Newbie Considering 2011 X5
 

New guy here. My wife has a 2001 325Ci and we are considering getting and new 2011 x5 3.0 for her. A couple questions - the only real noticeable advantage of the Sport Activity Package over the Premium Package are the 20" wheels.

I know there are other items included (sport seats, black headliner) but are the 20" wheels really worth the extra $2500?

Are the 20" wheels on the sport activity staggered and are they wider than the 19" wheels on the Premium?

This car will be primarily for my wife - will an X5 have a smoother ride when compared to her 2001 325Ci? We live in Houston and the roads are pretty rough and she is looking for a smoother ride.

How much rougher will the 20" wheels on the sport activity package be compared to the 19" wheels of the premium package?

Lastly, I am 6'4" with somewhat long legs. Per BMW website the X5 actually has less leg room and head room than a 535i and 335i. Is this really the case cuz I am not going to be crammed into a vehicle. I seem to fit fine into my wife's 2001 325Ci.

We do not have to purchase immediately, but would like to start seriously considering purchasing in December. Would love to come across a CPO 2011 that someone had to unload in December to get the 6 /100,000 mile warranty and save a couple $$$.

If you want a smoother ride, you don't want 20" wheels.

I say order the 20's as you get the sport pkg .. the wheels I think are only $965. So, then remove the wheels and sell them for $2500+.. you'll be happy you did and by a take off set for $1200 or replicas of your choice in 19's / 20's.

While I love my 20" wheels, you definitely don't want them if you are looking for a smooth ride. Part of the problem is the small sidewall and an even bigger part of the problem is the factory runflat tires, are like riding on stone wheels. They have NO compliance and give over bumps. I love the way X5 handles around turns and drives, but if you drive a lot on bumpy roads and want a smooth ride, don't get them.

Smooth ride and bmw are two words that do not belong in the same sentence. The x5 will be slightly smoother than your 325 but not night and day. I am 6'4'' and I find the x5 to have exceptional space when compared to other cars within the segment. The cabin is very open and provides a feeling that the car is larger than it really is (compared to infiniti fx, rr sport, etc). I used to have a 330ci and I don't care what the website says the x5 is more comfortable for someone my size. Def go with the premium package and 19s, since it doesnt seem that you care about the headliner and steering wheel. Best of luck.

+1

I'm 6'4" and the X5 is much more comfortable than my wife's 335. If comfort is your objective, I would skip the sport package and stick with 19's. Order the comfort seats in any case!

Thanks guys!! You may have just saved me some money! Is pricing obtained from Trucar pretty accurate for these vehicles. Looks to be about $2000-$2500 below sticker is what you should expect. Going with TECH/Convenience/heated front seats/running boards.

Do X5 have trailer hitch as standard? Not going to be towing, but need it for a bike rack. Thanks!

I'm 6'3" and even though I have the e53 (last generation X5) it is much roomier than a 3 series. Whenever I get a 3 for a loaner I feel like I'm driving a Miata. As far as picking up an '11 CPO that probably will be impossible as BMW doesn't CPO unless it has like 7K miles or somewhere around there + I don't think they do them on same model years (meaning they don't CPO '11s since it's the same year as it came out because the original warranty is still good for 4 years--dealers aren't going to CPO it on top of that). Can't speak to the 20s. Just have the wife test drive one.

Shoot for 7% below MSRP.

Go with the CPO 2011 X5. Good luck!!

Thanks. I think we are waiting till end of year/beginning of next year. I know getting a CPO 2011 would be very difficult, but assuming someone has one now they may need to get rid of it at end of year with 7-10k miles on it.

The 19" wheels on the Premium Package aren't run flat, are they??

And is 7% off of sticker really reasonable? If so, that is great as you are looking at ~$4000 off sticker.

The 35i Sport Activity adds sport suspension on top of the Premium also. That's a significant difference.

I went with x5 35i basic and will be upgrading fender flares + 20" replica wheels. Saved myself at least $7k over going with the sport... I didn't want roof rails or running boards though so it suited me just fine. If those (or leather) are deal breakers for you then you'll need at least Premium.

Thanks...need leather and running boards for sure. So Premium as a minimum.

The 19" wheels on the Premium Package aren't run flat, are they??

And is 7% off of sticker really reasonable? If so, that is great as you are looking at ~$4000 off sticker

Forgot to mention that I am 6' 2" and went from 2007 328i coupe to 2011 x5... x5 feels muchhhh roomier and legroom if very adequate for me. Also just the fact that the cabin is so much taller helps you feel less "couped" up no pun intended.

Plus in a 3-series, your legs are stretched forward in a lower seating position. But, in an X5, you are sitting up taller like on a chair, so it's much more comfortable in my view. It has more headroom too and wider.

