The Australian X5 Thread

[Fraser]

Originally Posted by MrBlonde

Thanks Fraser, will do some research on those sites re: pricing. Interesting that diesels are popular here, I know our American friends aren't that keen.

There is a bewildering array of options and variations of what is included standard depending on the year model.

The US situation is different with regards petrol vs diesel mainly because fuel is so cheap there that's it is far less of an issue. Diesel X5s have also only been introduced to the US market in the last year whereas diesel X5s have been available in Oz since 2003.

If you were looking to buy a new 2011-spec X5, I'd say, hang on a minute, because the introduction to the turbo petrol engines does change the landscape. But, if you are looking at a low km second-hand X5, the only real question is 3.0d/30d or 3.0sd/35d. Despite the recent badge change, 3.0d is essentially (some tuning aside in response the new diesel fuel standards) the same as 30d as is 3.0sd the same as 35d.

[MrBlonde]

Originally Posted by Fraser

The US situation is different with regards petrol vs diesel mainly because fuel is so cheap there that's it is far less of an issue. Diesel X5s have also only been introduced to the US market in the last year whereas diesel X5s have been available in Oz since 2003.

If you were looking to buy a new 2011-spec X5, I'd say, hang on a minute, because the introduction to the turbo petrol engines does change the landscape. But, if you are looking at a low km second-hand X5, the only real question is 3.0d/30d or 3.0sd/35d. Despite the recent badge change, 3.0d is essentially (some tuning aside in response the new diesel fuel standards) the same as 30d as is 3.0sd the same as 35d.

Understood re: US market. Different situation so different call.

My wife was a bit hesitant about the idea of a diesel rig harking back to her limited experiences over the years with smelly noisy trucks. However we test drove an Xdrive35D and it didn't smell or make enough clatter to be an issue to either of us.

Thank you very much about explaining the 3.0d/30D and 3.0sd/35D connection, that makes a lot more sense. Not sure why BMW chose to confuse the names, I guess marketing rears it's ugly head.

We're not going to take the unit off road, just need a decent rig to get the four family members around with a decent luggage payload. We'll be fitting two child seats in the rear.

Our current car has my knees touching the dash and my four year old son's knees touching the back of my seat! Need more space fast because they aren't going to get any smaller.

In regards to options, I think it's mandatory for me to get rear PDC, sports seats, driver's seat memory, Sat Nav, Bluetooth, running boards and 20" wheels.

Options I like include the sports package (contains some of above I understand plus sport suspension), a nicer steering wheel, xenon headlights and foldin mirrors.

Options I'm unsure about (don't understand) include active steering, self levelling suspension, adaptive drive.

I'm not sure what the exterior appearance differences are between the "Sports Package", the "M Aero Package" and the "M Sport Package", apart from I know the M Sport has painted bumpers and cannot have running boards.

[Fraser]

Originally Posted by MrBlonde

Options I'm unsure about (don't understand) include active steering, self levelling suspension, adaptive drive.

Active steering: This uses a variable ratio steering rack that changes the steering response depending on speed. Basically makes parking easier (less turns of the wheel) without making the car twitchy at higher speeds.

Self-levelling suspension: The rear suspension automatically adjusts to the load so that the car always rides level.

Adaptive drive: The suspension dampers automatically adjust to the road conditions/speed/ cornering forces etc to give a better ride on the bumpy stuff but less body roll in the corners. The driver can also select the suspension response - normal, sport etc

[anzer]

Mr Blonde ..

I was in the exact same situation family wise. went through a lot of research before buying X5.

I had an 09 model 35d (New) delivered Dec last year ..had some technical problems with it so eventually swapped it out for latest 2010 model Innovation (its a 35d)

A few things to think about carefully:

whilst 20's look great make sure you test drive the 18's, 19's and 20's first before committing ...20's make the ride a little harsher (but do look great)..this is amplified somewhat by having sports suspension .. if you opt for adaptive drive then all that goes away ..but at a cost of course (around 6k I think).... adaptive drive sounds fantastic but not many option it up ..cost I suspect ...personally I think it should be standard on a $100k + vehicle in this class.

Sports seats ..make sure you fit and like them (and your wife) ..some people complain about the shape of them ... try the comfort seats for size and if you can afford it option up to them .... I only have standards seats (with memory and all that) and they're pretty good to be honest ..

