined the Expressway, it truly is an engineering marvel. Distance from Bangalore to Mysore was covered in no time. We reached Mysore in time for some coffee, found a nice place on the Mysore ring road and headed towards Virajpet. We reached our Resort at around 7:00 PM, which included a couple of stops to pick up some stuff in Virajpet.

Bangalore Mysore Expressway

The next couple of days we simply enjoyed the resort property, just headed out to Madikeri one afternoon for some lunch and shopping

Continue reading BHPian Jay_P2324's update for more insights and information.

The car has the instrument cluster and the infotainment from the 2021 model, making the interior feel like you're driving the latest model.

BHPian ShoMan recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Dear all,

This is my first ever post on TeamBHP and boy am I thrilled! I am planning to buy a 2015 X5 30d M, with 56k on the ODO. The car has had two owners who treated her nicely. The car was recently serviced, with new brake pads fitted. The car has the instrument cluster and the infotainment from the 2021 model, making the interior feel like you're driving the latest model and 20 inch rims give it a Godly look.
I drove the and it was POWERFUL, there was no sign of oil leakage, no worrying sounds from the engine and the suspension was great I took it over the rough patches and even over a speed bump at 80 kph and it just did was it was meant to do.

I really like the car, but I'm scared about a lot of "What if's", requesting all the owners to help me out on this one! The dealer is asking 27L for it and I feel thats a little high personally. I'd be happy for 24L

Here's what BHPian Dante had to say on the matter:

At 56k mileage the odo meter is not very high and it can be a good buy. Also 30d engine is quite reliable if taken care of.

Do take it authorized BMW service center and get it checked thoroughly. Can't comment on the pricing for used since I have never dealt in a used car.

But the million dollar question is why 2 owners with just 56k odo? I can understand the first owner upgrading, but why is the second owner selling it? Engine issue? Suspension? Because these problems could cause you a lot time and money.

Here's what BHPian arnav612 had to say on the matter:

I would advise against. Been there, done that moment. While these cars age really well, after a point in their lifetime you need to keep consumables in mind and believe me, they aren't cheap and the process itself is pretty exhausting. Things like engine mounts, steering rack, suspension if not detected early on can become a very exhausting process to acquire and build. The pricing is fair honestly if you crack it at 24. If you're buying a "new" car, you wouldn't like to see things going downhill within the first few months itself. If you're ready for the spend, and your running can do justice to it, then the 30d engine is an absolute joy to munch miles in and the X5 is obviously an all-rounder.

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The tall SUV gives me low flying airplanes vibes with the high driving position, excellent visibility.

BHPian utkarshmohan86 recently shared this with other enthusiasts

There is a necessary prelude to this post. Which is, why would I swap my sharp, agile, (in my humble opinion, the thinking man's E39 M5) F30 Alpina B3, for a large blunt diesel 'locomotive'?

I will dedicate a separate post to that topic as well as a wrap up of my Alpina's ownership. But to give you a preview, it was the ground clearance as well as some exotic car quirks, which make you laugh through the lens of heady automotive journalism but make you weep when you have to deal with them.

Without further ado, this is introducing a car that has been on my radar ever since I read Autocar's review of this crazy tri-turbo diesel engine thirteen years ago, albeit in a 5 series (the F10 M550D). I have never owned a diesel car and something about the prospect of 740NM and a monstrous SUV has had my curiosity for over 10 years.

I have always had a soft spot for the X5, as had my wife and when I came across a one owner example at a reasonable depreciation (remember we live in Singapore, the land that makes petrolheads weep and then empty their bank accounts anyway), it was a punt I had to take.

We got our white on beige 2015 Example with about 98,500km on the clock and have done about 500km over the first five days. Here are a few photos (some mine, some the dealers) followed by my initial thoughts.

