X5 advice needed (specs, wheels, tires?)

[Canadam]

Hi everyone,

I am moving from Europe to Toronto, Canada this year. The significantly lower car prices there will make car shopping just that little bit more fun than back home, where I paid >$60k for a nicely specced 5d Audi A3 two years ago.

Climate dictates that eventhough I am single and relatively young (27) I am in the market for an SUV, most likely an X5 - xDrive and the extra ride height just seem safer in the Canadian winters! Besides I love to go on snowboarding trips and this car seems ideal for that.

So far I have come to wanting to order the following spec X5:

• BMW X5 3.0si
• Black Sapphire Metallic
• Black Nevada Leather
• Bamboo trim (or walnut, but i think bamboo is nicer??)
• Sports pkg (incl 19" 5-spoke rims)
• Premium Sound pkg (incl ipod usb)
• Activity pkg (running boards, skibag, washers)
• Technology pkg (satnav, rear cam, pdc)
• Panorama sunroof

Now here are my doubts and questions:

• I like the 20" 214 wheels but the Toronto dealer I visited said they can't be had as an option on the 3.0si. I personally expect them to be unsuitable for Toronto winters with their 315 wide rear tires. Am I right?
• Will the 19" sports pkg wheels with their all season tires be good enough to drive on snow or on trips to the mountains or will I really need winter tyres??? For what it's worth, in Europe all season tyres are very uncommon... we drive on summer tires year round and swap them for winter tires when needed. I do not know what to expect from so called all-season tyres. So far on the rentals I've had there they seemed fine but not impressive.
• Bamboo or dark walnut?
• Will either the sports seats or the comfort seats change the rear seat as well?? I've never sat on it but it looks as flat as a surfboard (and uncomfortable?). Would like a rear seat with more protruding "seats".
• Is it possible to get (factory?) window tints without rear climate pkg? (Have no kids but like the look) Howmuch would that be?
• Is it possible to get chrome window trim as an option? $$ ??
• I've already seen that the grey "kidney" inserts are easy to retrofit so will be looking to do that.

What are your thoughts on my "dream car" and the questions asked??
Any Toronto dealers that you can recommend?

Much much appreciated... thanks!!

[Denalio]

Originally Posted by Canadam

Hi everyone,

I am moving from Europe to Toronto, Canada this year. The significantly lower car prices there will make car shopping just that little bit more fun than back home, where I paid >$60k for a nicely specced 5d Audi A3 two years ago.

Climate dictates that eventhough I am single and relatively young (27) I am in the market for an SUV, most likely an X5 - xDrive and the extra ride height just seem safer in the Canadian winters! Besides I love to go on snowboarding trips and this car seems ideal for that.

So far I have come to wanting to order the following spec X5:

• BMW X5 3.0si
• Black Sapphire Metallic
• Black Nevada Leather
• Bamboo trim (or walnut, but i think bamboo is nicer??)
• Sports pkg (incl 19" 5-spoke rims)
• Premium Sound pkg (incl ipod usb)
• Activity pkg (running boards, skibag, washers)
• Technology pkg (satnav, rear cam, pdc)
• Panorama sunroof

Now here are my doubts and questions:

• I like the 20" 214 wheels but the Toronto dealer I visited said they can't be had as an option on the 3.0si. I personally expect them to be unsuitable for Toronto winters with their 315 wide rear tires. Am I right?
• Will the 19" sports pkg wheels with their all season tires be good enough to drive on snow or on trips to the mountains or will I really need winter tyres??? For what it's worth, in Europe all season tyres are very uncommon... we drive on summer tires year round and swap them for winter tires when needed. I do not know what to expect from so called all-season tyres. So far on the rentals I've had there they seemed fine but not impressive.
• Bamboo or dark walnut?
• Will either the sports seats or the comfort seats change the rear seat as well?? I've never sat on it but it looks as flat as a surfboard (and uncomfortable?). Would like a rear seat with more protruding "seats".
• Is it possible to get (factory?) window tints without rear climate pkg? (Have no kids but like the look) Howmuch would that be?
• Is it possible to get chrome window trim as an option? $$ ??
• I've already seen that the grey "kidney" inserts are easy to retrofit so will be looking to do that.

What are your thoughts on my "dream car" and the questions asked??
Any Toronto dealers that you can recommend?

Much much appreciated... thanks!!

Hi,

I live 30 miles south of Toronto. Maybe I can answer some of your questions.

