About to pull the trigger on X5..advice needed
 

Hey....glad to be here....I'm about to pull the trigger on a 2008 X5 4.8. My last car was a 2006 550i E60 and before that a 2007 530i E60 so this is my first E70 but not my first BMW!

I have two options to chose from and I was curious what your opinions were...

Option #1:
Alpine White 4.8 -24800 Miles- with Activity package (Aluminium running boards, headlamp washers, storage compartment package) and that's about it. It has the Panorama sunroof and Park distance control but that seems to be on all the 4.8's?

I love the AW color on beige interior but find the options very limited.

Option #2:
Bronze 4.8 -12400 Miles- with Premium package (Comfort access, lumbar support, Logic 7 hifi sound system / Sport package (high gloss shadow line, Anthracite roof liner, aluminium trimmed steering wheel) / USB audio integration, 20" 214 wheels.

The interior is tobacco.

This wouldn't be my first choice in color but after seeing it....it kinda grew on me.

My dilemma is that I prefer the look of the white X5 but prefer the option/wheel combo on the bronze....and half the mileage isn't a bad thing!

Do you guys think the options warrant going with a color that isn't doing it for me? To those with these options...are they worth it?

Otherwise...I go with the white...buy a set of 214's and forget about the cool options?

Any opinions?

Here's the pics:
http://www.xoutpost.com/attachment.p...1&d=1269919912

http://www.xoutpost.com/attachment.p...1&d=1269919912

I absolutely love white but color would be a silly reason to overlook all the plus sides of the highly-optioned one.

Why not just wait until a white one with all the trimmings comes along? Surely there would be one that fits all your criteria.

Unfortunately this is a complicated situation....My 550i has major problems and after 8 months of fighting with BMW Canada and the dealership they finally agreed to pull me out of my 550. As a result timing is crucial and I need to act fast. It pretty much HAS to be between one of the two mentioned because of the circumstances.

Options....or color......!! that's the question!! :dunno:

I already own the ipod integration kit so the USB integration option on the Bronze isn't a big deal...On the other hand the lumbar support, comfort access and Logic 7 sound system sound very cool:(

Interesting dilemma indeed.

Maybe they could find one from another dealership or you could have a demo vehicle until they find one you like? It would be unfortunate to have to settle after having a bad experience with the 550.

Tough call .... I bought 2010 35d that is AW (check the Australian link on this E70 forum as I've posted photo's)

My situation was kinda similar as I had to move quickly on stock available vehicles - so traded off some options ...

interesting in that we looked at Bronze and AW as the only colours we liked .... and in the end we just loved the clean fresh look of AW on the X5 (check my signature and it will give you some idea).

You don't mention price? so I'm assuming that's not part of the decision making ..even though if the AW is cheaper then that may offset any concerns about difference in Miles between the two.

If you put 20's on the AW then keep in mind it won't look identical to 20's on Bronze as sport package slighty lowers the suspension from what I understand .. but it will still look fine.

so really what you're not getting if you take AW is:

- sports suspension and 20's (you'll sort the 20's on AW, but won't get Sport sus or lowering)
- comfort access
- comfort seats (or may be just sports seats with lumbar? which is less value than comfort seats)
- logic 7 hifi

My view:

- I would love comfort seats, but can live without them as the standard ones are still very good and unless you do lots of miles everyday then its marginal benefit (unless you have really bad back problems) ..sports seats are a little better that standards but some complain that the shape is a bit weird for their backs and prefer standard or comfort seats
- comfort access - if this is the keyless entry option then it can be handy as you dont have to fumble for key fob and insert in slot. i don't have it but would like it as I have kids etc - then again we have auto tailgate - and you have to pull the key out to active then when approaching the vehicle and throwing kids stuff in ..so if its already out of pocket its not a big deal to shove it in the start slot .... still dont think i'd trade-off comfort access for AW
- stereo. being a 4.8 its probably got more than standard base system I would suspect ? I think logic 7 is top of range? so you may find that the AW has mid range system? suggest you take along you ipod, tell the dealer to take a break, crank up your favourate song in both, and see what you think. If you are a really music fanatic then hi 7 is good, but once again I dont think good enough to warrant going for Bronze over AW. If the AW stereo is reasonable for you, then you can always upgrade the speakers to give better sound - even the logic 7 OEM speaker are a bit dull, so replacing the font two door speakers with something decent will lift it enought to suit most people's needs - and subs etc can always be replaced also if you really want ...

other thing to think about - we wanted beige interior also with AW as I personally think its a great package ..most dealers try and talk people out of this combo because typically people want AW with black interior to help offset / contrast ..personally I think it BS ..and finding an AW with beige is a potential blessing as its a great combo ... when it comes to resale not everyone will think that ..but you'll still move it eventually so dont worry abot that ... I didnt like Tabacco ..but I can see why people who pick Bronze go with it as its a good match for that exterior colour ..

In summary - if it was me ... I'd go AW, upgrade wheels, upgrade front door speakers ... and never look back .. and lets face it you;re likely to trade up again in 2-3 years and X5 (if you like them) will be nearing new model phase ..whereby we're all likely to get the goodies as standard when we trade and upgrade (I hope)

Hope this helps ?
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I agree with anzer but you should tell them (or try to) that you will take the AW "IF" they include putting the 20s on with new wheel archs for the same price. If they agree, you have your answer. If they want alittle more for that, you still have your answer. Those things costs money and time, and if you can get them in the deal at a greatly reduced cost then its a no brainer.

