New X5 goes on sale November 25th.

[X5Jay]

Originally Posted by carlos3679

I sat in a 7 Series at my friends dealer and mastered Idrive in 30 minutes w/out a manual, I don't know what the big fuss is about...all of those people who bad mouth I-Drive, how many of you have actually used it?

I agree. I've driven a 7 with iDrive and I actually liked it!

[motordavid]

Originally Posted by carlos3679

I sat in a 7 Series at my friends dealer and mastered Idrive in 30 minutes w/out a manual, I don't know what the big fuss is about...all of those people who bad mouth I-Drive, how many of you have actually used it?

I've fiddled with it, and it is "doable" even by this Neanderthal...

I'm not trying to sound critical from the back row, and none of us have seen the real newX5; my reaction though, is I don't need a 7" longer X or, a third row. I suspect there are many X5 owners that don't need either, also.

As for IdiotDrive, I'm not sure what that "does" for someone over std controls, in a driving situation? It was fun to play with the sub-menus, while parked, but not something rec'd while gabbing on the cell, watching NavTV, swatting at the kids in the new third row, munching on a BigMac, etc., doing 75 down the turnpike of life. Sort of a nuclear powered, gizmo laden chain saw, when the orig. task was to cut down the tree.

My2Cts, but I'm looking forward to seeing it; doubtful if I'll ever get one.
BR,md

[X5Jay]

Good points mD!

[radioX5]

WILL COME IN 2 ENGINE SIZES 3.0 AND 4.8.THE 4.8 WILL HAVE i-DRIVE AND 3RD ROW SEATING
WILL PROBABLY BE PART OF THE PREMIUM PACKAGE.

does this mean if you want the 4.8, you have to get the 3rd row?

[Wagner]

No, the "premium package" would be a package added to the car, engine selection is entirely different. It would have to be or BMW would price the cars right out of the market. It would be like offering the X5 (currently) with either a 3.0 standard or a 4.8 luxury model...it wouldn't work. I'm betting it will be a package sort of like a "sport package".

[X5 Sport]

Well if those sizes are correct, I am glad I have the older shape X5 as the new car will be far to big for busy London streets, and parking it will be even more of a hassle.

[Bavarian]

iDrive =
3rd Row Seating is also useless - no way to get in there without folding the 2nd row down, and that's supposing you're just a 100lb kid of 10 or under.

Better use it for cargo instead.

[Wagner]

might work if they made the 2 rear seats, just aft of the driver sport seats like the fronts and then a bench back

[JCL]

Originally Posted by motordavid

I'm not trying to sound critical from the back row, and none of us have seen the real newX5; my reaction though, is I don't need a 7" longer X or, a third row. I suspect there are many X5 owners that don't need either, also.........

.....I'm looking forward to seeing it; doubtful if I'll ever get one.
BR,md

Agree with you David. I will never get a new X5, as the current one was already too heavy for me. I will be interested to see the new E70, though.

Seems to me that many of us came to the X5 camp when there were fewer BMW options available to us. They have now given us a wealth of choices:

• New larger 3 series touring (with X-drive) for the most driver involvement of any of these
• X3 for a mini-ute, same luggage capacity as X5
• 530xiT for a larger sporty touring, same luggage capacity as X5
• E70 for those that want a 3rd row seat (I read mommy-mobile above, but I don't know that that is fair)

We may see a 2wd 550 Touring (no X, and with SMG) or even a 535 Touring. There are lots of sightings of the new M5 Touring (but no confirmed availability).

So many choices, so little time.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by WagnerX5

might work if they made the 2 rear seats, just aft of the driver sport seats like the fronts and then a bench back

Yes, but then the three-wide bench is at the narrower part of the vehicle. Given the angle of the rear glass, why wouldn't the third row be rear-facing, like station wagons used to be (I am dating myself here....). That way the access is through the rear liftgate, no reason to troop through the nice leather seating area. It is likely that it is only suitable for small to medium sized kids in any case.