Car and Driver Comparison
 

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/12669

E70 is third of eight.

Thanks for posting. It looked like a pretty fair summation to me and is reflective of many of the views I've seen here.

While I wouldn't really consider a Cadillac or Acura (well probably not- but I hope BMW is listening- maybe I should go drive one?) it's obvious the BMW falls short in some areas and could be improved. I agree the shifter is hokey too; like I Drive it's the opposite of intrinsic.

One advantage of the (untested) Cayenne are the tiptronic switches on the wheel. BMW could have offered paddles and one upped them- this is the 2nd gen after all- why not?

Thanks for the post, I've been waiting to see some comparisons of the new X5.

These comparisons are somewhat subjective though, depends on what you're looking for and what you're comparing. If it was more performance oriented, I'm sure the FX45 and Cayenne would have been tested next to the X5 4.8i, which is a comparison I'd rather see... hopefully they'll do another one of those soon.

i disagree with what they said about the shifter. i like the way it is. I think its more intuitive the way it is. almost all cars shift forward to go back and backwards to go forwards. what is not intuitive about the e70 shifter?

and i agree with above. why no paddels bmw? all new bmws have it so why leave it out on the x5?

:iagree:

After several days of using it I started likeing it, now I love it...I would hate to go back. This is a very forward thinking concept. Must have been an old man doing the review.

I'm ignoring this post till I get the issue in the mail....
you need *spoiler* in the title ;)

I'm sorry but I've been extremely underwhelmed by both the MDX and SRX. The SRX wouldn't be an option considering our experiences with GM vehicles over the last few years and I just can't understand how you could put the MDX and the X5 into the same category! Oh well... I guess that's why I'm not writing these things!

I test drove a 3.0 E70 a while back. I had it for a couple of hours and did some shopping chores. I pulled into a parking spot at one stop which was against a brick wall. Confusion with the shifter (pulled it back to select reverse) almost had me drive forward into the wall. I'm sure I'd get used to it, but why should someone have to? I also agree with comments regarding the wiper and turn stalks. They are not intuative (compared to what we have been using for 40+ years) and as a result are not an improvement. If you have to explain to someone how to use the turn signal then it's not a positive feature unless it adds some safety and functionality that wasn't there before. My 75 year old mother tried the 328iA and was so confused by the turn signal/wiper system she bought a Lexus IS250. And before you say that she is too old to get the hang of new technology, she's been navigating with the DVD Nav system just fine, thank you!

Sometimes, I think BMW changes things just for the sake of change. I'm not usre that is always a good thing. Ask Mercedes about that in reference to their brake by wire system, which is now gone.

Just my .02 worth. :)

you dont, you can refuse to buy the vehicle...but seriously change is good. If we cannot adopt change, we stand still. Good thing the Wright bros didnt think this way.

After using the stick for a week it becomes very intuitive and second nature...give it time, you will like!

I found it intuitive from the get go...Kind of like the steptronic's logical directions...

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.

Agreed. Good friend of mine bought a loaded MDX. He likes the car, but the ride is a bit too boring for him. In his words, the MDX is fast, but it feels slow, and in the twisties, the suspension is too active. I think I agree.

[quote=Cairns]
I'd love to see them work with Apple and develop an I-Drive that really is intrinsic. [quote]

You might be onto something! That would be one heck of a system! I'm not a Mac user but I know from the iPods that they are FAR more intuitive than BMW will ever be with that sort of thing!