building my X5 diesel
 

Hi
Couple quick questions about some options...we are ordering our diesel this week.

Here's what we plan to get:
Titanium Silver
Black Nevada Leather
Dark Bamboo Trim
Rear Climate
3rd Row Seats
Ipod/USB adapter
Running Boards

We definitely want the multi contour seats. Is the active ventilated seat package really good/worth it?

Also thinking about the SAV package. Do i need the SAV package to get the self levelling suspension or is that standard?

Thanks
Franklin

Self leveling rear suspension comes "free" with 3rd row seats in the 6 cylinders and comes standard in the V8. Strangely there is no difference in price for 3rd row seats between the two cars which is odd. So you already have it (but double check with your SA).

I wanted to get the self leveling suspension for towing but not the 3rd row seats but it doesn't appear possible to get it by itself in the 35d. Let me know if anyone finds otherwise.

I like the sports package (SAV) but I don't think I'll bother with the multi contours. Always found the standard or sports seats were great. Maybe it's an age thing (in my 30s).

Keep in mind that the SAV does not change anything about the suspension, just wheels, steering wheel, trim, headliner. The adaptive drive option is the closest option to a sports suspension but at $3185, not sure too many folks will get it unless they're getting the M package (ZMP). The ride is already stiff enough stock I think.

thanks for the info...will have a chat with my SA tomorrow.

Sit in the actual seats in an x5 before you decide. I like the sport seats in my 330i, but they were disappointing in the X5. The multi-contour seats are actually more sport oriented IMO and far more comfortable.

Having lived in Houston, the active ventilated seats will be necessary with the Black Nevada Leather seats :)

FWIW One of the quirks of the iPod/USB adpater is that it dumbs down an iPhone into just a Bluetooth phone (which doesn't require this option to work) and a dedicated iPod that can be controlled via the iDrive. So when plugged into the iPod/USB adpater cable, an iPhone becomes almost useless for any of the other apps (e.g. Google maps, Google earth, internet radio, etc..). Because the cable is pretty short and the sound from everything except the iPod app is muted.

Funf Dreisig

the active vent seats will effectively add $1100 to my order...so just have to justify that...and the wife changed the ext color to black...so it'll be really necessary.

I sat in my friend's 2010 sport seats and they are great. I sat in a multi contour seat in a 535 and loved it. Unfortunately the dealer didnt have any in the x5.

my friend also told me the usb adapter doesnt charge the phone...has this been updated?

yes and no. which adapter cable you get appears to be the luck of the draw.

Our 35d with the $400 USB/iPod option, came with the Y adapter cable part# 61-12-0-440-796 that did NOT charge our iPhone. But our CA found us a Y cable part number 61-12-0-440-812 that DOES charge our iPhone 3Gs. BUT the iPhone still complains that the 'iPhone accessory' (AKA our X5) was not designed to work with our iPhone and offers to switch to airplane mode. If we tap 'no' the phone DOES charge. Here is a thread with more details.

OTOH you can buy a Kensington cable for $60 retail from the Apple Store that both charges your iPhone and allows ALL of your iPhone apps to play via the X5's sound system. The catch is that you can't control the iPod app on the iPhone via the X5's iDrive. If I had know this I would not have ordered the $400 USB/iPod adapter.

Funf Dreisig

True- and overpriced.

I did on my diesel

Has NOTHING to do with stiffness... all about handling and control of body roll.

Funf Dreisig now i'm confused...after reading your thread on the aux cable.

So if i dont get the $400 usb adapter...there's one in the glovebox?

Guess i mainly want to use my iphone for ipod music and possibly pandora. Do i still need to get the adapter?

also trying to decide on the 214 wheels.

thanks
franklin

I've read the materials, seen the youtube video but most importantly I have test driven an X5 with and without. I can say with confidence that the X5 feels stiffer with adaptive drive using my highly calibrated butt. :)

The AD X5 with sport off felt "stiffer" than the non AD X5.

Personally, I like AD but my wife did not.

This USB/iPod thing is very confusing even to supposedly trained BMW Customer Advisers :)

BMW changed the USB stuff in 2010. IIRC there is now a USB port in the glove box whether or not you order the $400 USB/iPod integration. Maybe someone with a 2010 can explain what you can do with it.

What the $400 USB/iPod integration does is add a USB port to the console AND provide a Y adapter cable that plugs into this USB port & the Aux in sound port that is std equip in the console. IOW with the $400 USB/iPod the center console has...
1 - an analog Aux in port
2 - a 12v plug
3 - a USB port
AND the X5's sound system automatically recognizes when you plug an iPod or iPhone into the USB port and allows you to control the iPod (or iPod app on the iPhone) via the iDrive.

If you do not order the $400 USB/iPod integration the center console has......
1 - an analog Aux in port
2 - a 12v plug
and the X5's sound system simply plays whatever analog sound source is plugged into the Aux port. So with a $60 Kensington cable you can plug an iPhone into both the 12v for charging and the Aux for listening. BUT you have to control the iPod/iPhone manually or through the Kensington's baby remote control.

FWIW I mentioned this issue since your options list did not include the Technology package but did list the USB/iPod package. Hence I thought that you might be planning to use an iPhone for NAV assistance which is very difficult/dangerous when using the $400 USB/iPod integration's Y cable. The cable is too short for use outside of the console (e.g. by a passenger). And the sound from apps other than the iPod app are muted (e.g. turn by turn NAV, internet radio, etc.).

IMO BMW is having a lot of trouble keeping up with rapid changes in smart phones in general and iPhones in particular. So if I had it to do over again I'd pass on the $400 USB/iPod integration.

Funf Dreisig

that makes a whole lot of sense...and possibly saving me $400. I'll see if my SA will let me test it out first on another car.

thanks a bunch
franklin

I played around with it when I first took delivery of mine. As far as I know, it is only used to play songs from a usb drive or download music from a usb drive to the hard drive. This usb port does not recognize an iPhone as a usb device so it can't download from it or control it in any way. With the Y cable that comes with the adapter in the center console, you will get a better sound quality in addition to the ability to control the iPhone using the iDrive. My Y cable has trouble charging the iPhone 3GS now and then. If you order this option, be sure to get the cable with the new part. Somewhere on this forum there is a thread that contains the part number of the new Y cable for the new iPhone 3GS.

One suggestion (which is what I did) ... buy an iPod Classic and just dedicate it as the music player on the USB/Ipod Y cable ... and with your iPhone just setup bluetooth as that works really well i.e. as soon as you step into the car you're hooked up and running hands free ... even with your iPhone still in your bad in the boot (for example) ... this way your never plugging and unplugging etc in that god-damn awkward centre console unit

yay got my production number...now comes the long wait...i ended up ordering without the usb adapter...still have time to change my mind though.

they had a nice x50 m-sport on the lot (carbon black) it was gorgeous!!!

Have you tried active steering? I would have ordered that but forgot...