First time BMW owner - 2 days in

[Rubberduck182]

Hi All,

Just collected a 2013 (8k miles) 40D M Sport on Thursday.  Completely thrilled with it!  This is my first BMW having owned 3 Audis most recently, the latest a 2010 3.0 Allroad.  We need 7 seats for school friends / ageing grandparents etc.  Clearly the back row is nothing like the Discovery etc but it's only for occasional journeys up to an hour so fine.  We looked at the LR D4 (nice but too wobbly) and Q7 (just too big and fancied a change from Audi) but didn't bother with the Volvo XC90 (will never happen).

First impressions of the X5 are that it is extremely refined and somehow feels a more special place to be than the Audi.  The performance/handling is similar to the Allroad and the ride is pretty firm but less so than our other car (A4 3.2 Cab S-line) or indeed the Allroad when in Dynamic mode.  My car came with 20" wheels (333M?) and ridiculously wide tyres but I just don't see the ride being an issue at all, even on pot-holed lanes.  Surprised that there are so many comments out there - they can't have driven an Audi S-line in any form - A4/5/6…  Sounds like winter wheels are a must though.

Very impressed with the 33mpg on motorways so far and 37-41-ish pottering around country roads.  I'm sure we'll see mid-late 20's once we make a fully loaded long trip but so far so good.

Favourite toys? Comfort Seats are the best we've ever had in any car.  The powered tailgate is handy and at last a Satnav which can takes the full postcode!!

Does anyone know whether you can set the mirrors to fold automatically when you lock the car rather than having to remember to do it manually? Have looked everywhere - must be a way…

Thanks

[X5Sport]

Welcome to the Forum.

There is supposed to be a way, and you need it coded into the car.  Most Dealers will refuse it but you may be lucky...

Richard

[stu21t]

Good morning, yes the mirrors can be coded to fold on lock but you have to hold the button for about 3 seconds until they start to fold.
Most in dependant garages can do it for you, or anyone that offers ecu coding.
I've had a few bits of coding done to mine.

Google bmw coding, there's a website dedicated to it that will tell you how to do it yourself if you wanted to.

[kjb1]

do you have an iphone?? if so, purchase bmwhat app in itunes full version for £34.99, this allows iphone to be able to code folding mirrors etc! really easy!!!

[535dboy]

Welcome

Rare 2nd car, not many sold with that engine.

Mrs had the 3.0 petrol 3 cars back

[Rubberduck182]

Thanks for the mirror tips. Will talk to a couple of dealers and take a look at the App.  I did manage to set up the ConnectedDrive iphone app today. Not quite sure when it will prove useful to lock the car remotely from my phone but a good toy!

One week and 550 miles in and we're still bowled over by the X5. still getting 35-40 average mpg when we want to - clearly not when putting your foot down.

Really impressed with the pace on the 40d. Pretty good growl too.

I still find the iDrive / satnav / media player a bit clumsy but only after years of using the Audi version.  Sure it will seem as natural in a few weeks.

To be honest we're just wondering why we didn't try BMW or the X5 years ago!

[hertfordshire1]

Also interested to hear more about the iphone app as I'd like to be able to fold the mirrors from the key fob (why this isn't standard I'll never understand).

Had a quick look online, it appears you need the app and a wifi OBD dongle too?

Congrats on the new car, impressive MPG to say the least.  :blink:

Cheers

Steve

[Rubberduck182]

It won't last.  Just proving a point to Mrs Duck given our pre-purchase discussions around buying a 40D vs something much more sensible / less thirsty.  She is completely taken with the X5 now so I can afford to be less light-footed...