Need a morale boost-Tell me something you like about your E70

[ICX5]

Don't want to get too far off topic pgaX5, but I'll agree with you that my 2002 530i (would have loved to have the 540i, but took a deal on the 530i off the lot) is probably my favorite all time car to date. My 35d is doing great for me, love the power, mileage, and handling; however, when I get back to warmer climates, a 545 or M3 is going back on my list of possible next vehicles. Best of luck to you, I'm betting you'll love the X5, and look on the bright side, if you don't... another new car. I know many may not feel that way, but I am an admitted newcaraholic, haven't kept one for more than 4 years in the last 15 years, but the 530i was that car!

[pgaX5]

ICX5, I had a new '02 530 for 39 months & 47K miles. Titanium Silver/Black, Sport/Prem, and the best part...5 speed manual. The manual transmission made that car for me...just as much fun to drive as the 540 (which was a Step) if not as brutally powerful. The E70 will be my wife's car, and I'm sure I'll enjoy it many times more than our current gas guzzling, wallowing, huge Tahoe.

[Juanted]

I'm on my second X5, with no major issues with either one. The car puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. Stick it out. Trust me, the car is worth it.

[wdc330i]

I've had a 2001 Z3, a 2001 330i, a 2003 330i, a 2003 325xiT (my father has this one now), a 2006 530xiT (still have this one), and a 2009 X5 3.0.

So far the X5 is the second most reliable BMW I've had (knock on wood)--just the GPS DVD reader replacement mentioned before.

The 2002 330i (built in Munich) was the most reliable I've had to date; went 7 years without any major problems and just a couple of minor problems toward the end.

The most problematic has been the 2006 530xiT. I can't remember whether it was built in Regensburg or Dingolfing--I think the latter. I believe we've worked through the major issues, but it has been a royal pain. Still, we love the car. Incredibly comfortable, handles great, perfect weight/power arrangement. Very easy as a dog hauler (the X5 is really too high for them--medium-sized dogs).

That said, I prefer driving the X5--mainly because it comes with a true sport suspension. The 5 wagon does not have adaptive drive, so it has some body roll. That body roll really diminishes the driving experience for me.

Perhaps the new 5 Series GT with Dynamic Drive would trump the X. But I imagine with two dogs and a child, we'd still need the space of the X and the larger wagon footprint. It's a question whether BMW will import the new larger wagon if they are trying to push the GT here.

[Redridge]

I have say... I was on the same boat with you. Reliability, quality, service etc..... I took the plunge and I am enjoying the 35d (only got 1k miles). I would def do it again.... at this point, with the deals going on out there, Im happy with my purchase.

[jpl]

I have BMW for over 20 years, on and off, the quality is not what it should be, 8 visits in a year to fix warranty item...plus those that they can't reproduce, too much electronic, too much plastic, fortunately the ride is enjoyable, but I just bought an F-150 for pulling( a low gear that will allow me not to get stuck in sand), going in remote area(with a real spare and peace of mind), I seem more content with Ford quality...and the ride is not bad...for less then half the price...

will I keep the BM???????

[wdc330i]

Originally Posted by jpl

I have BMW for over 20 years, on and off, the quality is not what it should be, 8 visits in a year to fix warranty item...plus those that they can't reproduce, too much electronic, too much plastic, fortunately the ride is enjoyable, but I just bought an F-150 for pulling( a low gear that will allow me not to get stuck in sand), going in remote area(with a real spare and peace of mind), I seem more content with Ford quality...and the ride is not bad...for less then half the price...

will I keep the BM???????

Well, I do think you take your chances with a first-year new model with any car make. You have an '07, yes? I think that's part of the problem with our 5 wagon; it was the first year for the xi wagon style. And that's part of why I didn't wait for the X5 diesel and chose instead the 3.0.

[ABMW]

Originally Posted by wdc330i

Well, I do think you take your chances with a first-year new model with any car make. You have an '07, yes? I think that's part of the problem with our 5 wagon; it was the first year for the xi wagon style. And that's part of why I didn't wait for the X5 diesel and chose instead the 3.0.

But the only thing new with the 35d compared to older X5s is the powertrain!

Though the powertrain's technology has been around for years! Sure it's new to the U.S., but Europe has been using similar technology for years!

Clean Diesel is not new whatsoever. I feel bad for those who bought or leased 3.0 or 4.8 X5s, to be honest.

I sold my last SUV- a Nissan Armada because I averaged 12 to 13 miles per gallon, in combined driving. It was painful, very painful to go to the pump.

I'm getting 24 mpg. with my diesel at speeds over 80 miles per hour (AZ's Interstate Speed Limit is 80 mph. and most drive 5 to 10 over the posted limit).

