2007 X5 Will SUCK. (Don't get your hopes up)

[TS_4.8is]

Frankly, the way BMW has been dropping the ball, i'm not looking forward to the 2007 X5.

1) It's going to have iDrive (WEAK)
2) It's going to have column shift (WEAK)
3) It's going to be substantially bigger (I personally wouldn't want a vehicle bigger and heavier than the current X5)
4) It's HIGHLY unlikely they will release a "4.8is equivalent" super sporty model, BMW is a different company now and they won't because they think there isn't a big enough market for it.
5) The interior is going to suck and feel cheap ala Bangle-ized 7 Series, 5 Series, Etc, Etc Etc. I'm sure it will drive well, have a strong engine, etc., but i'm 99.9% sure it'll look like a wh

SO... E53 owners, enjoy your X5's, they are fantastic vehicles and the last of a dying breed of quality cars from BMW.

WHO'S WITH ME?

[fln8tive]

You are bumming me out. I've spent a lot of time in a late model 745 and it never once ocurred to me that I was in a cheap whip. iDrive can be figured out; push right, left, down..press, spin. Think of it as a $65,000 Blackberry that hauls ass. I do share your concern about them trying to stretch the body--that will wreck the look.

[Wagner]

judge it when it comes out.

[TS_4.8is]

Originally Posted by accella4.4

You are bumming me out. I've spent a lot of time in a late model 745 and it never once ocurred to me that I was in a cheap whip. iDrive can be figured out; push right, left, down..press, spin. Think of it as a $65,000 Blackberry that hauls ass. I do share your concern about them trying to stretch the body--that will wreck the look.

-you forgot Step One for iDrive = PULL OVER

didn't mean to insult anyone, this of course is a matter of opinion...

[asawadude]

1) How do you simplify a control that is unncessary to begin with?

2) If there are paddle shifters, who cares where the main shifter is located?

3) Don't need, don't want a 3 row vehicle. Good bye spare tire, hello run flat. I don't want bigger, longer, heavier, not if it's at the expense of nimbleness and handling. It would also mean I would have to throw more stuff out of the garage.

4) Who knows? . If there are 500 HP AMG variants of the MB ML and GL models, there will have to be some type of special X5 over and above the Sports Package. Maybe the M V-10? Who knows...

5) Yup. BMW interiors used to be driver-biased or driver-oriented, not so anymore. The Bangle interiors are little to bland IMHO. The E39/E53 interior was one of the best ever, but it's likely it will be discarded in its entirety.

I certainly would not buy the first year production run of the Gen 2 X5.

[SANguru]

2 things.. Idrive is not all that bad... even better, the VR is so much better than the last generation in the E53. EVERYTHING can be done or changed by VR. The jornalist who complain are all a bunch of whining pu55ies and are quite unintelligible. I have had no issues on both the loaner 750i and 530xi I got from the dealer.

There is a 4.8is equivalent. They already announced it..

[xx3]

I can conclude one of two things:

1. You've never used iDrive.

2. You've never used iDrive longer then 10 minutes...

To be honest, the BMW nav in the E53, is much more dangerous in my opinion. Your hand is extended in the air, your getting no feedback apart from clicks which forces you to look at the screen. At least with the iDrive controller you get force feedback a lot more useful then some 'clicks'.

I have a hard time believing that BMW will not make a sporty version of the new X5. After all it is the segment they created. If not, it a sporty will rear its head under the X6 moniker.

[fln8tive]

In defense of TS4.8...too often good things are screwed up. BMW should make damn sure they get it right for 2007. Have to agree with xx3 on the Etch-a-Sketch e53 nav---dangerous once you leave the driveway.

[TS_4.8is]

1. I've Used iDrive I had on a test car
2. I've Used iDrive I had on a test car for a week

To me, it's a joke. But again, THIS IS AN OPINION.

[DINANM3]

You can bet your ass that BMW will make a version of the X5 to compete with AMG. and it will be faster than the current 4.8is. Its a fact.