F15 X5 Test Drive Event experience
 

Got invited to 3-hour test drive event by BMW at local race track. They had new X5, new 4-series, new 3GT, new LCI 5-series, 6-coupe and 6 Gran coupe.

The event started with BMW going over a presentation and video of their xDrive system and 50/50 weight balance. The AWD (3 wheels on Roller-test) video showed comparison(which was similar to this video, but with Lexus as well) of X3 xDrive vs. MB GLK vs. Audi Q5 vs. Lexus RX. Of-course X3 won and Lexus failed miserably as it had to be manually pushed off the roller as one wheel could not move the car like others.

After this we went on Autocross, some street driving and finally driving on the race track.

I took the wheel behind F15 X5 xDrive35i. The SAV is typical BMW handling and feel, feels much lighter than predecessors. Sadly the car they had available for track drive had no sports package.
Very quiet interior as drag has been reduced to .31. Ride is smoother. Steering feels very light.
Feels spacious and bigger on the inside, specially the rear seats. Interior feels elegant, but in line with 5-series, not 7-series as X5 is not going to be BMW's flagship SAV, with X7 coming.

I still do not like the looks specially the front. The big grill slats look weird, not aggressive(what BMW suggests). The running boards are less wider and the rubber inserts are long this time (see pics below). Maybe because of complaints of pants getting dirty. The Aero blades on rear hatch are plastic, and I hope they don't get scratched up with time.

These are phone pics so some may not be so clear

http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_38.jpg

X5 at the event available for street driving as against the track driving
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_43.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_44.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_42.jpg

The show car X5 parked inside
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_17.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_18.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_31.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_29.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_30.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_05.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_26.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_27.jpg

LED headlights
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_03.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_04.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_35.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_32.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_33.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_34.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_35.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_36.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_37.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_39.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_40.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_41.jpg

http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_23.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_24.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_25.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_28.jpg

http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_12.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_13.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_14.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_15.jpg

center Console cup holders
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_16.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_18.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_19.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_20.jpg

The running boards, not the pants ruining boards;)
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_21.jpg

Cupholders inside the doors
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_22.jpg

The new X-kink
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_01.jpg

http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_02.jpg

The wide grill slats
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_06.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_07.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_08.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_09.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_10.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_11.jpg

The track X5
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_53.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_49.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_45.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_46.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_47.jpg
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_48.jpg

Ready to roll
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_51.jpg

On the track
http://www.xoutpost.com/lemansx5/F15...k-event_52.jpg

Thanks for posting all the pics! How did it drive compared to the E70?

It has been years since I drove a E70 without sports package, so don't quite remember to tell you the E70 vs. F15 "non-sports feel drive comparison". Wish they had a sports pack F15. But it feels lighter than E70, the 35i feels more powerful on F15. Steering is much lighter. Handling feels better. The ride is similar to F10 5-series, like F10 on stilts. ;)

That thing is so ugly

The new key fob looks nice though!