BMW 4x4 trip

[ecKARd]

Howzit gents

We're looking for a new camp car as we're planning a few trips where the E60 shouldn't go. However the 530d spoiled me so a Defender or old Pajero etc. probably won't fit the bill.

That got me thinking about the X5 or X3, especially in xDrive. Anyone on here that have taken their BMW on a decent 4x4 trip? Will the E53 or E83 make it? Is the E70 too electrical with air suspension etc? Does any of these have a low range with lockable diffs or only AWD?

Any other thoughts or suggestions?

 

[TurboLlew]

Everyone probably has a different idea of what a decent 4x4 trip is. Maybe try to be more specific about this. Why not look at a Landcruiser?

 

[yush1]

If you looking at serious off roading, BMW is definitely not the 1st choice. A Landcruiser, Land Rover or Jeep would be best.

 

[cRed001]

I'd go with a Disco 4 rather. Xdrive is fairly competent system but I still wouldn't feel comfortable taking an x5 or X3 on a serious off road adventure.

 

[MR_Y]

Most German SUVs are built for snow/slippery roads.
Not for bundu bashing.
I know that Merc's GLE/ML does have the option of a low range gearbox and off-road pack, but I don't think that is for real African trekking.

 

[Kish2604]

A camp car? so glamping in some form? an X5 and X3 is fine for gravel and that is about it... Any soft sand will require exceptional talent or luck, not that it cant be done but if your spoiled by a 530d then your options are narrowed. In a BMW mud is a non event and beware of any water crossings as there are plenty control units that will drown.

A better description of your take on off roading is needed as well.

 

[Schalk94]

The Xdrive SUVs do surprisingly well in sand,much better than most would think,but that's about where their 4wd capabilities end.

You would definitely do some serious damage to your car if you had to try some real level 4 or 5 tracks. I would rather look at something along the lines of a Prado or Pajero as a cheaper ,yet fairly luxurious "proper 4x4".

 

[VinceM]

I was watching YouTube video testing
Range Rover, Merc GLE and G-Wagon, BMW X5/X6, Toyota Landcruiser, Lexus, Jeep and Volvo.

It became very clear that BMW, Merc, Volvo and Lexus are high clearance vehicles for day to day driving in surburbs and gravel as off road. Lexus was the worst performing, interestingly....I thought it would do well as landcruiser.

Any Landrover offering will do well in real 4x4 experiences. The Range Rover went easy over the spots where the other vehicles were stuck. Jeep tried but it’s closer to the BMWs vs being closer to the Range Rover ito 4x4 performance. Land cruiser is a serious contender to the Range Rover


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[RoddieJ]

Howzit gents

We're looking for a new camp car as we're planning a few trips where the E60 shouldn't go. However the 530d spoiled me so a Defender or old Pajero etc. probably won't fit the bill.

That got me thinking about the X5 or X3, especially in xDrive. Anyone on here that have taken their BMW on a decent 4x4 trip? Will the E53 or E83 make it? Is the E70 too electrical with air suspension etc? Does any of these have a low range with lockable diffs or only AWD?

Any other thoughts or suggestions?

I’ve been through this exercise an E53 3.0d

My advice would be to review the 4x4 or off-road capabilities that you require. Then match that to a vehicle.

The X5’s are very capable on sand, gravel, climbing, hill descent, and relatively good ground clearance. Search for Bartho van Wyk (RIP) on YouTube, who was legend in an X5 on the dunes in Namibia.

Forget about water crossings, even at sill height - there are too many electronic sensors and gadgets that are positioned too low for water crossing (as mentioned in an earlier post).

I eventually settled for a Fortuner GD-6 4x4 and have now added a Merc GL. So far, the Merc has matched the Fortuner for places to go, but I will not take the Merc through water, even though the ground clearance is adjustable to higher than the Fortuner.

Edit: Land Cruiser VX or VXR are going to be your best match for capability with luxury

 

[///M Individual]

Agree with all. Although the xDrive is a capable 4wd system you will be limited with other factors that a proper 4x4 vehicle can offer.

Power and comfort wise it will be hard to match the 530d depending on your budget.

I would recommend a Toyota Prado 2003 onwards with either the 4.0 V6 petrol or 3.0KZTE diesel motors or 3.0D4D diesels post 2010.

 

[Budleigh]

If you want a middle ground between agricultural things and the X5s, what about a Touareg? The 2nd gen, not the originals. Good value, very comfortable, will do rugged off-road if you get one with Low range and proper tyres...

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[RR Booi]

I did an offroad course once and the instructor had a lot of praise for the off road ability of the VW touraeg. He mentioned that for him , it provided an excellent blend of lux and off road capability

 

[RoddieJ]

Yes true as are most 4x4's when empty but add 500kgs plus of camping stuff etc into it and its a very different story.

This....
This is probably the most neglected aspect when considering off-road travel. And this is exactly the reason for understanding requirements prior to selecting the vehicle.

Edit: That Defender looks like one stunning rig. It is also likely suited to extreme conditions, rather than just puddles and the off rock :thumb left:

 

[Marco-Swanepoel]

I have an X5 and plan on doing a few "4x4" trips with my definition of "4x4 Trips" is mostly gravel Road and dune driving defnitief not the extreme rock climbing and 2 meter water driving stuff.

The only thing I'm going to change on the X5 is getting the smallest rims and fitting proper 4x4 tyres to them

 

[RoddieJ]

I have an X5 and plan on doing a few "4x4" trips with my definition of "4x4 Trips" is mostly gravel Road and dune driving defnitief not the extreme rock climbing and 2 meter water driving stuff.

The only thing I'm going to change on the X5 is getting the smallest rims and fitting proper 4x4 tyres to them

This is definitely possible and will be fun if you avoid getting stuck.

 

[MR_Y]

I have an X5 and plan on doing a few "4x4" trips with my definition of "4x4 Trips" is mostly gravel Road and dune driving defnitief not the extreme rock climbing and 2 meter water driving stuff.

The only thing I'm going to change on the X5 is getting the smallest rims and fitting proper 4x4 tyres to them

Just make sure that you have access to 50ppm diesel. The further off the beaten path you go, the harder it may be get to get that fuel.

 

[Marco-Swanepoel]

Yea clean fuel is an problem, I'm looking at fitting an roof rack with some jerrycans but, need to watch the weight

 

[MR_Y]

Yea clean fuel is an problem, I'm looking at fitting an roof rack with some jerrycans but, need to watch the weight

Open to correction, but filling 500ppm is fine if you do frequent oil changes on these modern motors?

 

[Marco-Swanepoel]

I think the bigger problem is quality of the 500ppm sometime you get water of Paraffin mixed into the diesel which damages your injectors

 

[Kish2604]

I have an X5 and plan on doing a few "4x4" trips with my definition of "4x4 Trips" is mostly gravel Road and dune driving defnitief not the extreme rock climbing and 2 meter water driving stuff.

The only thing I'm going to change on the X5 is getting the smallest rims and fitting proper 4x4 tyres to them

At the very least put some sort of protection plate over the gearbox sump which if memory serves is plastic and exposed. Even the crest of a sand dune or a middle mannetjie will be enough to crack it if it gets impacted. Also figure out your recovery points as well if you need to get pulled out, the towing eye that it comes with may not be sufficient to take the impact of a snatch pull.