Oct 2010 Changes

[LeMansX5]

Originally Posted by bimmer_buachaill

The only thing that would really annoy me is if they change the diesel to the 40d or brought in the 8 speed. Since neither of those are happening, I will survive with my 2011.0 (vs. 2011.5).

40d is not happening. Per one source, the engine needs approval in all 50 states and is a big expense. BMW is not ready to spend that money at this time for two reasons; First, the diesel sales in US are still not that great, second, the tr-turbo 45d engine is round the corner, to be introduced in 6er.

[bimmer_buachaill]

I'm going ahead with my build (over the next few days). My personal reasoning is below (your mileage will vary). Just want to make other folks not waiting feel a little better.

- Apple or Blackberry features don't interest me at all as I'm a dedicated Android guy. Some people don't do the smart phone thing at all (lucky folks).
- Side view cameras are cool but I wouldn't have many opportunities to use it beyond showing off. PDC, rear camera and top view on the other hand are VERY useful.
- No interest in Bluetooth music - now have a $100 USB disk with WMA Lossless encoding of my whole CD collection (finally finished re-ripping!). Only thing that might be nice would be playing recently downloaded podcasts from the phone but I'll use the USB cable for that if I go that way.
- Bluetooth call history/top - this is actually a very nice feature that will benefit everyone with a recent Bluetooth phone. But not something I'm willing to wait for. Interestingly my top calls in the car (usually family/friends) are different than my top calls on the phone (often work related) so having them different may even be useful for me.

To those building Sep or later - is it confirmed that the rebate on diesels will extend through Sep/Oct and beyond? Just want to make sure there are no surprises for anyone.

What terminology should we use for the pre-Sep and post-Sep cars - 2011 v1 and 2011 v2?

It's great to see such rapid change in innovation from a car company - competition is good and BMW is winning. What I think we'd all really like to see is more software updates over time (over the air like with a phone) for the non-critical features like nav and entertainment.

I've decided to lease by the way - August 2010 + 3 years = 3rd generation X5 with likely way more improvements in the diesel than any other US engine. Keep my options open.

[newmanium]

Originally Posted by bimmer_buachaill

I'm going ahead with my build (over the next few days). My personal reasoning is below (your mileage will vary). Just want to make other folks not waiting feel a little better.

- Apple or Blackberry features don't interest me at all as I'm a dedicated Android guy. Some people don't do the smart phone thing at all (lucky folks).
- Side view cameras are cool but I wouldn't have many opportunities to use it beyond showing off. PDC, rear camera and top view on the other hand are VERY useful.
- No interest in Bluetooth music - now have a $100 USB disk with WMA Lossless encoding of my whole CD collection (finally finished re-ripping!). Only thing that might be nice would be playing recently downloaded podcasts from the phone but I'll use the USB cable for that if I go that way.
- Bluetooth call history/top - this is actually a very nice feature that will benefit everyone with a recent Bluetooth phone. But not something I'm willing to wait for. Interestingly my top calls in the car (usually family/friends) are different than my top calls on the phone (often work related) so having them different may even be useful for me.

To those building Sep or later - is it confirmed that the rebate on diesels will extend through Sep/Oct and beyond? Just want to make sure there are no surprises for anyone.

What terminology should we use for the pre-Sep and post-Sep cars - 2011 v1 and 2011 v2?

It's great to see such rapid change in innovation from a car company - competition is good and BMW is winning. What I think we'd all really like to see is more software updates over time (over the air like with a phone) for the non-critical features like nav and entertainment.

I've decided to lease by the way - August 2010 + 3 years = 3rd generation X5 with likely way more improvements in the diesel than any other US engine. Keep my options open.

Ditto - I went ahead with my order for all the same reasons. And I agree that any of these changes will be minor to how improved things will be in 3 years. Not worth waiting for incremental changes, there will always be tweaks.

[JM71]

Any word on the 7RR Performance option that boosts horsepower?

[kennyisdead911]

Any word on the LED halos? Are they the same as the ones in new 7's and 5s?

[newmanium]

Picture is from the new 2011 X5 brochure that has a bit more info on the updated tech features.

Brochure makes no mention of LED Coronas, so I assume it's a safe bet they're not coming in Sept.

[DWill]

Wonder how much of this will make it to US cars?

Also, wonder if I can get my 2010 X5's reflashed to enable any of this that does make it to US cars.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by DWill

Wonder how much of this will make it to US cars?

Also, wonder if I can get my 2010 X5's reflashed to enable any of this that does make it to US cars.

All of it, since it is being announced by BMWNA, which is the US sales arm of BMW.

None of it is available for retrofit to vehicles produced prior, since it is enabled by hardware advances, according to the announcement posted above.

[jotarver]

On page 9 of the 2011 X5 brochure (available for download on bmwusa.com), it shows a closeup picture of the new headlight assembly with the following caption, "...while centrally positioned foglights and Xenon Adaptive Headlights with new LED Daytime Running Lights further distinguish the vehicle's distinctive front section..." I did not see any disclaimers.

Do you suppose they are referring to the new corona rings? The brochure also mentions the updated software changes, Mobile Office, bluetooth, etc. There may still be hope for the new lights on Sept builds...

[DWill]

Originally Posted by JCL

All of it, since it is being announced by BMWNA, which is the US sales arm of BMW.

None of it is available for retrofit to vehicles produced prior, since it is enabled by hardware advances, according to the announcement posted above.

That's interesting.

But remember BMWNA also had in their NA lit that trip planning through connected drive was available.

Have you tried to us it in the US?
It doesn't work here.

I a somewhat related note; I noticed yesterday that BMW assist has released a update to Google maps available through the BMW search option.

I noticed it when I tried to use BMW search to find the adress and number for a business but BMW search could no longer find anything on Google maps.

I'm sure it will get sorted Nd "fixed" in the next couple of days if it hasn't been already.