Break-in experiences (beyond what manual says)?

[RedRockin]

We know what the manual says about the "break in periods". Every vehicle I've had seems to have different break-in periods for different aspects. The clutch on my last Infiniti G35S took over 5,000 miles to break in and settled in around 10,000 miles. Thought it might be interesting to see what people are experiencing with their X5s in any aspect of the vehicle over time/miles.

I've only had mine (30i) a week and it has only about 225 miles; I've got nothing valuable to contribute yet. Noticed a few things but it's way too early to glean anything from them. If I have to brake while turning in an intersection, I feel a bit of hesitation when I hit the gas which can be followed by rev higher than I'd expect. I live in a smaller town with few traffic lights and major roads are state roads with 2 lanes each direction (with suicide/turning lane between); this allows longer runs at steady speeds and it seems I can keep the MPG needle higher using the manual shifting mode. Of course, I am still on my first tank so no basis for real comparison! Lastly, the seat (Nevada Leather) feels quite stiff/hard, stiffer than I remember from test drive. I'll likely be putting another 500 miles on her this week.

So, what changes are you seeing at various mileage and/or time frames for the ways your vehicle behaves? MPG, acceleration, braking, handling, suspension, etc.?

[rh71]

I'm finally at 10k miles after 2 years. The acceleration hesitation right after slowing down is still there and it seems many people agree it is a problem across many of their models, not just the 3.0 or even just the X5. Gas mileage got slightly better after about 5k mi. (I'm really only getting 15mpg with 80% city and I'm not that heavy on it - diesel would've been great). Everything else still feels good as new (like brakes, shocks). Sport seats (in nevada leather), if that's what you have, will still be severely stiff after 2 years. Manual mode (completely different throttle response - extra sensitive, for your pleasure) + handling is what makes this vehicle.

[ABMW]

Just to add, that the clutch issue is pretty normal on Infiniti's which share their platform with the 350/370zs. I had the same issue, then again, it's managing quite a bit of power.

In terms of my experience with my X5 35d, which now has 4,000 miles on it, there are a few more creaks and rattles. The handling may be every so slightly more precise (I have adaptive drive).

The brakes have always worked well, with no issues. Mileage has always been high. I've always been able to average 30 mpg. from day one, if I drive at the speed limit. By choice, I've chosen to drive in the 24 mile per gallon range.

All in all, I wouldn't expect much. You'll probably uncover a few electrical bugs here and there, but maybe you'll get lucky!

All in all, there's not a whole lot to expect. It's a very stiff and stable platform, and depending on the package you've opted for, it should serve you well for exactly 50,000 miles or 4-years, whichever comes first.

At which point you should trade it and avoid the ticking time bomb, that BMWNA has sold upon us all.

Beyond that, love your car. Cherish it. Pull up to your local clubs and watch people flock around your BMW. Clean it with a baby diaper, a clean one, if possible. Buy some cool lowering springs, pimp it out. Make it the wom..., I mean the car, you've always wanted.

By the way, you can talk to your car, and it will even talk back to you. Just press the button on the steering wheel. My X5 and I talk to each other all the time. It tells me where to turn, and I obey masterfully. I love my X5.

I've named it Tracy. What did you name yours?

[RedRockin]

Haven't named her yet; waiting for her to "tell" me her name!

30i w/prem, tech (nice cams), heated seats, boards, rails, & USB/iPod (console compartment - which I am really pissed no one told me it comes with one USB for HD loading {glove box} already - don't use iPod so wouldn't have sprung for that $400 if I knew it came with one already). Didn't get the sport seats although wanted the ventilated seats but not the contour that you are forced to get with the package (G contour {sport for stick} seats were horribly uncomfortable). Heated steering wheel would have been nice; too bad it is no longer a $100 stand-alone option. BTW, leased mine so won't be modin-it but also don't need to worry about it "after 5 years" either.

Nice thread, different cars "break-in" differently so I hope others may choose to chime in with their experiences. The G was two completely different cars between winter and summer. When the warmer weather hit, everything expanded, relaxed and became oh so much sweeter! Colder weather everything contracted and it was stiff as a board!

BTW, while the G's nav was far superior to the X5's, the X5's phone system is waaaaay superior to the G's and so are the cams and the iDrive too!!