1) You are correct. If you get the 20's you will need winter set up. You cannot order them as an option unless you order sport pack .
2) All seasons work O.K. I use my 19's for winter, but wish I had snow tires. They are debating whether to make it mandatory in Ontario to have winter tires. If your already used to changing them I would go summer/winter route.
3) personal preference- I like walnut.
4) No change in configuration and the back seats are surprisingly comfortable. If you order the 3rd row you will also get the auto leveling shocks.
4) Not sure, but if I recall the tint only comes with the package. You are better off getting aftermarket tint anyway.
5) Can't help with the chrome, but it is standard on the non-sport model.
6) Very east retrofit.

If you need a list of dealers PM me. I would rather not comment on the open forum.

Good Luck.

[delhite]

Originally Posted by Canadam

[*]I like the 20" 214 wheels but the Toronto dealer I visited said they can't be had as an option on the 3.0si. I personally expect them to be unsuitable for Toronto winters with their 315 wide rear tires. Am I right?[*]Will the 19" sports pkg wheels with their all season tires be good enough to drive on snow or on trips to the mountains or will I really need winter tyres??? For what it's worth, in Europe all season tyres are very uncommon... we drive on summer tires year round and swap them for winter tires when needed. I do not know what to expect from so called all-season tyres. So far on the rentals I've had there they seemed fine but not impressive.[*]Bamboo or dark walnut? [*]Will either the sports seats or the comfort seats change the rear seat as well?? I've never sat on it but it looks as flat as a surfboard (and uncomfortable?). Would like a rear seat with more protruding "seats".[*]Is it possible to get (factory?) window tints without rear climate pkg? (Have no kids but like the look) Howmuch would that be?[*]Is it possible to get chrome window trim as an option? $$ ??[*]I've already seen that the grey "kidney" inserts are easy to retrofit so will be looking to do that.[/LIST]What are your thoughts on my "dream car" and the questions asked??
Any Toronto dealers that you can recommend?

Much much appreciated... thanks!!

* you are right the 20's are like skates on snow (from what i have been reading here)
* i have the 19'' all season on all year round and they fared just fine through this record snowfall we had this year in ontario
* my vote goes for bamboo trim
* dunno i must say rear seats are nice and roomy for a 6ft+individual
*as denalio said aftermarket tint would solve tht purpose
* if you get the sport package it gets rid of the chrome trim automatically again something your dealer will be able to assist with

i think your dream car looks nicely specc'd out try getting comfort access though i think 3.0si is the way to go!! haha keep us posted hope this helps

[vinuneuro]

Originally Posted by Canadam

Hi everyone,

I am moving from Europe to Toronto, Canada this year. The significantly lower car prices there will make car shopping just that little bit more fun than back home, where I paid >$60k for a nicely specced 5d Audi A3 two years ago.

Climate dictates that eventhough I am single and relatively young (27) I am in the market for an SUV, most likely an X5 - xDrive and the extra ride height just seem safer in the Canadian winters! Besides I love to go on snowboarding trips and this car seems ideal for that.

So far I have come to wanting to order the following spec X5:

• BMW X5 3.0si
• Black Sapphire Metallic
• Black Nevada Leather
• Bamboo trim (or walnut, but i think bamboo is nicer??)
• Sports pkg (incl 19" 5-spoke rims)
• Premium Sound pkg (incl ipod usb)
• Activity pkg (running boards, skibag, washers)
• Technology pkg (satnav, rear cam, pdc)
• Panorama sunroof

Now here are my doubts and questions:

• I like the 20" 214 wheels but the Toronto dealer I visited said they can't be had as an option on the 3.0si. I personally expect them to be unsuitable for Toronto winters with their 315 wide rear tires. Am I right?
• Will the 19" sports pkg wheels with their all season tires be good enough to drive on snow or on trips to the mountains or will I really need winter tyres??? For what it's worth, in Europe all season tyres are very uncommon... we drive on summer tires year round and swap them for winter tires when needed. I do not know what to expect from so called all-season tyres. So far on the rentals I've had there they seemed fine but not impressive.
• Bamboo or dark walnut?
• Will either the sports seats or the comfort seats change the rear seat as well?? I've never sat on it but it looks as flat as a surfboard (and uncomfortable?). Would like a rear seat with more protruding "seats".
• Is it possible to get (factory?) window tints without rear climate pkg? (Have no kids but like the look) Howmuch would that be?
• Is it possible to get chrome window trim as an option? $$ ??
• I've already seen that the grey "kidney" inserts are easy to retrofit so will be looking to do that.

