Our New X5

[RTZX5]

We finally picked up our 4.8i X5 on Friday down in Garmisch, Germany.

For those of you that like to read here is how our Friday went.

We left Stuttgart in my Camaro SS, which I hesitantly traded in; it was a fun final 180 miles in the beast though. I have enjoyed nearly five thrilling years tearing down the autobahn in that SS simply nothing like it...

When we got to Garmisch, we met up with are military sales rep, and then went to the local BMW dealer where our X5 was waiting for us.

As we were looking over the vehicle, we found a few scratches, that will have to be repaired, very fine ones, but none the less, they are fixing them at the larger BMW center in Stuttgart.

After we looked everything over and felt satisfied with the condition; we were off to the military sales location to finish the paperwork. As we are driving down the road, I was toggling through the computer settings (the readout in front of the steering wheel) I then noticed we were sent on our way without any gas! I mean literally none! She was reading flat line for remaining distance. At this point, I freaked out pretty good and started flashing my lights to the associate that was driving in front of us to PULL OVER. We got off the road, left the X5 in the hands of my trusting wife and went to the nearest gas station. We were lucky enough to get a gallon and take back to feed the X5. I checked the level when I got back in, still flat lined... So from there we drove to the gas station and the associate feeling just awful filled the X5 up for us, 110 euro later, and we were off to do the paperwork.

As we were making our way to the military sales location, we kept trying to get the A/C to blow cold, nothing worked. So it was back to the local BMW center once again! They spent about thirty minutes with her and informed us that there was no refrigerant in the system. At this point, I am asking myself, is this really a BMW? My first impression was what have I got myself into? O.K. Got gas, got refrigerant, all systems go; it's off to finish the paperwork.

Now for the good stuff, one word, WOW, this X5 is amazing! My wife had me having lots of second thoughts about ALL the options I chose, but after taking delivery, neither of us holds any doubts.

She drives like a dream! The 20s are not harsh, even with the sport mode engaged the whole time. I find the drive quite fluid. We drove into the mountains engaging some very hairy twists; I don't know who was smiling bigger, me, the wife, or the X5! This thing climbs like a goat, and remains glued to the road. Not one time did I feel nervous, or unsure of the capability of the X5, again WOW!

On the drive home, it was all I could do to keep here under 100 Mph. She really wants to go, and has an outstanding growl. I think the wife might like the X5 as well; she woke me up at 4 a.m. this morning saying "let’s go home". She was smiling the whole way home.

So that does it for the delivery, here are some first impressions of just a few options we have:

- HUD - Totally worth it! Especially when you factor in the NAV integration.
- NAV - Very acceptable. I have been using a Garmin for years, while it is a great device, it is not integrated with the vehicle, so there is no comparison.
- Climate- Seat heat up very fast, and the air blows ice cold.
- Premium Sound - Not an option, a must, very clean throughout the range.
- Sport Package - Have had sport on since we got it, I Love It. Also the sports seats are very comfortable.
- 20" Wheels - Again not an option. Although it does suck that I am going to have to buy a set of winter wheels and tires, I suppose that’s the price one pays.
- Running boards- Useless, but damn they look good!

So there you have it, after waiting six months, I am now sure it was worth the wait. I am missing the Camaro less by the second...

Here are a few pictures:












Thanks for looking!