Impressions after 1+ month w/2010 X5d

[spacey]

Options:

Sapphire Black / Tan Leather

Premium Package
Technology Package
Sport Package
Premium Sound
Rear Climate Package
Running Boards
iPod and USB adapter
Smartphone Integration
Heated Front Seats
Sattelite Radio
Roof Rails
Automatic High Beams
Space Saver Spare

Of course love the car overall but, here are few good and bad observations I have:

0) Automatic High Beams - I love those things! I have to say this is almost as good of a feature as a Nav. I am stretching it a bit but only to make a point that I didn't expect it to be so cool as I find it now. It's one of those things that once you get it (for me) you think to yourself... man! it just really sucks without having this. You just turn on the AHB and forget it! It makes sure the lights get reduced whenever someone approaches or you gain on someone. This thing works brilliantly!

1) Premium Sound - Power and imaging is good but speakers suck like a super massive black hole. The sound is just mudd as hell... messing w/tones/eq doesn't help just makes things more annoying. There are no mids and the highs sound like somebody wrapped them up in wool mittens.

2) Sport Package - 1st the big one... the sports seats are just a huge fiasco for me. I have not experienced more uncomfortable seats in years in any of the cheapo Enterprise rentals I've driven over the years. I have been driving a '99 5er w/M sports pack/seats and loved those... but, always wanted the contour seats since the 1st time I sat in them few years back, so sort of planned to get them in my next bimmer... then the wife stepped in and just blasted the very idea of premium seats etc... anywhoo... that's my problem ... So I "decided" that how bad can the sports seats be... since I've like them for 10 years etc... WRONG! ... different sports seats! ... those things are just the least ergonomically designed seating surfaces I have experienced! Its like they designed them to be painful. Well, it's just the upper back support in my case, that's completely missing in those seats. The upper part of the backrest is bent back so far that you are essentially resting your back against a arc. To reach the headrest w/the back of your head is almost impossible baceause if you adjust the backrest forward it pushes the lower back forwad too thus your upper back goes forward too so it doesn't do anything to improve the support for it. Effectively it's like driving sitting on a stool. And that's with the adjustable headrest adjusted all the way forwad! I SOOOOOOOOO regret caving in to the spousal fit! Just tested out the Contour Seats earlier today at a local dealer and they are bliss! Perfection in comparison. You can adjust the upper back so it hugs you and your uppper feels no stress while sitting at all. Just for comparison, it took all but 50 min driving to get me a stiff/painful upper neck in my Sport Seats. I am going to have to do something to address this because right now it scares me to think about driving this car more than 50 miles...

2nd smaller, not sure about thingy - Anthracite headliner... well... hmmm... I guess if I tell myself mutiple times that it looks sportier then It stops bothering me... but frequently it just makes the interior feel smaller. If I had a choice of a tan headliner w/sport pack and could choose again I'd take the tan headliner.

3) HUD - Sort of was thinking of getting it, but decided to cheap out on the options and didn't. Well... now I kind of regret a little... since I definitely could find more times to use it than when I was thinking about while justyfying to myself not getting it. But... not a huge issue.

4) Cold Weather Package - Did not get it, opted for Heated Seats instead. So far, overall... eh... it was going to cost me more by ~600 clams. I guess there were couple of times I would have enjoyed having the warm steering wheel, and could have definitely used the headlamp washers few times. But overall.. not a huge issue.

5) Comfort Access - Did not get it. I am actually glad I did not... just sticking the key fob in the hole and pressing the button feels like a right level of improvement over the keye turn ignition. Not having the extra level of "coolness" of not having to stick the key in, and having the door open w/out pressing a button still doesn't sound like a loss at all. And the wife would have definitely gotton confused mutiple times by now and I'd get blamed, so... overall, glad I didn't get it.

6) Rear Climate Package - definitely a must have. Blinds + the 2 way (real) climate control in the rear are very nice.

