Right guys and girls I have had the 735 V8 e65 for six months now and thought it was time i compared it to the X5 4.6 e53 which it replaced ....

the following are all my opinion not what it says on paper :-)

Performance ......

The Performance of the X5 was far more raw and existing and pulled away like a hot hatch been stolen from a car park even at speeds of 100mph if you put your foot down in the X5 it still took off and reached 130 + in the blink of an eye ....

Economy ...

Keep this short cos if you moan about how much petrol you use get a smart car lets just say the 7 series in a little bit better on juice ..

Comfort ..

The X5 was a very comfy ride bit hard on the suspension but the cream leather was soft and all in all a nice drive ..

The 7 series however is like driving your favourite arm chair with the comfort pack even the hunch back of nochrodamb could get the seats to his liking . When I bought it the drive home was 400 miles + without a stop and it felt like I popped down to tesco

7 series wins on this one hands down.

Value for money

Both the X5 and the 7 series were of the same year 2002 when new I think the X5 was a bit more money than the 7series as it was a carbon ltd eddition . A couple of members have seen both the cars in question and I'm sure will agree they were / are in fantastic condition. But the 7 series came with its original bill of sale £57,000 I paid £3,800 now that in my eyes is value for money for a second hand car that's done 84,000 miles with a full history ..

My verdict

Love the 7 series but miss showing the boy racers that at 44 years old they ain't gonna beat me away from the lights !!!!

great little write up mate.. thanks for sharing christian :)

Good stuff Chris

I don't have much room to talk. However I had just bought a 1994 740iL that had 204,000 mi on it's 4.0 V8. And my very good friend Ross has a late 90's 3 Series, a newer X5, a 6 Series and a GS. I have seen all these vehicles under full operation. And it's my firm belief that my 7 Series has more stock HP than any of my friends vehicles. Granted he has a straight 6 cyl in the 3 Series and has a stage 2 clutch with a upgraded rear axle, my car feels like it too has the same amount of force in the acceleration. The ride is very pleasing. To put it lightly, it rides like a cloud. I am very glad that I picked this one for my first BMW!