G05 X5 M50d

Big Pimp

RMS Trader
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14,883
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Downpatrick
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like im late
So, this happened quite unexpectedly!

I’ve had my Jaguar F-Pace for a couple of years now, and have loved it, loved how it looks, drives, and whilst the engine is a dirty derv it is still a twin turbo derv running north of 300bhp.
Coming home from Dubai though, put me in a wild notion of changing the F-Pace to something different.

There were a few contenders for the replacement, and I came very close to going for an F-Pace SVR, but kind of fancied a change. Don’t get me wrong, the SVR was a special animal, but 550bhp would lead me into trouble and, I always have liked something a bit bigger.

Whilst I have no need for a 7 seater, having the option of 7 seats is great when we go somewhere with friends or family, or have the need to take the kids and their friends on some of their hobbies etc.

That led me looking into the new Discovery 5 which I really do like (although the offset rear number plate is still a bone of contention) but everything else was really promising.

Another option was the Audi Q7 but they’re not available in SQ7 guise any longer (at least for now) and to be honest, I’m still not sure on the new Q7. I think the last model was a great looking vehicle and looks better than the new shape.

I briefly looked at the new Q8 but wasn’t struck on it. Whilst the exterior is quirky, the interior (for me at least) was a major let down.

As nice as the Volvo XC90 is, for me it still lacks the engine it deserves!

That had me also looking at the new X5, but originally in the 40i petrol version, as, the 30d has ‘only’ 260bhp, and I wasn’t really interested in moving from a smaller and more agile F-Pace into a larger X5 which wouldn’t be as quick.

A call into Bavarian and a chat with a sales guy had me looking into the daddy of them though - the M50d - a quad turbo’d 3 litre in-line 6 producing 400bhp with 560lb/ft of torque, and even though I’ve only done around 100 miles so far you can really feel the punch. And hear it too. Ok, as with all modern BMWs some of the noise is acoustically enhanced, but for a diesel it definitely sounds the part, along with the optional M performance exhaust which has been fitted to this.

Speaking of options, this one has been pretty well specced.

I went for Black Sapphire metallic paint (of course!) and it has the individual extended leather option ticked

Optional Equipment includes sun protection glass, integral active steering, 2 axle air suspension, electrically folding tow bar, the ‘sky lounge’ panoramic roof option with LEDs intertwined throughout it, the third row seating which I wanted and the crafted clarity glass application on start/stop button, gear stick and other interior parts.

It also has comfort access, comfort seats (which are genuinely amazing) front and rear seat heating, sunblinds in the rear and heated and cooled cup holders to keep your drinks hot or cold! Heads up display is something I didn’t think I’d like but is actually brilliant.

It also has the visibility package ticked with the all important BMW laser lights with high beam assistant which is the weirdest and coolest thing I’ve had in any car! The way they dart over the road when you meet an oncoming car is class.

There is loads of other things that I’m just getting used to but it really is a different league of vehicle, even compared to some I’ve had in the past, like the Range Rover sports even.

First port of call was it went to PMG for @big_pete and the jedis to work their magic. They carried out their new car prep and then applied gTechniq Crystal Serum Ultra. They removed the wheels and applied C5 on the wheels and hubs, coated the glass too, and gave it a total interior package too and it’s astounding. The work these guys do is really on another level. After that a visit to Pentagon finished it off. Until I got it home and changed the front grill to an all black one. Don’t get me wrong I love the cerium grey M50d only trim, but the grills are huge. This makes it at least not just so in your face.

Plans - just drive it and enjoy it. Possibly a stage one map in the future which takes it to around 470bhp, but I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.

I’ll post the pictures which Pete took, as I’ve still not really taken many of it, and his were fantastic.

Thanks for reading and any questions, fire away!

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G N K

RMS Regular
Messages
14,423
Location
Newtownabbey
Drives
Anything
Yess, love it Ross.

We considered a nice X5 between us but a final decision was made. She got a 7 seat quasquai lol and I'm hoping to change my own car next year.

This looks amazing.
 
Last edited:

impact

RMS Regular
Messages
3,366
Drives
GT86
Brother has a mapped one of these, can confirm they shift in a way that something that size really shouldn't be able too. Big comfy well kitted wagon to boot. Health to drive. (y)
 

quattro Rick

RMS Regular
Messages
5,224
Drives
quattro / M796
So, this happened quite unexpectedly!

I’ve had my Jaguar F-Pace for a couple of years now, and have loved it, loved how it looks, drives, and whilst the engine is a dirty derv it is still a twin turbo derv running north of 300bhp.
Coming home from Dubai though, put me in a wild notion of changing the F-Pace to something different.

There were a few contenders for the replacement, and I came very close to going for an F-Pace SVR, but kind of fancied a change. Don’t get me wrong, the SVR was a special animal, but 550bhp would lead me into trouble and, I always have liked something a bit bigger.

Whilst I have no need for a 7 seater, having the option of 7 seats is great when we go somewhere with friends or family, or have the need to take the kids and their friends on some of their hobbies etc.

That led me looking into the new Discovery 5 which I really do like (although the offset rear number plate is still a bone of contention) but everything else was really promising.

Another option was the Audi Q7 but they’re not available in SQ7 guise any longer (at least for now) and to be honest, I’m still not sure on the new Q7. I think the last model was a great looking vehicle and looks great.

I briefly looked at the new Q8 but wasn’t struck on it. Whilst the exterior is quirky, the interior (for me at least) was a major let down.