[AzNMpower32]

The transmission is adaptive and will use fuzzy logic to learn your driving style for the new few hundred miles. Keep in mind that these newer transmissions are a bit different from those of a few years ago. The torque converter locks up early around 40km/h and therefore feels more like a manual. However, the instant torque multiplication response when you suddenly hit the throttle is not there, as the transmission will sometimes need to downshift. In addition, downshifts are slightly less smooth since the converter remains locked until about 30km/h. However, the benefit is a more direct-feeling AT and reduced fuel consumption since it engine brakes as a result. Treat/think of it as a manual transmission.

The engine breaks in over time, and fuel consumption will be relatively high for awhile. Wait until about 10.000 miles before achieving optimal fuel consumption figures. Vary the revs and try not to use cruise control for awhile. The manual states nothing about 5000rpm or 100mph (160km/h) for the first 1200 miles

All new tires require some break in but by 500 miles that should not be an issue.

[RedRockin]

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

The transmission is adaptive and will use fuzzy logic to learn your driving style for the new few hundred miles. Keep in mind that these newer transmissions are a bit different from those of a few years ago. The torque converter locks up early around 40km/h and therefore feels more like a manual. However, the instant torque multiplication response when you suddenly hit the throttle is not there, as the transmission will sometimes need to downshift. In addition, downshifts are slightly less smooth since the converter remains locked until about 30km/h. However, the benefit is a more direct-feeling AT and reduced fuel consumption since it engine brakes as a result. Treat/think of it as a manual transmission.

The engine breaks in over time, and fuel consumption will be relatively high for awhile. Wait until about 10.000 miles before achieving optimal fuel consumption figures. Vary the revs and try not to use cruise control for awhile. The manual states nothing about 5000rpm or 100mph (160km/h) for the first 1200 miles

All new tires require some break in but by 500 miles that should not be an issue.

WOW, what an awesome post. Thank you! I truly wish I were more mechanically inclined - enough to better appreciate the significance of your comments. May I ask you to clarify a bit, perhaps in more layman's terms?

I can tell you (If the Az in your screen name might refer to Arizona, you are familiar with I-17 between PHX and Sedona):
From delivery, trip home is just over 100 miles, all highway and ascends about 5,000 feet (covering about 60 miles) before descending 1000 ft. ~40 miles. Not knowing better, I did use cruise control. The next 100 miles was mostly local and state highway (about 60/40 respectively) using cruise again on the highway. The last 100 miles was taking it back to dealer today (where I left it due to wrong add-on parts arriving - took a loaner home and will retrieve X on Saturday.). That trip was the reverse (1,000 ft ascend followed by 60 miles of descend 5,000 ft) all highway - mostly 75-80 mph. And, once again, used cruise.

Local driving is fairly steady 35 mph with few lights and, as I posted, I have been experimenting with the manual shifting.

Over this amount of driving, the OBC tells me I am averaging 18.5 mpg.

I felt competent with the G (Infiniti) 6 speed manual trans. But now feel a bit awkward with the X due to the lag after braking. If X is using fuzzy logic to "learn" from me, what can I do to better "teach" it to develop better habits (as in minimize the lag after braking - initial throttle response)? Any/all recommendation MOST welcome!

Not too worried about THESE tires (RFs) as I have highly rated non-RFs on order and will pull these RFs, to save for lease-end return, when the others come in. They are back ordered so I am hoping they will come in the next few weeks.

Finally, in a 2007 post in the e53 subforum:

Silver5 posted:
Xx3 Posted this. I hope he doesn't mind but what a great feature .

Simply turn the key to position 2. Hold the accelerator to the click point for 25 seconds. Let go of the accelerator, start the engine and off you go...

The transmission's learning algorithm will be reset to 0. Therefore, it will lose the slow and gentle acceleration that the previous owner used...

Try it, and repost your results I guarantee your experience will be very different...

The 2010 X5 doesn't have "key position 2" as the key doesn't move. Is there an equal technique I can use on the 2010 to undo whatever I may have done wrong thus far? Perhaps "position 2" refers to accessory position and on 2010 insert key and press ignition button with no brake (so engine doesn't start) might be equiv.? Has this "algorithm reset" been changed to a different procedure or removed in the 2010?

Thanks again and sorry for my mechanignorance!

[AzNMpower32]

I'm not an engineer or even a great mechanic, but just drive the AT as normal. The "adaptive" part isn't as dramatic as it sounds, the shift points and characteristics are subtle and undetectable to most folks. I think just understanding the differences between the newer and older ATs go a long way.

