2007 Rear DVD (problems)

[dcsatt]

Is there a user friendly way to power on the rear DVD?

Typical scenario:

I start the car, insert a DVD, fumble through the clunky remote controls, and get it playing.

My daughter enjoys the movie as we drive.

Then, I pull into a parking lot, turn off the car (leaving the DVD in the player), and get out.

Later, we load back in the car, I start the engine, press the "on" button for the player (the volume control on the rear control panel).

Here's where the problem occurs. The DVD display flashes and "Loading" appears on the screen, then the screen goes black...never to return. The only way I can get it to re-load and play is to eject the DVD and re-insert it. Unacceptable.

Either there's a glitch with my system, or I'm missing a crucial step.

Please help. NOTE: I have the latest software update.

[ToadMazter]

I too am having fits with the RSE. It is not driver nor passenger friendly at all! The DVD can't be contolled from the front, and most of the time the rear passengers have to eject and then reinsert the DVD before it will begin to play. The remote only works for FF/RW. My wife is furious!

And now I'm a bit furious too. I'm looking at the 2007 X5 Brochure on page 55 which states "The system features a fold-down 8-inch color screen, six-CD/DVD Multimedia changer, and headphone jacks; it can be controlled via the iDrive controller, a wireless remote control, or manually, by the rear-seat passengers."

Six disc changer? That's what my CA told me too, but I can't figure out how to load 6 discs, does anybody else have a DVD changer? And it definitely cannot be controlled via iDrive. What a waste of money. It is going in for service tomorrow and my CA is going to hear about it! Enough venting...

[dcsatt]

I wonder if the newest software update would correct the RES issue. I'll call my SA tomorrow with some questions.

BTW, I also lost RTTI after the most recent update.

Are we the only two who have this problem, or is it common? Anyone?

[ToadMazter]

I took mine to the shop Wed morning for various issues, including the RES. I specifically requested the Service Advisor to check on "how to operate the RES from the front iDrive, how to consistently operate the RES from the rear seat, and how to load more 1 DVD into the six-disc DVD changer". They hope to get it back to me Friday afternoon. I didn't have a warm-fuzzy feeling when the technician came out and stated "wow, cool, the screen swivels and tilts?!?" Obviously he has never seen the RES yet. Well, we'll see how it goes...

[Hans_ACS]

This is becoming a typical BMW problem. The more electronics the car gets, the less they (BMW technical Staff, dealers etc) know their stuff.

[bsklar]

First the good, the software refresh does correct the issue of having the dvd start from scratch ever time you get back in the car.

The rest is awful. The 6 dvd changer concept is an myth/fabrication. May be the case in Europe with future models but BMW help line knows nothing about it over here. The remote use by a child is impossible. Why they could not have pause, stop, play etc. on the remote like every other remote is nuts. It is clear this was not designed with any thought to the intended user. My wife has driven bmw's in the past and loves them, thought she wanted it for her next car, currently drives Lexus GX and will not come near my 4.8 X5 and claims it is deffective. I cannot tell you how many times I have had to pull over in parking lots and get in the back seat to try and get the dvd to the desired place for the kid. I am even pretty good with trying to guess by using the remote but it is a 50/50 proposition at best.

By comparrison, she can use GX touch screen to control the rear dvd in her lexus. When the kid wants special features on the dvd, no problem. In the BMW it is all guess work or controtion to reach back and try and hit the correct key. The problem with the headset versions is that it may have a better remote but looks like an add on, does not work with the comfort seats and is not integrated into I-drive. BMW just plain let us down on this one. Not just an electronic issue, it plain missed the market.

[dcsatt]

Dropping mine off at the service center on Monday (tomorrow). I'll let you all know the results.

[X5 Meister]

The solution is simple. They need to mount an idrive setup in the back for rear seat passengers, especially kids, to use to watch DVD's.

[I'm kidding of course]

Originally Posted by bsklar

First the good, the software refresh does correct the issue of having the dvd start from scratch ever time you get back in the car.

The rest is awful. The 6 dvd changer concept is an myth/fabrication. May be the case in Europe with future models but BMW help line knows nothing about it over here. The remote use by a child is impossible. Why they could not have pause, stop, play etc. on the remote like every other remote is nuts. It is clear this was not designed with any thought to the intended user. My wife has driven bmw's in the past and loves them, thought she wanted it for her next car, currently drives Lexus GX and will not come near my 4.8 X5 and claims it is deffective. I cannot tell you how many times I have had to pull over in parking lots and get in the back seat to try and get the dvd to the desired place for the kid. I am even pretty good with trying to guess by using the remote but it is a 50/50 proposition at best.

By comparrison, she can use GX touch screen to control the rear dvd in her lexus. When the kid wants special features on the dvd, no problem. In the BMW it is all guess work or controtion to reach back and try and hit the correct key. The problem with the headset versions is that it may have a better remote but looks like an add on, does not work with the comfort seats and is not integrated into I-drive. BMW just plain let us down on this one. Not just an electronic issue, it plain missed the market.

[ToadMazter]

I picked up vehicle from the service center last Thursday. They had to order parts from Germany to fix the running boards and the seatbelt, so it will be back in the shop again in a week or two. The only item that was fixed was the steering wheel. As for the rear DVD issue, service "confirmed" that the unit is single disc only, has no iDrive support, and that you have to manually power it on each time the vehicle is started. Gee, thanks!

I spoke with my client advisor about my frustration. He pulled out his brand new brochure and – wah la - it still states that the RSE is a six disc changer and can be controlled via iDrive. I told him to noodle on a solution for a couple days. At this point, I want a $1800 refund and the system removed from the vehicle. I know it isn’t my CA’s fault; it is BMWNA’s fault. But I am going to be like “stink on a monkey” with my dealer to make sure this is resolved. I should have more info soon…

[X5 Meister]

Considering that the car is made in the USA it really is amazing that BMW NA service centers know so darn little about it. The opposite should be true, X5's in Germany should be frustrating owners with info coming from the US, not vice versa! Other markets get additional (some would argue better/nicer) interior/exterior options that we don't get even though the car is on a US production line!

There is a great photo BMW once put out of the 100,000th X5 (or something like that) coming off the assembly line in Spartanburg. It was an Individual Edition with all the Marine-look stuff and gorgeous wheels on its way to some lucky owner outside of the US. Too bad someone didn't "accidentally" re-route the car to a US dealership. I'm sure the service advisors would spend weeks scratching their heads wonderin' what this new-fangled thing is supposd to be... what with the rear seat 'advanced' DVD system, them special wheels, the perty custom paint, etc.

I've owned BMW's for years (decades really) and I honestly feel that every time I go to the dealer the service advisors, salespeople, etc. know less and less about the cars and I often want to ask, just why is it that you work for/on BMW's if you really don't care about them?

Last point of note about the obvious screw up in the new X5 manual. The Euro accessories brochure for the old X5 has a few interesting accessories that not only no US dealer knows anything about, but the BMW in Munich has no clue either! No part number is listed and evidently they can't figure out how the items got into the accessories brochure!