New owner 2009 X5 3.0 Metallic Black

[ezcompany]

Hello everyone, nice to meet you all!
I've been searching for a good and active X5 forum so I hope this is it.
Its been 2 days since I brought home the new car, and this would be my first luxury car ever, so any advice and help is greatly appreciated, as I spent waaayyy more money than I should have! I have been debating over the Q7, ML, and the RR Sport. The RR Sport came verryyy close, but I think in the end I'm glad I went with the BMW, which I hope everyone here will convince me of Details are as follows:

X5 3.0 2009 Metallic Black
Beige interior Nevada Leather
Dark burl trim?
Premium Package
Technology Package
Rear Climate Package
Seat Heaters
Running Boards

I actually didn't want the rear climate but they said there was no choice.
Anyways, I have some immediate questions for you xperts if you don't mind!

1. I have the USB connector. I thought this would integrate my Iphone's Ipod function, but it didn't work. Whats its purpose? The Iphone is currently connected via bluetooth, and I can only listen to Ipod/Pandora music through the aux jack.

2. Whats the main difference between the 08s and the 09s? Since this is 09, have I actually purchased the 2010 model? I know I should've clarified this with the car broker but I was in such a chaotic situation my apologies.

3. Best way to maintain and care for the metallic black? Is there a recommended wax? Do I go to a detailer or is it better to do it myself?

4. Cheaper option to get all weather floor mats other than through dealer ship?


Thank you all and I hope to have a great time on this forum learning!

Jin

[TaMbALoLoNg]

Congratulations and welcome.... Pics?

[us_matrix]

Congrat with your new ride.

I was wondering where is your USB connector loacted? I have a 08 but did not find it....

Originally Posted by ezcompany

Hello everyone, nice to meet you all!
I've been searching for a good and active X5 forum so I hope this is it.
Its been 2 days since I brought home the new car, and this would be my first luxury car ever, so any advice and help is greatly appreciated, as I spent waaayyy more money than I should have! I have been debating over the Q7, ML, and the RR Sport. The RR Sport came verryyy close, but I think in the end I'm glad I went with the BMW, which I hope everyone here will convince me of Details are as follows:

X5 3.0 2009 Metallic Black
Beige interior Nevada Leather
Dark burl trim?
Premium Package
Technology Package
Rear Climate Package
Seat Heaters
Running Boards

I actually didn't want the rear climate but they said there was no choice.
Anyways, I have some immediate questions for you xperts if you don't mind!

1. I have the USB connector. I thought this would integrate my Iphone's Ipod function, but it didn't work. Whats its purpose? The Iphone is currently connected via bluetooth, and I can only listen to Ipod/Pandora music through the aux jack.

2. Whats the main difference between the 08s and the 09s? Since this is 09, have I actually purchased the 2010 model? I know I should've clarified this with the car broker but I was in such a chaotic situation my apologies.

3. Best way to maintain and care for the metallic black? Is there a recommended wax? Do I go to a detailer or is it better to do it myself?

4. Cheaper option to get all weather floor mats other than through dealer ship?


Thank you all and I hope to have a great time on this forum learning!

Jin

[x5mad]

Congrats and welcome! I was in the same situation with the choice of cars but was also considering the porsche cayenne. However I also feel the right choice was with the X5. I have now had it for 12 months and still love it!

As to your questions

1. The USB connector is only for hooking up usb drives and similar to play music, it will not work with iphone.

2. I think the only difference would be that you should have a dvd multichanger as opposed to cd multichanger. Otherwise pretty much the same (Im from Australia though so dont quote me!)

3. Black is a beautiful colour... when clean! I too ordered black and it looks stunning when clean, which lasts all of 5 minutes! Black unfortunately is very difficult to maintain as it shows up swirls, scratches etc far more than the other colours. I am quite anal when looking after the X5 due to the above. So I clean it myself (apart from today as I was feeling lazy - and let this be a lesson as it came back full of swirl marks and scratches as if someone had washed it with sandpaper! grrr!)

So apart from that one incident above I wash it myself. Twice a year I do a full detail, which includes wash, clay bar, polishing with random orbital sander - how many steps depends on how bad the paintwork, swissvax cleaner fluid, then swissvax concorso. Then roughly once a week I just do a normal wash - but I use something called dodo juice shampoo so as not to take off my wax layer, microfibre wash mits - much safer than a sponge i find, and 2 bucket method. Finally drying with a microfibre towel. (The steps are a bit more detailed than this but I have condensed)

So as you can see if you want to keep it it in pristine condition its hardwork! If you dont have the time or are too lazy then you need to find a good detailer, avoid car washes or 'express' hand wash places.

