X5 35 Arrived
 

Hi all,

I picked up my new X5 35 yesterday. No delivery faults found so far. Just need to work my way through the manual today.

Quick question for you guys. My dealer said at the hand over that you could use the usb port in the glove box to 'backup' all the user settings, memorys etc. before the car goes in for service in case they get erased. Anyone know how to do this?

Congrats! Some pics please. Never heard of saving settings via USB.

Congratulations and enjoy! I know nothing about saving settings through the USB.

Craig

I believe that only the Music Collection can be transferred to a USB flash drive. Also, routes can be transferred to the HD via USB. Nothing in the manual on saving settings. If you find out how to do this, please post.

Settings are saved in your key. Music from your HD, if you have the tech package can be backed-up.

But again, all the major preferences are set in your key.

Hum...

OK I'll investigate more.

I appreciate that some settings are saved to key and that the normal use of the glove box USB port is to import music to the cars HD.

However the hand over guy, who was pretty accurate with 99% of the info he gave, specifically said that the glove box port can be used to back up ALL settings to a USB stick prior to service, just in case a SW upgrade wipes them. Could be duff gen, I'll post here when I get to the bottom of it.

No such thing as a tech package in the UK but I have all those sort of options :-)

Take a USB stick to your handover guy and ask him to show you how to back up the settings.

:iagree:
Mine, just completed, is waiting to get on a truck so I haven't tried anything yet. But, theoretically, anything saved on key "should" not get erased by SW updates (even tho one, on all but comfort access, probably has to be IN the ignition at time of update) - the other one does not. And, anything stored on HD "should" not be at risk either. However, and especially because I'll be taking delivery soon too, I would really appreciate hearing whatever you learn on this (and anything else that raises your eyebrows :wow: too).

T.I.A.

I don't think the settings are actually saved in the keys as such. I suspect the key just says to the car 'hello, I'm key #2, please load the setting you have stored and marked key #2'

Even if they were, I still like the idea of a complete back up to USB as a lot of the settings are not saved to key anyway.

I'll keep you posted.

I'll also be asking my CA, at delivery, about ALL keyfob programmable options. I have read, mostly in the "cool hidden features" thread for the E53 (much better thread than the one for the E70): http://www.Xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...es-e53-x5.html Looooong thread but worth some time, about a variety of keyfob programmable options. I do not know if it is standard procedure for the dealer to review with you ALL of those options and do a onetime programming free. The thread mentions that some dealers are charging for keyfob programming but it is not clear if they are charging for initial programming or just for customer requested re-programming to change features previously programmed. the implication is that the keyfob comes pre-programmed and they may not tell you ALL of the programmable options and/or possible alternatives. Frankly, I think (as part of the delivery process) the dealer should have a printed check list of vehicle programmable options, have customer check-off their choices (and sign it) and have the vehicle programmed while customer is doing paperwork. They could then add that signed form to their file and if the customer later wants something changed - I could then see them charging for the re-programming. This would also make a record of customer options so if programming ever gets lost during a SW update, there is a record of what you had and re-programming would not be chargeable under these circumstances. But, as I said, I haven't gone thru the process yet so I have no idea what actually happens.

Please do keep us informed!

I have noticed that some features that were dealer programmable on the E53 are now accessible via the iDrive on the E70.

I think I have found my first delivery fault. I put my iphone 3g in the snap in holder and it makes the signal WORSE !

Full strength with the phone out of the holder stays full with it in but half drops to a quarter and one or two bars out of the holder goes to 'no service' with it in !!

Hopefully its just a duff snap in holder.

I believe in the E70 there are no longer a keyfob options that are only programmable by the dealer -- you now can set them yourself using the idfrive.

That would be great - e53 is certainly not so. I asked my dealer if I could disable the auto all down & roof open feature and was told yes. What would be great would be to change all down to all down 1/2" and open roof vent. THAT I would use every day. But have no use for the all down. Here in AZ, whenever I park (minus rain) I open all windows 1/2" and open roof vent to allow air to circulate - this with a good quality sunshield always keeps car at reasonable temp for return, even in 100+ temps. Being able to do that with a keyfob press would be AWESOME!!!!!!!

There is another feature I read about in that e53 thread for using the REST/MAX to blow the climate control air for about 20 minutes. Seems like a nice feature to maint temp in the vehicle during short errands.

Apparently, all windows up/roof-close is disabled on USA models due to some liability issue. Don't understand that when all windows and roof have obstruction (safety) sensors.

Read your manual London Lad. The system does not work as described. There is solid state flash memory in each key, and there is most certainly memory in the key.

The key records a variety of things, including when your car is due for maintenance, trouble codes, etc.

It's in your manual, but also well published throughout X5 forums that use modern smart keys.

Enjoy your new ride.

This is correct.

Including disable the all-down/roof-open? Or, must this be dealer programmed?

I don't dispute that but its not what we are talking about here.

Back on topic, I'll report back when I find out the truth re the backup via the USB socket thing.

I believe your CA is mistaken (there's a surprise); he's confusing the feature with one that is available on the new 7 series (and maybe the new 5?). On our 750, there is a screen in the iDrive that lists the various Profiles, and has an option to export the Profile info via USB drive. The X5 doesn't support this.

I suspect you are correct. Thinking back, although he was very accurate and detailed on most features, the few mistakes he did make were 'adding' features from cars higher up the range.

OK an update!

Dealers hand over guy was confused. There is no settings back up facility via the USB port in the glove box.

Snap in cradle for the iPhone has been exchanged and is better but I'm still not impressed. Signal strength does not go 'no service' now but is only as strong as it is out of the cradle, no better.

I have an Audi with the same inductively coupled GSM antenna system and it seems works much better.

Any one use an iPhone in a snap in adaptor in their E70 X5 can tell me how it effects the signal strength ?

No, but I can tell you that it wouldn't surprise me if the iPhone's antenna was boosted to a degree. There's no claim as to how much of a degree, in BMW literature, on that it is connected to the external antenna.

My wife and I have both had iPhones for about 18-months now. Here in the U.S., at least, the service is beyond atrocious. Maybe in the UK it's better?

I've contemplated canceling my service numerous times, and switching to other brands, but nothing comes close for general business in my opinion.

Anyway, I don't think it's a factor of the BMW, so much as a design compromise made with the iPhone: battery vs. signal strength.

Well the iPhone isn't the best at grabbing a poor signal (any phone with it's antenna hidden inside it is going to be a compromise) but coverage is generally good in the UK now except in very rural areas.

The BMW connection to the iPhone (for the antenna) is only inductive, i.e. there is a flat printed coil in the snap in adaptor that lays against the antenna in the back case of the iPhone. There is a amplifier (BMW call it a compensator) in the lead between the snap in and the external antenna. I suspect the gain from the amp and the outside antenna just about adds back what is lost by the inefficient inductive coupler and the antenna cable length.

What I was a bit surprised at was the fact that my Audi with the same system design seems to provide more signal.