2013 vs 2014 X5

My Mercedes Lease is up in June. Should I go with the 2013 X5 which Im sure Ill get a better deal on or pay up for the 2014. Im new to BMW world and wondering how big of a difference it will be. Thank you for your help in advance.

I've seen spy shots and renderings of the 2014 and I prefer the look of the 2013.

There will likely be incentives on the 2013s when the 14s start being built.

Is the 2013 x5 still with hydraulic steering? Will this change for the MY 2014?

Yes 2013 X5 is still hydraulic steering. Yes, it will most likely change for MY2014 since it is part of an industry trend.

Originally Posted by henrycyao

Yes 2013 X5 is still hydraulic steering. Yes, it will most likely change for MY2014 since it is part of an industry trend.

An industry trend to save fuel, as the Feds are all about fuel economy these days.

To the OP, they are very different vehicles. You really need to wait and drive the '14 if you are on the fence.

- Mike

Originally Posted by Emission

An industry trend to save fuel, as the Feds are all about fuel economy these days.

Is this really due to US Federal regulations????

BMWs whole 'green mentality' seems to go WAY beyond federal regs... seems a global imperative.

Anyway, if they just put on that Turbonator, they'd have nothing to worry about....

Personally I would be hesitant to buy a 2014 because the first model year of any new model typically comes with more bugs/issues than normal.

My understanding around leasing is that the end of a model year typically doesnt tend to be the best time to lease a vehicle....

Originally Posted by yahtzee5

My understanding around leasing is that the end of a model year typically doesnt tend to be the best time to lease a vehicle....

My sense of this is that the manufacturer's perception of lower residual (lower perceived demand and thus value at lease end; more for the lessee to finance) may be in some tension with the need for incentives to deal with excess inventory (better lease terms).

Who knows how this will break with the X5.

Originally Posted by ard

Is this really due to US Federal regulations????

BMWs whole 'green mentality' seems to go WAY beyond federal regs... seems a global imperative.

Anyway, if they just put on that Turbonator, they'd have nothing to worry about....

I mean Feds in a very general sense. Regulations (and public opinion) require better fuel economy these days, so we are stuck with electric power steering (eventually, it will be full drive-by-wire). It is progress, like the elimination of the choke and manual window lifts...

- Mike

Yeah Im really loving the current model, and havent really seen too much on the 2014. I understand the problems that can occur with a first year car. I would love to jump into the car now but I have 4 months left and I think would be foolish to rush in. Decisions, Decisions... LOL...

Buy it and enjoy it and fall back on the warranty if needed.

Yes I personally dont want the headache of first MYs of any SINGLE BRAND since they dont have any real-world data in to prove all their components. However if you dont really care, just buy it and enjoy it, worst case scenario your stuck with a car that loves to be on the lift at your local dealership. Best case scenario your vehicle is trouble free (that does happen).

2013 vs 2014.

Personal decision. Wait till New York and you`ll be able to see the vehicle for 2014 and then make your decision.

Originally Posted by NoI4plz

Buy it and enjoy it and fall back on the warranty if needed.

Yes I personally dont want the headache of first MYs of any SINGLE BRAND since they dont have any real-world data in to prove all their components. However if you dont really care, just buy it and enjoy it, worst case scenario your stuck with a car that loves to be on the lift at your local dealership. Best case scenario your vehicle is trouble free (that does happen).

2013 vs 2014.

Personal decision. Wait till New York and you`ll be able to see the vehicle for 2014 and then make your decision.

Thats true... NY Auto Show is soon.. I think I will do that.. Thanks...

Originally Posted by Marshotel

Personally I would be hesitant to buy a 2014 because the first model year of any new model typically comes with more bugs/issues than normal.

+1

Would you rather have the last year of production with most of the bugs resolved or be a beta testers for a all new model?

Hydraulic Steering vs Electric Steering

Just option the vehicle right, and your golden. Yes you loose hydraulic steering feeling, but Im pretty sure we are bound to see BMW release something e- that will improve it by the F15s release.