Actually, no, BMW changed the Sport Package with the '10 models--the sport suspension is now called Adaptive Drive and is a stand alone option.

You really need to sit in one configured as you will purchase it. I found a real lack of headroom in the E70, due to the panorama sunroof. It had less headroom than my 2003 E53. I am also 6'4", but it depends on more than just your height, it is about where your length is (legs vs torso). I like the seat upright for my back comfort (and the comfort seats are the best option IMO)

If you are getting running boards for the looks, great. If you are getting them for function, try them out first on a wet day and see how disfunctional they are.

Thanks. Having a Tahoe with running boards and also considering an ML with running boards, I am fully aware that they are only for look and offer zero functionality. Any response on if 19" wheels are run flat or not and if 7% off MSRP is reasonable?

Thanks for all the great information so far!!

They are run flats.

I wasn't suggesting that they have no functionality, they actually work very well at getting pants legs dirty. They are a negative that some purchasers have regretted. Some still like the looks though.

I have a 2011 Sport Activity with the 19" style 335 wheels. I drove models with 19s and 20s on two separate occasions; I liked the looks of the 20s more, but the ride was definitely better on the 19s. With the 19s and run flats, I find the ride very comfortable. I traded in a Lexus IS 350, and though the X5 definitely has more of a truck/SUV feel in the suspension, I find that I don't notice the small bumps/joints/road imperfections the way I did in the Lexus with 18" wheels and much less rubber sidewall. Another advantage of the 19s is getting all-season tires vs summer tires on the 20s, but that shouldn't be much of an issue for you in Texas.

All that being said, I think the 19s were a more practical choice, but I now find myself pricing 20s online....

Thanks for the input! Just curious why you went with the Sport Activity with 19" wheels. Seems a little counter-intuitive to me, but what do I know (not much).

I liked the shadowline exterior trim, the anthracite headliner, and the sport seats/steering wheel. Also, I like the style 335 19s much better than the 19s on the premium package. The 335s weren't available for the premium package. Thus, the reasons were pretty much cosmetic, not functional.

I have never been a fan of the 214s; just personal preference. If I ever changed to 20s I would go with some other style.

Gotcha. Anywhere where u can actually see the different wheel options available with the different packages, actual photos?

You can configure it on the BMWUSA website with different wheel options. Also, on BMW.com (the international site, not BMWUSA.com), if you select X5, there is a brochure you can download in .pdf that has good photos of all the wheels. There may be better photos out there, but that is what I used. Additionally, I was able to see all the wheel styles on the lot right next to each other, and that helped a lot.

I have a 2011 35d, and you know what? When I was doing my build in March, there was much confusion over the "Sport suspension delete" that was in the 2010 order list for the ZAP, and then the lack of it in the 2011. His itemized version of the ZAP actually included a line that said "sport package". I had him go off and figure out if that car was going to have a sport suspension (ie stiffer) or not. I know that it wasn't going to have adaptive drive. They decided to tell me that it was going to have a sport suspension.

At the time, I had an E53+Sport that I had been driving for 7yrs. If I had ended up with a $70k car with a squishy suspension, I would have NOT been happy. I had driven several 2010s and the only one that I liked was an MSport. However, at the time, it didn't have to be adaptive, just sporty-stiff.

Anyhow, the "build your own" on the BMWUSA site has "sport suspension delete" on it now, unlike my pricing sheet. Interesting, eh?

Soooo -- its a good thing I ordered adaptive drive (because I thought it was cool), or else he'd be having his Second 35d from me sitting around on the lot (the first debacle being the cr*ppy sound system standard in a 35d -- their fault -- canceled just before it hit the paint booth -- don't even want to talk about it! -- Although it didn't sit on the lot very long, all his whining about the expensive build be damned!).

My CA actually tried to talk me out of ordering the adaptive drive. Said it was expensive and I wouldn't notice the difference. Well, I do. And I really like it. $3500 well spent.

I probably would have done the same thing as jcmd2003. Although I'm not such a big fan of the 335s (that's what I have), I Really don't like the 214s. There are also people who prefer to not have 20" wheels (harsher ride, easier to damage), so its reasonable that they offered an option to back off to the 19" wheels. Its also nice that they didn't Charge for it! (Wouldn't put it past 'em).

Gotcha. Thanks. Just found the brochure. I do like the 19" Y Spoke 335 wheels, BUT, it says available as part of Sports Package so I assume you need to get the sports package in addition to the Sports Activity Trim. Maybe I am wrong, but doesn't the Sports Package include a stiffer suspension resulting in a stiffer ride, which I am trying to reduce by getting 19" wheels? Sorry for all the questions.

