I took an X5, then a X3 out onto the off-road track at Rockingham.  The photos above are of what's called 'The X-Drop'.  The angle is 47°, though I can assure you from the cockpit it looks vertical!

Both SUVs have 'hill descent mode' and with the appropriate button selected you take your feet off all the pedals and the electronic wizardry takes over and lowers you down the slope at 5mph. 

One of the drops is called 'The Swimming Pool' as there's a pond of water at the bottom.  Unfortunately, as we started to descend, my right foot must have slightly brushed the accelerator.  This disengaged hill descent and two tons of X5 entered the mud at 'a considerable speed'.  Vast amounts of steam were generated, some coming from the ears of my accompanying BMW 'minder'.

I was told the X5 is better for true off-road use as there's more clearance.  I slightly prefer the looks of the X5.  I'm not keen on the black plastic on the lower exterior of the X3, but this wouldn't be so noticeable on a darker colour.  Internally they are similar and the X3 is an awful lot cheaper but not available yet with diesel engines.

Tim

Nigel wrote: Sorry Tim, but even with the bmw badges it doesnt have the Land Rover Discovery appeal.

The New Discovery looks like one of thoes boxes easter eggs come in, its all square & looks like 20 yr old Isuzu

I like the optional rain gutter fitting CB antenna in the first picture !!!

Andy   West Midlands

Peter H wrote: Nigel wrote: Sorry Tim, but even with the bmw badges it doesnt have the Land Rover Discovery appeal.   The New Discovery looks like one of thoes boxes easter eggs come in, its all square & looks like 20 yr old Isuzu

And !!!....I like it lol

Badger 540 wrote: I like the optional rain gutter fitting CB antenna in the first picture !!! Andy   West Midlands

Could cause problems with Bridges !

Nigel wrote: Peter H wrote: Nigel wrote: Sorry Tim, but even with the bmw badges it doesnt have the Land Rover Discovery appeal.   The New Discovery looks like one of thoes boxes easter eggs come in, its all square & looks like 20 yr old Isuzu And !!!....I like it lol

WHAT !!!!!!! .................................. Well it will be made in States soon

 ITs Raining------- ITs chucking it down------ Mud Slurries OOOzing in all directions , Shoe,s caked in Mud , pedals slippy, looking down a 45*+ degree Hill --- so y am  I , sitting in an X5, ontop of the Drop down to the Swimming Pool at Rockingham, with the Hill Decent button pressed in. ??

Cos BMW say its "The BIZ" , ok-- foot off brake---and off we decend !!!!, slowly and safely , we stop on level swimming pool slime muddy ground.    Impressed ???????????,     Yep!!!!!!! N0 1 Son drives a Discovery to tow a caravan on dry and Wet surfaces, his choice was the x3--he,s now Saving for safety--will wait and see.

Is the 3-hour outing to Rockingham worth it?

Land Rover do an all day 'experience' event at the Solihull factory for £115 which was well worth it, but the BMW course seems to be only 30 mins behind the wheel.

I've driven Landie's for years but SWMBO has not had any experience of driving 4x4's and I'd like her to do a similar course to the LandRover one, but in an X5 so she has some idea of what it will or won't do when it finally arrives next Spring........Summer.......errm?  14 months if you order now!!

Rick