Hi all
I have just returned from an interstate trip for a few weeks on business where I was chauffered around by my colleague in a MB E500 and a Porsche Cayenne.
While away, the little lady and I test drove an X3 3.0D a 530D and a 545 (M Sport)
Having been through the problems with my gearbox etc and discovering that despite all the work I still have preignition/detonation under load, I was thinking 5 series.....The 545 was a lousy ride with the run flats and the 530D was just, nice, but still no storage space for items like a phone or some loose change/pen etc
I am now thinking away from BMW altogether. I was a passenger in the E500 and it hauls a$$!! It has so many features that BMW do not consider necessary.
For example, the nav screen and usage is so simple, and dialling a phone number is far easier with a well laid out interface. I agree with others in that BMW nav/phone menus require extended attention away from the road. The Porsche nav was great!
How is it that a Porsche can have individual (L+R) climate control to the rear plus vents in the door pillar when the best we get is a vent at the back of the centre console? and the MB too!
I would never have driven either of these cars to compare but the attention to detail shown means I will be seriously investigating both brands in the future.
Oh, and my vote on the new X5 is a definate
Chris Bangle may be a nice family man but he can't design for s#$%
All high tech cars have problems and reliability issues from time to time, and my older X5 is no problem at all. The direction BMW is heading though is not for me.
Single piece dash boards went out twenty years ago and the new X5 reminds me of the Lexus RX330/Toyota Rav4. Not really a luxury euro style.