3rd row .. if your kids are getting to the age where they dont need boosters (7+) then you may want to consider that ..esp when you want to start lugging their little mates around etc ... my kids are only 5 and 3 so will likely get them on next X5 model in 2013/2014 when I can actually make use of them ..

stereo - if you lke music then upgrade ..the standard system is shit

innovation (HIDS, folding mirror, auto tailgate etc) - is worth the money. our 09 did not have this, but our new one does and we love these features

sunroof - no brainer, get it (kids love it too)

Head up dispaly - take a demo X5 out that has one. I don't have it ..but wish I did now after driving a loaner 5 series for a month ... a real licence saver as you are constantly reminded about your speed .. a big deal here in VIC. also syns well with new NAV system ....

comfort access - I dont have it..but once again if ordering again would get it .. means you dont have to fluff around with your keys for access and dont have to insert key into stupid slanted slot to start the vehicle .. great when raining and you just want to bundle family into car quickly and go ..worth every bloody cent and I regret not stretching to get it ...

that's my two cents worth ...

aside - I'm now looking at moving up to 50i later this year ... the diesel is ok but I just don't do the KM to get any saving .. short school runs means I'm getting 15-16 l /100 km - far from the promised 11 city number advertised .. I dont punt it too hard either ..so I figure I might as well get 50i and have some fun for an extra $20 bucks a week in gas (we'd do about 7000km per year if we're lucky) ...just waiting for BMW to update their website with details of 2011 models so that I can get an idea of what's changed in terms of standard features etc etc ...

[Fraser]

Originally Posted by anzer

the diesel is ok but I just don't do the KM to get any saving .. short school runs means I'm getting 15-16 l /100 km - far from the promised 11 city number advertised .. I dont punt it too hard either

As we have discussed before many times, your 15 - 16 litres/100km is very high compared to what most people get from their 35ds. Around 11 to 12 is more the norm for urban and sub 10s for the country. And, BTW, no manufacturer, BMW included, promises any fuel consumption for real world driving. The number quoted is simply what the vehicle gets when subjected to the government stipulated ADR81/02 test cycle which is done in a lab, not on the road.

[anzer]

Yep ..that's why I keep telling prospective buyers facts before purchase Fraser.

If people just punt them around for short school runs (suspect thats about 70% of X5 drivers) then they deserve to know what some real world stats are looking like ...I'm not pissed about it at all ..just a little surprised... in my mind urban is city driving ..lots of start / stops and short stints ... and I just cant see a 35d getting anywhere near 11 doing that ..this is my second 35d and its the same deal ...

when I went out for a cruise over weekend (pottering around between 80 and 110 km / hr for about an hour with family ) - I reset the clock and it went down to around 10 - which is great ..but my everyday drive is not like that ...

Perhaps the first manufacturer who can promise getting within 10% of advertised will start to win market favour it seems to be a big marketing push at the moment for car sales ..and if real world and lab results fall too wide of the mark then people are going to demand explanations and changes to the advertising rules (even though if you look closely you'll always see the fine print when they announce fuel consumption usage ...buyer beware I suppose)

[Fraser]

Still think your consumption is very high by most standards. I don't know why. Perhaps your short trips, your roads, your driving style??? I still reckon that if you do buy a 50i your consumption will be in the high 20s. And you'll have to pay the extra for 95 or 98RON. Remember that the ADR81/02 figures for BMW petrol engines are for 98 and the figures for 95 will be worst, even to the same test standard. I know you keep saying that you don't so many kms, therefore fuel costs aren't important. That's fine, I have no argument there. But just don't expect that if you get 15/16s from your 35d you'll get 18s or thereabouts from a 50i. As I have mentioned a few times I get 8.6 from my 3.0d (nearly 100% country driving, and calculated, not off the OBC). I had an X6 50i here for a week and driving on the same country roads, same speeds etc it got between 18 and 19.

[anzer]

Yep I hear you Fraser ..wise words of-course. I expect mid 20's ..that's cool given 300kw and 600Nm of fun that I can switch on here and there ....not that the 35d is a slug by any means ...

[MrBlonde]

Originally Posted by anzer

Mr Blonde ..

I was in the exact same situation family wise. went through a lot of research before buying X5.

I had an 09 model 35d (New) delivered Dec last year ..had some technical problems with it so eventually swapped it out for latest 2010 model Innovation (its a 35d)

A few things to think about carefully:

whilst 20's look great make sure you test drive the 18's, 19's and 20's first before committing ...20's make the ride a little harsher (but do look great)..this is amplified somewhat by having sports suspension .. if you opt for adaptive drive then all that goes away ..but at a cost of course (around 6k I think).... adaptive drive sounds fantastic but not many option it up ..cost I suspect ...personally I think it should be standard on a $100k + vehicle in this class.

Sports seats ..make sure you fit and like them (and your wife) ..some people complain about the shape of them ... try the comfort seats for size and if you can afford it option up to them .... I only have standards seats (with memory and all that) and they're pretty good to be honest ..

3rd row .. if your kids are getting to the age where they dont need boosters (7+) then you may want to consider that ..esp when you want to start lugging their little mates around etc ... my kids are only 5 and 3 so will likely get them on next X5 model in 2013/2014 when I can actually make use of them ..

stereo - if you lke music then upgrade ..the standard system is shit

innovation (HIDS, folding mirror, auto tailgate etc) - is worth the money. our 09 did not have this, but our new one does and we love these features

sunroof - no brainer, get it (kids love it too)

Head up dispaly - take a demo X5 out that has one. I don't have it ..but wish I did now after driving a loaner 5 series for a month ... a real licence saver as you are constantly reminded about your speed .. a big deal here in VIC. also syns well with new NAV system ....

comfort access - I dont have it..but once again if ordering again would get it .. means you dont have to fluff around with your keys for access and dont have to insert key into stupid slanted slot to start the vehicle .. great when raining and you just want to bundle family into car quickly and go ..worth every bloody cent and I regret not stretching to get it ...

that's my two cents worth ...

aside - I'm now looking at moving up to 50i later this year ... the diesel is ok but I just don't do the KM to get any saving .. short school runs means I'm getting 15-16 l /100 km - far from the promised 11 city number advertised .. I dont punt it too hard either ..so I figure I might as well get 50i and have some fun for an extra $20 bucks a week in gas (we'd do about 7000km per year if we're lucky) ...just waiting for BMW to update their website with details of 2011 models so that I can get an idea of what's changed in terms of standard features etc etc ...

Anzer thanks for the comments, it's good to hear from someone else in the same sort of situation. My little ones are 4 and 2 so I'm in the same boat really.

[MrBlonde]

BMW E70 X5 Options

I'm trying to understand all the options for these cars, plus work out which are standard and which must be selected. Please advise with any corrections.


Standard Features
300 Emergency Spare Wheel
3AG Rear View Camera
3AP Grey Shade Band for Windscreen
413 Luggage compartment net
430 Exterior mirrors with automatic anti-dazzle function incl. fold-in and parking function
459 Electric Seats including Driver's Memory [SP]
493 Storage compartment package - nets, hooks, 12V socket
508 PDC front and rear
520 Front Fog Lights
521 Rain Sensor including driving lights control
534 Automatic AC with 2-Zone climate control
544 Cruise Control with brake function
563 Lights Package - Door handles, footwells, etc
609 Navigation System Pro incl. TV and voice control (Bluetooth?)
644 Mobile Phone Preparation
663 BMW Pro Radio with in-dash CD
672 CD changer for 6 CDs

Options
214 20" wheels [SP, MSP] Plus other wheel options in various styles and sizes
217 Active Steering - Changes steering ratio depending on speed (Parking)
220 Self Levelling Suspension with pneumatic suspension - Rear suspension automatically adjusts to the load so the car allays rides level
226 Sports Suspension Setting [SP, MSP]
248 Steering wheel heating
255 Multi-Function Sport Steering Wheel [SP]
2VA Adaptive Drive - Active roll stabilisation and adaptive shock absorbers. Cannot have sport suspension with this
302 Alarm system with remote control
316 Automatic Tailgate - Powered raising of tailgate [IP]
320 Model Designation Deletion
322 Comfort Access - Keyless access and engine start
323 Soft Close Automatic for doors
328 Aluminium Running Boards
358 Climate Comfort Windscreen
3MB Exterior Line Aluminium Satinated
3MC Roof Rails High Gloss Satin Chrome
402 Panorama Glass Sunroof
417 Mechanical sunblind for rear side windows
431 Interior rear-view mirror with automatic anti-dazzle function
451 Active Seat for Driver (must have Comfort Seats)
453 Active Seat Ventilsation front incl. seat heating for front seats
456 Comfort Seats front, electrically adjustable incl. lumbar support [SP]
464 Ski Bag
481 Sports Seats including Driver's Memory [SP, MSP]
488 Lumbar support for driver and front passenger
494 Seat heating for driver and front passenger
496 Seat heating for rear seats
4AD Brushed Aluminium Interior Trim [MSP]
4AZ Fine-Wood Interior Trim [MSP] Also two other "fine-wood" options
4M5 Instrument panel finished in leather
4NA Interior mirror with digital compass
4NB Automatic AC with 4-Zone climate control - Separate zones for rear seat passengers
4UB Third Row Seats
4UP Adaptive Fixing System - Rear cargo bay straps
522 Bi-Xenon Headlights (with washer system) [IP]
524 Adaptive Headlights incl. turning lights integrated in fog lights - Lights move sensing your steering input
5AC High Beam Assistant {IP]
610 Heads Up Display (HUD) - Critical info projected onto windscreen
676 Hi-FI 12 speakers
677 Hi-FI 16 speakers Pro
696 DVD changer for 6 DVDs (glovebox)
6FF DVD System at Rear
6FL USB Audio Interface [IP]
6NF Extended Connectivity (iPhone charger)
710 M Leather Steering Wheel [MSP]
752 High-End Audio System
760 High Gloss Satin Chrome
761 Sun Protection Glazing
775 Headliner in anthracite
7M5 M Aero Package [MSP]


Note:
[IP] Included in Innovations Package
[SP] Included in Sports Package
[MSP] Included in M Sports Package