Two Questions Before Ordering
 

I am nearing a decision to order a new E70 4.8. I had three questions which I want to double check against the dealer perspective: 1) If the sport package is ordered, is it possible to delete the anthracite roof liner (wife thinks it darkens the cabin too much). 2) Does the rear entertainment DVD player still come with wireless headphones--brochure is silent; dealer says yes. 3) Has anyone substituted the one rear entertainment DVD player option for two units in the headrests? Any thoughts about whether this may work better for second row passengers? Thanks for any input!

On the headliner...
 

We have the same issue with the dark headliner...my wife felt claustrophobic when we test drove. I was told by the dealer that the factory will not accept any customization requests. Even if it ends up costing them >$3,000 for the package. So we went without it.

On the surface it seems silly since it's a simple substitution of color for color on the headliner. But I understand a factory not wanting to introduce additional complexity to the line once everything has been defined. It's the usual tension between marketing--which wants every possible combination for every customer whim--and manufacturing--which would like the Henry Ford approach of "any color as long as it's black" to keep things as simple as possible.

1) As previously stated, you cannot delete anthracite roof. Depending upon your color choice of interior, it can be dark. I have beige interior and the contrast looks fantastic, but if I had a black interior, it would look pretty dark. However, I would never delete the sports package in an X5. It's just too cool with shadowline and the sports suspension, etc.

2) In 2008 the rear entertainment package no longer includes the headphones, but the dealer may decide to throw them in for free (they are only $50).

3) I have had numerous video packages in my cars and each location has its pluses and minuses. You may want to do a search on the topic. It has been discussed often on this forum.

Good luck with your new X decision. You will love it.

3) It has been discussed many times but people have also said it's less glare if it's down low on the center console. Some have said it leads to motion sickness though. Between the two choices, I'd rather have it in the headrests as it doesn't take away room from the armrests (and they can open too). Will need window shades.

On the anthracite headliner
 

I have anthracite headliner and black leather interior. I don't find it too dark as I keep the panorama black cover, not the glass, OPEN ALL THE TIME. In fact, I have to yet to close the black cover in the 2.5 months that I've had my E70. (I should check that it works...)

I'm sure I'll be closing the black cover sometimes in the summer but I would expect the interior to be much brighter so it should not be an issue.

[quote=brian5]I have anthracite headliner and black leather interior. I don't find it too dark as I keep the panorama black cover open

Same here, in fact, I thought black was the best color option w/ sport as I found other interior colors to contrasting.