So long E70, and good riddance!

[JCL]

Praetorian:

Good, balanced post. I wish you well.

[M6X]

thnx 4 all the info, yeah i think your particular x5 is a lemon. well, have fun with ya 911, both are great cars. since you are in toronto, i can only think of these dealers:

bmw of toronto
parkview bmw
town & country bmw
budd's bmw

i suspect it is either T&C or budd's. i went to T&C for a test drive once and the salesguy was like a mute, didnt even attempt to sell me a car.

one member here was saying he had a nasty experience with budd's regarding the 3m scotchguards.

of course i'm only speculating.

[Praetorian]

M6X,
I'm a bit north of Toronto, where the roads are open. (hint).

[JBHorner]

I recognize some of these, here's my take.

Drive freezes during routine actions
-setting address
-scrolling music

I have the latest software version (just upgraded). I've never had the address problem, but don't use it often. Scrolling music is still a problem. Also, when the vehicle is first turned on, it will sometimes "skip" in songs. (MP3s) I believe it is because it is reading other song titles to populate the list. Once on for five minutes or so, it's gone. Still, an annoyance

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

Mine doesn't have the iPod interface, so no help here.

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

Both are still a problem. And, I don't understand those of you saying that software will solve all of the issues this individual is having. It won't fix a cheap CCD being used for the camera, or poor back-up lights that could illuminate better. And, frankly, BMW really did poorly on this one. Unlike software issues which can take some very specific circumstances to produce the problem, the poor camera picture is always there in near-low to low light. They should have caught this and corrected it before they even sold the first vehicle. VERY poor quality on BMW's part---and there is no excuse...other than to reduce costs. My friend's Lexus doesn't have this problem---nor does his Odyssey.

It does take awhile for the warning screen to disappear and then for the camera to come on, but on mine it is around 10 seconds. Prior to this upgrade it was much longer.

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

I don't have this issue, and it's not normal. It is normal if one has first started the vehicle (or pressed the PDC button), and gone into reverse...but only if close to objects.

Backup Camera/PDC split screen not available

This was fixed in the latest software version. It is pretty useful.

Handsfree phone interface not loud enough

Mine is loud enough for me, but I have extremely good hearing. (Just had it tested, in fact.) I don't see a software upgrade fixing this on either.

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

If held, I believe. It shouldn't do it if just pressed once.

Memory seat doesn't adjust steering wheel back to position

This was fixed in the latest software version.

Regardless of what can or cannot be fixed by software, if one is so unhappy with a 70K+ vehicle, s/he should dump it if it is an an option. There's nothing worse than not being "excited" about one's ride. The morning shouldn't be, "damn, I wonder what's going to happen today with the vehicle."

Joel

[Praetorian]

Thank you Joel. You've described my feeling exactly.

[M6X]

Originally Posted by Praetorian

M6X,
I'm a bit north of Toronto, where the roads are open. (hint).

LOL good one!

[FSETH]

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

Wow! You called me out and I thought I was taking it easy on you after reading some of the other posts. GPS can't find stores, 1-2 minutes for an I-Pod to load, back-up camera doesn't work in the dark, BMW didn't have an all-wheel drive loaner for me in a snow storm, are you serious? I know any X5 isn't the most reliable vehicle in the world. I wouldn't have bought my e53 without a warranty if that lets you know how I feel. I bought the X5 because even with it's issues it is still one of the best SUVs (sorry SAVs) around. I am also going to have to disagree with you on your comment of how the 2-wheel drive 911 drives better in the snow than your e70. Sure it does.

From the other readers advice, it sounds like the software update may fix alot of the "issues" you are experiencing. As far as Porsche goes, I do like the 911, but from the issues you are describing on the X5, you may be better off in a bug-free Honda or Toyota. There are about 15 car manufacturers below BMW's name on the J.D. Power reliability list before you get to Porsche.

If I paid as much as you did for your X I would be upset too, but you bought a car in it's first year of production. It is no surprise that early model run cars have some issues and you are experienceing them. Once again, it sounds like the update would have helped you out. Good luck with your next vehicle. I really hope you are not as frustrated with it as you are your X.

[CGSTL]

Good high road post.

Originally Posted by FSETH

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

Wow! You called me out and I thought I was taking it easy on you after reading some of the other posts. GPS can't find stores, 1-2 minutes for an I-Pod to load, back-up camera doesn't work in the dark, BMW didn't have an all-wheel drive loaner for me in a snow storm, are you serious? I know any X5 isn't the most reliable vehicle in the world. I wouldn't have bought my e53 without a warranty if that lets you know how I feel. I bought the X5 because even with it's issues it is still one of the best SUVs (sorry SAVs) around. I am also going to have to disagree with you on your comment of how the 2-wheel drive 911 drives better in the snow than your e70. Sure it does.

From the other readers advice, it sounds like the software update may fix alot of the "issues" you are experiencing. As far as Porsche goes, I do like the 911, but from the issues you are describing on the X5, you may be better off in a bug-free Honda or Toyota. There are about 15 car manufacturers below BMW's name on the J.D. Power reliability list before you get to Porsche.

If I paid as much as you did for your X I would be upset too, but you bought a car in it's first year of production. It is no surprise that early model run cars have some issues and you are experienceing them. Once again, it sounds like the update would have helped you out. Good luck with your next vehicle. I really hope you are not as frustrated with it as you are your X.

[jimsaq]

I feel your pain Praetorian, best of luck with whatever you do

[buschy]

Originally Posted by Praetorian

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.

yeah your right that car has problems. I cannot believe it slides in the snow.


I honestly believe you are still trying to find a reason to justify trading in your brand new car for a Porsche. But I am not sure who you are trying to convince.