Need HELP on which options most important: 2010 35d

[rh71]

Originally Posted by jsears

Yea, you just spent $70K on a vehicle and I understand that you don't want the RES to be "odd" looking in your new X5. But does your son or daughter really care that those lines and the integration into the front seat make the car even look sexier. No, they care that they get to watch some Dora, Sponge Bob while on a car ride. Who else is riding in the back seat of your X5? The family dog, I am sure you want him slobbering all over the fully integrated 3 hour replaceable screens.

I debated about whether to post this, but figure I have the floor as much as anyone to give an opinion - let's not forget that we have much cheaper portable options that can do the same thing here since we are talking about the kids not caring right? But if we go the route of wanting to spend a good chunk of change instead - and we are here - for 1 reason, then I don't think asking for a sleeker look and integration is asking too much. Ace has agreed on its looks - and I don't want to put that down any more than I already have - he's also made a strong case for why his is a top performer and how it would be a convenient fix should anything go wrong. I'm not questioning any of that and I'm glad for him it sells based on these points.

But it seems the case is that there's no room for improvement in his eyes... and that can't be right. The whole "low priority" thing and not fixing something that's not broken... somebody has to suggest otherwise so things can improve even more. If someone were to critique my own website creation harshly, I may be very defensive, but if I work for ABC Corporation and some people were unhappy, rather than being defensive I would look at enhancements. There, that's the nicest way I can say it.

[acedeucy]

Im really talking about current technology vs cost effectiveness.

Sure you can buy the Walmart velcro strap kit in a box but when you stop short and those things go through your windshield, was that the smartest choice? We all carry $20Million in Liability insurace per claim for that kind of stuff don't we.

And sure I could build a kit that plays Blu-Ray on a 7" Monitor but HD can't be enjoyed on such a small screen. Also I could build a kit with Wi-Fi Capabilites that would involve an internet subscription service and you could read email in the car and surf the web. But that is why you probably own a blackberry or iPhone, right? All I am saying is for what you need in the realm of mass media viewing, mine currently sits at the top on the stack for what you get all in one package. Again might not win any beauty pagents but then again neither did the Millenium Falcon, but she had it where it counts, right? Even did the Kessel Run in under 6.5 parsecs. LOL!

There is no need for improvement in the current market, besides BMW is extremely happy with the current offering and if they are happy, so am I. But hey, a letter to your state congressman never hurt...did it?

All I am saying is the year is young and everyday Steve Jobs dreams up a new iPod...stay tuned as something may come along one day that might actually satisfy for craving for laundry doing and laser beams...at least for a few minutes. Gotta go, bill gates is on park 4!

-Law

[roman707]

I actually like the way the Invision system looks. There is silver trim, and even thought the screen casing is beige, it does not seem distracting. I really like that it uses LED backlit screens. The kids will love this, after all its for them. Also, I do not see how any system could possibly have integrated screens in the active headrests.

[acedeucy]

Originally Posted by roman707

I actually like the way the Invision system looks. There is silver trim, and even thought the screen casing is beige, it does not seem distracting. I really like that it uses LED backlit screens. The kids will love this, after all its for them. Also, I do not see how any system could possibly have integrated screens in the active headrests.

Thx for the kudos. We are proud of our product offering for BMW. With the active headrests in place there really is very little prime real estate to have a rear entertainment system. If you touch that headrest its like removing an airbag from the car. Not a good idea IMHO. We build that system so it kind of piggy backs that headrest but it's a mounted to a bracket attached to the rear of the seat. It looks very clean.

-LAW

[weston bimmer]

roman707,

What did you end up ordering?
You do realize there is a $4500 rebate until sometime in November, right?

My dealer ordered mine yesterday at cost plus destination/MACO/training fees. (in other words, dealer invoice) Of course, I will be waiting until November for PCD.
Here is what I ordered, but now thinking I should have done the DVD - I wasn't aware of the headrest issue...

1063X5 sDrive 35d
2VA Adaptive Drive
322 Comfort Access
328 Running Boards
386 Roof rails
4AD Brushed aluminum trim
655 Satellite Radio with 1 Yr subscription
6FL iPod and USB adapter
6NF Smartphone Intergration(requires 6FL and ZPP)
Colors/upholsteries
300 Alpine White (NC - non metallic)
NASW Black Nappa Leather
Nappa Leather dashboard and console
Packages
ZAPSport Activity Package
456 multi contour seats (upgrade)
ZCW Cold Weather Package
ZPP Premium package
ZPS Premium Sound Package
ZTP Technology Package

[spacey]

$0 over invoice huh? Can't beat that! ... I also placed an order yesterday for $500 over invoice... but I definitely had a feeling that there was relatively very little resistance to get that number, meaning I might have been able to go to $0, but somehow had it hardwired in my head that I should let the dealer make some $. LOL ... what market conditioning will do

spacey

[weston bimmer]

$500 is fair. They really don't make much on the cars these days, mostly service.
Yes, they get some manufacturer incentives, CPI money and bank/lease spiffs - but that probably doesn't do a lot more than cover the huge, expensive showrooms that are becoming commonplace, especially with BMW, Mercedes, etc.

My local dealer, Herb Chambers BMW of Sudbury (20 minutes west of Boston) is over 70,000 square feet with a television lounge and multiple LCD, TVs and a working fireplace, children’s play area complete with lots of toys, nice sales lounges, a (free!) Starbucks quality coffee bar and café run by a 19 year old who looks like a model, an outdoor patio and a business center.

I have to be honest, while I was frustrated having to take my 535i in over and over for the HPFP issues, it was a very pleasant place to hang out

[spacey]

Ooh... yea hanging at the dealer has always been one of my favorite things to do... all those cool accessories, catalogs and just bimmer stuff mmm... while my local dealers don't sound as decadent as the one you describe I still love the smell of oil and coffee in the moring! And somehow the car always felt better afterwards no matter how insignificant the service they performed was. And paying $200 or so for an oil change and tire pressure check seemed completely normal... LOL ... Well of course nowadays I have a "guy" who pretty much only does BMWs, Mercedes, Audi , VW and Volvo since my 528 is past warranty who has a 3 car stall somewhere in a nondescript industrial park and he doesn't wash my car after service... but I pay >60% less than at the dealer every time. He will call around for best deals on parts before he does anything and make sure and call me and actually give me options and pros and cons for each and ask me how I'd like to proceed! Imagine that novel idea. And even then he acts all apologetically that it cost so much ... man... I don't know what I did to deserve knowing that man!
spacey

[stef]

Pano roof (the must have)
Confort seats
AFS
Rear camera (especially in europe for parking)
Premium sound
WITHOUT sport suspensions

[weston bimmer]

stef,
the X5 xDrive35d cannot be ordered with sport suspension anymore (as of 2010). Item 225 in option package ZAP 'sport actvity package' is a delete for sport suspension. In other words, the 'adaptive drive' system is the only way to get better cornering now. Unfortunately, it is also $3,500 in addition to option package ZAP.