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Showcase: BMW X5 Sport SUV
Topic Started: Dec 23 2013, 05:48 PM (676 Views)
mbx64
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Matchbox Collector
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It has been too long since I have composed a Showcase, but I am pretty sure it is just December that does that to me. Last year I was riddled with the same problem; I could not get any of my reviews out in a time-relative pattern of some sort. It seems as if tradition will be tradition, but that is a good thing, because those of you with an exemplary memory will recall that last December I did a full week of Showcases. That is right, 7 consecutive days of Matchboxes, and I intend to do the same, starting today. Also, on the last day of the year, there will be a post dedicated to the best Matchboxes of 2013, and it is a post I am excited to put together.

Alas, I must get to the model that should be in-topic, MB539 BMW X5. Most of you should know that I am a fan of BMW. Not necessarily a huge one, but I do love to see when Matchbox attempts to shrink one down every now-and-then, like with the 1 Series M Coupe. That one was a pure treat, and should remain so for many years to come if any of the folks at Matchbox have any sense (fortunately, they do).

This all means I am also a fan of Matchbox's BMW model archive, which includes the aforementioned BMW X5 Sport SUV. The X5 has seen very little use lately, although in 2011 it did star in the Lesney Edition Line, albeit with a light-bar attached to the roof. I would have thought a new version of the X5 would make a presence in the 2013 mainline, because it received a new MAN# in 2012, but no such thing has occurred yet. Maybe 2014? Let us hope.
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I acquired the beautiful X5 pictured above from a great friend of mine several days ago, and it is a gift I will not soon forget. I was caught off guard by the old 2003 Matchbox packaging, until I saw the model that was tucked underneath the blister. I have wanted this model for quite sometime now, so long, in fact, that I forgot I wanted it at all. However, my friend promptly reminded me that I wanted it, really, really bad by handing me one that day.
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The casting of the BMW X5 Sport SUV is extraordinary; literally. This plain ocean blue version, minus one simply Matchbox logo, proves how perfect this casting is. It does not even need any tampoes to emphasis its details. Everything from the signature nostril grille to the electrical defrosters on the back window are executed with a knowledge of which only a Matchbox designer can harness. In short, this is a model that adamantly proves less is more.
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Please enjoy these photos of the BMW X5 50th Anniversary edition:
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As we all know, Matchbox has completely ditched the 'less-is-more' approach. It was already in very seldom use, but now it seems to be completely extinct. 2011 did bring us some models that proved this theory worked well, because the models all appeared very classy in a stark body.

MB797 Baja Bullet came along the 2011 mainline in a bright, cinnamon colored body that made it look both sporty and fun, yet extremely reserved.
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Another truck that rolled around in a clean outfit was MB786 1957 GMC Pickup, in a very classy gloss black body.
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I am fortunate enough to own another version of the BMW X5; the 2011 Lesney Edition model. This model shows a contradicting theory to the 'less-is-more' mindset, and that theory is 'more-is-more, duh!!'. And you know what? It works just as well.
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SUV's are ultimately left untouched by diecast toy companies, as they tend to focus more towards the exotic and sexy supercars. As much as I crave a little Italian spice, I do enjoy a ho-hum, average family SUV that is seen everyday on the highway. In fact, I might go as far as to say I like them better than the supercars, but only in the diecast world. I am not crazy yet. It just seems that supercars are extremely overdone, and that these everyday SUVS are extremely underdone. So, I made sure to group together some of Matchbox's best SUV's from the past decade to show some homage to the workaholics out there.

I am waiting feverishly for the Land Rover LR4 and the Range Rover Evoque to join this group of people carriers.
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I am keeping the X5 on my Christmas wish-list in hopes that once again returns to the Matchbox nameplate.

~Nicolas


(A little over a year ago I posted a review on the 2011 Lesney BMW X5 Police. Click here to see it. Check it out to see how vast of an improvement I have made in my photographs and my writing. Oh, and it is okay to chuckle!)



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Stampede
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Team Canada
Awesome review! A little light treatment would help tremendously! Still a great model though!
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craftymore
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Support your local demo derby.

Agree with Terence on the tampo hits. Had the ones on the Lesney model been applied to the blue $1 version it would have been an excellent model. It's still a nice casting and a bit of free hand paint marker applications would solve that.
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JustDavid
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SUV
Tampos make a good casting even better. Having said that, I still really like his casting and am glad it was made.
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clem24
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Station Wagon
Wow that police one is sweet!!.... Minus the blue rimmed wheels.
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daniel60
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Personal Luxury Car
I always enjoy your pictures. Love to own the BMW Police SUV.
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Bill50
Fullsize
Far to expensive to buy as a toy considering the Realtoy version is cheaper and of higher quality. :bangles:
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mbx64
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Matchbox Collector
Thanks everyone for the kind comments. :)

My average responses have concluded that most of you still would have liked to see some tampoes on the front and back of the model. While it might have looked better that way, it is still cool to have an almost tampoless car. It is like having a pre-pro version!
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JustMatt
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Passenger
@Nicolas: Unfortunately, I have to disagree with you on one thing you said: The fact that these SUVs are "average". These are all HIGH-END SUVs that in REAL-LIFE can ONLY be afforded by WEALTHIER PEOPLE as opposed to SUVs like the Chevy Tahoe or the Ford Expedition. Not trying to sound negative or demean the Matchbox BMW X5 in any way, just trying to state a fact about these Matchbox SUV models' real-life counterparts, that's all :)
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mbx64
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Matchbox Collector
JustMatt
Dec 30 2013, 12:17 PM
@Nicolas: Unfortunately, I have to disagree with you on one thing you said: The fact that these SUVs are "average". These are all HIGH-END SUVs that in REAL-LIFE can ONLY be afforded by WEALTHIER PEOPLE as opposed to SUVs like the Chevy Tahoe or the Ford Expedition. Not trying to sound negative or demean the Matchbox BMW X5 in any way, just trying to state a fact about these Matchbox SUV models' real-life counterparts, that's all :)
You do make a good point. These are more luxurious SUV's then say, an Explorer or Tahoe, but I just said 'average' because around here they are very common. I see more Porsche Cayenne's in a day around here than Ford Explorers, for example. Luxury SUV's are so common to this area that I refer to them as 'average' SUV's.

And, these SUV's are much more 'average' in light of the exotic supercars I was comparing them to. I do appreciate your knowledge, though!
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Stampede
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Team Canada
I see BMWs, Land Rovers, Benzes very often where I live. More than the Tahoes, in fact.
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mbx64
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Matchbox Collector
Stampede
Dec 30 2013, 04:07 PM
I see BMWs, Land Rovers, Benzes very often where I live. More than the Tahoes, in fact.
Thanks for the support! I knew I could not be the only one who sees a crap-load of BMW X3's and Mercedes-Benz G Classes everyday. And I do not even live in a substantially wealthy town, either.
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