What are your thoughts on my "dream car" and the questions asked??
Any Toronto dealers that you can recommend?

Much much appreciated... thanks!!

Why aren't you considering an X6?

[JCL]

Well, I was also wondering why a single person would need an X5, but I will leave that to you.

Winter tires: get dedicated winter tires, on smaller rims. There is no comparison in traction and safety. Yes, you can get by with all season tires. However, you are not getting anywhere near the performance that BMW designed into the vehicle.

Third row: skip it IMO.

Dark Walnut IMO.

Toronto Dealers: There is a dealer forum on X5 World. Toronto BMW has positive comments.

[rh71]

The 20" option doesn't exist when you get a 3.0si. The "sport package" maxes at 19s and style 212. You can only do 20s after the fact, and if you do it through the dealer, you can try to get them to buy back the 19s but not many are willing. Also, they're likely to be summer tires only. If you do it yourself (as many have after delivery), you can save some cash (tirerack and possibly replicas if you want) and get all-seasons too. 20s on all seasons are snow-capable (which I'm doing but it's just NY winters) though dedicated winter tires in Canada are probably the better bet for your situation.

The back seats are the same no matter what you choose for fronts, unless you get 3rd row and I've heard the 2nd row suffers in quality if you do that.

[trueX5er]

Seats: If you get the 3rd row, the 2nd row gets a lot worse. You probably saw a 3rd row model. With two rows, the 2nd row is good, much more supportive. There is a difference.

Yes, you need rear climate for tints, but I'd say, for you, skip that and get it done aftermarket.

I haven't had a problem with the all-seasons in the harsh Chicago winters. Try them this coming winter, and if you don't like them, swap em for winters, but at least keep them and try.

no chrome window option....try ebay?

everything sounds great so far!

[wb488641]

The oem 214 and the dunlop summer tires are not recommend for snow weather. I know. I purchase the x5 4.8i, 3 weeks ago with oem dunlop tires and we in Michigan have our late winter 8 inch snow 2 weeks ago. The oem tires are very slippery and the braking traction is horrible. I purchase a set of 18' rims ( 210 ) with runflat all season tires from a x5 world member with 200 miles on it and plan to swap out my 214 next winter. I choose the 18' over the 19' because winter tires on the 19 are very expensive and lack of selection available.

[Canadam]

Thanks everyone for your explication and comments.

The reason I want an SUV is for its 4WD safety, comfort and it's versatility / trunk space. I've considered the X6 for a very short while but have come to the conclusion that it just isn't as balanced as the X5 in terms of proportions... I would even say I think I find it somewhat ugly making it the first Bangle BMW that hasn't grown on me quite quickly, i.e. prior to hitting the streets....

I think I will stick with the 19" style 212's and all seasons that come with the sport pkg to start with and see how they treat me this summer and early winter. If they disappoint I will exchange the tires on them for snow tires and get 20" style 214's next spring with summer tires. Not really looking for that extra expense.

Can aftermarket tints be done by the dealer prior to delivery? What percentage would you go for and what is legal? Also the front sides or only behind the B-pillar? $$$ ?

Not looking to get a 3rd row (or get 4 instant children while owning my next car but you never know ) so I guess the 2 row back seat will have to do. Does anyone have pics of the sports seats? I generally do not like BMW standard seats (too flat) but love the comfort seats on my fathers new 5 series. I am 40-something years younger than he is so sportier seats would be preferred, but have never seen them yet.

Comfort access does not seem to exist as a separate option in Canada, only in premium pkg but I do not really need any of the other items in that so I think I will pass.

WRT Toronto dealers: I don't see why POSITIVE comments couldn't be made on the open forum? Only one I've seen from the inside so far is BMW of Toronto, which seemed OK but it is hard to tell, better to hear from experience.

[Denalio]

Most dealers will do tints. You will need Ceramic tints(FormulaOne make a premium tint). The Metallic tints may intefere with the electronics, so BMW says. I would go all the way around. There is no legal limit in Ontario. It is all based on perception. If an officer pulls you over and thinks the tint is too dark, you'll get a ticket. There is no percentage or rating listed in the law.

Ontario - For the driver’s compartment, right and left, no film can be installed that would substantially obscure visibility from the exterior. Behind the driver’s compartment, any film can be installed. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

As a rule, 20% the darkest you can go on the front. Limo tints are 5%, but I think they are to dark and it will be hard to see out while backing up.