Snatched a 2010 X5 Diesel over the weekend

[Armand]

While I was agonizing over my order last weekend, the dealer got a cancellation and I got lucky! By Sunday evening, I was the proud owner of a new X5 35D! I was lucky the specs were very close.

I have been bitching and moaning about the whole ordering process on this forum and I appreciate the support I have been getting.

A couple of questions for the experts. Sorry if these are repeat questions:

- The finance guy was pushing for the tire insurance at $1250 for 5 years. The car came with the Michelin Latitude Tour HP ZP run flat tires. These tires are about $250 a pop. If I get 5 flats over the next five years, I will still be head not purchasing the insurance. I know the tread depth is less on these run flats but I have only had two flats in the last ten years! Am I missing anything here?

- I will need to buy snow chains. The security chain brand has a product for the 19" rims at about $90 and then there are the expensive kinds over $400. Does anyone know of tire damage or other issues with the low cost brands?

- There is an unbranded diesel gas station near where I live. The tank is near half full now. I will have to venture into a diesel gas station some time soon! Is unbranded kind the same quality as the famous brands? We have Shell, Valero and Chevron around here as well.

Thanks in advance!


---------
2010 X5 35D, Plat Bronze/Saddle Brown Nevada
Premium, Tech, Sport, Premium Sound, Cold Weather, Rear Climate, Comfort Access, iPod, Sat Radio, Running board, Roof rail

[LeMansX5]

Congrats! Post pics when you can. BMW recommends Shell.

[ard]

Chains? For what? You want cables anyway... but I can count on my fingers the number of times I've chained up an AWD or 4WD vehicle. Where do you live where this is required?

Skip the tire insurnace... runflats come with some kind of warranty, BTW...

Nice choice in color BTW! I have the same car- add adaptive drive, minus running bds, comfort and sirius...

A

[Armand]

Originally Posted by ard

Chains? For what? You want cables anyway... but I can count on my fingers the number of times I've chained up an AWD or 4WD vehicle. Where do you live where this is required?

Skip the tire insurnace... runflats come with some kind of warranty, BTW...

Nice choice in color BTW! I have the same car- add adaptive drive, minus running bds, comfort and sirius...

A

Thanks! I am amazed at how rare Plat Bronze exterior is in my area. Glad to see I am not the only one with this taste! It's a beautiful color. Saddle brown is a perfect match for it. Regarding the chains, California law requires chains on AWD vehicles with all season tires in certain (very rare) conditions. I hate to drive all the way up to the Sierra only to get turned back. I don't anticipate I will ever use them. I think you answered my question though. I will just go with the cheap ones!

[alexmish]

Re Tire insurance - does the coverage include wheels ? And are you leasing or buying?

[DSE]

Originally Posted by Armand

- The finance guy was pushing for the tire insurance at $1250 for 5 years. The car came with the Michelin Latitude Tour HP ZP run flat tires. These tires are about $250 a pop. If I get 5 flats over the next five years, I will still be head not purchasing the insurance. I know the tread depth is less on these run flats but I have only had two flats in the last ten years! Am I missing anything here?

- There is an unbranded diesel gas station near where I live. The tank is near half full now. I will have to venture into a diesel gas station some time soon! Is unbranded kind the same quality as the famous brands? We have Shell, Valero and Chevron around here as well.

(1) I believe that insuance includes the rims as well, but only for damage from potholes and road hazards, as opposed to curb rash.

(2) I think the most important thing is to be sure the diesel is ultra-low sulfur (ULSD); looks for a green label on the pump. Do not buy a pump with low sulfur (LSD) -- which I was surprised to see at an Exxon station -- or from an unlabeled pump.

[genemish]

[Edge647]

Congrats and enjoy

[jaaX3]

That's $250 per year for that tire insurance. I've gotten 1 flat in 10 years. I passed on the insurance.

I've driven through storms in the Sierras without cables (I lived in Sac & SF for 22 years). I'm pretty sure they let you by as long as you have a competent AWD system (xDrive is better than the pseudo-AWD system we had in our RX400h when they let us pass). Check on the local laws, but I'm 95% sure you can get by without cables.

I would look for a top-tier fuel station (others might say different... to each their own). As another poster mentioned, make sure it's labeled ULSD.

Congrats, and let's see pics!

[jago]

hi,
last month one of my original 30,000 mi tires on the X
took a nail and was patched by local shop, contrary to some
opinions these can be patched easily.
we have 18" bridgestone RFTs.
we put about 2000 more miles on the truck since, including
1500 this weekend alone.
this had been the first tire issue in almost 3 years too.
i would not bother with these big SUVs and their bulkier tires.
i could see getting it with a real low profile tire and wheel
on a smaller car.