Cool "Hidden" features of the E53 X5

[m5james]

Originally Posted by 2006BMWx5

Ok so when I go to sport mode and I down shift is there a way without going back to drive and back to sport to get it out of manuel? My Benz you could hold to the right for a couple of secs and it would go back to sport. Not a big deal but I have tried holding it but it just stays at 5 but won't go back to sport?

I'd like to know if this is possible also. I have a hardwired radar detector mounted just to the left of my rearview mirror, and since I drive in Sport 90% of the time, I like using the gears to slow me down suddenly when the radar detector goes off....keeps the cops from eyeballing the first guy who hits the breaks when he shoots radar, therefore not giving it away that I know he's shooting at me. I've had countless friends get busted w/ "radar detector in use" tickets in VA because the 1st person to hit the brakes when the cop shot radar is the guy w/ a detector....dead giveaway.

[BMWLOVER]

I just use Kick down to get me into a lower gear while in sport mode.

[2006BMWx5]

Originally Posted by BMWLOVER

I just use Kick down to get me into a lower gear while in sport mode.

Right. Then you are in M mode. From there how do you get back to just S mode? I have to move the shifter to the right and then go back to the left to get back to S mode.

In the benz you could just hold the shifter a few sec and back to sport mode. This way you do not have to shift the gears unless you want to. I know if the Rpms go to high it will shift.

[Weasel]

I think he meant the kick down "click down" at the bottom of pedal travel, not using the shifter. I almost never use the manual shift, just sport.

When you push the pedal down all the way, push a hair harder and you will feel a switch click down, that is the downshift request button if you will.

[BMWLOVER]

Originally Posted by Weasel

I think he meant the kick down "click down" at the bottom of pedal travel, not using the shifter. I almost never use the manual shift, just sport.

That's what I meant.

[2006BMWx5]

Originally Posted by BMWLOVER

That's what I meant.

That is what I do as well. When I am coming to a stop I like to manually down shift, or if I feel like down shifting before a turn I might down shift a gear. So then from that point you either shift the gears manually or get it back to sport by moving the gear shifter to the right and back to sport. Just did not know if there was another way. Thanks.

[mark scheurer]

When the car is completely off, even without they keys in the ignition, you can get the time off the MID by pressing the clock symbol button and holding it down.

[bgsquad]

What would the force be? 2-3 Newtons? it can't break the shade... actually we can try it, let's put it in vent position, block the opening of the shade, and go 80mph for example...

Nice info tip about the catches, i did not know that. those are a must, cause you might stop on a light under the rain, and the water might start dripping inside...

sometimes BMW engineering is not that straight forward

another riddle for example, and maybe many don't know of, is why wouldn't the window open/close automatically if the door is open? I want to open my door and close the window as i get out of the car, who said i can't??? when it's hot and the window is opened, I either have to close the window while inside and suffocate for few seconds, or open the door and keep my finger on the switch for few seconds... not logical!

[anerbe]

haha, i wouldn't try it. neither should you!

The pressure difference from a moving car is sometimes great enough to lift off sunroof glasses off their tracks and fly off the car, or completely shatter the glass. The new vette had issues with it's roof ripping off from the pressure differences caused by higher speed driving. I'm not saying the X5 cover will get sucked through, but it is smart to leave some sort of venting to help equalize pressure within the cabin.

[Weasel]

I'll solve this one for ya!

The shade retracts that small bit to remind you the top is open, otherwise tons of people would have wet carpets.

I can also say the shade has no affect when closed with the glass vented, even on the highway. My mother drives a '98 528i and the plastic tab on the mechanism that pushes the shade back when vented is broken so the shade stays closed unless we open it manually. (works properly for regular opening so I am lazy with fixing that one ) There isn't even a wind noise. And the shade isn't just a thin flap of fabric, it has a decently stout backing that is stronger than you would think.