7) Premium Package - way overpriced for what is in it, but you kind of have to get it to get those things... so it's a rip but the things are useful.

8) Sport Package - eh... well... I got it really for two things, 19" wheels and the steering wheel. But honestly, if I were to do it all over again, I'd probably get the HUD and Contour Seats instead. Or maybe the Sport Pack and the Contour Seats to save $1k...

9) iPod / USB - iPod integration is weird... 1st... the iPod connector sucks! It just isn't as good/solid/well connecting as the stock Apple one. Not sure how you can screw up a connector but apparently you can... basically most iPods I have tried (tried 4 or 5), the thing has intermittent connectivity with or once it does connect the sound fades in an out some times from side to side. I am 99% sure its just the stupid connector cable because when you jiggle it makes a difference. iPod navigation kind of sucks... its too complicated and requires way too many clicks... more than on the iPod itself... so its annoying really.

10) Tech Package - Nav, love it... it's super cool! Its accurate to a T, so far and fast, and smooth etc. Love the ability to e-mail google maps to the car, this rules!

11) Smartphone integration - got it just in "case" but honestly I am not sure if/when there'd be a cradle adaptor for the phone I plan to use it with... (don't know which phone yet ... probably one of the Droids or something). Doubt they'll even come out w/cradley by the time I break my phone.

12) Running borards - while I think they are sort of should haves on an SUV and they look cool and are kind of useful to step on to look if there is something on the roof... ... they are definitely in the way when getting out of the car. So a bit disappointed w/them but would still definitely get them.

Ok... so that's all for now. If I remember more will add to the list...

spacey

[rh71]

- how often do the high beams come on? Is it always on in rural roads for instance?

- no issue with feeling a bit small with the anthracite headliner... you drive with the moonroof exposed right?

- comfort access at first seems gimmicky but with 2 kids (who don't yet walk full-time) and a lot of gear, I find it incredibly handy never having to fumble with a key / pockets anywhere we go (specifically with multiple destinations, not just a quick trip out and back home)... the only downside is having to dig the key out again once I arrive home and have to unlock the front door. Benefit outweighs that though.

- I've never experienced the comfort seats but I do think the sport seats are a bit too stiff. I have a hard time even turning around to tend to the kids it's so thick and bulky. I don't have a problem with longevity (hour or two) as I've gotten accustomed to a seating position... I've never leaned my head back when driving so I don't have that other concern either. It's there more as a head restraint in case of rear impact I thought. There's another adjustment I didn't initially discover that you may want to try... you can "see-saw" that lever that otherwise slides your seat forward or backward from the pedals. It adjusts the seat bottom. Picture sitting on a plate that tilts forward and backward... you can adjust the seat (not the back) as such and it may help. If they would give some kind of credit in turning in the sport seats for the comfort seats I very well may have done it... paying for the sport seats only to lose them for nothing just seemed wrong.

[dmfelger]

I too at first was very uncomfortable with the sport seats. However, my body got used to them and now are not too bad. Not like a Volvo seat, but not bad.

I rented a Nissan that had the comfort access. I must say, I would order it in the future if I ever order again.

[spacey]

Originally Posted by dmfelger

I too at first was very uncomfortable with the sport seats. However, my body got used to them and now are not too bad. Not like a Volvo seat, but not bad.

I rented a Nissan that had the comfort access. I must say, I would order it in the future if I ever order again.

Well that really gives me hope! After the neck mutilating 50 mile trip yesterday I was already scheming how to trade the thing in or just sell it w/out completely loosing my shirt... I can still feel the nect today tho. I'll probably try to drive w/a pillow or something for a while to see if I can somehow get used to the seat...

spacey

[wch X5]

I have also had my X5d for about a month although it replaced a 4.8 so my experience goes further back. I agree with much of what you said - in particular, the premium sound is quite disappointing. It's better than the base system (which I had in the 4.8) but not in the same league as the enhanced premium sound in my M3.

However, I really like comfort access and wouldn't go back. The automatic high beams is neat and does work well.