The Positives:

• 'TORQUE'- The capitalization is necessary and then some. If the Alpina felt like a rocket, this makes you feel like Dr Strangelove strapped on it. For city driving as well as slipping in and out of expressways, this is best way to access performance and the large size makes it giggle worthy.
• Fun to Drive' factor. I wasn't sure I would like an SUV given my proclivity for that low slung driving position (which, if you wonder, only BMW's truly seem to achieve). The X5 M50D feels nothing like a sportscar (don't let the marketing or M badges fool you) but is none the worse for it. If a sporty saloon or coupe gives you race car vibes, flat as a pancake even across corners, the tall SUV gives me low flying airplanes vibes with the high driving position, excellent visibility, even a touch of controllable roll. You ride on the monster, taming it with your arms and right foot, not in it.
• 'Brakes' These deserve a worthy mention as one would not enjoy a fast car without this confidence. The best brakes I have experienced on any car SUV or not.
• 'Security' Singapore has a fair amount of rain and sporadic water logging (which only lasts for minutes thanks to excellent drainage but can catch you up) and my Alpina was a different animal depending on the number of clouds in the sky. This car doesn't care about clouds, moons or planets. It just goes. There was an Ad in Singapore calling it 'Quattro country'. I think it should be X5 country.

The Negatives:

• This is not the fault of the car as such. In general I find BMW interiors don't wear as well as other competitors like Mercedes or Volvo. Though it is a one owner car, the light beige interior has a touch of wear and will need some TLC. The biggest visual issues are some scratching on the aluminum trim from the previous owner's dogs, some wear on the drivers seat right side and door mats that need replacing. I will sort these over the next few weeks.
• Diesel clatter and refinement. Remember I have never owned or driven a diesel car for an extensive period of time before and almost only owned nice straight smooth 6 cylinders. So the clatter at idle especially is something I am having to get used to. It gets better at speeds but at traffic lights, I actually let the start-stop cut in, rather than feeling the engine
• The carelessness of the last owner for the past few months. It was 3000km overdue for a service ( I got it done immediately). There is one part that needed ordering though, the sensor to help determine the air-fuel mix. The car is running a little rich currently, but this should be sorted in a few days.
• If you can't tell, I love the car so far. New car prices in Singapore have gone to the stratosphere due to combination of factors that deserve its own post, so I have been looking out for a used car that can be a keeper and the X5 M50D is a candidate. Early days but we'll see.

For those of you who prefer the medium of moving picture to complement the letters on your screen, here's a video as well. I'm no Clarkson (or Watson) but at least you'll get to see more of the car:

I'll make a more detailed post (and video) once I have done a month or two with the car. Also this is more the wife's car, so I'll get her insights as well.

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The GLE has the best interiors among the 3 cars.

BHPian smile_plzzz recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I am in the process of upgrading from my Fortuner to a luxury SUV. After test drives and reading reviews of many others like Volvo XC90 etc, I have short listed these 3 options.

• Audi Q7: I love the way it drives - pickup, handling, overall interiors. Though after looking at new X5/GLE, dashboard feels a bit dated. The pros are value for money while cons are brand name.
• BMW X5: Love the new version. Best pickup/road handling amongst 3. Cons is 25-30 lakhs more expensive than Q7 and 2nd row seat is too upright. I feel that on very long drives, this might be issue for rear seat passengers.
• GLE: Best interiors amongst the 3. Good leg space/recline angle/thigh support in back seat as well. But drive quality was not upto the mark. I didn't find it too responsive. Engine felt underpowered. Also, bumps on road got passed more to passengers compared to X5 and Q7.

I will love to hear user review from people on above 3 options and their story while going through similar journey of choosing SUV in this range.

I don't see many people posting about Q7 in this forum. How is long term ownership of Q7 in terms of fuel efficiency, maintenance frequency (apart from regular service)/associated costs?

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

What matters is which car appeals to you the most and clearly, you prefer the Q7 & X5. Take another long test-drive and pick whichever of the two tugs the strings to your heart more.

Once luxury car dealerships know you are serious, you'll easily get a longer TD, and also a full day or weekend with the car at your house.

In terms of price, no one can beat Audi, especially when they start talking of discounts.

The Q7 is a wonderful machine, one of Audi's top cars. The powerful 3.0 turbo-petrol, air suspension, equipment etc. will keep you happy. But if I liked the X5 more, personally, I would spend the extra cash and then enjoy the car more...keep the car for longer. You must read my article on this subject (How a more expensive car can work out cheaper (if you hold onto it for longer)).