Nevermind...I see they mean they are available with the Sports Activity Trim. I like that they are 9x19 and 10x19, correct? That extra width in the back really makes the stance look 'mean'. I wish they were available with Premium..oh well.

Me too -- I have the same 335s as you. I'm eyeing 300Ms myself (replicas of course; I don't want to pay over $3k for OEMs). With some Michelin Latitude Tour all seasons (non-RFT).

Are they staggered? The Crevier parts guy on roadfly had told me they are (a few months ago), but tirerack is showing that the OE tires for Size1 (19") are all the same (255/50-19), but there are two sizes associated with Size2.

In build your own, when you check the 19" wheels in the options, then do a 360 view on the exterior, you can see that it removed the flares. If the back wheels wheels were 10" wide, they would need the flares, right?

I don't think my 335 rears are 10".

Edit: I just checked, he definitely said that they're staggered: http://bimmer.roadfly.com/bmw/forums...9484640-1.html Does anyone have the skinny on this one? [What's on paper vs my lyin' eyes...]

Edit2: This document says they're staggered: http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicle..._catalogue.pdf Buuut, its an international catalog. It says we have LED coronas too.

Edit3: Dur -- how about I just go out and read the side of the stupid tires: 255/50-19 on both front and rear. However, I have a 35d. jcmd2003, can you check your 35is? Perhaps they went all European on it!

All this talk about how rough the 20" run flats ride has confused me. Seems ours rides nice and smooth. Feels very sporty but not at all rough. My daily driver is a Lexus GX470 and talk about soft ride. :D

Maybe take a tape measure to the tires - brochure says 9x19 and 10x19 but maybe it's wrong.

My 335s all have 255/50-19s on them, so they're all 9"ers.

I have to agree. I had planned to dump the Run Flats right after delivery, but I have noticed the ride is pretty smooth. I still plan to in October, I have a free set of Michelin Latitude Tour HP's in 20's waiting for me from Michelin but have not been in a rush to install them like I thought I would. I will just keep the Run Flats to Install when the Lease is up. I also ordered the Space Saver tire.

With 10" rear wheels you probably wouldn't need flares, definitely with 20x11 in the rear you should get them or it's obvious they are sticking out past the flat flares...

I just measured my rims, and the are all 10" wide (actually about 10 1/4). Perhaps you can measure yours and see what you get? I was told they were 9 in front, 10 in back as well.

jcmd2003, look at the size written on the side of the tires. The front should be 255/50 R19. The back would be either the same as the front for 19" or 285/45 R19 for 10"

New question - anyone have a factory trailer hitch on their 2011 X5? I have not seen a single pic with one and don't even see it listed as an option. Would like to see a pic with one as I will need it for a bike rack.

They are actually good for putting stuff (skis) on the roof rack :thumbup:

I already know my tire size; they are 255s all around. If you want to know your rim width you should probably use a tape measure rather than assuming your rim width based on the tire aspect.

Eh? Staggered wheels do not use the same tire size all the way around. A wider wheel must use a tire with a larger section width in order to match the bead and hold air in the tire.

The 335 9" uses 255/50-19, 10" uses 285/45-19.

Just like for 214 20" staggered: 9": 275/40-20 10": 315/35-20

If you have 255 all around (written on the tire), that is 255mm, or ~10". Now, that's the section width of the TIRE, not the width of the rim. X5 10" rims take 315s=315mm=12.4". (Little wider rim, little fatter tire...)

If you put a 255 (10") tire on a 10" rim, it wouldn't hold air.

Perhaps I may not know exactly the width of the rim from the section width of the tire, but I DO know that if I have the same section width on all the tires on my car, all the rims on the car are the same width.

And, given those previous two statements, given that we know that a 255 tire can't run on a 10" wide rim, and all I have left is to be running 9" all around (because the only choice I have for 335 is 9" or 10").

Is there a flaw in that logic?

However, I did as you suggested and went out and did my best to measure the width of the rims mounted on my car. Both front and rear appeared to be 10". HOWEVER, that is the "overall rim width". The number that we are concerned with here is the "rim width", which is measured from the inside shoulder to the inside shoulder of the rim lip, which can only be done if you remove the tire. If the overall rim width is 10", then there is no way that the rim width can be 10". Which again, doesn't guarantee that my rims are 9", but by process of elimination with these specific wheels, leaves us with 9".

So -- 9" all around for the 35i Sport Activity also? (since there's 255/50-19s all around)

Hmmm. I don't dispute your logic, but there are a range of rim widths that tires of a particular size can accomodate. The 255s are only designed for rims up to 9" according to Tirerack, so that makes it more likely that the rims are 9". I attempted to measure from rim edge to rim edge where the tire was seated and came up with the 10 1/4", but if you say the only way to accurately gauge it is with the tire off, I'll take your word for it and assume they are 9s.