4. Ebay

[motordavid]

ezcompany,
Welcome to TheXBoard, imo...
There is little under the sun that someone here cannot answer or,
point you in the right direction.

Black: looks great clean, PIA to keep it that way.
Detailer yes, but pricey. Check Detail Forum for many opins
on favorite "wax" and DIY methods.

All weather mats: I like WeatherTech...
WeatherTech - All-Weather Car Floor Mats by WeatherTech

You got an '09, so unless the sticker lists it as a '10, it's an '09.

You missed the Sport option, but each to their own.
GL,mD

[jamesboags]

Originally Posted by x5mad

3. Black is a beautiful colour... when clean! I too ordered black and it looks stunning when clean, which lasts all of 5 minutes! Black unfortunately is very difficult to maintain as it shows up swirls, scratches etc far more than the other colours. I am quite anal when looking after the X5 due to the above. So I clean it myself (apart from today as I was feeling lazy - and let this be a lesson as it came back full of swirl marks and scratches as if someone had washed it with sandpaper! grrr!)

So apart from that one incident above I wash it myself. Twice a year I do a full detail, which includes wash, clay bar, polishing with random orbital sander - how many steps depends on how bad the paintwork, swissvax cleaner fluid, then swissvax concorso. Then roughly once a week I just do a normal wash - but I use something called dodo juice shampoo so as not to take off my wax layer, microfibre wash mits - much safer than a sponge i find, and 2 bucket method. Finally drying with a microfibre towel. (The steps are a bit more detailed than this but I have condensed)

So as you can see if you want to keep it it in pristine condition its hardwork! If you dont have the time or are too lazy then you need to find a good detailer, avoid car washes or 'express' hand wash places.

4. Ebay

Yes me too ...never let my ride be washed at any car wash place.. although I use Zaino.. it needs some pretty bad at the moment...I've never been confident with the clay bar though...nor an orbital .... don't the orbitals put the swirl marks in or am I just misinformed...

[rh71]

09's will have the word xdrive on the side. I honestly haven't heard of any other differences to the vehicle. 2010s should have the new idrive and production for new models shouldn't start till September the earliest.

All-weather mats... cheapest option is ebay... there may be dealers selling there too. I picked up an authentic BMW trunk mat (fitted) for really cheap there from a dealer in Maine.

[apw2607]

Originally Posted by x5mad

1. The USB connector is only for hooking up usb drives and similar to play music, it will not work with iphone.

I think your a little confused.

The iphone can be connected to the "6FL option" .. or USB/Aux connector. They should have given you a Y-Cable.

If you also ordered option "6NF" Smartphone integration, then you can use a special iphone cradle, which will charge the phone, allow it to use the external shark fin antenna for better reception, and allow the i-drive to access the phone for music. Option 6FL started in 2009 MY.

Also, if you have BMW Assist, another new feature for 2009 is you can send google addresses to the car via google maps on your computer.

[ezcompany]

thanks for the warm reception guys!
looks like my main concern with the car will be keeping the black clean!
I'm sifting through the detail forum,,, i don't know if its worth leaving it to the professionals or doing it myself....although i'm sure it will be cheaper doing it myself! is there a basic step by step way of cleaning the e-70 with good brands of cleaning materials?

[BGM]

Originally Posted by ezcompany

thanks for the warm reception guys!
looks like my main concern with the car will be keeping the black clean!
I'm sifting through the detail forum,,, i don't know if its worth leaving it to the professionals or doing it myself....although i'm sure it will be cheaper doing it myself! is there a basic step by step way of cleaning the e-70 with good brands of cleaning materials?

Is it going to be parked outside during the day ? There's basically 2 kinds of waxes--polymers (durability) and carnauba (better shine but won't last as long as a polymers). Zaino is a popular polymer but it does have multiple steps and P21s is a good carnauba. I have had Jet Black for 8 years on my e53 and have always used P21s as it's easy to put on and take off with great results at a good price. Mine is garaged but I still wax every 3 months. P21s has a cleaner that you can do twice a year under the wax. Of course as mentioned, microfiber towels and a good wash liquid (I like Einszett Perls).