Here's what BHPian aseem23 had to say on the matter:

Q7 is a very good car, but the facelift is due soon. Currently, you might get some good discounts on the Q7 too. It will save you a lot of money over X5, and GLE.

With GLE, go for the GLE 400d variant, but it will be expensive and you should try for some discounts. You won't find the 400d variant underpowered at all.

With X5, it has all the latest tech, and it looks awesome in real, but it is expensive, around 1.25CR On-road I guess.

In conclusion, you should first decide on the budget. For anything strictly under 90l-1Cr, go for Q7. If the budget is higher, then if you prefer a chauffeur go for GLE 400d, otherwise go for BMW X5 if you prefer to drive yourself.

Also, remember Q7 is available only in petrol option whereas GLE and X5 are available in both petrol and diesel.

Here's what BHPian vattyboy had to say on the matter:

Go for X5 40i. In my eyes, it looks the best of the lot with the best handling and performance.

Go for the X-Line variant OTR- 1.10 cr if you are price-conscious.

Here's what BHPian inwester had to say on the matter:

My pick in this segment would be GLE, if you can live with the underpowered 4 banger. Otherwise pay up a bit more and go for the 450. It's the newest, nicest and gives you the brand bragging rights.

Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90 are too old now and probably in their last year as the current model. Almost 7 years at least since launch and ready for a model change.

X5 would be the drivers pick. At least you won't feel shortchanged and get a 6-cylinder as standard.

Take a look at the Land Rover Defender as well, but in the 6-cylinder variant, it will be even more expensive.

Your wife isn't entirely inaccurate in her assessment, Audi generally has less brand cache and a bit cheaper (even in the developed markets), among the big 3 German luxury auto manufacturers (the other two being Mercedes and BMW).

However, at ~90 lakhs, Audi Q7 will be around 20 lakhs cheaper than the cheapest X5 and 30 lakhs cheaper than the 6-cylinder GLE. This does make things a bit tricky. In the end, think twice, buy what makes you feel the best, at this price range, you want to feel good for years to come and shouldn't have buyers remorse. If you are looking for a car in this segment, you are doing alright.

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The X3 M40i seems best, size wise and upgrade to that great inline 6 with practicality of SUV style

BHPian XDriver recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I have just sold my BMW X1 X drive 20d M Sport. Am hunting for another BMW as I love the brand and trust its quality and maintenance. I am debating between the M340i, X3 M40i or stretch myself to get the X5 40i. I want a fast petrol to complement my garage.

The X3 M40i seems best, size wise and upgrade to that great inline 6 with practicality of SUV style. But it’s pricey and X5 40i is 10 lac more. X3 M40i does not have the mild hybrid system which the other 2 have and hence milage is lower.

X5 40i Xline is 10 lac odd more but bigger, more space and has a larger boot. I drove it and liked it but is a tad big for a daily self driven car.

M340i seems value for money and I so want that B58 engine which is there in other 2 options too. It’s almost 20 lac cheaper than X3 M40i. Will I miss an SUV if I get this? I have a 530d already. And a Nexon EV max.

What would you choose? And what would your recommendation be?

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

The new X5 looks deadly & feels deadly. Go for it. 10 - 12 lakhs is nothing in the larger scheme of things, when you are in the 1-crore segment already. It is vastly superior in terms of space, premium part quality, cabin feel etc. Get a car from the higher segment, it will keep you happier.

Here's what BHPian androdev had to say on the matter:

Tough call man. X5 and M340i interiors are one generation ahead of X3 (large curved display). I don’t think one is better over the other but always pinches to pay top dollar for something that’s not the latest.

Mild hybrid tech is a needless liability for that marginal fuel economy gain - I don’t think it will be a big miss if you don’t have it.

