So long E70, and good riddance!

[pb48]

Originally Posted by M6X

btw OP, which dealer in toronto did u go to? i will stay away from it. thanks.

Agree, i would want to which dealer in toronto this is. Altough there is no lemon law in canada, you could write a letter to BMW Canada requesting a new car..I know someone who did this with his Mercedes-Benz.

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by Praetorian

I'll be getting rid of the E70 on wednesday. There were problems with the car right from when I picked it up and despite numerous (although half assed) attempts to fix it, my list of problems grew.

Every time I'd get it back from service, the problems would exist, and a new problem would usually arise!

Finally I got fed up with BMW. I'm going back to Porsche. I need a manufacturer and dealer that actually cares and has the skills to resolve any problems.

Good luck, everyone, with your E70's. I wish you all better luck than I had.

The list of problems I had is below:



IDrive freezes during routine actions
-setting address
-scrolling music

Ipod interface really slow
-2-3 minutes to load a playlist

Backup Camera problems
-takes too long to activate when starting car (1+minutes)
-useless in low light

PDC doesn't work
-beeps constantly
-been in for this issue, not resolved

Backup Camera/PDC split screen not available

Handsfree phone interface not loud enough

Trunk unlock by remote sets off alarm, doesn't open trunk

Memory seat doesn't adjust steering wheel back to position

It sounds like you are having a lot of little issues that can be cleared up very easily if the dealer would cooperate with you. That would be frustrating, but with all due respect most of the issues you listed were very small. How dare the ipod playlist take 2 minutes to load, back-up camera doesn't work? Use your mirrors. People have been sucessfully backing out of their garages without watching it on TV for years.

I wouldn't be so fast to trade a driving machine with a computer problem for a computer with a driving problem. You know what I mean?

By the way, Porsche is not anywhere near the top of the reliability list.

[buschy]

it seems most of those problems are a result of impatience.

lets see.
camera does take a few seconds I agree. jsut wait if you cant use your mirrors. if your car is already on it doesnt take that long. every nav I have had before had to load when you first start the car.

ipod- dont use it that much but could be slow, but so is changing the source.

Pdc beeps cause you are close to things. I know what your talking about though, it is very sensitive. my beeps going out of the driveway. its jsut telling you that you are close.... that is what it is supposed to do.....beep.......turni it off if you don't like it.

split screen..........why do you want split screen the camera doesnt work anyway....lol

phone not loud enough,....uh turn the volume up and it gets louder.

trunk open setting off the alarm.....you are holding the button to long.... its called panic.

steering does adjust back to position once you shut the door, you have wait for it before putting the car in gear...

I dont really think you have any real complaints, sorry... maybe if the screen froze, but mine did it once too.

[brian5]

Originally Posted by FSETH

<<snip>>
By the way, Porsche is not anywhere near the top of the reliability list.

I agree, these do not sound like major issues. If reliability is the big concern, then Porsche is not the way to go.

Maybe the problem is not so much the X5 but the particular dealer or even a particular "service advisor". I would try another dealer first.

Oh, and I'm not trying to defend BMW or the X5 model. I wouldn't say that people buy that particular vehicle because of it's reliability ratings

[Penguin]

I've got a Z4, but I'm just considering the purchase of an X5 at the moment. I actually find the post somewhat encouraging, as most of the problems are things I planned to leave out because of little personal interest in them and a desire to keep complexity down a bit to improve reliability, e.g., Nav, Back-up Camera, PDC, etc. I'm thinking about the i-pod interface, but I'm afraid it would be a real disapointment after using the Synch voice interface in my Ford Taurus (if you want to experience a really great i-pod interface, try a synch in a Ford Focus or Taurus.)

I do wonder about unlocking the trunk setting off the alarm though... sounds like some wires crossed somewhere.

Right now I'm debating whether or not to wait for the 09 models and/or consider the diesel. Anyone heard what the cost of the diesel option might be?

[buschy]

[quote=Penguin]
I do wonder about unlocking the trunk setting off the alarm though... sounds like some wires crossed somewhere.



The button to open the trunk is the trunk button hold it for a sec and it opens the trunk......if you hold that button down for several seconds(not sure exactly how many) its sets off the alarm... just like any alarm has a panic button...

your panic button on your ford is probably a little red one onthe back of the fob.

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by buschy

it seems most of those problems are a result of impatience.

lets see.
camera does take a few seconds I agree. jsut wait if you cant use your mirrors. if your car is already on it doesnt take that long. every nav I have had before had to load when you first start the car.

ipod- dont use it that much but could be slow, but so is changing the source.

Pdc beeps cause you are close to things. I know what your talking about though, it is very sensitive. my beeps going out of the driveway. its jsut telling you that you are close.... that is what it is supposed to do.....beep.......turni it off if you don't like it.

split screen..........why do you want split screen the camera doesnt work anyway....lol

phone not loud enough,....uh turn the volume up and it gets louder.

trunk open setting off the alarm.....you are holding the button to long.... its called panic.

steering does adjust back to position once you shut the door, you have wait for it before putting the car in gear...

I dont really think you have any real complaints, sorry... maybe if the screen froze, but mine did it once too.

It looks like you have solved most of Praetorian's issues with one post! You should start charging for this. I always forget that the trunk button activates the panic mode if held long enough.

After I read your post I started thinking maybe the reason the dealer hasn't stepped up in this situation was becasue there really wasn't any issues for them to address. Praetorian, you really should give the e70 another shot. I would guess you are going to be very happy with it in the long run. I would bet that if these things bothered you in the X that you would have issues with things in the Cayenne (or any other Porsche) that you didn't expect.

