BMW X5 E53 2000-2006 $15,800 - $45,000 Rating: 3.25 / 5

I've got the 4.4i V8 and it's a grunty behemoth to drive. Loads of fun, but certainly not what you'd call agile. It's a master of the road - smaller cars seem to just get out of your way which is handy.

Downsides: it's a thirsty beast, with pretty awful mileage, but who's counting? Actually, I am. I get about 16 litres / 100km according to the onboard computer. Tyres seem to get chewed up quicker than standard car, and they are expensive.

Upsides: Fun to drive if you are into high seat position. Good acceleration (0-100km/h in 7.1). Adequate storage, though surprisingly small for a car this size. It leans more towards being a passenger oriented vehicle, not a cargo carrier. In fact, all occupants get a lot of room. Great for long distance driving, where the fuel consumption drops to about 11 litres/100km. Surprisingly quiet cabin at speed.

Wouldn't recommend for anyone on any kind of budget. If you are dead-set on getting one, go for the 3.0 diesel if it's available in your country. Much better mileage (~11 litres / 100km) and hardly noticeable difference in acceleration (7.6 seconds). Around 110km/h it runs out of puff, but how often are you going that fast? I think you get better towing capability as well.

$10,000 cheaper than the V8 as well.

The only downside would be the down-turned exhaust pipes, instead of the mean looking quads and no real burble sound.

Also, as with many vehicles, go for a late model year. 2005/2006 is best, with the 2006 getting mostly minor updates - the biggest being it can play mp3 off a CD.

My X5 is a 4.4 V8, the engine is very smooth, and sounds great.

It drives very well, smooth for a 4X4 but still has some body roll.

Gravity is always going to win with these pumped up roadsters, but the BM does a pretty good job of defying gravity.

One criticism is the interior has warn badly for a 120K car, the Black leather shows everything from kids sunscreen to light jeans scratches, next time I will get the lighter trim, it sounds daft but I think it will last longer than the black trim as most of the "stuff' you get on car seats like sunscreen is light colored.

Anyway a good car, if not a bit expensive, and rubbish off road, but who uses one off road... I did once the car park barrier wouldn't go up and I had to drive over the curb..... Ha that's as close as I get being an Urban Cowboy.