Reasons for the way I configured my new X5

[TheX5]

First off, as a new member, I would like to say hi to everyone and congratulate you on an awesome forum. I really look forward to reading and participating

I just ordered my new X5 and wanted to explaing I why I made the choices I made. It would be really interesting to hear how others made their decisions and feel about them

• 2007 vs 2008 - Got the 2007 vs. the 2008 because I am leasing and the 2007 residuals are great so I locked into that, as well I believe the 08s will not have any significant new features and will be more expensive ($ -> Euro weakness). If the 08s turn out to be significantly better, I can always go for one of those (with my dealers blessing), but I thought I would get grandfathered into the 07 rates.
  
• 3.0si vs 4.8i - Drove both vehicles. The 4.8 has better torque for sure; however, I found the 3.0 to be more than sufficient for merging, driving up grades, etc. Given the way I drive my trucks, I really couldn't justify the additional $ or the MPG difference for the V8 i.e. I am just a mellow driver.
  
• Space Grey/Black/Bamboo - I know.. Not another grey car! But to be honest the other colors just didn't do it for me (and silver does show the lines so well). I chose the black interior because in my experience the beige shows dirt easily. I went with the bamboo over the other woods because I think it looks more contemporary. I wish they offered a real aluminium facia in the premium package ala the M5 (the graphite is painted on and IMHO just doesnt look right in a luxury vehicle) since I think it would have brightened the interior and added a really nice contemporary touch.
  
• Options I purchased
  • Sports package - Had to have the Adaptive drive esp after I drove vehicles with and without. The 19 inch rims are a nice bonus (except for the darned run flats), and since I am not a fan of chrome, the shadowline exterior only added to the reasons for getting this package
    
  • Cold weather package - We go skiing very often in the winter and the headlight washers and heated seats are a must. I also have become really fond of the heated steering in my 6 series so that is an added bonus
    
  • Tech package - Gotta have nav! How did we ever live without it? On the other hand, I could care less about the rear camera (esp given the problems I have read folks are having with it. PDC is really nice to have in a truck, so I am happy to get that.
    
  • Premium Sound package - I generally get the best audio I can from the manufacturer because (a) I lease and modding the car is generally frowned upon (b) I am really not into modding vehicles anyway
    
  • Premium package - I think this package is really what pushes the X5 into the luxury class from an interior perspective. Leather, Moonroof, wood trim (Why couldn't they offer an aluminium trim like the M5 to replace the painted graphite trim!?!?) etc etc. Expensive package, but a "must have"
    
  • Rear Climate package - Ok the real reason I got this is because I like the rear privacy glass and am not fond of 3rd party tinting. When we go on road trips to ski, we often take friends so the 4 zone climate control is a nice plus. I really could have gone either way on this one.
    
  • Comfort seats - Once you sit in these babies, there is no going back
    
  • Comfort access - Had this on my an FX45 a few years back, and really loved it. I think that it is even more valuable in the X5 since it seems like a pain to start the car with out it i.e. push the key in a slot, press a button... I am really sounding lazy!
    
  • Sirius Radio - I had XM in a previous vehicle and really like it alot. It is available when most other stations are not (e.g. in the boonies/ mountains) and it allows you to listen to fresh tunes/content when you are tired of your iPod.
    
  • iPod interface - for my extra ipod - just keep it in the glove box (except to update it). I often like listening to podcasts and digital books
• Options I passed on
  • Active Ventilation package - This package sounds really nice; however it forces you to omit the Premium package which has the auto dimming interior and exterior mirrors which I love on my current vehicle and feel are a must have especially since I wear contacts and glare is a real problem at night. Also I have never like the cooling effect of ventilated seats. It almost feels as if your back is getting wet (maybe the BMW rendition doesn't feel this way).
    
  • Active Steering - Have it on my 6 series, wish I didn't.
    
  • Running boards - Certainly look good (though I am not a big fan of the polka dot pattern), but are not functional and seem to stain. My wife also complained they got in the way when she was climbing out of the car
    
  • HD Radio - Useless as far as I am concerned - at least in my part of the country. I also understand it kills the RTT option (is this true?)
    
  • Napa leather - It is certainly beautiful; however, it I think the more rugged Nevada leather looks better in an SUV... err I mean SAV
    
  • Heated rear seats - I already got them climate control back there, so that should be enough. Plus I don't them too be too comfortable... Kind of like relatives coming to stay: You don't want them to stay too long
    
  • Rear seat entertainment - See comment above Really expensive for something which in my case will rarely if ever be used. Can totally understand folks with kids desperately wanting this option!
    
  • 3rd Row rear seats - We have no kids and never need to haul that many people around. Plus these seem to be practically useless and just add weight
    
  • Heads up display - Nice gadget - I can see how it could come in handly. However, I really didn't feel the cost justified the functionality. Also have heard that it gets washed out in bright sunlight?
    
  • Rear manual sunshades - I got the privacy glass so that should suffice

[MD11F]

Nice post.. I like your logic on a lot of it. I was a purchase and not lease, and I opted for some things strictly on emotional appeal (like the V8), but then a lot of what makes one person like one car and the other hate is is emotional.

