How about the aero kit? Did you have to buy that separately from your dealer and have him put it on when the vehicle arrived and was having the new exuahst tips put on?

WOW :wow:, that's one of the best looking E70's I have seen yet, I LOVE it :thumbup: :thumbup: .

Thanks again for your great comments makes the whole thing feel much more of a buzz!

The aero kit was dealer fitted.

The tips were supplied by me and fitted by the dealer. They cost me a favour or two!

Joey Live - The grilles are exactly the same size simple swap over, your dealer is misinformed. Though I do know there is a world wide back order on the grilles as there have been some quality issues. I was fortunate to get a set from Germany from my mate at AC Schnitzer.

ok, we all agree your X is smokin'. Now tell us what you plan to do with the engine, you gonna chip that baby?:popcorn:

Well I took the car out today for the first time, I have had three days but couldn't (legally) drive as it was on a 57 plate.

I must say I was already impressed with the drive from previous experiences in Demos etc but the car today felt much more together, maybe because its mine or possibly because BMW are making continuous improvements since model release, my X was built in late July. As a touch BMW are fitting build date tags in the engine bay.

The car was very solid and handled very tightly, all you would expect from BMW. But having said that this is a 4x4 and so the drive was so much more impressive, especially having driven many of the competitors comparable models.

Externally the body lines are uniform and joints and edges are flush and consistent, the doors and locks are smooth in operation and feel very precise.

I have comfort access, which I am really pleased I got. It works very effectively and just as it says it should. You put your hand on the door handle the locks release. When you close you pass your finger over the handle and it locks. When you get in the car everything feels solid and well built no squeaks or rattles. It has a very sumptious interior very comfortable and everything where it should be for easy use and access.

Setting up the functions and memories are simple and the options are capable of suiting anyones tastes or needs.

There are two main ways of accessing shortcuts to various options which you can chose, those are the 8 buttons above the Sat disc or 2 buttons on the steering wheels. This saves using the iDrive whilst driving also I can access various menus from the voice control - Navigation, Entertainment, phone etc. Very easy and quick to use.

The USB/iPod connection is flawless giving access to all my playlists etc and showing track info etc I can view this whilst also have a choice of screens in the split screen. Such as the route map, computer info etc.

The reverse camera is clear and the guidelines on the screen are great for judging your turning circle. The camera will only switch off when you start driving above 18mph. So it doesn't keep flitting on and off if you are changing gears constantly while maneuvering.

The engine suffers no lag at all, it does what your foot asks it to do. And considering the size of the car the pull is very effective and smooth. The engine braking is also very good and helps reduce the amount of braking you need to do.

The brakes are very good and stopping distances are much reduced over the E53.

The steering is comfortingly heavy not overly but just right to feel like your driving a big car. The steering is responsive at the same time which feels strange in some ways but works well for me, I am glad I didn't get active steering.

The car in tight and wide bends reminds me of my mates M3, it really holds the curves and takes you out of them without you having to do much. There is no roll at all, nothing, you just don't feel like the car is doing anything more than a straight line. It feels so strange for a 4x4. And is without doubt head and shoulder above all its competitors.

The suspension is firm but very comfortable there are no shudders or sudden thumps even though I know I drove over a few pots I certainly didn't feel it.

The sports setting on the adaptive drive takes the car to another level not as comfortable but, WOW, the car just drives like a sports car in terms of handling very rigid it gives a feeling of being much closer to the ground in terms of the ride and handling.

I have active seats which massage you as you drive I must say its a very weird sensation but really helped my back, as I do suffer with back trouble.

The fuel economy was good better than I expected for a new engine, I averaged 35 combined, which was pleasing.

The car itself feels and looks so much bigger than the E53, despite some general comments you could not mistake this for an X3. I was up alongside an RR and the car felt just as big as they sat next to each other I certainly never got that from the E53.

Lastly for now was the poser factor, did I get some looks. I think it was for the car either that or 'Whats that tattooed thug doing in a car like that?" But certainly it added to the overall feeling of driving the car.

I know its early days but today was a driving experience I wont forget in a hurry.

Without doubt, I am waiting for the AC Schnitzer upgrades which will be available in the next month or so. If thats not right for me I know a man that can. BMW are also releasing a performane accessories line for all models later this year, this will include body kits, big brakes, exhausts and engine upgrades. So again I may wait for this so I dont affect my warranty.

Wow, I didn't know that. My plan was to wait for the bi-turbo and upgrade the software. A friend did his 530d from 218hp to 258hp for about 400 Euros. Any specs on the prices and performance of AC shnitzer? From what I gather the bi-turbo will fork out about 286hp which can be modded to about 330hp.

At the moment I have no details, as such but I have been told when its due for release I will be given the heads up.

now those are the wheels to go if you go 21s!

:hawt: