What broke down on your car? I'm buying 2011+ x5 and want to know what to look for.

[evilution915]

I'm coming from a 2009 x5d and getting into a newer LCI gas x5.

Is there anything I should look for other than the standard tires/brake pads, etc?
Any option that you cannot live without?
I want the top view for the gf. She really liked it when she drove other suv's.

[wilsel]

Originally Posted by evilution915

I'm coming from a 2009 x5d and getting into a newer LCI gas x5.

Is there anything I should look for other than the standard tires/brake pads, etc?
Any option that you cannot live without?
I want the top view for the gf. She really liked it when she drove other suv's.

Make sure you get heated seats. That's one option I wished I had spent the extra money for.

[josiahg52]

I just bought a 2011 35d. I'm very happy with it so far.

Some features that I am pleasantly surprised with:
- Backup camera and Top View
- Automatic rear lift gate
- PDC
- (LED) Light package
- DVD player

Features that I wanted:
- Bluetooth
- iPod control
- USB/Audio interface
- Sport package
- Shadowline trim

Features/iptions I kind of want now:
- Active Cruise Control
- HUD

Features/options I consciously avoided:
- Comfort Access
- Third row seating

Besides "standard" options like cruise control, heated seats/steering wheel, etc., I would get as many of the technology and premium packages you can. These add full phone control, Bluetooth streaming from phone, iPod control, CIC Navigation, nice iDrive interface, etc. if those are important or desirable features to you.

Use the bmwarchive website to research the VIN and determine what options it has. From there, you can search the Internet and determine what each option is.

[evilution915]

Originally Posted by josiahg52

Features/options I consciously avoided:
- Comfort Access
- Third row seating

Thanks for the detailed response.

Thanks for the bmwarchive tip. That's super useful for my comparisons.

That's interesting that you wanted all the "tech" options, but consciously avoided comfort access. Why is that?

Why avoid 3rd row too? I know it's useless for adults. But it's a nice to have bonus.

Also when you're ready, I suggest looking into bmw coding so you can open AND close the rear tailgate (along with opening and closing side mirrors / windows with the remote), along with a host of other features.

The cord is ~$20, and coding is free if you find the right resources. (Or there are a couple forum guys who will do it remotely for you for a small fee).

[josiahg52]

Originally Posted by evilution915

Thanks for the detailed response.

Thanks for the bmwarchive tip. That's super useful for my comparisons.

That's interesting that you wanted all the "tech" options, but consciously avoided comfort access. Why is that?

Why avoid 3rd row too? I know it's useless for adults. But it's a nice to have bonus.

Also when you're ready, I suggest looking into bmw coding so you can open AND close the rear tailgate (along with opening and closing side mirrors / windows with the remote), along with a host of other features.

The cord is ~$20, and coding is free if you find the right resources. (Or there are a couple forum guys who will do it remotely for you for a small fee).

To me, the POTENTIAL problems with the CA system were not worth the benefits that it provides. I drove a rental 335i with CA for four weeks so I knew exactly what I was passing up. After those four weeks, I loved the car overall but I never loved CA. That car was actually what prompted me to even consider a late model BMW.

I have a Tahoe with third row seats. With the third row installed, there is not a lot of room left for cargo. The vast majority of my 10+ year ownership, like 99.9% of the time, the third row seats have just taken up space in my garage or my house or my storage unit. The X5 and the Tahoe wheelbase are very close but the overall length favors the Tahoe which means there would be even less space in the X5. In addition, I would have another set of seats to deal with. In the end, it's a nice option but it's a waste if you aren't dedicated to using them in my opinion. Plus, I want to be able to carry a spare tire in the design location.

I have the iViNi BMWhat application so I have gotten into coding. They don't offer the lift gate coding yet but it is something I want for sure.

[135ivert]

Originally Posted by josiahg52

I just bought a 2011 35d. I'm very happy with it so far.

Some features that I am pleasantly surprised with:
- Backup camera and Top View
- Automatic rear lift gate
- PDC
- (LED) Light package
- DVD player

Features that I wanted:
- Bluetooth
- iPod control
- USB/Audio interface
- Sport package
- Shadowline trim

Features/iptions I kind of want now:
- Active Cruise Control
- HUD

Features/options I consciously avoided:
- Comfort Access
- Third row seating

Besides "standard" options like cruise control, heated seats/steering wheel, etc., I would get as many of the technology and premium packages you can. These add full phone control, Bluetooth streaming from phone, iPod control, CIC Navigation, nice iDrive interface, etc. if those are important or desirable features to you.

Use the bmwarchive website to research the VIN and determine what options it has. From there, you can search the Internet and determine what each option is.

The premium package for 2012/2013 (and I think 2011 as well-the package & naming changed slightly) contained CA, nav, top-view, homelink, memory seats and front-seat heaters. I considered this package to be mandatory when I was looking - since memory seats and homelink weren't stand-alone options.

My other necessities: premium sound, sport or multi-contour seats, and cold-weather package - but these things might be optional for you.

[josiahg52]

Originally Posted by 135ivert

The premium package for 2012/2013 (and I think 2011 as well-the package & naming changed slightly) contained CA, nav, top-view, homelink, memory seats and front-seat heaters. I considered this package to be mandatory when I was looking - since memory seats and homelink weren't stand-alone options.

My other necessities: premium sound, sport or multi-contour seats, and cold-weather package - but these things might be optional for you.

I have those features except for premium sound and multi-contour seats (I have sport seats) and do not have CA. My X5 does not have the Premium Package. It does have the Sports, Smoker, Light and Storage Compartment packages.

I guess you just have to research each vehicle. Fortunately the bmwarchive website is very helpful with that.

[conedoctor]

I could not live without CA after having it.

My GL has adaptive cruise and every time I drive our X5 without it I get mad because I have to use the brakes all the time lol

[135ivert]

Originally Posted by josiahg52

I have those features except for premium sound and multi-contour seats (I have sport seats) and do not have CA. My X5 does not have the Premium Package. It does have the Sports, Smoker, Light and Storage Compartment packages.

I guess you just have to research each vehicle. Fortunately the bmwarchive website is very helpful with that.

Yeah, I think things were a bit different in the packaging for 2011.

My problem with the bmwarchive site was that it wouldn't tell you what packages were installed. For example, you had to know that "Seat Heating-Rear" meant it had the cold-weather package since that wasn't a stand-alone option.

I now have 2 vehicles with CA, and 1 without. And whenever I drive the car without, I keep thinking "what do you mean I have to take the key out of my pocket?" I usually sit down & get my seat belt on before I realize that I need my key to start the vehicle.

[josiahg52]

You are correct about the bmwarchive website. For example, the printout from the dealer says my vehicle has the following packages:

- Sport Activity
- Premium
- Technology
- Smoker's
- Cold Weather
- Rear Climate
- Sport

among other options. I feel that the bwarchive site is more specific in that it specifies some of the individual equipment installed instead of general "packages." The problem is that I hear most dealers are not too fond of just giving out vehicle inquiry information for vehicles that you might be shopping for. I have been lucky.

EDIT: Notice the Premium Package appears in the vehicle inquiry but not on bmwarchive.