The comfort seats (had in the 4.8) are more comfortable than the sport seats but I don't miss them - it's clearly something that varies person to person.

I had the HUD and left if off of the X5d - it was cool for about 2 weeks and I did like the digital speed but it makes replacing the windshield an ordeal as it requires special glass.

The heated steering wheel however is a must have IMO. Once you have had it, it's something you always miss when you drive a car that doesn't have it. Since i am in a loaner and it's been cold, I can tell you I miss it.

[bigx5er]

For me the base X5 is plenty stiff enough. I owned an E53 sports for a while and during the colder months the thing was just too firm for my taste. So I can imagine that firm seats along with a tighter suspension is a very personal decision. I usually target the suspension more than the seats if the ride feels too sharp.

Once again, before I get flamed (!!!), it is a very personal decision.

[Redridge]

Originally Posted by bigx5er

For me the base X5 is plenty stiff enough. I owned an E53 sports for a while and during the colder months the thing was just too firm for my taste. So I can imagine that firm seats along with a tighter suspension is a very personal decision. I usually target the suspension more than the seats if the ride feels too sharp.

Once again, before I get flamed (!!!), it is a very personal decision.

+1, though when I see twisties up ahead.... on goes the sports button. It really is an amazing compromise with the comfort seats.

[autoque]

+1 to stiff sport seats.

Personally, the base suspension is firm enough, ain't missing the sport button.

[ard]

Originally Posted by autoque

+1 to stiff sport seats.

Personally, the base suspension is firm enough, ain't missing the sport button.

Why is it assumed (perhaps only by those with the base suspension) that the upgraded adaptive drive changes the 'firmness' of the ride? I thought it transforms the overall handling without changing road feel in terms of vibration or harshness.

Although I've only testdrove both and own the adaptive, so no long seat time in standard...

A

[spacey]

Originally Posted by bigx5er

For me the base X5 is plenty stiff enough. I owned an E53 sports for a while and during the colder months the thing was just too firm for my taste. So I can imagine that firm seats along with a tighter suspension is a very personal decision. I usually target the suspension more than the seats if the ride feels too sharp.

Once again, before I get flamed (!!!), it is a very personal decision.

Well... in 2010s the Sports Activity package does not change the suspension. It's just looks ... you get 19" wheels, nicer (IMO) steering wheel, black headliner and I think that's it, but I could be missing something small. So I stick to my original "bad seats" claim. And it's not really firmness that bothers me. Firmness actually I like, although I do realize that my neck would suffer less had the suspension been softer. But, stiff and tight suspension is part of the reason bimmers drive they way they do so I like that part. It's the ergos of the seat itself, specifically the shape of the back-seat, the part you rest your back against. It's strangely shaped relative to my back (and I say my back is the correct shape ). It basically has the reverse curvature, so when I sit, my back is an arc forward, and the seat is an arc towards the rear of the car. In effect, since there is no control, as there is in the Contour Seats, to change the angle of the upper part of the back-seat to conform more to the shape of my "correct" back, there is an increasing gap between the back of my neck and the upper of the back-seat. And adjusting the back-seat to lean more forward does not help, it just pushes the lower part of my back forward and increases my body lean forward and the gap between my neck and the seat remains more or less the same. In effect I keep riding literally like seating on a bar stool w/the short backrest. There is a semi adjustment of the headrest itself, it can be extended forward, towards the back of my head, but it doesn't go engough, so I still have to bend back to touch it w/the back of my head. And even then there is still the gap between my neck the top of the seat (below the headrest) which feels weird and causes that part of the body to stress w/no support (and relatively stiff suspension and vibration during the ride).

I tried my daughter's pillow yesterday, it felt divine! So... I think it's going to have to be Brookstone or some other crappy butt saving device from an airline mail-order catalog to save the experience for me.

I do secrectly hope though that my body will somehow adjust itself, and I'll grow huge upper neck muscles to compensate. All w/out going to the gym!

spacey