Comfort Access, ZSP Questions

[jimf15e]

I'll be ordering a 2008 X5 3.0 in 3 months (through military sales). I have to wait the 3 months to time it with my return to the US, so you can only imagine the hemming and hawing I'm going through regarding options. I have CA on my E90 and love it, so I know I'll be getting that again. My question is how it works with the power liftgate. Any info or owners out there? Do I have to use the remote or is there a 'hot' section on the 'gate to raise/lower it like on the E90's front door handles?

One additional question... Is the Sport package a popular option among owners here? I can't afford both Sport and Tech, so I'm trying to decide between the two. BMW's navi system isn't the best (have it on the 3er), but if the Sport isn't popular or worth it I'll go for the Tech. Any advice or words are welcome. Thanks.

Jim

[pseto]

can't answer the CA question, but in choosing between sport and tech package, i'd say go for the tech.

you can always put on bigger rims and change the suspension/trim down the road. with the tech package, i think its better to get that b/c of the warranty and most of it cant be retrofitted without spending big bucks IMO.

[jayo]

Hi Jim,

I also had it on my E90 so I got it on my new 2008 E70 with the power lift gate.

Anyway, it's kinda like the E90, you can walk up to the boot, and press the button on the boot then the lid will strat to open automatically. It's just like the E90 except the boot also opens itself.

As for the buttons, the button to open the boot is exactly like that on the E90, a kind of hidden rubber button above the number plate. When the boot lid is open there is a different button that you press to close (see pic) - it's on the bottom side of the lid.



If you hold the button on your key fob for a couple of seconds as you are walking up to the car the boot will also open by itself. I tend to use this more that the CA on the boot.

The big improvement on CA over the E90 is that it now works on all door handles - front and back. On my E90 it was on the front door handles that worked with CA.

Jason

[alexmish]

I'd go for Tech. As for the CA, I'd say it is not worth the price.

[oredart]

From a resale point of view, the Tech pkg will add more value than the Sport.

[jayo]

Hi Jim,

Once you have had CA (like you already have) you will really miss it if you dont get it on the E70.

My dealer gave me a demo E70 for a day when I was ordering and it didn't have CA - it broke my heart having to fumble for keys again.

I will be getting CA on every car I ever buy if I can.

To be honest I find that most people who dont have it think it's a waste of money, where as people who have had it really like it and cant live without it!!!

[soldmystang]

if you don't order sport package, you should seriously consider upgrading the seats. all things considered the upgraded seats are the most useful part of the sport package. handling i could go either way. the shadowline trim and interior pillar and roof trim looks better with some interiors IMO

as for CA it is nice to have. i had no choice in the order process it was on the truck. would i order it? not sure.

[X5Jay]

Lot of talk regarding how options my affect resale value... IMO - resale shouldn't be a consideration in this decision - you should get the options that YOU want and will have to live with for the next few years. The impact on resale value will be minimal anyway...

[bimmerfan]

My E53 X5 has been at the dealer for service for about a week and a half (whole other story). So I have been driving a 328 four door loaner with the new style key/push button start and no CA. I have to say that even though I have been driving this car for almost two weeks - I find the whole put the key thing into the dash, press the button to start, and push button to stop, press key thing in and pull out of dash to be a huge PITA.

Given the option I would much rather have a conventional key. But since that option doesn't exist I ordered CA on my new E70 X5 for no other reason then I just don't want to have to deal with sticking that thing in the dash and taking it out every time I get into and out of the car. The other features of CA such as touching the door handle to open etc., seem fairly useless IMO. Especially for $1,000.

So, at least in my case, BMW got an additional $1k out of me just because I hate the whole key system/push button thing. YMMV - but that's my .02.

[AzNMpower32]

I think Sport package is the way to go. Cuz what does Tech actually include? Sat nav, which may or may not be needed. Backup camera (please.......). Parking sensors........okay, but you can get this by itself. Real Time Traffic Info, which is nice, but not always used or available. I think sport is the better choice, and its definately not unpopular. The dealers just don't like to order them for their lot.