Originally Posted by NoI4plz

Hydraulic Steering vs Electric Steering

Just option the vehicle right, and your golden. Yes you loose hydraulic steering feeling, but Im pretty sure we are bound to see BMW release something e- that will improve it by the F15s release.

Funny to realize that back in the 1980s, enthusiasts were complaining about hydraulic steering.

My Porsche has manual steering.

- Mike

Originally Posted by Emission

Funny to realize that back in the 1980s, enthusiasts were complaining about hydraulic steering.

My Porsche has manual steering.

- Mike

This is probably a Old Spice Commercial in the making, but

REAL MEN grow beards, chest hair, drive Manual steering cars, and use Old Spice.



Soo all you whiners, GROW SOME TESTICULAR FORTITUDE

Originally Posted by NoI4plz

This is probably a Old Spice Commercial in the making, but

REAL MEN grow beards, chest hair, drive Manual steering cars, and use Old Spice.



Soo all you whiners, GROW SOME TESTICULAR FORTITUDE

At automotive press trips, I sit around with my fellow writers (Motor Trend, Road & Track, Automobile, Car and Driver, Edmunds, etc...) drinking beer and we laugh about how drastically the industry has changed with regards to even basic combustion (gravity-fed carbs to computer-controlled direct injection) and how little the average consumer understands about what has happened beneath the hood. We really enjoy the complaints about electric steering as it means the enthusiasts — who we really write for — are actually grasping the changing technology (not saying they like it).

Manual -> Hydraulic -> Electric -> Drive-by-wire

Progress.

- Mike

Somehow the prospect of a "drive by wire" steering system fills me with apprehansion! Automotive teck has come light years from where it started. Gravity fed carbs (updrafts at that) to vacuum tanks then mechanical fuel pumps then electric fuel pumps now mega high pressure fuel pumps! My first "power steering" car was a '53 Ford Victoria -- I actually loved the fact I could steer with one hand while I had the other arm around my then current high school squeeze (remember "bench" seats). Amazing how one's perspective changes with the years.

What car implements drive by wire steering?


Give electric assist some time, and Im pretty sure it will mature as an enthusiast tech device.

Originally Posted by NoI4plz

What car implements drive by wire steering?


Give electric assist some time, and Im pretty sure it will mature as an enthusiast tech device.

The moon rover.

None on earth yet, as the DOT (or anyone else, for that matter) do not allow it. They all require a physical connection between the wheel and the rack.

- Mike

Personally I still prefer no power assist if the car is light enough so I wouldn't call it progress, it's more like solutions to problems that doesn't exist just as active suspension and run flats. Progress is when something is improved not when it's just different or more compromised. The same goes for FI, why is lag, low end torque and running out of breath quickly better than sharp throttle response and high rpms?

Originally Posted by Sean

Would you rather have the last year of production with most of the bugs resolved or be a beta testers for a all new model?

I'd rather have a new model I can keep for years compared to an old model that's already outdated. If there are bugs... That's what warranty is for.

Originally Posted by alphaod

I'd rather have a new model I can keep for years compared to an old model that's already outdated. If there are bugs... That's what warranty is for.

+1

Today's cars, with more advanced (and compact) electronics and self-diagnosing, are much more reliable than their predecessors. While this would have not been the case in the 1990s, today I would choose a first-year model over a last year model (designed eight years prior).

That said, the E70 has aged very well. I still highly recommend it.

- Mike

Originally Posted by Emission

+1

Today's cars, with more advanced (and compact) electronics and self-diagnosing, are much more reliable than their predecessors. While this would have not been the case in the 1990s, today I would choose a first-year model over a last year model (designed eight years prior).

That said, the E70 has aged very well. I still highly recommend it.

- Mike

Of course. I'm not saying the E70 is bad. It's just if I was given a choice, I wouldn't go for an older model.

It's like the new RR. I actually put a purchase on hold for a year just so I could get the updated model instead. And even though this is a first-year, it doesn't really have any issues I can find. If anything I think whoever gets next year's car is getting shafted (the whole V8 NA to a V6 SC deal).


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EDIT: I've reread the OP-if you're getting a significant discount (maybe $15k off) on a 2013 X5, it would be a good deal. Otherwise I'd get the new model.