The rest depends on your preference for the shape (sedan vs suv) and size (x3 vs x5)

I would probably say go for X5 - has more premium vibe and should be more comfortable. X3 M40i is too much money I feel given the prices of M340i and X5. Since you have 530D, not sure m340i would be a good option. X5 is a sensible option. X3 is not exactly a compact crossover like the X1 you are replacing. If you can lug around an X3, you can manage an X5 as well. The size won’t overwhelm you beyond the first month or so.

X5 will be less agile obviously compared to smaller X3 but you might appreciate the overall package of X5. In general, a higher segment car proves itself to be a better a buy in the long run as you spend more time with it.

Here's what BHPian Axe77 had to say on the matter:

The sedan vs SUV is a personal choice. IMO - money no bar - X5 40i for sure.

Following that, I’d pick the X3 SUV body style over the M340i for its GC practicality and comfort of adaptive suspension - combines that explosive power with usability and peace of mind.

Please do check on discounts for the X3, if any before deciding. Perhaps if the X3 is sporting discounts, you might feel differently about the price to value proposition. I think I had heard there may be some deals going but I’m really not sure.

Here's what BHPian Turbanator had to say on the matter:

What are your exact needs, Just fast is not enough differentiator when you already have a 530-D as the others like the M340 will barely different in the real world. Yes, on paper the difference is too much and also in an ideal world but in a city or highways, I don't think you will feel very different. But, this is something I will decide after some extended drives, if possible back to back on your 530-D.

If you can extend your budget for an X5, it will be a meaningful upgrade. Though not as quick as the M340 or X3 M40, but it's fast and you can have multiple other practical benefits of an X5. I saw the X3-M40 a day before and was not impressed. Between an M340 and an x3 M40, I will pick an M340.

Here's what BHPian Akshay1234 had to say on the matter:

Since you have a 530d already, rule out another sedan which is the M340i. You will miss having a somewhat SUV like feel you got from the X1.

The X3M40i is 87l ex showroom, while the X5 40i M sport is 1.06 ex showroom. That's about 19l difference. Add to that you may get some discount on the X3 as it doesn't seem to be exactly moving off the shelves, and it would be my pick. That is if you are looking for a more sporty drive with better handling.

If budget isn't a concern, then the X5 makes a better case in terms of comfort and being an all rounder overall. But if its more for the drive experience, Id say save the money.

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I'm considering this SUV and the BMW X3 M40i to replace my X1 xDrive20d M Sport.

BHPian XDriver recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hello all,

I got a chance to test drive the new BMW X5 XDRIVE 30d M Sport SAV today. I have owned the X1 X drive 20d M sport and have the 530d M sport saloon.

Immediately upon seeing the X5 it feels imposing and big. It’s quiet roomy and cavernous on the inside too. The new 21-inch alloy design is lovely with blue M sport callipers. The split tailgate and boot remain the same as before with 650 litres of space.

Once seated inside, it has a commanding view outside. The M Sport has HUD and heated and cooled seats. It does get noisy when the cooling function is on and at max setting as if someone had a hair dryer behind me.

The curved display and I drive 8 is nice but I still prefer the previous split design of my 530d. The I drive 7 is more intuitive and I did find the latest version a bit overwhelming to use. Too many menus and sub menus.

Drive impressions

Immediately the X5 X drive 30d felt more responsive than my 530d, maybe due to 20 more HP and 30 more Nm of torque. It also could be due to the mild hybrid system with 20hp and 200 Nm of torque.

All this makes it a hoot to drive with minimal to no lag and very quick off the mark. Surprisingly you don’t feel the bulk of the car and it’s quite agile and nimble to drive. The steering felt a bit better than 530d and was sharp with good feedback. It feels like a much smaller car than it is.

Ride is great due to the air suspension. But my 530d with its adaptive dampers is more than adequate and equally impressive.

Once placed in sport mode, the handling is superb. Feels composed and agile in corners. It’s a bit floaty in comfort in comparison. Body roll is minimal.

Size and practicality

It is a big SAV. But easy to manoeuvre. The 360-degree camera and parking and reverse assistant do help. I would prefer the X3 as a daily driver though. The X5 will be a tremendous highway tourer and for social events.

Overall I love it. I am considering this and the X3 M40i to replace my X1.

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