Sound like a good ride though, and I think your post will help others who are on the fence about options and such to decide.

btw.. most of your logic makes sense, but I will take issue with the HUD.. my wife felt like you that it was a "Gadget" but after driving with it for a while and having it with the NAV it has been re-ranked into the must have category by her.

[X5FX]

Originally Posted by MD11F

btw.. most of your logic makes sense, but I will take issue with the HUD.. my wife felt like you that it was a "Gadget" but after driving with it for a while and having it with the NAV it has been re-ranked into the must have category by her.

I agree, HUD is a very usefull option that I did not realize until I drove my wifes MDX and realized how much I utilized it on road trips w/ the Nav. For me- this is a must have.

[Fredo]

I had never realised how many different packages they offer in the US. We have just two in the UK, the Dynamic and Media packs. I am sure they are cheaper than ordering items indiviually but I would find it a bit frustrating if I had to order the Rear Climate Package just to get the Sun Protection Glass!

I also had no idea you could get the Brushed Aluminium Trim in the US. That's shocked me! I wondered why everyone went for wood over there.

[MD11F]

Originally Posted by Fredo

I also had no idea you could get the Brushed Aluminium Trim in the US. That's shocked me! I wondered why everyone went for wood over there.

I prefer (real) wood to aluminum trim myself, but to be honest the bamboo is my favorite because it sort of bridges that gap.. wood, without the gaudiness.

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by Fredo

I had never realised how many different packages they offer in the US. We have just two in the UK, the Dynamic and Media packs. I am sure they are cheaper than ordering items indiviually but I would find it a bit frustrating if I had to order the Rear Climate Package just to get the Sun Protection Glass!

I also had no idea you could get the Brushed Aluminium Trim in the US. That's shocked me! I wondered why everyone went for wood over there.

This is my #1 problem with BMW NA. We're so limited on the options we can get, and everything is bundled into huge packages. That's fine and dandy for the average American that just walks into the dealership on Saturday and says "I'll take the Silver one", but then there's the persnickety person like me, who prefers options a la carte.

For example, I've always loved the 4-way lumbar seats, but don't care for the electric adjustments. Apparently on the 3-series, you could just order the lumbar by itself for like 400 quid. In the US, you had to get the premium packet which was like $2000. Boooooo.

[MD11F]

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

but then there's the persnickety person like me, who prefers options a la carte.

yeah, I hated having to pay for the 6-disc changer with the premium sound, just because I wanted the higher quality speakers and amp. I hated not being able to credit back the Sports seats in the "sports package" and get the comfort seats in lu. I didn't get the comfort seats (pretty much the only major option I skipped) because I couldn't see paying for upgraded seats in the sports package and then again with the comfort seats..

The biggest problem I had with their options however is their lack of certain interior colors for the USA market. It's not like it was a limit on all of N. American, no.. it was the USA. why?

[X5FX]

>>>Active Ventilation package - This package sounds really nice; however it forces you to omit the Premium package which has the auto dimming interior and exterior mirrors which I love on my current vehicle and feel are a must have especially since I wear contacts and glare is a real problem at night. Also I have never like the cooling effect of ventilated seats. It almost feels as if your back is getting wet (maybe the BMW rendition doesn't feel this way).<<<

This is not true, you actually get both. I have the premium package and the Active Vent package, and I have to say it is one of my favorite features. The vented seats are very useful down here in Louisiana where its almost as hot as hell...or is this actually hell, I cant remember.

The "Active" part is priceless on longer road trips....it really works!

BTW- Thanks for the excellent review...you have speced out nearly my exact vehicle. And I made my choices for basicly the same reasons. The only thing I didnt get was the Bamboo.

[LOP]

Originally Posted by X5FX

>>>Active Ventilation package - This package sounds really nice; however it forces you to omit the Premium package which has the auto dimming interior and exterior mirrors which I love on my current vehicle and feel are a must have especially since I wear contacts and glare is a real problem at night. Also I have never like the cooling effect of ventilated seats. It almost feels as if your back is getting wet (maybe the BMW rendition doesn't feel this way).<<<

This is not true, you actually get both. I have the premium package and the Active Vent package, and I have to say it is one of my favorite features. The vented seats are very useful down here in Louisiana where its almost as hot as hell...or is this actually hell, I cant remember.

The "Active" part is priceless on longer road trips....it really works!

BTW- Thanks for the excellent review...you have speced out nearly my exact vehicle. And I made my choices for basicly the same reasons. The only thing I didnt get was the Bamboo.

I agree, plus HUD is FANTASTIC, had it first on a grand prix and missed it ever since I sold it, the HUD that is..., if it is an option on ANY vehicle I ever buy, it is an option I opt for, that and xenon headlights......

[M-individual]

Very nice write-up and welcome :xoutpost:

With regards to HUD: I can't live without it anymore. It came standard on my M6 (and there is a reason for it) and I find myself looking for speed, gear and rev band in my wifes X3 as well (no HUD on that one).

That is why we took the HUD on the new X5 as well because it is a great option. HUD became for me what Navigation has been for the last 6 years ... a standard feature when I order a new car.