The Australian X5 Thread

[Mr. Mercedes]

Originally Posted by Kasyd

Hi everyone, was wondering if anyone has taken delivery of a 3.0d and had any perfromance feedback to offer. No much info out there that I could find on the 3.0d.
Many thanks

Will hopefully be taking delivery this week *finger crossed*. But I guess the engine will need to be run in (loosened up) for at least 5000km or so to get a true indication of performance.

From the test drive the engine performance was more than adequate and the fat band of torque available from low revs very satisfying. It mated really well with the gearbox as well. The Mercedes diesel however was notably more refined, with almost no vibrations at any rev count. In the BMW vibrations can be felt coming through to the cabin which was somewhat unexpected. Has anyone else experienced this?

[jamesboags]

Can only go by my brief test drive but I felt the X5 diesel was smoother than the ML.. I had to get the dealer to open the bonnet on the BMW as I couldn't believe it was diesel... must admit vibration wise I didn't detect a discernible difference..

[Kasyd]

Bit the bullet and paid my local dealer a visit this morning, gave the 3.0d a small test drive and yep, the damage is done, I've signed up for a 3.0d Excutive with Sports pack . Delivery approx 3 months away but I'm Ok with that.
I didn't get a chance to open up the diesel on the freeway but during my short stint amongst all the Sydney traffic I found it very quiet and smooth on the inside. I couldn't really tell there was a piston slapper engine under the bonnet from the inside, engine feedback was great.
This will be my first diesel vehicle, little nervous about it, but from what i have read it seems to have so much going for it, great torque and fuel economy, i'd still love to hear some more real world reviews though (only positive ones now that i have signed up please).
Settled with space grey on black with burled walnut, 20" wheels, Panoramic roof, Xenons, running boards, comfort windscreen, comfort seats, & highbeam assist, thats all above the excutive & sports options. Will be used to travel on coastal & country roads often..
Anyone out there with a comfort windscreen & highbeam assist? worth it?

[Oz BM]

Thats prety much the specs i ordered Got the headlight assist thrown in with the xenons not sure wheher they are any good or not Got the comfort windscreen because the sales person recommended it as being well worth while but never seen one

I was sent out the accesssories brochure the other day from my dealer

Was looking at the 21 inch wheels and called the accessories guy up and asked how much they would be He said prices are not through yet but as an indication the e53 20 inch wheels are aboyt A$14,000 with rubber so the 21's would be more plus they would only trade my brand new 20's for $2400. Wouldnt even cover the $2500 extra I had to pay for them Almost fell off my chair. He kept trying to explain to me that the 21's could not from the factory and only thru the BMW dealer accessory section and hence why they are so expensive. Sound like an absolute rort to me

Anyone else had this experience ??

[LVR]

Originally Posted by Kasyd

Anyone out there with a comfort windscreen & highbeam assist? worth it?

Got the comfort windscreen as standard on the E53 4.8is, and can honestly say IMO it makes a huge difference to the heat that gets into the car. Our other X5 that doesn't have it and has a smaller sunroof gets way hotter when sitting outside.

It seems to let less UV/heat/whatever through.

I would get it just for that

By the way, welcome to the board........

[Kasyd]

Originally Posted by LVR

Got the comfort windscreen as standard on the E53 4.8is, and can honestly say IMO it makes a huge difference to the heat that gets into the car. Our other X5 that doesn't have it and has a smaller sunroof gets way hotter when sitting outside.

It seems to let less UV/heat/whatever through.

I would get it just for that

By the way, welcome to the board........

Thank you for the welcome LVR,,
With the Aussie sun being as hot as it is, it makes good sense especially after reading your post.. Feel good about that option now.

[iamthestig]

Originally Posted by Kasyd

Thank you for the welcome LVR,,
With the Aussie sun being as hot as it is, it makes good sense especially after reading your post.. Feel good about that option now.

And you are best to check with your Insurers that there is no limit on the cost of a new windscreen if you claim for a replacement unit (one free a year etc.) as these can run into a couple of grand a pop !

[watrob]

Well finally my X5 has hit the production line last week, now we wait 4 weeks for shipment then 2 weeks for customs & pre-delivery so hopefully last week of June or first week of July for delivery. Ordered & paid deposit on the X5 on the 11th Dec 2006. Did not get my comfort seats but did get the 20" wheels.

X5 Diesel Executive Sports, Space Grey, Black Interior, Sports Pack, Aero Spoiler Kit Front & Rear, Sports Electric Seat with Electric Lumbar Support, 20" wheels, 3rd Row Seats with Self-levelling Suspension, Adaptive Drive, Active Steering, Head-up Display, Panorama Glass Roof, Aluminium Running Boards, Bi-Xenon Headlights, Adapive headlights including Turning Fog Lights, V8 Titanium Kidney Grill (repalces the black one that comes statndard with diesel) as all the other grills at the front of the X5 are titanium in colour (Sports Pack) and Window Tinting

I also kept the Brushed Aluminium Interior finish to match the Schnitzer Aluminium Pedals I am getting so to keep that sports feeliing in the interior of the car as well.

[jamesboags]

watrob , looks like our cars may be on the same ship !!! Looking at the shipping schedule (I assume these ship out of Savannah) there is a ship leaving 29/5 or 3/6 with ETA's in Sydney of 24/6 and 30/6 respectively.. Where are you getting the pedals from ?

Thanks

[iamthestig]

Originally Posted by watrob

Well finally my X5 has hit the production line last week, now we wait 4 weeks for shipment then 2 weeks for customs & pre-delivery so hopefully last week of June or first week of July for delivery. Ordered & paid deposit on the X5 on the 11th Dec 2006. Did not get my comfort seats but did get the 20" wheels.

X5 Diesel Executive Sports, Space Grey, Black Interior, Sports Pack, Aero Spoiler Kit Front & Rear, Sports Electric Seat with Electric Lumbar Support, 20" wheels, 3rd Row Seats with Self-levelling Suspension, Adaptive Drive, Active Steering, Head-up Display, Panorama Glass Roof, Aluminium Running Boards, Bi-Xenon Headlights, Adapive headlights including Turning Fog Lights, V8 Titanium Kidney Grill (repalces the black one that comes statndard with diesel) as all the other grills at the front of the X5 are titanium in colour (Sports Pack) and Window Tinting

I also kept the Brushed Aluminium Interior finish to match the Schnitzer Aluminium Pedals I am getting so to keep that sports feeliing in the interior of the car as well.

Geez - that is $130k + ORC...

I hope you plan on keeping it for a while !