BMW X5 owners, your help is needed!
The new 2010 BMW X5 LCI: Yes, it’s extremely able on the road, and the mechanical enhancements put the gloss on an already highly capable machine.
But are looks so similar to before a help or a hindrance?
BMW says that you guys requested this – you wanted your quibbles, such as weighty low-speed steering, rectified, but you didn’t want any LCI facelift to stray too far from the look you already had.
It has responded by comprehensively re-engineering the X5 mechanically, but making only the most minor styling tweaks:
•   New front and rear bumpers with more body-colour bits
•   Larger air intakes
•   Repositioned fog lights
•   Redesigned rear light clusters
•   New headlights (with vivid white daytime running lights on Xenon units)
Is this enough? Is it too much? Is it what you wanted or too similar to before? What are your preferences for companies updating vehicles?
The debate amongst the press corps is that as it’s so hard to see the changes, the big improvements in some areas of the new X5 may pass unnoticed by casual car buyers seeking the latest thing. Who, after all, form a significant proportion of this market.
We’re not the ones buying it, though. You are! And so are better placed than us to judge BMW’s approach.
To help our debate, then, we’d like your input! BMW X5 LCI – too much, too little or just right… and why?
Slide and share your thoughts below for the all-important feedback…



I Have the X5 50iDrive in the UAE (Middle East). It is the best or should that be be(a)st car I have ever driven. I have had the X5 4.8is for 5 years so I know what I am talking about. I have had the electric towbar fitter for my baot and jetski and it is amazing how it appears out from under the skirt; not even a hint of a towbar when stowed. I am also looking into the upgrade for the turbo. I have been quoted quite a lot of money here in the UAE but it is an extra 80-100 hp on the standard 407hp so it may be worth it; almost up to the X5M!
I can see the appeal there, Charles!! I’d be keen to hear if you decide to go for it: do let me know how it performs if you do!
Thanks for the note,
Richard.