X5 35d Review Vs Cayenne S
A little back-story, I bought a 2004 Cayenne S new and put 86,000 trouble free miles on it. I had always planned on buying another Cayenne (Turbo this time), but Porsche was a little slow with the redesign (particularly the interior) and the wife wanted something bigger. We chose the Diesel because I found it interesting, wanted better fuel economy, and I wanted to show the hybrid lovers an alternative. THE DRIVE: The X5 is very nice to drive, the ride is more compliant then the Cayenne (both on 19鈥?wheels, Cayenne S had PASM) even set to 鈥楥omfort鈥?the Cayenne was firmer. The X5 soaks up the bumps better and it is very relaxing to drive. The other side to this coin is that the Cayenne is a sportier vehicle. The X5 suspension is not as able to manage mid corner bumps and not as sure footed when hustled through a corner. The steering feels very nice in the X5 but the Cayenne is the sportier vehicle. I do feel more like an adult in the X5 and I find myself feeling relaxed, comfortable, and unhurried in the X5.
OVERALL FEEL: The X5 feels much larger from the driver seat, in a good way. I was always bothered by the 鈥榖鈥?pillar in the Cayenne. I am relatively tall (6鈥?2鈥? and with the seat in a comfortable position there was not a good place for my left elbow to be. The 鈥榖鈥?pillar on the X5 is farther back and it is more comfortable. BMW does a very good job of making the things that you touch feel nice, the steering wheel has a nice thickness and material feel. In comparison the Cayenne鈥檚 was smaller and harder. The shape of the BMW sport seats is very good and the bolsters are comfortable on the highway. The seat back feels a bit 鈥榮pringy鈥?which makes it feel like it is of a lesser quality then the Cayenne鈥檚. The positions of the controls are very good in the X5 (especially compared to the E90 pre-LCI at least鈥indow switches and cup holders). The switches and controls in the Cayenne feel a bit crowed in comparison. BUILD QUALITY: It is my opinion that the Cayenne is built better then the X5.
In 86,000 miles I never had a squeak or a rattle in the Cayenne, and when I traded it in it sounded like you were opening a vacuum-sealed container when you opened a door. The Cayenne just feels and looks a bit more solid, maybe its overbuilt but it shows if you are looking. FEATURES: The X5 wins hands down on interior features. The new iDrive is fantastic. The cup holders are many times better then those found in the Cayenne. The space given to the driver is better, and organized better in the X5. Bluetooth integration is also excellent in the BMW. I like the panoramic moon roof in the X5 and some of the switches have a nicer feel in the X5 (sun roof controls, interior light buttons). The biggest annoyance is the complete lack of gauges in the X5, no water temp, no oil temp, no boost gauge, no trans temp. All of these things are very important if you are going to be towing trailers with your vehicle (which I will). I would even be satisfied if I could access this type of info through the iDrive screen so I can take action before an idiot light comes on telling me the engine it to hot.
What brand offers better performance: Porsche or Ferrari? I'm trying to figure out if a Porsche 911 GT2 could beat a Ferrari F430 or a 360 Modena in a straight line race. Can a Porsche 911 GT3 beat a Ferrari 612, 599 GTB, or FXX in a straight line race? The GT2, 911 Turbo, and GT3 all are faster in a drag race. GT2: 0-60 in 3.5 seconds. GT3: 0-60 in 3.9 seconds. 911 Turbo: 0-60 in 3.7 seconds. F430: 0-60 in 4.0 seconds. 360: 0-60 in 4.4 seconds. If it was the GT3 versus the 599, or FXX, the Ferrari's would win. If it was the GT3 against the 612, I would say the GT3 would win, but it would be very close. The GT2 is the fastest and most powerful 911 Porsche ever made.|||The New 911 GT2's would beat a 360 easily on a track, but would probably be pretty close in a straight line. The GT2 would have a better chance against the 612 than the GT3. It sounds decieving, but the GT3 can go 197mph while the GT2 can go 205 (which is comparable to the Carrera GT.) For the FXX, there is no way that any GT2 or GT3 could beat it. It goes 217mph. But I would never compare a Porsche to the FXX because they made a couple of these for a couple of investors. Now if you were comparing on a CIRCUT, then the GT2 would likely win against the Ferrari's (Exept the FXX). Porsches are about speed, but moreover they are about handling.|||if you like to flash, go with ferrari.