not trying to be offensive but have you ever used a car that you shifted backwards for reverse? im guessing no. so isnt it more intuitive that you shift forwards for reverse? even in manual cars you shift left and forwards for reverse. so why would bmw change it to shift backwards for reverse?

and i agree with above. the acura just didnt do anything for me. and i think they should have used a rx and not a gx lexus.

I don't understand it, what is so hard to get used to the new E70 X5's shifter? The only thing that's different is the "Park" which you push the bottom on the top of the shift knob other than that it's pretty much the same. Like the old style shifter on the center console, if you positioning it on "N" you push upward for reverse and pull backward to drive forward same method on the E70 shifter, what is there to get used to???

Sorry, I'm just sick and tired to hearing ppl saying "I can't get used to it" blah blah blah...

My 2cents...

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR...>ACURA :mad:

FYI-
You dont even need to use the park button. Simply turn off the car and it automatically goes into park.

The Acura has a far superior tech package, but other than that the X5 is in a completly different class. I test drove the MDX prior to buying the X5 and I must admit, the saleswoman, besides being very hot was extremely knowledable on her product. The BMW salesmen (old cranky men) on the other hand wouldnt give me the time of day and honestly had less knowledge of the X5 than I did.
I was very impressed w/ the Acura tech package and am reminded how good it is everytime I try to use voice command in the X...its a joke. On the Acura you simply say "nearest Chinese food...and wham it presents you with all the nearest options immediatly. The sales girl called me back a dozen times and even offered a demo for a week once she found out I was looking at the X5.

When I finally told her that the X5 was my choice and honestly in another class she started heavy on the discounting...I finally told her it wasnt about money, I could buy two MDX's for what I paid for the X5...it is a far classier vehicle. The MDX looks like crap inside with all the buttons...makes me really appreciate the IDrive even more.

Did you get her number at least.........?

of course

No offense taken. When I get into my car and grab the auto shift lever, I pull it back one stop to select reverse. When I instictively did this on my test drive, I got a forward gear (hence the near miss with the wall). The only time I push forward to get reverse is when shifting from a forward gear. I'm not saying I can't get used to it, I'm just saying that I shouldn't have to.

I'm not saying we shouldn't adopt to change- of course we should it is the only constant. But I agree with poster about making changes- I think BMW sometimes does it just for the sake of it and not to improve. (Can someone say "Bangle"?)

I'd love to see them work with Apple and develop an I-Drive that really is intrinsic. IMO it's kludgey. I think the shifter is too but I'm sure I'll adapt. What if, for instance, they worked with the Apple engineers to develop an interface that truly is easy to use?

BMW really could make a car that is still the "ultimate driving machine" and offer both driving and the technical gadgets. But IMO they're not doing that great a job of melding the two and seem to be leaning toward the latter at the expense of the former.

When the competition (in the opinion of many) beats BMW maybe BMW should be the one who needs to learn to change.

Still in all at this point the X is the only one for me.

Apple I-Drive
 

I think BMW sometimes does it just for the sake of it and not to improve. (Can someone say "Bangle"?)

I'd love to see them work with Apple and develop an I-Drive that really is intrinsic. IMO it's kludgey. I think the shifter is too but I'm sure I'll adapt. What if, for instance, they worked with the Apple engineers to develop an interface that truly is easy to use?



Still in all at this point the X is the only one for me.[/QUOTE]




Now there's a good idea, an Apple designed I-Drive interface.
Ease of use and intuitiveness don't seem to be BMW priorities.
To me one of the biggest negatives about the X5 is the I-Drive interface.
Ah well I guess you can't have everything.