You should ask yourself this question... what do you value more, form or function? If your answer is "form", go with the AW. If your answer is "function", go with the bronze.

I say this because a person who values function first spends most of his/her time in the car where comfort and driving pleasure is most important and those extra options enhance the driving pleasure. Subsequently, they can't see the exterior colour paint from the inside.

Someone who values form first will sacrifice some of those options just so their ride looks good and they feel more pride in looking at the car than driving it but, hey, none of those options matter much when it's sitting in the driveway.

My $.02 is that I'd go with the bronze but it depends on your driving habits. I must add that bronze is as close as you get to white, pretty much, anyway.

Hope this helps.

When I got my Alpine White (black Nappa leather) 2008 4.8i X5, the dealer offered me an AMAZING offer on a late 2007 4.8i X5 with Bronze and Tobacco leather. I think I could have got used to, or even liked the Bronze exterior.....BUT that tobacco interior was, IMO, hideous. Actually the tobacco leather was somewhat nice, but all that chocolate brown carpeting, and brown plastic....it looked like my Gramma's 1976 Ford LTD. Ick!!

So, all the options are of course nice, but if you do not like the colour....you will never be happy. And coming from someone who trades cars every 6-12 months, options do not really affect trade prices or values. So, go with the colour you most like!

I have AW. But if those are your two options, and cost is not part of the equation, I would get the Bronze. You will get used to the color (inside and out) and I think over the long run, you may wish you had all the bells/whistles. Besides beige interior is harder to keep clean.

Go for the options. We bot an '08 leftover, so we had limited choice in colors. The (dark green) color is not my favorite, but I love driving the car. I figure that when I am in the car I don't really look at the color, but I love all the options (premium, satellite radio, cold weather). I guess it depends on who you are trying to please- yourself or others. Low miles are also a plus.

As others have posted, prices? That would really be a significant decision component. I just got a 2010 (30i) AW/beige and love it. But, I have the options I want too.I'd suggest you go spend some more time in them, drive them both and try to FEEL which one is yours. Personally, I don't think anyone can tell you which to get. It is YOUR ride! Different people have different sensitivities to colors, options, etc.

Low mileage is a biggie but when you combine all of the variables....

One little thing I noticed from your pics, and there are many posts about this, is the Running Boards. Granted, it is a lessor issue and not overly expensive to change either way. The general consensus (if you haven't read the threads) is a very mixed bag about Running Boards on this particular vehicle. Pretty much most agree, they look great but are also pretty impractical. The height is weird, too high to the interior floor so they are awkward to use both entering and exiting (especially if you are tall). They can really collect road-dirt, especially in wetter/rainy/snowy conditions and if you try to step over them (not use them) it is almost unavoidable that you will rub your clothes against them (passengers too). I'd suggest you get in and out of both, several times and see/feel this difference. As I said, you can cheaply change either, and probably, if you push the dealer hard enough, get the dealer to throw in the change as part of the deal (assuming you may want the opposite of whichever vehicle you choose and which boards it has).

You might want to ask for carfax on both just to be on the safe side (don't know if that is available in Toronto - or, the dealer may be able to convince you of the history on each{if you trust them}). You also don't mention Nav on either, which is a bit surprising. Park distance on the AW - tone only or cams? Not at all on the Bronze? Ultimately, doesn't matter with your situation, go spend some more time with both of them and you will know which is yours! :driver:

Best wishes and come back and tell us which you chose!! :beerchug:

Thanks for all the great responses!! You guys have been very helpful!

I looked around and because of the situation with the dealer taking my defective 550i on trade I had to make a decision...and I did!

I kept the Bronze for an afternoon and the color just didn't feel right....don't get me wrong...it's a good looking X5...just not my preference. The Alpine White really spoke to me.

The Bronze had the lumbar support but not the comfort seats which really wasn't a big step up. I already own the ipod integration kit so the USB option didn't matter either. The comfort access (which I currently have on my 550) will be missed but not a deal breaker. The only thing I'll miss will be the Logic 7 sound system and the sport package suspension.

I'm taking delivery of the white X5 on Monday fitted with a brand new set of black 215's in 21" with Dunlop tires. I was hesitant on the black rims but the dealer had a last set left over and they gave me a sweet deal on the wheels so I couldn't say no. Ultimately, I would of gone with a set of silver 214's in 20" but I think the black 215's in 21" will look pretty cool. They had an Alpine White M3 with black rims and the combo looked pretty good.

Do you guys think the lack of sport suspension will be an issue with the 21" rims in terms of drive or look?

I'll post some pics as soon as I get it!:thumbup:

Congrats and cant wait to see the pics of the AW X5 with black 215.

- DaRip

AW X5 with Black 215's is an amazing combination. Can't wait to see picts of it. :thumbup:
As for the looks of the AW X5 with 215 21" and sport suspension, you won't know until you see it. You could always lower it if you want a lower stance.

Also, most people don't like the BMW premium sound system to begin with, so I would say you aren't loosing much there. Maybe a speaker upgrade in the future would be what you want.

Unless I missed it mentioned--did they also give you a CPO warranty on it ?

Yes, it's a CPO.