Yesterday my me and my son were asked if we would be "chase car" to a rally car on the Plains rally in Wales, without any thought actually what this entailed I said yes, we arrived in Delamere at 7 am to meet Chris and collect the chase car as he was driving the MK 1 Escort that was entered in the rally.

 

 I was rather surprised when he handed me the keys to his BMW X5 M50, a 6 cylinder triple turbo, 375bhp and 650nm of torque    all this power sent through the fantastic 8 speed ZF auto box was an absolute pleasure to drive. 

 The job we had to do was follow the Escort to each stage and then using tulip maps we had to find an area near the end of each stage where we parked up and waited for the Escort to appear at the end of each stage, we would then refuel him. torque wheel nuts or change wheels and clean windows unless anything was broken which we would have to bodge to get to the lunchtime service area. As it happened our day was without drama and just routine servicing was required.

 

 This meant we had a 120 mile drive around mid Wales, starting in Welshpool and heading over towards Machynlleth and Aberangel, Dolgellau and so on until we got back to Welshpool, we had a set route and times we had to be at each place.

 This meant we could get to know the BMW, I quickly learned that a few cars in front on a good straight could easily be dispatched with quick stab of the throttle, power is delivered with a definitive shove in your back and for a diesel it sounds good too. 0-62 is a mere 5.4 seconds!

 Sport mode, this made things a lot more solid, suspension was stiffened, steering weighted and throttle response a little more ferocious, I have to say this is one incredible vehicle, is it worth 5 times more than my Fabia 2?  I don't think so but if you have approx £70K and you are looking for an SUV with serious performance, consider the X5 M50 as I am still grinning after my day in Wales.

 

Here it is;

 

 

 

 

And we were chase car for this Escort. Pictured here at lunchtime service having a starter motor changed.

 

 

Full of creature comforts  :wonder:

 

 

Excuse the Arse!

But look at it though. It's vile.

 

They do the same engine in the 5 series in RHD places - I imagine it's epic.

But look at it though. It's vile.

They do the same engine in the 5 series in RHD places - I imagine it's epic.

I've got a feeling it will be like the E60 which at first wasn't liked as very bold but has grown on people!

Not the best looking car but when you are in it you don't have to look at it, when you hit the loud pedal you can forgive it for how it looks.

 

 I have been a passenger in a 640d GT, it is a twin turbo with similar performance figures as the X5 triple turbo as it is lighter.( better looking too)

I've got a feeling it will be like the E60 which at first wasn't liked as very bold but has grown on people!

 

Feasibly. It just looks out of proportion to me though with a massive back, tiny lights and number plate and way to much metal. The E60 is lovely in the right colour/body kits, but bland as ditch water in the wrong spec.

 

The 640GT appeals. On the 'dream car' list for an everyday companion. 

I'm guessing that the only reason BMW don't offer X-drive on the 5 series is that it would hit X5 sales pretty hard. Got to say that the X5 (including the latest update) do look very dated.

No doubting the competence of it's engine and chassis though.

Sounds like a pretty cool day! Should of asked for a go in his escort after he was finished

Sounds like a pretty cool day! Should of asked for a go in his escort after he was finished

I have been in the Escort a few times, let's just say it is blinkin quick but rather agricultural and the steering is soo heavy, the dog box takes a bit of getting used to also