On flat routes, between Los Angeles and Phoenix, I'm looking forward to 28 to 30 miles per gallon!

All that with little to no loss of power! In fact, the 35d feels quicker off the line than the 4.8 does. I haven't seen any numbers, but I'm betting it's 0 to 30 times are equal, if not a hair faster.

Besides, who truly cares about a 0.5 second difference when driving an SUV!

Passing at 80, or getting around wandering sleepy truck drivers, requiring the need to accelerate from 80 to 100 is seamless, smooth, and uneventful.

With adaptive drive the 35d is the most efficient, best handling, most desirable SAV sold on the U.S. market today, for it's class.

I drove the Bluetech Mercedes and quite honestly, I was utterly shocked at the handling and quality of the vehicles. It was disgusting and sad to see just how far that company has declined. The switch and plastic quality was LITERALLY on par with a Kia. The handling of the ML and GL series diesels and gasoline vehicles was ridiculous. The steering was so light on the freeway, that it was borderline dangerous. It was straight out of a 1970 Ford Econoline Van. No steering ratio should ever be that high on a 5,500 or 6,500 lbs. vehicle.

So, while the 35d and the X5 in general is not perfect (no vehicle is) it's damn near close. Those who complain about the 2010 model's lack of sophisticated electronics have a point. Maybe a Toyota Prius does have more technology, but what it has works, and so far for me, it works rather well.

Blind spot lane avoidance would be okay, as would some of the auto braking features offered on the Volvos and a few other models. But, that technology is far from being proven, and quite frankly even with such features, would you rely on them to the point that you would not check your blind spot manually?

Would you rely on an emergency auto-braking feature to save your life?

Remember when air bags first came out? There were numerous headline grabbing instances of them deploying due to malfunctions.

The X5 Diesel is a proven technology, and BMW is wise to slowly introduce other technologies in a trickle down manner. Besides, paying $80k for a loaded X5 35d with such features would be an annoyance and too expensive at this point.

So, my advice, test drive every other SUV out there, as I did, from the Audi, to the Mercedes, to the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, to the Volvo and Infiniti FX (which to me comes closest to giving the X5 a run for its money), and then I can all but guarantee you that the sophistication and the reliability of the 35d's handling will return you to this vehicle.

It really is that good. Coming from someone who's owned 20+ vehicles over the last 12 years, I don't give that compliment lightly or without a lot of experience behind me.

The 35d with adaptive drive and the technology package is outstanding! If you want, go for the sport package, which is an appearance upgrade (to some). Either way, you'll love the truck.

Diesel is here to stay and from an ecological perspective it's VERY arguable as to whether or not electric vehicles are cleaner from an environmental standpoint. Those with knowledge of lithium ion, salt based zebra batteries, and nickel cadnium or hydroxide batteries are well aware of the disgusting components that go into the manufacturing process.

Until someone comes out with a cheap and workable fuel cell powered SUV (probably 5 to 10 years away), I'm sticking with Diesel.

----

Of note: there are clean environmentally safe batteries, such as Zebra batteries, but their expense is currently preventing them from being used in the automotive industry. Though, for the most part they are non-toxic. A hybrid diesel X5, would be the ticket, in my opinion.

That's my moral boost for you! Go for it! What are your alternatives? Don't feel guilty, unless there's a genuine car you absolutely prefer. Otherwise, have no cold feet and jump in! This SUV is awesome! I love it more than the sports cars I've owned, just based on how freaking cool it is to be operating a Diesel 35d!

You should see the look on gas attendants faces as they run out to stop me from fueling my brand new X5 with Diesel! I've had people literally "run" out yelling stop, stop, stop!!!! It's the funniest thing! Once explained, the guys at stations with shops, usually come out and stare at the car with amazement. It's very fun!

The 335d would be just as cool @ 40+ miles per gallon! Maybe next year! What about an M3d (one can dream)!

[wdc330i]

I don't need a ton of power and I just felt safer going with the relatively bullet-proof BMW inline 6. And when I purchased mine, the price delta between the two engines was upward of $6,000. Discounts were available on the 3.0, but not the diesel.

If you do a little research, you'll find there are some sensor issues with the diesel engines. (And multiple, as yet unsolved, problems with the gas-powered biturbo engines.) But nothing that should be a problem longterm. Another thing that gave me pause is that dealer service shops will take awhile to get up to speed on repairing the diesels. My shop has just one diesel certified tech. This, of course, will also improve over time.

But, admittedly, more power AND better mileage are nothing to sneeze at. Especially now that deals, credits, etc. bring the two engines within shooting range of each other.

[wdc330i]

Originally Posted by ABMW

But the only thing new with the 35d compared to older X5s is the powertrain!

The fellow I was responding to has a 2007, the first model for the new X5 and known to have some first-year issues...