[drod]

get a software update first before you finally toss in the towel..

you not having PDC split screen tells me you probably have an older firmware version... and most dealers will not upgrade unless you make them...(it's very time consuming..)

they already answered the autotailgate "problem."

ipod takes a minute or two if you plug it in while the vehicle is running...

i leave it connected each day and don't have any problems getting it on... (turns right on when i start the engine)

backup camera good in daylight but lousy at night.... normal!! turn your head instead... (and why rely on a camera at night??)

sorry to hear you're disappointed... i had a PDC/DTC button issue on the first week....they replaced it and the X has been fine since....

but to each his own....

[X5FX]

Is this a joke???

1/2 of your issues have been fixed w/ a software update, the other 1/2 are operator error.

RE: Handsfree volume. You need to adjust the volume control on the phone AND the stereo when the phone is connected to a caller. The stereo volume will boost the hands free volume only when connected.

[Praetorian]

I have had it into the dealer 6 or 7 times. I escallated to BMW Canada after each time. Every time I get it back from the dealer all my GPS addresses are gone, the car measures in miles, and the last time it tells me that I'm overdue for service.

I dropped it for service 3 weeks ago to be told that they had no loaner. I couldn't be without a car so I rescheduled (no problem). When I showed back up, there was a snowstorm and they told me that they'd need the car for a week or so, and were giving me a 3 series with summer tires. I saw them slide around just getting it out of the back. I declined to take it and said we'd reschedule.

I called BMW Canada back after this and asked them to please make sure that the dealer had a suitable loaner (bmw or other, but something decent in the bad weather). They then told me that there was only 1 issue on their records! I was surprised because they just sent me a letter listing all the problems.

The problem isn't just minor glitches but real performance issues for me. Backup camera taking over a minute to activate and not working at all in the dark. Sure I can backup without it, but I paid for it and I expect it to work. If you think that's unreasonable, then you're just the kind of buyer BMW is looking for.

Ipod cable - $800! it takes minutes to change a playlist, which is annoying and I should be able to expect better for that cost. My real problem is that the playlists are missing entries. I use my iPod for listening to Audiobooks and missing entries means that there are entire books I cannot listen to. I have to make custom playlists just to keep a single book available. I shouldn't have to do that, not after buying an $800 cable to go in my $90k car.

GPS freezes up each time I use it. It takes me about 5-10 minutes to put in the average address. Annoying.
GPS cannot easily locate places like stores. I once found West Marine, but I have never been able to find it again. It's not user friendly. I used to use a Garmin and I find it much easier to use and more flexible. I also find it more functional and faster.

My ABS brakes are okay, but not great. I'll slide sideways under braking in the snow often. I never did this on my Avalanche or any of my Porsche's.

Unfortunately BMW seems to feel that my issues aren't worth fixing either. That, more than anything else, is why I want out.

I've owned 6 911's in the past and never had a single problem that wasn't regular wear and tear. Regardless whether the Porsche is reliable (which I firmly believe it to be), the Porsche dealers are much more responsive.

The BMW dealer asked me if Porsche (Pfaff Motors) would give out a loaner Porsche in case of problem. I had to think back, because they never have. I've never had a problem they couldn't fix while I waited, except when I needed a new clutch on an old 911. I dropped it off in the afternoon and got a ride home with the salesman who lived close to me, he drove me back in the morning and it was ready.

For me the difference is that Porsche drivers expect perfection from their cars and Porsche strives to deliver. My old mechanic at Pfaff is now the service manager. He knows his stuff and he makes sure that all the customers are 100% happy, 100% of the time.

I once had a problem the day before a trip where my high beams wouldn't stay on. I drove in to service but it worked when I got there. Instead of screwing around with it, they replaced the entire steering column electronics stalk so I could get going. Nothing wrong (I think it was something I did but didn't think of).

I expected the same level of service from BMW because I had a friend who had great things to say. Even he has since changed his mind after they've attempted to fix the same problem 4 or 5 times.

I think Porsche is up at the top of reliability. With Pfaff behind me, I think any problems will be expertly and promptly taken care of.

I understand that people here don't want to hear what I've said, since I'm really insulting the car we've all spent money on. Believe me, I wanted it to work. This switch is costing me almost $15k just to get rid of the X5 early. I am so fed up with BMW and the X5 that I don't want to try to fix it.

Just so everyone is aware, $15k is a lot of money to me. I didn't do this lightly.

PS. FSETH, thanks for making light of the problems that I've had with the car. Your turn will come.

I work hard during the winter months so I can relax and enjoy my boat in the summer. I don't have the time or desire to deal with this crap during the winter.

I will certainly lose storage and passenger capacity (although my rear passengers are almost always my 6 and 8 yr old's, so they'll still fit).

I'll improve fuel economy significantly (the X5 is a fuel pig).

The 911 looks better (I know, unfair comparing a sports car to an SUV. Unfortunately the X5 did awaken in me the desire for another sports car).

The 911 will be more reliable. (Disagree all you want, I'll smile as I see the X5's in the shop as I pass)

The 911 is faster! (come on, we all have to agree on this one!)

My opinion (just my opinion here), the 911 handles better in the snowy, winter weather. Flame me all you want. I'm more confident behind a 911 than an X5. I mean the 2 wheel drive too!

Here's a big one. The 911 will drive forever and will retain its value much better than the BMW.

BMW sold 1.7 million vehicles last year. Porsche sold 88,000. BMW is a mass produced car. My Porsche mechanic told me once that Porsche sells so few cars that they cannot afford to annoy even 1 customer. They're getting a customer back because of this very fact. I guess it works.

Good luck.

I'll post the dealer name shortly (after I conclude everything). Please understand.

Thank you. I wish all other X5 owners the best of luck and I sincerely hope that my experience is an anomoly.