**PIX OF THE BEAST**

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by C's Bimmer

The one interesting thing I did NOT do this time was the wheels. I decided to leave the 336's stock, as I love the contrast of the Ferric Gray and Silver within the spokes. I also think the black wheel/white car is a bit played out these days and a bit too much. I was considering having the entire wheel redone in Ferric Gray, but for now, I'm just going to keep it as is. It's a big change in looks from my 2009 4.8, but I love it.

I agree. I think the wheels look really good as is. I wouldn't change them either.

[C's Bimmer]

Originally Posted by PhilT3

okay, great. I currently have a challenge with the front lip on my SRT8. So i had originally dismissed the aero kit. but man... it looks tight!

hey... if you want to trade those 336's for my 214's, let me know! (LOL)

Thanks! The SRT8 (my cousin's daughter has one) is MUCH lower than this lip. You would be fine with this kit on your X. Thanks for the compliment!

I actually loved my 214's on my old 4.8, but these new 336's are growing on me (although I must admit I was not a fan at all of these 336's a couple of years ago and even referred to them as "gross" on one thread. LOL!).

[C's Bimmer]

Originally Posted by ECS Tuning

I love the BEAST!!!

James with ECS

Thank you, James.

[xoutpostking]

You should tint the entire tail light. Too red and the only red.

Also instead of all blk emblems, just make the blue part blk, so you will have some contrast, from afar it looks like a big hole.

Nice "truck".

[C's Bimmer]

Originally Posted by xoutpostking

You should tint the entire tail light. Too red and the only red.

Also instead of all blk emblems, just make the blue part blk, so you will have some contrast, from afar it looks like a big hole.

Nice "truck".

Not a fan of the whole light tinted. Too much for me. I hate looking at all blacked out rear tail lights when I see them on the road. Just looks too 'pimped out". LI-X5 is a good friend and neighbor of mine and we always talk about the difference between the two. We've actually agreed that the contrast works with the red, even though he did all black on his. I guess it's just personal preference.

As for the Roundels, I actually used to have it this way on my 4.8, but really like the all black look now. I have the same thing on the M5 and get compliments on it all the time. It's starting to become quite the trend over on M5Board, with many members doing custom black Roundels with 3rd party vendors logos on them instead. Not sure I would go that far, but to each his own.

Thanks for the compliment!

[C's Bimmer]

BTW - The WeissLicht LED front turn signal bulbs are GREAT! I highly recommend them. I used to run Solaris Invisibulbs, but these are much, much better!

[rh71]

love it... especially the blackened lettering - that's a nice touch against the white. Are those ordered or is there a paint process? And yes the 336s would look great in ferric gray against a white in my opinion. The rear lights dont' have to be dark, if you do a slight tint I think it looks better than the red (the sun lightens it up too). What's the interior color you got there? Cinnamon?

I'm sure you're also enjoying the upgraded features like the better backup cam, idrive, and top view... not to mention the motor. Does it have adaptive drive? How does it compare to the M5?

BTW, you should do a walk-around vid and throw it up on Youtube... I'm sure people would appreciate the beauty from a vid a lot more.

[C's Bimmer]

Originally Posted by rh71

love it... especially the blackened lettering - that's a nice touch against the white. Are those ordered or is there a paint process? And yes the 336s would look great in ferric gray against a white in my opinion. The rear lights dont' have to be dark, if you do a slight tint I think it looks better than the red (the sun lightens it up too). What's the interior color you got there? Cinnamon?

I'm sure you're also enjoying the upgraded features like the better backup cam, idrive, and top view... not to mention the motor. Does it have adaptive drive? How does it compare to the M5?

BTW, you should do a walk-around vid and throw it up on Youtube... I'm sure people would appreciate the beauty from a vid a lot more.

It's all a paint process. I actually ordered all new OEM lettering and reflectors and had my body shop start fresh with all new everything -- much cleaner and much nicer. I'm also a perfectionist and have to have it done the right way. I hate cutting corners, especially on a truck like this.

The interior is Cinnamon with Dark Bamboo trim. I wanted Alum trim, but this is my wife's car, so she got final say on the interior. Hahaha! I have to tell you though, it looks really good. I was skeptical at first, but I was wrong.

I did EVERY Package and a la carte Option except Tech (I probably should have just done the Tech Pack at this point -- oh well! Hahaha!). I did the $3500 Adaptive Drive Option and the $1500 Active Steering Option -- what robbery, but they got me! LOL! Adaptive Drive was a must since I have the M and like to push my cars hard.

As for how it compares to the M5, it's completely different. I still LOVE my M5 and the NA V10 (I also much prefer SMG over SAT). My M5 is very, very raw. I've tuned and modified it for the track, so it's really hard to compare the X to it. For me, it's not just about power, but handling, feel and feedback to the driver. This is what makes my M5 such a blast to drive, even after owning it 4 years later. It still puts a smile on my face every time I start it up and pull it out of my garage -- just like the first day I got it. That's pretty amazing, but then again, that's a BMW M.

This new X5 has an amazing amount of power and the TT V8 is truly remarkable. The thing I'm really happy about (and so is my wife) is that I will really look forward to long, family road trips in the X5 and not miss my M5 as much. With the old X5, I really didn't like it much and had that thing loaded up too. I always chose the M5 over the X5 when we would go on road trips. I returned that truck with ~19K miles on it and it was a 3 yr/30K lease (if that tells you anything... ). I dreaded taking it on long road trips and always opted for the M5 -- even on weekends for shorter trips. My wife didn't like this, especially with 2 kids in the back and the attention my M5 would draw to itself. This new addition to the family has definitely created much better harmony all around, so I'm a huge fan. I think the real question will be is how much I'm going to like the F10 M5 compared to this X5, when that comes out.

Oh, and the new iDrive, Rear Cam, Top View and BMW Apps are awesome. It's so much better than the iDrive system in my M5 and my M5 is an LCI E60 M5 ('08). If there was one thing I would upgrade in the M, that would be it.

Instead of a video, let's just meet up in person since you live around the corner from me.

[xoutpostking]

How did you manage to get one of those white & blue plates? From your old "truck"?

[rh71]

^ you can keep the plates... I believe even for a transfer. I renewed my registration and kept mine for no extra charge. You actually have to pay more to get the puke yellow ones. Who opts for that?! Well maybe Bumblebee.