While most of the X5’s we see just trawl the local shopping mall, our X5 has been put to good use exploring a number of weekend activities. These have ranged from family weekends away, to mountain biking trips, to towing ski boats to the nearest fishing hole.

The X5’s electrically operated trailer tow hitch (a R9 500 option) has been called on often for these activities. When not in use the tow bar is neatly concealed from sight behind the rear bumper. To access it, simply open the boot, pull open the side panel of the luggage compartment, press the small tow hitch button and hey presto, in a few seconds the bar sways into position. As most of the German SUVs optional tow bars are fitted with the new 13-pin European standard for caravans, we were however supplied with a seven pin converter which is better suited to the majority of local trailer light plugs.

On the open road the X5 is a great tow vehicle thanks to the combined efforts of xDrive’ variable torque split between front and rear axles, DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) and the trailer stability control system. Any trailer sway is alleviated and the stabilising effect of the trailer is improved due to the variable distribution of power across the back axle. The selective braking of individual wheels and a reduction in engine output are not required unless a predetermined sway threshold is reached.

Manoeuvring the X5 and a 16 foot long ski boat around tight confines also made us appreciate the convenience of the Park Distance Control system, as well as the reversing camera (a R8 100 option) which presents images in colour on the interior display. Interactive tracking lines show the driver the optimum steering wheel angle for parking, as well as the tightest turning circle. This is particularly helpful when hooking up to the trailer, as a zoom function can be activated to magnify the image around the tow bar. Special static lines in the image help assess the distance to another vehicle or object, while an interactive docking line geared to the angle of the steering wheel enables the driver to back up precisely to the trailer tow bar.

The only niggle we’ve had so far is that the air-conditioning is noisier than most at full tilt and the scarcity of low sulphur diesel restricts our destination options occasionally, but more often than not the X5’s range overcomes this.

PREVIOUS LONG TERM UPDATE HERE

THE DECEMBER BREAK sees many local families trading their urban confines for a small pondok in the great outdoors. Mine chose sweltering Cape Town instead, and to escape a small urban flat, the X5 was called upon time and time again for day trips around the Cape, accommodating five adults in its capacious frame in comfort. As the miles travelled indicate, we spent long days traversing wine farms and small country towns, including a jaunt to Cape Agulhas, our continent’s southernmost point. Off the beaten path, the ride quality is really impressive, even over serrated dirt roads – especially when you consider the sidewalls of the optional 20-inch tyres are minuscule. Despite bumps and undulations, none of the incumbents felt the ride was too harsh or intrusive. A good ride, however, often goes hand in hand with a dynamic compromise on-road, but in the X5’s case the balance is excellent, affecting neither aspect too adversely.

Our unit is also fitted with BMW’s sports suspension (R4 100 option) which makes for high levels of lateral tenacity and amazing agility under sharp directional changes, ranking among the best we’ve experienced in this class of SAV. For a vehicle weighing 2070kg, the X5’s mid-corner traction and steadfast nature belie its generous proportions. Having said that, while I was carving through mountain passes with abandon (and a grin from ear to ear), my rear seat passengers were struggling for support on the bench, sliding from door handle to door handle. One even commented that a single mountain pass in the X5 was better than any glute workout she did at the local gym.

What the travelling confirmed though, is that the X5 is an ideal family vehicle, particularly for longer trips. It offers space, practicality and nice-to-have comfort features including an automatic aircon with four-zone control (R6 600 option) which even allows each rear-seated passenger to dial in their own desired level of cooling – an essential comfort enhancer in the midst of a Cape heat wave

PREVIOUS X5 LONG TERM UPDATE HERE

THE X5 HAS only just arrived and I’m already undergoing a mix of emotions. First there’s a strange sense of guilt I feel as a bachelor driving the most capacious vehicle in our fleet. You see, every month my weary colleagues arrive from school runs and family weekends away in their respective steeds, commenting on the complaints or compliments they’ve received on the rear comfort, leg room and (lack of) entertainment experienced by their sprogs. I feel rather bad, not mentioning that the only thing accompanying me to work most days is my laptop, a gym bag and a dated copy of The Big Issue. My first indication of the X5’s rear leg room though, would be conducted by my own child, my racing bike. Yes, I know it’s kinda sad to refer to (and treat) a bicycle as if it were offspring, but after collecting it from its quarterly service I realised that if I wanted to keep it secure while I was a block away at work, the tow-hitch-mounted bicycle rack wouldn’t do. So I removed the front wheel and relegated it to the confines of the locked interior. It slid in effortlessly behind the front seats, thanks to the BMW’s 1524mm interior width between each B-pillar. Even when my six-foot frame is perched in the rear, the space behind the front seats is enough for adult feet and my knees have enough clearance to avoid overt claustrophobia on a long trip. I also noticed that visibility is almost as good in the rear as it is in front. Both offer that commanding seating position. Another X5 advantage is that the generous luggage compartment can be extended from 620 to 1 750 litres with the rear seats folded down. While ours is a five-seater, BMW also offers a third row of seats as an option (R17 700) on the X5 range, enabling up to seven passengers to travel legally – but bear in mind this reduces the luggage compartment volume to 200 litres.

The X5 also comes standard with side and curtain airbags, plus Isofix child seat mounts for the second-row seats. This is sure to offer peace of mind to any parent, not to mention a doting bicycle owner like myself.

PREVIOUS X5 LONG TERM UPDATE HERE