Seeking Purchase Advice E70 X5 Diesel US
 

Hello Everyone. I'm new to the forum. I'm looking for advice on purchase of E70 X5 Diesel for use in northeast US as commuter and winter daily driver. I want to be able to add these options/features. What year(s) do you recommend that I look to buy? Thank you.

Paddle Shifters-Ability to add paddle shifters. BMW OEM preferred.
Remote Start-Ability to add remote starter. After market is all I can find.
Multi-contour seats-under thigh extension/support.
Head-up display.
Back up camera.

Please save me from looking at Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel, and the Cayenne is very nice, but too much $$.

Hi there. x35 comes highly recommended for your application. It is a well balanced car which has a lot of torque. Only option on your list I have is the back up camera. It comes in very handy. Cars with multi contour seats are hard to find. I had to settle with the regular seats. Other than that I really enjoy my X5 35d. Good luck with your purchase.

Paddle shifters? really??? It can be done, I just dont know what it wil cost.. Have you driven the X5 diesel? It isnt a sporty shift-happy ride.

Remote start? It is possible, but never seen it successful. Id guess $10-20,000+ for custom hardware/software on BMW security/key interlock system to somehow spoof it into thinking the key is there when it isnt, and still keeping the doors locked. You have not found an aftermarket system for the X5- if they say it will work they are wrong.

People have sought to add Multi Contour seats. They wind up selling the x5 and buying one with them in it. Seats are $8k. Finding them used is an option, but then you need to make them work.

Heads up- just $$$$. Probably 4-5k..plus coding.

Rear camera? Not sure.

Buy the newest year you can afford. DO NOT think you can save $ by adding options: BUT THE CAR WITH THE OPTIONS YOU REQUIRE.

I have a 2012 50 with most options you specify. The paddle shifters comes with the sport package. Rear camera comes with the Premium package in the 2012.

Remote start: forget about it. If BMW does not make it, don't hack it.

Comfort seats: I got mine with them. It made a huge difference in my wife's 2008 X3, but honestly I won't purchase again.

Heads up: cannot remember how that was packaged, but I did not get it. it was either a technology package or an option for 2012.

I live in MA, and recommend the winter package for the heated wheel alone!

I am considering a new diesel at current lease end. The way I plan to configure:
line: no line, x line or luxury line, not M line, don't need paddle shifters or aero package on a diesel, (it does not need to look fast since it isn't fast!), winter package, rear camera, 3rd row seats and hitch.

Most of these options you mention are not that hard to find - some easier than others. I would not bother trying to retrofit any of this stuff - just find an X5 that already has them.

Paddle shifters - never an option on the diesel. Paddles were only offered on the 35i and 50i (and of course the X5M). Furthemore, you'd need Sport or M Sport package to get them, and only late 2012 builds, and 2013 models had them. From everything I've read, including diesel owners who've installed new steering wheels with paddles, the paddles only work on LCI gas models with Sport or M Sport. You are probably out of luck here unless you figure out some custom wiring/coding.

Remote start - never an option and I wouldn't even try installing this on an X5. Just my .02.

Multi-Contour seats - not terribly common, but not rare either. Available as a standalone option or part of the Active Ventilated seat package.

Heads Up Display - standalone option in 2011, part of the Technology package in 2012 and 2013 (at least on the gas model...assuming diesel is the same).

Backup camara - Not sure about 2011's, but in 2012 is was part of the Premium Package. 2012 X35D Premium Package included, per the BMW press kit:

• Comfort Access.
• Rear View Camera with Top view.
• Rear manual side window shades.
• 4-zone climate control.
• Navigation system.
• Universal garage door opener.
• Interior compass mirror.

Thanks. Very interesting development...

Not much info on pricing though...

Or on accelerated engine wear and increased maintenance costs if used in colder climates or for extended warm ups while idling.

If you are adding remote start only for the point of heating the vehicle, the Webasto auxiliary heater would make more sense. Though this is not officially supported in North America.