One Week Later.....

330i2X5 · #1 03-23-2007, 11:18 PM

One week later....

I thought I'd share with you all my thoughts and notes on my E70 in particular:
1. I am very happy I chose the Space grey....yes it has been a very common choice for many people but the way the colours change according to the time of day and the lighting is just lovey. It also doesnt look dirty as often as a black vehicle but mind you, black has its own beauty!.

2. I also love the interior and have been getting all kinds of flattering remarks as to the Camel. Its especially great at night when the warm glow of the orange LED's and the interior lamps are casting their effect on the camel leather...just gorgeous.

3. The premium package adds the lighting package to the vehicle...so LED lights under the exterior door handles that emit a white glow at night;dim but orange LEDS in the inside of interior door handles and also in the door compartments towards the bottom....I wish they could have been a little brighter like the Merc s550.

4. Comfort seats are out of this world !..as someone on the forum said before...every part of the body is supported and in contact with with the seat from knee to head...wonderful option.
However I have noticed that when getting in and out of the drivers seat, there is a lot of friction and pressure on the outer edge of the seat ( door side ) and that tends to flatten the natural contour and also darkening of any light leather will occur here..will have to use some cleaner to remove at some point.

5. General aesthetic of interior cannot be beat in my opinion in any other comparable SUV .

6. I-Drive can be slow at times, especially from cold start...understandable but still needs improving. Later I will discuss the new CIP software upgrade that apparently helps.
Hate the fact that Canada doesnt get Traffic Info...I hope we get an update for this. I am travelling to USA next week and wonder if the traffic info service automatically appears there?? ( doubtful but no harm in being hopeful !)
Hate Back Up camera resolution, color reproduction and clarity...this I am sure will change with future prod as BMW gets feedback...but I am surprised that when a vehicle has many years of research and development, HOW on earth can they miss such little things and not notice the weakness of such features??? Its almost as if they settled for second best as they have done enough R & D??
And I think eventually they will combine PDC diagram with camera...it makes much more sense....they just need feedback...and then a software update will take care of it for all of us
Not too keen on the redesigned climate control feature for X5 ...simplicity would have been like E90 and other BMW where 3 buttons dedicated to upper, middle and lower areas of ventilation...choose your combo and turn fan on...now there are too many functions!..Keep it simple BMW.

7.I have gotten used to the gear shifter - down for drive, up for reverse...just takes a little time.

8. Heres the meaty part: I have been trying to vary the engine tachometer during break in as best as possible...now though this may mean heavier fuel consumption, I think the money is better spent now to ensure best possible performance and fuel economy.
So "D" mode, as smooth and comfortable as it is, is just too "senior citizen" for me during break in...so I have been in Sports Mode as well as Manual for as much as I can and ensuring I dont go over 4500rpm as per BMW....( I make sure however that engine is warmed up before I start revving ).
I have to say the LAUNCH from Standstill in "DS" mode is incredible and pins your head back, unlike "D" mode which is adequate. I cant wait to see how much better the acceleration becomes in a few thousand km !
Brakes are superb, but a lot of brake dust...will have to use something to prevent rims from getting so dirty...maybe some kind of wax???

9. Sports package is a must in my opinion as the handling on off ramps for instance can be amazing...I have taken many at more than 100km/h with NO problem....and also very little body roll....suspension is also smooth....who needs ADAPTIVE DRIVE...especially at $4700 here in CANADA.

I also take my X5 in on Monday for a few niggling issues:

1. At at high speed I have noticed wind noise from the driver side window/door.In fact the closing and opening of this door is very different in feel compared to the other 3 doors.

2. Brakes are squealing, when coming to a complete standstill ( gently ) despite them being warmed up.

3. From a cold start I have noticed that :
I drive off in 1st gear in normal "D" mode, and the vehicle then changes to 2nd gear....as soon as it has shifted, the rev counter jumps to higher around 2500 rpm as I continue to drive almost as if it is slipping a gear and then suddenly drops down to the revs that 2nd gear would start with??...and then drives normal.This is certainly not normal !