As nice as the Volvo XC90 is, for me it still lacks the engine it deserves!

That had me also looking at the new X5, but originally in the 40i petrol version, as, the 30d has ‘only’ 260bhp, and I wasn’t really interested in moving from a smaller and more agile F-Pace into a larger X5 which wouldn’t be as quick.

A call into Bavarian and a chat with a sales guy had me looking into the daddy of them though - the M50d - a quad turbo’d 3 litre in-line 6 producing 400bhp with 560lb/ft of torque, and even though I’ve only done around 100 miles so far you can really feel the punch. And hear it too. Ok, as with all modern BMWs some of the noise is acoustically enhanced, but for a diesel it definitely sounds the part, along with the optional M performance exhaust which has been fitted to this.

Speaking of options, this one has been pretty well specced.

I went for Black Sapphire metallic paint (of course!) and it has the individual extended leather option ticked

Optional Equipment includes sun protection glass, integral active steering, 2 axle air suspension, electrically folding tow bar, the ‘sky lounge’ panoramic roof option with LEDs intertwined throughout it, the third row seating which I wanted and the crafted clarity glass application on start/stop button, gear stick and other interior parts.

It also has comfort access, comfort seats (which are genuinely amazing) front and rear seat heating, sunblinds in the rear and heated and cooled cup holders to keep your drinks hot or cold! Heads up display is something I didn’t think I’d like but is actually brilliant.

It also has the visibility package ticked with the all important BMW laser lights with high beam assistant which is the weirdest and coolest thing I’ve had in any car! The way they dart over the road when you meet an oncoming car is class.

There is loads of other things that I’m just getting used to but it really is a different league of vehicle, even compared to some I’ve had in the past, like the Range Rover sports even.

First port of call was it went to PMG for @big_pete and the jedis to work their magic. They carried out their new car prep and then applied gTechniq Crystal Serum Ultra. They removed the wheels and applied C5 on the wheels and hubs, coated the glass too, and gave it a total interior package too and it’s astounding. The work these guys do is really on another level. After that a visit to Pentagon finished it off. Until I got it home and changed the front grill to an all black one. Don’t get me wrong I love the cerium grey M50d only trim, but the grills are huge. This makes it at least not just so in your face.

Plans - just drive it and enjoy it. Possibly a stage one map in the future which takes it to around 470bhp, but I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.

I’ll post the pictures which Pete took, as I’ve still not really taken many of it, and his were fantastic.

Thanks for reading and any questions, fire away!

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Should've got a G wagon 😝 that'd be really "pimp"

Class bus and surprisingly the grills aren't as horrendous when you can't see them in your face!

Good call on all black. Doesn't look too much bigger than the F, what's the weight difference? Can you feel it as a bigger car?


Oh debadge it and give a few unsuspecting bystanders a shock!!!
 

Big Pimp

RMS Trader
OP
Big Pimp
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14,883
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Downpatrick
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like im late
Yeah, it definitely feels much bigger than the F. That’s why the photo of the two of them is quite surprising

Inside there is vastly more room as it’s quite wide also
 

gav525

RMS Regular
Messages
10,286
Location
Co Down
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Anything
That's is class Ross, and what an engine! Bet it shifts alright!

Looks a lovely place to be also, health to drive 👍🏻

Any offroading days planned in it 😝
 
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Big Pimp

RMS Trader
OP
Big Pimp
Messages
14,883
Location
Downpatrick
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like im late
Very nice Ross! You seemed to look at everything bar the new Cayenne.
I had actually looked at the cayenne coupe which is gorgeous and has a lovely choice of engines and even the hybrid cayenne too, but the 3rd row seating with the X5 won the toss!
That's is class Ross, and what an engine! Bet it shifts alright!

Looks a lovely place to be also, health to drive 👍🏻

And offroading days planned in it 😝
Well, it has a tow bar so I can tow something to an off roading day lol!

Carwow etc. actually did some off roading in the new X5 and it seems TJ handle remarkably well given it’s not in its pedigree. I’ll not be trying it though, especially with the huge 315 section tyres on the rear of this beast!
 

Lauren_E

RMS Regular
Messages
446
Location
Tandragee
Drives
MINI JCW
Stunning! Black grills make such a huge difference to the look. Wouldn’t have been the biggest fan of the new X5 but that one just looks right (y) HTD
 

300trophy

RMS Regular
Messages
3,730
Location
Belfast
Drives
Megane 275 Cup-S
That’s class. Bet it’s lovely to waft around in 😎. If it turns into your new delivery vehicle I wouldn’t mind a spin in it 🤣.
 

jshek007

RMS Regular
Messages
1,728
Location
Antrim
Drives
F30 335,FN2, R56
That is awesome Ross. Great choice. Who would you get to remap it when the time comes? I love the head up display on mine as well. It's definitely not something you thought you'll need but will make sure every future car you buy will have. Lol
 

MarkP

RMS Regular
Messages
4,347
Location
Strabane
Drives
zafira :-(
S'pose it would do for a while. Fantastic looking machine😋

Get your orders in quick peeps, i smell price rises in the air lol
 

Loggie

RMS Regular
Messages
1,518
Location
Dunloy
Drives
Sierra
S'pose it would do for a while. Fantastic looking machine😋

Get your orders in quick peeps, i smell price rises in the air lol

I reckon it’s a marketing ploy - orders will skyrocket in the hope this machine makes the delivery :p lol
 
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