2012 BMW X5 35i Order question Premium or Sport Activity questions

[etrexler]

Hello all. This forum has been great assisting me with my purchase, I could really use a little more help. Thank you in advance.

I'm about to pull the trigger on a new 2012, but I can't get the right configuration and it's killing me. The vehicle is for my wife and as she's upgrading from a 98 Land Cruiser (luxury yacht), the ride can't be too rough or she'll hate it. Any features or capabilities to soften the ride (I still want to have fun) would be appreciated.

I like the Premium, but I really want the anthracite headliner and the Carbon Black Metallic (only on the Sport Activity). I don't think the Sport Suspension is going to work for my wife, because I'm assuming a stiffer ride. Is that fair? I like the Adaptive drive options, but it looks like it cancels out the Sport Suspension and seems like I'm wasting money. Would I be better to just switch to the Black Sapphire Metallic and ditch the Sport Activity package? What are the differences between the Adaptive Drive and Sport Suspension?

I'm also going to go with 19" wheels all season on either X5 for the softer ride (more like the LC). Do you see an issue with this? I like the 20s, but not for a harsher ride or worse performance in the snow. The 335s of the Sport Activity are really nice.

Is the M steering wheel heated? If not, that's another feature miss by the M Sport.

Any thoughts on running boards?

My two configs are right here:

Sport Activity:
Build Your Own

Premium:
http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/BYO/SharedBuild.aspx?ConfigurationId=1843286

Thanks in advance.


Eric

[BGM]

Originally Posted by etrexler

Hello all. This forum has been great assisting me with my purchase, I could really use a little more help. Thank you in advance.

I'm about to pull the trigger on a new 2012, but I can't get the right configuration and it's killing me. The vehicle is for my wife and as she's upgrading from a 98 Land Cruiser (luxury yacht), the ride can't be too rough or she'll hate it. Any features or capabilities to soften the ride (I still want to have fun) would be appreciated.

I like the Premium, but I really want the anthracite headliner and the Carbon Black Metallic (only on the Sport Activity). I don't think the Sport Suspension is going to work for my wife, because I'm assuming a stiffer ride. Is that fair? I like the Adaptive drive options, but it looks like it cancels out the Sport Suspension and seems like I'm wasting money. Would I be better to just switch to the Black Sapphire Metallic and ditch the Sport Activity package? What are the differences between the Adaptive Drive and Sport Suspension?

I'm also going to go with 19" wheels all season on either X5 for the softer ride (more like the LC). Do you see an issue with this? I like the 20s, but not for a harsher ride or worse performance in the snow. The 335s of the Sport Activity are really nice.

Is the M steering wheel heated? If not, that's another feature miss by the M Sport.

Any thoughts on running boards?

My two configs are right here:

Sport Activity:
Build Your Own

Premium:
http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/BYO/SharedBuild.aspx?ConfigurationId=1843286

Thanks in advance.


Eric

I'm confused. I think you mean the Sport Activity with the M Sport package--that is the only way you can get Carbon Black is with the M Sport. Is that what you are asking ? To me it sounds like the best blend for her and you is to get a Sport Activity without the M Sport package but get the 20" wheels---the suspension will be a little softer but you will still have the 20" wheels. Problem with is you can't get Carbon Black--it comes in Jet Black and Sapphire Black.

[JCL]

It is really up to you, but if it was me:

Skip the M Sport and go with Sapphire Black. Carbon Black means you get the M Sport and then you are in to 20" wheels and sport suspension. That doesn't fit with your goal of a softer ride for your wife, and you say you like the look of the 19s, so why would you want the 20s in any case?

The 20s are summer performance tire, so you would need separate winter tires with them. With the 19s you can slip around with the all seasons, but you will always do better in the snow with real winter tires.

Running boards are a waste of time IMO. They are too small to step on, so when you step over them you get dirty pants legs.

[DeanLinAZ]

I have a 2011 35i Sport Activity with the M Sport package, including the 20" wheels. Just finished a 10 day trip from Phoenix to Dallas to San Antonio and back to Phoenix. 110 + degrees everywhere. It's a sweet ride! Averaged 74.8 mph (key on time) & 22.0 mpg. Thought the mileage would be better but not at 80+ mph.

Anyway, we love our set up. Wife drives the X5 mostly for her daily duties. If this X5 is for your wife, pass on the running boards as she will not like them. They will get her leg/pants/hose dirty every time. Go try an X5 with the running boards before you buy.

Good luck with your choice. You can't go wrong with either one.

[PoopFaceKillah]

You know you can get both the premium package and the sport? That is how I ordered mine.

P.S. I just checked on the site and you can get a X50i in the carbon black. My fav color too.

[AzNMpower32]

I believe only the M sportpaket will include the sport suspension; the Sport Activity model itself comes with the standard suspension. But to get the Carbon Black, one has to select the M sportpaket (I think).

At any rate, don't get anything with big wheels or "sport" for the DC area; you'll find yourself regretting the ride and flats caused by the poor roads. Stick with the Premium model, unless you want the Sport Activity with the 19" wheels.

It's also good to note that the X5, like any other car, will not work in the snow or cold with summer tires. This means the 20" are a no-go unless you plan to switch out to winter tires for 5 months of the year.