There have been enough discrepancies, at least in my ordering process, between the website configurator, BMW.com, BMWUSA.com, and the SA's information that I personally would not rely on what tire width they put on the rims to guarantee that the rims are 9s and not 10s.

The only reason I have any concern about it is that I have considered adding spacers/fender flares, and knowing the width of the rim is crucial for those calculations.

Yes, I know. I'm finding it extremely odd that all the information we currently have from BMW (from a BMW parts guy and a BMW brochure) is showing that the 335s are staggered 9"/10".

But our real-world measurements of what is actually on the car, and the data on the sides of the tires, all seem be pointing to a set of uniform 9".

Also, if I just look at the back of my car, it doesn't look nearly as "burly" as the cars with the 20" rims. The fact that the rims are 20" in diameter shouldn't be evident from the rear, only the width. So my 19"ers must be more svelte. jcmd2003, do you have the same impression?

Should we be going into our dealers asking for our 10" rears?? Unite!

I just called up my friendly neighborhood BMW parts guy. He looked up my car and said, yes, 335. However, it didn't specify uniform or not.

He said that for the 35d, it showed two configs: 9" 335 uniform, or, with a "sport package" or an "M package" (M is non-US only), a staggered set.

I said, dude, I have a sport package (Sport package is a sub header of the ZAP on the 35d). He said: Hmmmm...

[He did actually say to use the tire size to gauge the rim width: 255=9", 315=10" -- his 'easy' method].

Perhaps its Supposed to have 10" rears and they didn't have any when they built my car so they stuck on 9"ers? Perhaps the person who is supposed to pay attention to 335 uniform and 335 staggered isn't actually paying attention? Perhaps 335 staggered is non-US only?

I think I'll talk to my CA about it. Couldn't hurt.

Maybe it is another one of those non-US or post-September specifications. I ended up with dark burl after ordering bamboo; finding a second mistake will push me over the edge.

To the original poster, sorry if we got off topic. I recommend you spend plenty of time on this forum prior to placing your order. I didn't find it until afterward; it would have helped me a lot with model/options choices.

Don't give the 9"/10" a second thought. You were happy with it yesterday so you should still be happy with it. My wife just advised me she wants to drive her car at least another 6 months (but that may change this weekend). I hope to wait until at least October/November to get the updates you all keep referring to and maybe get an end of year discount -

BUT, nobody has really answered if 7% off MSRP is a reasonable expectation on a $60-$62K build (or is that question not allowed).

And anyone got pics of one with a trailer hitch? Cant find a pic (or that option) anywhere?

If anyone is interested in a VERY clean 2001 325Ci with 78,000 miles, PM me...hehehe...

7% can be done but it will require some patience and negotiation skills. When you get that close to invoice your dealer will probably start complaining about the cost of floor mats etc. Do not get screwed out of everything your entitled with a new vehicle purchase. It also depends on your area. To make it even easier place your order at the end of the month when they are looking to deal. The hitch is not available yet for 2011's....atleast in my area (upstate ny), hence nobody has any pics yet. Best of luck to you.

OK..two more questions - understand the 20" Bridgestones can be very loud so I will avoid those if I go with 20". Go with Dunlop. What about the 19" RFT, anyone having road noise issues and what brand do you have?

I have also read on another forum abuot some people with new 2011 30i have experienced rough/hesitant/jerky acceleration between 0mph and 10mph with the new 30i. Apparently there is a fix, but just wondering if anyone else has experienced this on this forum. Thanks!

Well, I don't know...one of the reasons why I am coveting 20"ers is because of those nice 315 rears. Granted, 300Ms (my current fave) would look so much more stylin' than 335s, but my opportunities have expanded if I can just get a set of 335 10" rears.

I wonder if I could sweet-talk my parts guy into giving me a Really good deal on a set of 335 10" rears (being my car should have had them in the first place and all :(). Its usually a disadvantage being a girl dealing with sales (I think I'm gonna send in a mole the next time, sheesh), but its usually an advantage with service and parts :thumbup:.

I have the 19" Michelin RFTs. Road noise is absent, and the ride seems just about perfect to me. It's hard, though, not to get wheel envy seeing all the nice 20s on this forurm.

I have not experienced any of the jerkiness you mention.

Thanks. I am going to go look at some this weekend. I am afraid I am going to love the way the staggered 20s look, but I know I would not like the additional road noise due to the 20's - especially the wider back 20s. 19s do seem like a nice compromise (and can end up saving me ~$2500).