Purchasing 08/09 X.5 4.8 - looking for advice
 

Hi Everyone - First post...new the forums.

My wife and I are getting ready to buy our next SUV. I thought we were headed down the Cayenne S path...but she really likes the X5, so we are going to start shopping it here in Dallas/Ft. Worth and see what we come up with.

Based on what we want below....we would love to hear what packages/options you think you have really used and liked and what to stay away from. And any other ideas/advice you have!


Vehicle Use:
-We normally keep our vehicles 10 years.
-Expect 5K to 10K miles per year.
-Once in a while the X5 will pull a 20 ft. Sea Doo Boat

2009/2008 X5 4.8
-Preferred condition: New
-But Open to CPO/PO if low mileage and MINT condition.
-Exterior Color: Black Sapphire Metallic (will not consider other color)
-Interior Color:
1st choice: Grey Nevada Leather
2nd Choice: Black Leather
3rd Choice: Sand Beige Leather
Trim: Dark Burl Walnut

Packages:
-Premium Package
-Technology Package
-Rear Climate Package
-Premium Sound Package
-Sports Package with 20” alloys (style 214) – The downside here for us is the performance tires and we would probably need to buy a new set every 15K….but we like the 20” (style 214) look. Also- not sure about sports suspension?….sounds like several owners like the standard suspension (not as rough?)

Options:
-Running Boards
-Comfort Access
-Need trailer hitch wired and ready to go for boat.
- Both me and my wife are currently using iPhone 3G’s and are looking for the cleanest integration in the X5…of course the integration may be short lived since we rev our phones every year or so (so we have some common sense flexibility here). But what is the best X5 option?: Ipod adapter? Smartphone integration? Both? (may affect the premium sound package – that’s fine.) I also saw a nice iphone 3g slide in adapter for BMW…anyone have any experience with this?

Options we are interested in but can probably live without. (if any owner has comments – we would appreciate and love to hear):
-3rd row seat (we have no children…but may be nice to have if it’s actually usable?)
-Active Steering (sounds great…is the stock steering that bad?)
-Active Ventilated Seats (nice to have?)

Thanks!

Ted

--As far as basic packages goes, you need to get Premium package. (I have never seen an X5 without it.) I also recommend Technology Package for navigation, parking sensors. Sports package is good, but I personally didn't feel I needed it.

--For interior color, I am personally not a fan of grey on X5. I would go with black or beige.

--I feel the iPod Adapter is a great option. The integration with the vehicle is wonderful and convenient.
--The running boards look great, but if you are taller, you may find yourself dragging your leg on it while getting in. (I prefer to have my suit trousers dirt free in the morning.)
--I think Active Steering is a gizmo and not worth it. The only benefit is not having to turn the wheel as much while parallel parking or making slow maneuvers. The regular steering is great (it is a BMW after all.) It would be hard to find another SUV with a similar steering feel.
--The 3rd row seats are usable for short drives, but will you really use it often. I determined the amount of time I would use them is not worth it.

In addition, I would recommend getting the Comfort Seat option. (available stand alone or with Active Ventilated Seat package) They are very comfortable making it impossible not to find the perfect position.

I hope all of this helps.

:iagree: :iagree: :iagree: :iagree: :iagree: :iagree: :iagree: :iagree: :iagree:
I'm in total agreement with what Michael has to say, and to add some:

I have a 4.8i with the 20"s. They are worth every penny in terms of driving feel an dynamics. (you will have to avoid hitting potholes with regular suspension as well anyway). If you are concerned about comfort, Sports pkg with comfort seats should do you well.

The top two most frequent features that I use are Comfort access and the Head-Up Display. Please get them, especially if you would like to keep the vehicle for a while.




Good luck.

Vince

Thank you both for the input.

-Definetly including Comfort seats

Did not think about the heads up display - will take a look - Thanks!

I'd recommend the tech, premium, rear climate, and sports packages. Comfort seats and comfort access are must haves in my opinion. The sport package give you the adaptive suspension and getting the 20 inch wheels not only gets you the wheels but the wheel arch extensions.

The third row seat is small but handy if you need to carry people; however, you give up a spare and the storage space.

I don't have the premium sound and it noticeably worse than my M3 with the upgraded stereo and my wife's 335 with Logic 7. The ipod adapter is great - you will need the new smartphone integration if you want to use your iphone.

I have the heads-up display and it was cool initially but now I don't even see it except for the Navigation. If you wear polarized sunglasses often, you will never see it.

I'd skip the running boards - look good but are not that functional for adults and active steering.

After driving my 09 X5 35d for 2 month now and have to say GO Diesel!

But for options I would recommend most important is Comfort package (comfort seat and comfort access).

Sport pkg you don't need it, unless you want the hard suspensions for the cornering and if you get sport pkg they replace the aluminum shadowline with high gloss shadowlines, I like the aluminum much better, especially on black vehicle.

Running board is a nice look! definitely get it.

Tech pakg, I don't like the nav, it sucks compared to the portable GPS like TomTom and Garmin but I find the rear camera and parking distance control is great, so you might as well get the package.

Don't bother with the Entertainment pkg, it player sucks and is in the middle, you kids will fight over what to watch or get a neck/eye cramp/strain from staring at the armrest area.
Get an after market dual DVD/mpeg/avi player from invsions that mounts on the back of the seats/headrests.
http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e70-forum/...light=invision

Bamboo wood trim is nice and different from the norm, but aluminum is best IMO.

Premium sound pkg, if you really need cd changer and more speakers.
But standard is CD player and 12 speakers + 2 subwoofer, do you really need more speakers, can you really hear the diff?

Get the upgraded 20" 214 wheels set.

3rd row seats, depends if you have kids. Some times it maybe worth it when you need to drive your kids friends or your extra friends.

Not to steer you away from supporting any of our DFW dealers but I saw this '07 4.8 with only 100 miles on it for $52K. If you like Sapphire (I'm a fan of Jet Black) this could work. Not sure why the low miles and won't be a CPO but seems like a good deal. If you are wanting a good sales person to deal with send me an email and I'll give you his name--he is at BMW of Dallas if that is the closest one to you.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

Thanks BGM!

That is a good deal...I want to try and stay 2008 or newer (but who knows?).

I'm actually up here in Frisco...a dealer close to me yesterday offered a 2007 4.8 with 2200 miles on it for $42,900. It was Silver Ext./Grey Int. and apparently was an exec demo.

I may PM you this week to get your BMW Dallas contact...I bought a 3 series and 5 series from them (John Roberts at the time) in the early 90's.

On another strange note....I have countless friends up here with BMW's and all of them have told me that the dealer here in Plano and BMW Dallas will not deal....they have all ended up buying their cars at Autobahn or Moritz (both Ft. Worth area). That's a disappointment to me since I would prefer to buy at the location that will service the car as well....but I guess I have to be open to purchase location to save some $.

Ted

Well, I would think most will go for $1K over invoice. Maybe get some internet sales quotes from dealers like in Houston and then bring those in here locally to have them battle it out.

tlewis,
I'm in the same boat and am looking for an '08/'09 X5 here in Dallas. My friend leased a 335i vert from BMW of Dallas a few months ago and he said they didn't even budge with the price.

Now, I'm not as ambitious as you and I only want a 3.0si. I'm not really a speed demon anyway. I've test driven the 3.0si at BMW of Dallas and the salespeople there absolutely DO NOT give a crap about you. Just the feeling I got. I had to track them down and wait a long time just to test drive. I guess it left a bad taste in my mouth.

I figured since the economy is bad they would at least deal but alas, no. I think I'll try the tactic BGM said and just get quotes from everyone and just be patient and let them duke it out.