4. Navigation is split into two screens. Left (big) and right (small). The problem arises when you must select a destination that say you want to go to and start guidance to it. When you have to make turns etc , normally the arrow display/directions appear on the right screen. Now if I shift to the right to activate the small screen, push down and select the map view from the display options,I notice that I don't get the arrow display/directions anymore while the nav is giving you guidance with the MAP on the main screen and map on small screen for my destination.
As a result I will be getting the NEW software update for my IDRIVE on Monday:

http://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/bulletins/...p/B846106g.htm

This apparently also changes the whole look of I Drive and speeds it up considerably, so I look forward to it....See pic attached.
Other than these issues, I am lost for words when I drive this beast who we call "Big Bertha" ( Im a golfer )....Happy driving everyone !

canamx5 · #2 03-23-2007, 11:32 PM

Nice write up!

HUD would solve #4.

X5FX · #3 03-23-2007, 11:32 PM

Great summary, I agree with most of your points. The interior design is simply the finest looking of any SUV on the market. Comfort seats kick ass...I cant wait to get in my X every morning.

RE your issues;
1. I also noticed that 2 of my doors are poorly aligned and plan on bringing mine in for this too. The drivers side rear door is so poorly aligned it is nearly 1/2" off. The pass front door opens w/ a strange feel. I dont notice the wind noise tough.
3. Unfortunatley I didnt discover DS until I reached 1600 miles, this car is so fun to drive!
4. I plan on getting this update soon as well, looking forward to your review. I dont really see the issue though as why would you ever display the map on both screens?? I set mine w/ Map on left screen and Arrow on Right and there is no issue. And yes, The HUD diplays the arrow as well. FYI- I hear others reporting no speed increase...anxious to hear your results

330i2X5 · #4 03-23-2007, 11:51 PM

The "pop up arrow" prob gets me the update...otherwise BMW will not perform it without reason.
I just hope that the new software version doesnt spoil anything else in the car or even timing of gear changes etc....everythign else I love !

Have fun in "DS" !

X5FX · #5 03-23-2007, 11:56 PM

Shes not a virgin anymore, I ran it thru all the gears in M till it redlined....WOW!!! This baby is a blast.
Yes, I plan on using the arrow to get the update too.

BG624 · #6 03-24-2007, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 330i2X5

The "pop up arrow" prob gets me the update...otherwise BMW will not perform it without reason.
I just hope that the new software version doesnt spoil anything else in the car or even timing of gear changes etc....everythign else I love !

Have fun in "DS" !

Why won't BMW update software unless you complain, I'm sure the software is being updated on a regular basis and it costs basically nothing to update a vehicle. Seems like it would be good customer service to offer customers the latest software.
I would love to hear what the changes are for the current new version.

trueX5er · #7 03-23-2007, 11:59 PM

Good write up, 330i2x5!!!
Take some pics of the new Idrive when you can!
I don't even use the backup cam...I have it on the PDC diagram always
Hopefully the nav update puts the option to change the sound level of the beeps and warnings throughout the cabin, like on the demo's.
Do you notice that when the lights are on auto, and on, that when you shift into reverse that the fog lights come on? Does yours do that?
Oh and also when I use navi for places I'm familiar with I have both displays showing the map. When it's somewhere completely foreign, I have the big screen on arrow. No pblms.

thisX5life · #8 03-24-2007, 12:08 AM

Thanks for the thorough (and thoughtful) write-up. Every time I read about an owner enjoying their brand new E70, I check the calendar to see how much longer I have to wait. Posts like yours help me to enjoy that new-BMW experience vicariously, and I'm making a list of problems others have run into so I can check for them myself when The Day arrives.

How about some photos?

PatX · #9 03-24-2007, 06:33 AM

trueX5er - you mentioned "demo"....is there an online iDrive Demo? I've been looking for one but haven't found one yet.

330i2X5 · #10 03-24-2007, 07:28 AM

As soon as I get the new I Drive update I will post some photos.
I havent noticed the fogs coming on in reverse , and also dont understand why they would enable that feature??
I have noticed that the right fog comes on automatically whilst doing a sharp right turn and then slowly disappears which I remember was mentioned here before.

Cant wait to lose the E70 "virginity" !!