FL2 versus BMW X5?

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john snoo

Well-Known Member
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Just wondered if anyone has had both or knows enough to make any sensible comparisons in terms of :

Running costs
Reliability
Fuel economy

PS I know the two vehicles are very much in a different class and most people wouldn't be considering them together but for variuos reasons we need 4 wheel drive with a certain amount of boot space, towing capacity, purchase price. It looks like the two options are actually about the same price to purchase right now for similar ages/mileages. So I have to wonder. My only knowledge so far is the FL2 should be much better on fuel, lighter, and generally cheaper to run. Wondered if anyone wants to set me straight or add any more info for me to consider.
Thanks
 
There was only one generation of Freelander 2 (with a mild facelift). However, there have been several variants and generations of the BMW X5. So it will largely come down to what you are actually comparing.

Four gens of X5 according to Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_X5

The original E53 X5 looks a bit dated now, but in some ways I think it actually is the best looking X5 because of this. The X5 was developed alongside the L322 Range Rover, so does share some parts and designs with it. Although the X5 is far more 'road' focused. And marketed as a Sports Activity Vehicle instead of an SUV.

The Freelander 2 is arguably an entire generation or two newer than the E53. Albeit a cheaper less luxury vehicle, so sort of evens out in some spec areas.

I'd suggest the the Freelander 2 is likely better on fuel, cheaper to run & repair and likely slightly more reliable (and newer). Smallest engine on the X5 is 3.0, where as it is 2.2 on the Freelander. X5 a lot faster if you go for the V8 option though.

On paper the E53 and FL2 are a similar size, although I suspect in reality the X5 will seem bigger, taller and bulkier when parking. But possibly more spacious inside too.

I don't know much about the E70 X5, its bigger than the E53 and I think moved up market more so. And is probably less off road focused than the E53.

Best bet is go drive some of each and see what appeals the most.
 
300bhp/ton said:
There was only one generation of Freelander 2 (with a mild facelift). However, there have been several variants and generations of the BMW X5. So it will largely come down to what you are actually comparing.

Four gens of X5 according to Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_X5

The original E53 X5 looks a bit dated now, but in some ways I think it actually is the best looking X5 because of this. The X5 was developed alongside the L322 Range Rover, so does share some parts and designs with it. Although the X5 is far more 'road' focused. And marketed as a Sports Activity Vehicle instead of an SUV.

The Freelander 2 is arguably an entire generation or two newer than the E53. Albeit a cheaper less luxury vehicle, so sort of evens out in some spec areas.

I'd suggest the the Freelander 2 is likely better on fuel, cheaper to run & repair and likely slightly more reliable (and newer). Smallest engine on the X5 is 3.0, where as it is 2.2 on the Freelander. X5 a lot faster if you go for the V8 option though.

On paper the E53 and FL2 are a similar size, although I suspect in reality the X5 will seem bigger, taller and bulkier when parking. But possibly more spacious inside too.

I don't know much about the E70 X5, its bigger than the E53 and I think moved up market more so. And is probably less off road focused than the E53.

Best bet is go drive some of each and see what appeals the most.
Click to expand...
Superb response thank you. Unfortunately where I am there are very limited sales near me to go find one to try. I am looking thought.

I should have said, M57 is probably the one i can go for, so aroud 2008-2010 X5. There are some E70s in the price range and apparently lovely 8 speed box, but I get the feeling they could be as costly as a Range Rover ifthey go wrong. but of course beautiful if they don't!

This is a nice price and looks well cared for (subject to a lot more investigation of course) - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/176931156985


But 20" wheels, holy schmoly i bet thayt costs a packet in tyres! I didn't think of the older E53, I may look into that as to be honest I'd like something a bit older and less 'Chelsea Tractor' looking! Plius I do go across fields now and then so I really don't want a track car type X5, more a farm capable one! But i really don't need to do any more than drive on grass now and then or tow a lightweight boat to the slip and back. Maybe the E53 is worth a look
 
john snoo said:
By 'expensive to own', are you talking more about fuel economy or repair/servicing costs?
Click to expand...
Fuel usage is higher, similar to a D2. Parts are hideously expensive, especially if they have to come from BMW.
LR has a large supply of aftermarket parts, BMW not so, so many parts have to come from a dealer.
The stupidly wide X5 tyres are also very expensive to replace.
 
