Home Forums Articles How To's FAQ Register
Go Back   Xoutpost.com > BMW SAV Forums > X5 (E70) Forum
Arnott
User Name
Password
Member List Premier Membership Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Xoutpost server transfer and maintenance is occurring....
Xoutpost is currently undergoing a planned server migration.... stay tuned for new developments.... sincerely, the management


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11-13-2007, 11:21 PM
alexmish's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Garden State
Posts: 1,005
alexmish is on a distinguished road
Question Need advice on options...

Hi there,

Looks like I am pretty much set to order (in a month or so) the X5 4.8i, but still debating on certain options:

1. 20-way active seat - is it really worth the $$$ ? I know this is quite subjective. I see how the extra 10 ways can potentially help, but I am trying to find out what the "active seat" mean - if someone could describe this feature, it would be great !

2. Active Ventilated Seats. I am planning to get Space Grey exterior, Black interior. I live in NJ. Does the "ventilation" part really works ? Specifically, will it cool off the seats on a hot day?

3. 3rd-row seats... OK, I've tried to sit in them, they are a joke for an adult. I will bring my kids to a stealer one day in the next 4 weeks, will see if they feel comfortable in them. I have 10 and 6.5 year-old girls, and planning to lease for 3 years. Any of you who has this option, could you please comment on the usability, and whether or not the 3rd row seats affect the quality of the 2nd row seats....?



I am planning to lease, thus loading up the car with features I dont really need and will not use does not make much sense to me. But I will get just about anything else I like/need.

I am pretty much set on the following major options/packages:

Sport Package
Premium Package
Cold Weather Package
Rear Climate
Technology
Comfort Access
Heated Rear Seats
[Third Row Seating - not sure]
Running Boards
Premium Sound Package
Sirius


Your help/advice/opinion is much appreciated !

Last edited by alexmish; 11-13-2007 at 11:37 PM.
Reply With Quote

Sponsored Links

  #2  
Old 11-13-2007, 11:53 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Cambridge, MA
Posts: 93
X5Boston is on a distinguished road
1) Yes, the 20 way seats are a must. THe most comfortable seats ever created in a vehicle. Well.... minus vehicles I have not been in like Maybachs, Bentleys, and other ultra luxury vehicles

2) They do work work but they don't so much cool as they pull air through the perforated leather. I personally like them and my passengers often enjoy them in the summer. You "feel" them more when wearing light summer clothes but can still be felt through denim. I'd say sit in them yourself if you can and then decide whether you like them. Also not that you cannot get the Napa leather with this option. The active part is an air bladder that inflates and deflates under your butt. It's nice on long drives but not really a true massage seat. I usually use them in short spans of 10 - 15 minutes.

3) No. Skip this one. Your 10 year old will outgrow them fast. The 3rd row also shortens the cushion on the 2nd row. The seats stow where the spare tire usually would be stored so you lose the peace of mind that comes with an actual spare tire. Plus they weigh quite a bit and will add to the already heavy vehicle.

As for the Sirius, you might be able to install it yourself for cheaper than the stealer price. I believe Circle BMW can sell you everything for several hundred less than the factory installed price. A few screws plus mounting bracket, hook up a preexisting wiring harness and you are good to go. Put the savings toward transferable (for a fee) lifetime subscription.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11-14-2007, 12:00 AM
AzNMpower32's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: WNC
Posts: 6,010
AzNMpower32 is on a distinguished road
If you order the Active Ventilated Seats, then you will get the Comfort seats as part of the package. IMO the Ventilation is a nice feature to have and it does slightly cool the leather (although more of it is just moving air around), but it's not cheap. And my inclination is that if you're not gonna get Ventilated Seats, you might as well skip the Comfort seats as well. It's a pity they don't offer Active Seats (massaging) in the US.

Don't bother with the 3rd row.

Last edited by AzNMpower32; 11-14-2007 at 12:05 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11-14-2007, 02:08 AM
swesson's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 390
swesson is on a distinguished road
on #3: get the 3rd row seats. they have a few drawbacks, but the extra seating will be used. Think about when you take your 6.5 yearold and a few of her friends out--won't you like the extra space? I have 4 kids ranging from 7 to 19. I think the oldest kid that would feel comfortable in the the seats is a 12 year old (or any adult under 5 feet). One piece of advice...if you want to put in a DVD system, do it aftermarket. The BMW factory screen cannot be viewed by 3rd row occupants. Putting screens in headrests might even be a challenge to see. Perhaps a ceiling mount and moving it farther toward the back, out of the way of the pano roof would be best.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11-14-2007, 07:43 AM
alexmish's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Garden State
Posts: 1,005
alexmish is on a distinguished road
Thanks for the advice !

I see that opinions vary on the 3rd row seating, let's see what more people will say.

Also, I forgot to add one more option - the "Active Steering"... is it something along the "must have" lines ? I am concerned that if that unit breaks down for one or another reason, the entire car will become undrivable....
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11-14-2007, 10:59 AM
rh71's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: LI | NY
Posts: 3,924
rh71 is on a distinguished road
3rd row was definitely not comfortable for an adult when I tried them. I'm 5'10". Even getting back there was a chore. Only if you have kids that WILL be back there. BUT the best reason not to get them in my opinion is because they affect the comfortness of the 2nd row seats too.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11-14-2007, 02:27 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 527
nynd is on a distinguished road
I say forget the ventilated, just go with comfort seats and the third row does come in handy...especially with kids. Active sterring...pass I'd say. From what I've heard it gives a different feeling to the steering...(easier feel)
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11-14-2007, 02:46 PM
AzNMpower32's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: WNC
Posts: 6,010
AzNMpower32 is on a distinguished road
Don't get Active steering on the X5. It ruins the feel and makes it too light. It works great on the 3-series, but not on the X5. And I have driven an X5 with AS so I'm not just speculating.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11-15-2007, 12:52 AM
alexmish's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Garden State
Posts: 1,005
alexmish is on a distinguished road
OK, thanks for the feedback. It looks that between the Sports Package (which includes 10-way power sports seat with manual thigh support - which, IMHO, is a good compromise), and the Premium Package (incl lumbar support, also an important and useful feature on long trips), I get all I need for the driver's comfort.

After some delibaration with my wife, we've agreed that there is no need for the 3rd row seats. She's rather get a new bag

Minus Active Steering - I like the stock steering as is, I would hate a lighter one !

Minus SIRUIS - I will research if I get it cheaper and install myself. I did help my bro (genemish on this forum) to install Sirius on his 06's 4.4, and that was a breeze.

Minus running boards - same as the Sirius, will get and install myself (also helped my bro to install it on his X5, an easy one)

I am debating on iPod/USB adaptor, most likely not. I am getting the Premium Sound Package, which has 6CD/Multimedia changer, that is all I need for my home stuff.

Again, thanks everyone for the comments. I am still open for other suggestions !
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:04 AM.
vBulletin, Copyright 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. SEO by vBSEO 3.6.0
© 2017 Xoutpost.com. All rights reserved. Xoutpost.com is a private enthusiast site not associated with BMW AG.
The BMW name, marks, M stripe logo, and Roundel logo as well as X3, X5 and X6 designations used in the pages of this Web Site are the property of BMW AG.
This web site is not sponsored or affiliated in any way with BMW AG or any of its subsidiaries.