Xoutpost.com - TOOK DELIVER OF MY 2011 X5 DIESEL (REVIEW)

Finally got it on Tuesday afternoon after the CARB/EPA hold-up. Let me start by saying that this WAS purchased as my wife's mothers-day present (I ordered it about seven weeks ago). I use the term WAS because I was more excited for her to get it. I had heard the favorable experiences on the diesel and listened to all of the hyperbole ("intoxicating torque", et al).

The hyperbole holds up pretty damn well.

I gave serious consideration to keeping this X5 or getting one like it.

I ordered EVERY SINGLE OPTION ($78,920 list price) except for the Rear Entertainment Package (ENTER LAWRENCE/INVISION) which I will discuss later.

I even got a chance to order it with Style 214's. Nothing was overlooked (including the roof-rails delete). I even got the useless 3rd row seat!

Note: 12.5 gig hard drive for uploading music which I tried via the USB port IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT...That port is also used to backup music should you need to bring the car to the dealer for programming which may erase/flash your memory. You an also upload music by using either a DVD or CD full of your music and insert it into the only (NAV is now a hard drive) slot in the dash where you can then choose to rip the music from the disc to the hard-drive.

Haven't messed with the Online Information System or the Smartphone Integration...My wife has an iPhone 3GS; I bought the corresponding adapter: 84 21 2 158 683...This is supposed to be the compatible adapter..It does charge the iPhone, but it (the iPhone) also gives an error message when you first plug it in in which it says that it isn't a compatible Apple accessory (or some proprietary BS Apple message). In any event, I'll try to dig into that issue later.

The automatic headlights appear to ALWAYS come on in the 11 o'clock position despite how light it is outside...This will be a matter of software programming to resolve this.

Got the leather dash: BEAUTIFUL...So nice...

No longer is there a DVD player in the glove compartment if you get Premium Sound; no more disc changer options unless you get it over the counter. That being said, the Premium Sound System sounds incredible and (also) worth it.

Love Lane Departure Warning.

Observing 19 mpg (combined) after 100 miles, but then again, we live in a very hilly area of Los Angeles. Upon full, tank said 480 miles until empty...

The Sideview/Top-View works nice and the quality of the new camera is a 100% improvement on the old system AND the new system seems to respond slightly faster when you put it into reverse...No longer must you wait 45 seconds (by which point you don't need the camera's anymore). The sideview camera are mounted at the bottom of the mirrors and give you a 'birdseye' view of the car as if looking at it from space...You can see the curbs objects around the sides & rear of the car: No front corner view as this will not be available until October.

Disappointed that ACTIVE STEERING is not available on the Diesel...After having used it for the last couple of years it really makes driving effortless--some may argue that you lose road-sensitivity, but I personally disagree. This X feels 'heavy' without it...Don't confuse this with a criticism of its handling abilities...It handles & responds to input perfectly...Albeit with (much) greater wheel input than with Active Steering.

As I previously stated, I ordered everything but the Rear Entertainment Package (center console mount); I have this on my 2008 and like it a lot...However, as my kids get older, they get unique tastes which is why I wanted to give them their choice of what to watch...

Digression: Will take pictures of the rear bench seat...I have three black Recaro Young Sport seats that fit perfectly...1 year old, 2.5 year old & 4 year old...

Anyway, I wanted the invididual monitors. All of the positive write-up on Lawrence/Invision is well founded. Expert on his products as well as our X5's. I installed the system with my good friend who is the foreman of the local BMW dealership...He's only been the foreman for a couple of weeks having been 'hands on' for the last 22 years. The instructions (from BMW, of which Lawrences' kit is the OE provider) say that it should take two hours.

It might.

But only if you've done this installation more than a few times.

It took us about five hours...Yet, my friend & I were M-E-T-I-C-U-L-O-U-S. Wrapped/covered/draped/protected anything that could have gotten scuffed/ripped/scratched/torn. My notes from the install, in no particular order: There is a LOT of extra monitor cable/extension harness. The manual says to stuff it all in the center console. I absolutely do NOT recommend this...We tried this only to find that we had to force/pack everything together when trying to button up the center console...So much so that it became apparent we would damage things in doing so. The instructions also call for attaching the module to the bottom of the vent ducts...Don't do this...Let it sit in there loosely. There is nothing that would move around in there to hit it, nor are there any edges or other components for it to rattle against. What we did do was tuck the excess cabling under the drivers seat between the floorpan carpeting and the HVAC ducting...It is a much easier fit...Once tucked into that area, we moved the seats to the extent of its range and marked the cable play...When the cable play was at its limit, we used wire ties to ensure that that is where it would stop at; therefore the rest of the cabling was what we tucked away.

Also on the installation: Make sure that before you wire-tie the monitor cables (assuming you have comfort seats) you LIFT and MOVE-FORWARD the headrest cushion to ensure you have enough cable-play before you wire-tie the monitor harnesses. While it is not necessary, we removed all eight of the seat bolts (torx) as it only took a few minutes to do and made lacing the cables & removing the center console pieces MUCH easier.

Finally (on the Invision install): The 1/8" output on the module...I found a (very) thin cable at Fry's (6' which was way too long) and ran it into the center console area via a (very) small hole we drilled in the bottom of the console right underneath the rubber mat. This provides for the use of the cars' audio for movies on the screen as 1/2/4 year olds won't comply with headset use:)

I'm all over the map, but wanted to make sure I get my thoughts in as they come: The new navigation mapping/software is both beautiful to look at and exceptional to use. As a (used) BMW dealer, I have seen this system, already, in many 09 models, but it works very nicely in the X5

In closing: I'm a BMW (only) dealer who (only) drives BMW's. With that said, my experience at Bob Smith BMW in Calabasas, California was exceptional and on-par with any new-dealership purchase I've ever experienced--I've purchased or have been part of the purchase of many new BMW's from pretty much every BMW dealer in the L.A. area. Bob Smith BMW is relatively low-profile, but should be considered THE GOLD STANDARD if you are in or near Southern California...Contact Jeff Kline (BMW owner many times over/Sales Director) 818.346.3144 x 118.

If anyone has any questions, just let me know!