Official: F15 Third Gen 2014 X5 Details, Pics, etc

[Marwan1]

Originally Posted by LeMansX5

M50d

You tease...

[sarends]

I REALLY wanted to love the F15. It is not that it is horrible, but, it certainly is not going to make me oooh or awwww.

If it has some improvements in the looks department over the E70, they are minor. And, it is pretty easy to see that it has moved closer to the looks of the X1 and X3, neither of which look as good as the E70 (IMO).

The only consolation is the fact that I have sometimes learned to "kinda like" the look of a new BMW model, over time. Although I think the E60 5 series is "OK" looking, I originally hated it. And, compared to the E39, it was awkward. The good news is the new 5 series finally looks nice again!

All I have to do is wait another 7 years and maybe they will build another truly special looking SAV, like the E53 or the E70 were!

I agree with a couple other posters re. the spectacular looks of the E30, the E36 the E46 and (even) the E90 and E92 are quite nice. And, totally agree about the spectacular looks of the 633CSI!

We have a 2011 Xdrive 5.0 Sports Package Adaptive Drive that we adore - we will be keeping her for quite a while I think. I also bought a 13 Touareg TDI for my work vehicle - I think it has very nice, clean lines, plus it is a great car.

If I wanted to trade our E70 5.0 right now, I am pretty sure I would be looking at a Cayenne - maybe even the TDI.

[rh71]

Again the E70 style shifter in the lighting pics. So is it that one or the flatter symmetrical one? Also what's that button replacing the central locking button?

BTW, my wife's Sonata has blue lighting - it's different but I like the orange more.

One other thing nobody mentioned - the glove box now locks! I recall when we were discussing why it didn't really need a lock. They really over-engineered the clamshell box we have now. Can't even replace the trim easily (if it cracks, etc.).

[SkipSauls]

Originally Posted by rh71

Again the E70 style shifter in the lighting pics. So is it that one or the flatter symmetrical one? Also what's that button replacing the central locking button?

I read on another thread/site that it's the PDC button. Should be easier to find than on the E70, but the green color is ugly.

I've gotten used to the E70 shifter, but I'm not convinced that BMW "beer-tap" shifters are a good idea. I'd rather have buttons and paddles, as is now common on Ferraris. The whole mechanical or pseudo-mechanical shifter is an anachronism and BMW should dispense with them.

[Marwan1]

Not sure what's in those bulging door side pockets? Is that a piece of plastic occupying most of the space and leaving only two small compartments? Man that would be a stupid waste of that space...

[Marwan1]

Originally Posted by SkipSauls

I read on another thread/site that it's the PDC button. Should be easier to find than on the E70, but the green color is ugly...

... and how many times one needs to access the PDC button? I wish they kept the central lock button in that location instead.

[SkipSauls]

Originally Posted by Marwan1

... and how many times one needs to access the PDC button? I wish they kept the central lock button in that location instead.

I use it every time I pull into my garage, when pulling into parking spaces, etc. I have the side cameras and love the overhead "video game" display.

[TerminatorX5]

Originally Posted by SkipSauls

I use it every time I pull into my garage, when pulling into parking spaces, etc. I have the side cameras and love the overhead "video game" display.

does it not come on automatically when you are in reverse? or, it is manual operation?

[SkipSauls]

Originally Posted by TerminatorX5

does it not come on automatically when you are in reverse? or, it is manual operation?

It does when you are in reverse, but you have to push a button when you are pulling into the parking space. It's on the row of buttons down low, along with DSC, rear hatch, etc. Not impossible to find, but I usually have to glance at it to ensure my finger hits the right one.

My wife's Lexus has a switch to leave the parking sensors on all the time, but it is only the beeping with no display. It would be cool if BMW could provide an automatic option, where the display came on when the sensors detected something.

[rh71]

Originally Posted by Marwan1

Not sure what's in those bulging door side pockets? Is that a piece of plastic occupying most of the space and leaving only two small compartments? Man that would be a stupid waste of that space...

maybe it's a large drink holder. Up in the forward portion there I put nothing but garbage though so I'd rather have what was in the E70.

As for PDC I only use it when inching for parallel parking and it's not very often at all that I have to actually touch the button. I probably hit it to turn it off more often than on since it stays on.