A key feature of the adaptive transmission is the ability to select different shift styles/patterns based on various inputs. Don't try this now with the new engine, but there are essentially 2 shift maps for D and SD respectively. If you drive the vehicle very hard (as in full throttle, heavy braking, high g-forces) for a few miles, the transmission will begin to hold gears and possibly even downshift in advance while braking, as if you were on a race track. In the the most aggressive Sport mode, it will not upshift until redline and hold the revs high. However, unless you've got the space and road conditions to drive it like that, most folks won't experience the dynamic changes that can occur.

On the mountain roads that you were driving, you probably noticed that the transmission held gears slightly longer before upshifting; the sensors in the suspension can detect when you're driving on a gradient and modify the shift patterns to suit. On downhills, you should take advantage of the engine braking that occurs naturally and allow the X5 to coast; when coasting the vehicle consumes 0 fuel.

[RedRockin]

Thanks again! While I will probably never drive the vehicle aggressively, and cannot even imagine taking it to redline, I have noticed (somewhat) your comments about gradients. I have also noticed the coast factor. My experimenting is looking for a compromise between enjoying the vehicle's abilities (been very gentle as she is so new) and looking to find driving styles that will help me reach towards better MPGs. I just didn't/don't know anything about BMWs (my first - obviously) and this is also my first adaptive.

FWIW, another thing I HAVE noticed, that I haven't yet seen posted in any of the three forums I monitor, and don't see in the manual, is the cruise lever pull-back (decelerate) applies brakes when pulled past the resistance point. Clearly, I have no idea if this is new for 2010 or not but if you are on cruise and gently pull the cruise lever back (incremental deceleration), the vehicle coasts down in speed. If you move the lever up or down (turns cc off), the vehicle coasts. If you pull the lever back past the resistance point - brakes are applied for rapid deceleration. Surprised the hell out of me the first time it happened. If I hadn't been accustomed to a car applying its own brakes (my G had distance laser guided cruise control and if I got too close to a car in front of me the G would apply brakes), I would have really been kind of freaked when the X did it.

One more Q: does SD (manually) shifting impact the adaptive drive? I am not asking about redline aggressive, or even full throttle, but wondering what the adaptive "learns" from D vs SD driving. And how I may be able to better 'teach" it towards that downshift while braking. If I just need to wait until after 1200 miles or so and then drive it a bit more aggressively of if I could possible help it "learn" using SD shifting (seems like this might be a more gentle way to "teach" it).

Thanks again!

[AzNMpower32]

Read the attached document especially pages 5-8. Although I think it may be a slightly older transmission model, much of the programming remains true.

The Dynamic Cruise control (with brake function) is standard on all 6 cylinder or higher BMWs. As you noticed, reducing the set speed rapidly will deploy the brakes (and brake lights). It will also brake gently on a downhill should the vehicle coast faster than your preset speed. Pushing the stalk away is the same in regards to acceleration: gently for +1mph or km/h, beyond the detent for +5mph (10km/h). This is all stated in the owner's manual.

[RedRockin]

Thanks for the steptronic.pdf. will spend some time with it later in the weekend. meanwhile, the manual (at least 2010's) mention the cc stalk past resistance point for larger incremental changes (up to 5 mph each) but there is no mention of the brakes being applied for rapid cc deceleration. I have the electronic manual downloaded and tried to copy this section to post but is in protected pdf format and won't allow copy w/o password. If you want to see it, download from BMW and see page 70.

The reason it surprised me is that I did not think the cc was dynamic (w/o distance control). so when it first happened, I was surprised and went to read about in the manual. When I saw nothing in manual, I had to play with the feature a bit more next time on highway to see what the car does in different circumstances that is NOT in the manual. While the manual is better than most manuals I have had for vehicles, it still leaves much unsaid.

One of the possible downside perceptions I am seeing in BMW is the Buyer Beware attitude that seems to permeate the sales, service and production of these cars. While I haven't tried to make a list, it is starting to feel like there is a bunch of stuff not really communicated to customers (or even available to customers who may not know to ask, ask someone else, and then research and verify to see if there isn't anything still missing on any particular point). In this case, the dynamic aspects of brakes application in cc is a nice surprise. Not all of the "unmentioned(s)" are so.

Overall, after first week, I am impressed with and like the vehicle. And, that seems to be consensus - if you like the vehicle... (sort of implies the ends justify the means - and there appears to be a-l-o-t of means being justified by that end).

Thanks again for all!