Xoutpost.com - First Drive in an 35d

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Adblue is in the back on a Mercedes. We saw it at the auto show a couple weeks ago. BMW has their urea up front near the radiator. Check your manual. I just bought a 35d last week. I have about 600 miles on it and the mileage is 25mpg. Took a test drive at the dealer. Yes, it has decent acceleration. Yes, when it's cold you notice a little vibration which smoothes out as soon as you drive it and it warms up a bit. I'm really liking this vehicle!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

I don't have any vibration either. My car rode much better with Michelin tires. My car came in with damaged wheels from the factory. The dealer swapped out my wheels and tires last Weds. Now I have Bridgestone tires that ride stiffer and have a lot more road noise. They only had one 3.0i with the sport package, so I wasn't able to get Michelin tires again. They also didn't want to swap my tires from my damaged wheels. I will wear these tires out and go back to Michelin's. What brand tires did the demo have? Also, did it have the sport package? Mine has the sport package and I don't think it's that rough.

Craig

Criag I didn't check the equipment list on the demo. You make a good point. If it had the sport package, it would have a firmer suspension, correct? I didn't check out the tires, but will look into both issues next week when I am back at the dealership.

I'm not sure I'm describing the noise at idle correctly. It wasn't a buzzing or a vibration really. It was almost like a droning sound, but only at idle. Once the engine came off idle, it was gone.

grover

Quote:

Originally Posted by grover432

You can turn the sport button off or on. I leave mine on all the time. I really don't like the Bridgestone tires compared to the Michelin's that were on the damaged set of wheels. Let me know about the tires and the sport package. They also might have the tire pressure set too high. I checked mine the next morning and they had too much air at delivery and also with this second set of wheels.

Craig

Craig, the X5 I drove has 18" Bridgestone "Duelers". I didn't see a sport button on the console, but I was looking through the window. I'm going to check with the dealer tomorrow. grover

Quote:

Originally Posted by grover432

Craig, the X5 I drove has 18" Bridgestone "Duelers". I didn't see a sport button on the console, but I was looking through the window. I'm going to check with the dealer tomorrow. grover

The sport package comes with 19" wheels. I have those same crappy Bridgestone tires.

Craig

I'm going by the dealer tomorrow morning to test a cold start and see how long it takes for the heater to start warming the interior. It is supposed to be -25C tonight and should be a good test. I don't want to have to deal with the typical slow engine warm up times with diesels and poor heater performance, although I understand the 35d has a ceramic heater to help with quick warm up when it is really cold out.

I'm going to check the second vehicle they have in stock to see what tires it has. The dealer is also going to check the tire pressure. Maybe it is just the nature of the run flat tires. Are the Michelins much better?

Finally, I think this vehicle would be a purchase rather than a lease, so I want to make sure it has all of the equipment I'd want. The dealer says a new iDrive will arrive for the 2010 model year which he said means September production and October delivery. I don't really want to wait, but I'd realy like to have the new iDrive and Nav system.

First things first, though.

grover

Quote:

Originally Posted by grover432

There is no warm up time for the heater to start to warm up the interior. The ceramic heater starts right away. Yes, the Michelin tires are much better than the Bridgestone tires. I will just wear out the Bridgestone tires and switch back to Michelin's. My first set of wheels came with Michelin's, but must have been damaged by the transport company. The dealer only had one other X5 3.0i with the sport package and it had Bridgestone tires. That's how I got stuck with them. I didn't order Nav because of the old I drive. I have no problems using the current I drive. It's up to you if you want to wait for the new I drive. The Bridgestone tires don't ride as good as the Michelin's and also have a lot more road noise.

Craig

Thanks Craig. I'll be taking a second look at the dealer tomorrow morning.

On a related note, a friend of mine called this eveing to say that he has located a couple of X6's subject to a bankruptcy in eastern Canada. They are both loaded and are expected to bring high 40's on a closed bid system.

My friend has dealt with this fellow many times in the past and hasn't been disappointed yet. He isn't sure whether they are 35's or 50's. They are loaded so I expect they ar 35's (which is fine by me). I'm not sure that vehicle makes sense for me (one kid and hoping to have another), but if they can be had for the suggested price, I won't be able to say no. Have to wait and see on that one. If I can't add a trailer hitch, I'd have to pass.

I totally agree with you on the iDrive. It is fine if the nav system isn't ordered. I'd like nav, but not with the current screen. This vehicle will be a 5 year hold for me, so I'd like all of the options I'd want to be on it. :)

Went to test drive the X5 35d this morning; -25C plus wind chill. the SUV wouldn't start - battery was low. I'll have to try again tomorrow morning. :(

The dealer was a bit embarassed. The new 7 is unbelievably beautiful - they have their first example in the showroom. If it drives as well as it looks .... ahhh too much money.

Quote:

Originally Posted by grover432

I keep mine on a battery tender every night. I've never had a problem starting my car and it's been very cold here this winter. The X6 sounds like a great deal. I don't care much for the look of the X6, but for that price, I would buy it.

Good luck!

Craig