Huh? Guessing you haven't owned one then, or maybe didn't know where to look?

There is a MASSIVE range of "aftermarket" parts for BMW, even from the manufacturers who made the originals: Lemforder, Valeo, Bosch, Bremi, Beru, etc, etc, etc. They are generally very reasonably priced - almost always cheaper then the japanese cars I've owned.

Far more plentiful the Land Rover parts - there are far more BMW's produced than JLR products.

Plenty of sites for buying them too - schmiedmann, spareto, trodo from Europe and plenty of US options too. When we had our E39 and E30's the dealer parts where regularly cheaper than buying genuine Toyota parts here in NZ. Certainly cheaper than VW and Audi too!

The E39 needed a new ABS module, and a brand new unit was under NZ$1000 (about 500 UK pounds) shipped from a distributor in Germany. Brand new spare key, pre-coded to the car was NZ$300 (150 UK pounds)
 
My tyre fitter uses two tyres as table legs, lay on their side, one on top of the other, in the reception seating area. I asked what they were for as they're stoooopidly wide. He said x5 rears. They're popular so part of the display. x5's eat tyres. Rears are wider than fronts. Rears over 350 sovs each. That was several years ago.
 
I should add that I dun't like bmw and merc's. Their success in the 80's and 90's for being betterer helped kill oft the british car market. Its not all bad. When bmw bought LR they got involved with development projects on day one. The Freelander was allowd to continue development. Bmw liked it and it got more features.
 
Hello ...just joined this site ! I have owned a Bmw x5 e70 40d 2010 for 5 years now and just about to add a fl2 to the fleet. The x5 is really a big road suv. The suspension is too stiff for anything more than a gravel track especially with 20" wheels . I also have a set of 19" with non rft and that helps.
Running costs avg mpg local 27mpg
On a long run 34 mpg.
£1000 for a set of 20" conti's
In my ownership I have done the following ( it has 145k on it )...
Front suspension rebuild
New timing chains
New turbos
New dpf
Brakes/ flexi hoses
Transfer box to front diff drive shaft
Gearbox service
New inlet manifold
New rocker cover
New heater plugs and controller
New rear suspension air bags and compressor.

Probably loads more that I have forgotten.
So not cheap to run but with 300bhp and 600nm and 2.2t kerb weight it tows well which is why I got it.
It is a bigger wagon that the fl2 and is no good in tight multi storey car parks !!
I hope this is of some help...I will report back when I collect the fl2 hopefully this week !!
 
ok so I collected my fl2 on Wednesday and have been running around in it and here is my initial thoughts...
Fl2 is a nicer ride for our crap roads.
Fl2 is slower than the x5 40d obviously
Engine is louder in side cabin
X5 handles better on good tarmac

I the fl2 I bought and issues with parking sensors not working ...fixed with secondhand module £20.
Bluetooth for phone was down ...fixed with secondhand module £60 ...both the above took less than 1 hour to sort and no messing with coding etc .
Told the other half I was going out to fix it and she could believe it when I walked back indoors ...normally it would have taken all day on a Bmw !! 😂
So they are easier and cheaper to fix when needed....this weekend I will be doing the cambelt and a service 👍
 
Very useful thanks. Interested to hear what mpg is like when you have an idea. Also would be good to know the model/spec etc of the FL2
 
Ok. will keep and eye on mpg ...was only on 18mpg when I picked it up ...think it had been reset and ticking over for a bit ...now up to 23mpg and that's with some slow green lane stuff as well as normal roads.
I went for a Hse Sd4 but tbh a good spec'ed se would have everything you need . I didn't want a black one with cream interior but ended up with exactly that !! 😬😂
 
haha, yes i am not fond of cream interior either but would have probably done same if its hse spec!
I'd be interested in a brim to brim if you ever do that. And where the fook are the photos? Come on man, all this dribbling for nothing!
 
Here you go ...
1000018195.jpg
1000018194.jpg
 
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