T minus 48 hours...

[richgus]

I'm picking up my new 2005 X5 3.0 in less than 48 hours. Went with a black 3.0 SP model -- back leather sports seats, panorama sun roof, navigation package, front seat heaters etc.

I have been driving a 1999 318ti which I bought new in 1998 and have had some great times with. The performance was never stellar but the convenience of driving a smaller car here in Japan was great. Now with a family (son 2 yrs. and another baby on the way) I was looking for a little more room (and more doors!) while not having to sacrafice on driving pleasure...hope I won't be dissapointed! The test drive was great so I'm hoping that I'll be pleased. Do any of you use your X5 as a 'family car?' If so what are your impressions?

Richard

[PersonaNonGrata]

Congratulations and :welcome:. It's always nice to have another member from a far off place like Japan.

I do not use the X5 as a family car but it is very convenient for three guys and all of our hockey equipment so I would think that it will be very suitable for your family. Of course, the fact that the X5 is an incredibly safe car.

[bozo]

I use mine ONLY as the family car. Are you buying a US Spec model? At least you'll have low miles on it! And you will LOVE the extra space, especially during the HOURS you spend on the Yoko-Yoko freeway! LOL...I can only imagine all the cool things you can pick up at Autobacs for the X....Congrats and post pics!

[Juanted]

You will NOT be disappointed. The X5 is a wonderful car!!

Congratulations, and welcome to the board. Hope you become a regular. Post some pics when you get your ride.

Juan

[alpac]

:welcome: to the board and congrat for your new X5.

[richgus]

Thanks all! What a warm welcome! I can see that you have spent some time on the ridiculous freeways here in Japan Bozo5521! We make a weekly haul down to the local Costco in Yokohama every weekend using the Yoko-yoko route. Looking forward to having a slightly more Costco compliant car than my 318ti. Hard to fit the 50 roll pack of toilet paper in the shoebox trunk of the ti. :-)

I bought a Japanese spec model so the wheel will be on the right side which I prefer when driving on the 'wrong' side of the road. :-) One interesting point, in Japan the X5 comes pre-configured with the ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) system. There is a transmitter/receiver built into the rear view mirror. When one approaches a toll booth on the freeways here, the ETC unit 'talks' with the toll system mounted above the lane and pays the proper toll. Similar to the EZ Pass concept in the US except in Japan they decided to make it an active system based on IC card technology (one has to have an IC card inserted into the unit in the car in order for it to work) here in Japan. Anyway, I'm really looking forward to this feature as it speeds up travel time and they give you a discount on tolls for using it depending on what time of day you are on the road. They claim that once everyone gets ETC that 90% of the traffic jams will be alleviated here. I'll believe it when I see it.

[edgarces]

Just received mine last week and enjoying every minute of it. Mine is jet black as well. Using it mainly for business. If you have a compatible Bluetooth phone you will really enjoy it with the BMW Voice Command feature (it came standard with the BMW Assist on mine).

[ekaz]

Welcome and congrats! You will not be disappointed.

[bozo]

COMES with ETC?! Holy cow! Thats half the battle right there? The amount of times I had to take the "next" flight out of Haneda was rediculous. The one there, and the one shortly before Yokosuka was nuts! Costco..Of course! And a JAPANESE spec X?! I would ask how much did that set you back, but Im sure there isnt enough space for all the zeroes. And I gather you didnt finance it at all, unless of course, you have "hook-ups". Do you still have to get JCI on it?

Believe me, youll love the X! I know an American guy near the Navy BAse at Atsugi, that can do ALL the electronics on the thing for a fraction of the cost, and does a damn good job. Remote start, DVD all round, whatever.

Anyway, Im sure you have more important things to worry about, like getting those headscarves/bandanas wrapped around those headrests, and your coffee "can" holder. Somethings, you just cant do without..Get us a pic in front of the skyline at the Army transportation terminal there...LOL

[richgus]

Must be great to cruise Maui in your nex X5 Edgarces! (My wife and I were married in Maui and have made many trips there. The Hula Grill in Lahaina is our all-time favorite place to eat.)

Bozo - the 3.0L X5 lists at just over 6.5 million yen or at current exchange rates somewhere around $60k USD...pretty pricey...so you have to really want one.

Less than 24 hours and counting till delivery -- I'm finding it hard to sleep at night these days.

BTW, they say that the 19" tires are not snow friendly. How snow-unfriendly are they? Does this mean I shouldn't even think about venturing out in moderate to heavy snow conditions, i.e. that I'll be worse off than even a normal sedan? Or does this mean that in comparison to other SUV type vehicles it doesn't quite measure up? What about rainy conditions? Any help/advice would be appreciated.