My xdrive30d Msport

[flyfs6]

Hi All. I'd like to introduce my car.

The spec:

Xdrive30d M sport

Carbon black
Beige nappa leather
High gloss showline exterior
Gloss black BMW grill (OEM part)
Brushed interior trim
20" 227 wheels
Head up display
Media pack
USB 6FL
Visibility pack
Privacy glass
4 zone aircon
Lumbar support
Electric boot lid

and several more options I can't recall right now. Added extras include a go faster box of tricks, GP thunder sidelight bulbs, all weather rubber mats and reversible boot liner. Owned for longer than any other previous car (over a year now), since new and still really enjoying it very much. Excuse the quality of my photos

[petert]

Looks very nice. If I get another BMW I will seriously consider HUD.

Peter T

[bayrak]

The HUD is great, but please BMW, try & update/modernise the display it looks a little dated, the speed limit display is clever & serves as a reminder.

[535dboy]

quite like the grille, never been sure before

[Monkeyman]

I will look out for you at bluewater ............how sad is that for knowing the car park picture.....should b pretty easy with the black grille....where did you get hold of it

HUD is great........

[NewX5]

[quote=""Monkeyman""]I will look out for you at bluewater ............how sad is that for knowing the car park picture.....should b pretty easy with the black grille....where did you get hold of it

HUD is great........[/quote]

That grill looks good here you go - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Black-front-kidne ... 4154947db3

[flyfs6]

Thanks for your kind comments. It isn't usually this messy, but after a 600 mile run it looks something like this and I like it:





I better clean those exhaust tips before they tarnish!

Monkeyman - spot on, and I hope to see you around, but I suspect this is going to be easier said than done due to the size of Bluewater.

Regarding the black grills, you can get genuine BMW items for similar price. Those on ebay do look good, but don't sound genuine. I think this photo does them more justice:



Through another forum I'm a member off, Sytner BMW offer up to 15% off parts and accessories (with most things being included). If anyone wants a set for collection from any Sytner parts counter, which represents best saving, let me know and I can try to organise this for you.

From memory these set me back circa £85 for the pair after discount...the salesman had quoted £120+vat to spray the original silver ones (the parts advisor did not know these existed either), this was over a year ago. It wasn't until yesterday that I physically saw another X5 with these on in Surrey

On a separate note the front tyres need to be changed soon. They are Dunlop Sport Maxx RFT's, I believe these are better than Bridgestone's as they are more compliant and ride better. I have seen the fronts at priced at £258 each fitted (same as Michelin Diamaris, which are reputed amongst E53 owners). Has anyone tried something different? If so what did get and why?

I would prefer sticking with something premium. Might alternatively get an all new set of tyres. Should have really thought of this before the Costco 20% off full set offer expired (I bet it would still have cost the same as anywhere else after discount anyway).

[Minda]

When i was last in costco i inquired about tyres was told michellin no longer do runflats, so i think you will have to stick with dunlop or bridgestone.

[flyfs6]

I'm not fussed either way, and wouldn't mind switching to non run flats because they should ride better, although the side walls will be slightly less rigid I don't think the X5 will loose much in terms of handling. But I still can not convince myself to change to non flats yet because I don't know what to buy and would also then need to change the full set.

There is very little difference in price between Dunlop and non rft Pirelli, Continental and Michelin. Good Years are substantially less, and so are Vredestien, but recommended as good tyres places like e90post for the 3 series, not sure what they would be like on the X5 and I don't wan't to skimp on the only things connecting me to the road

[Minda]

Do you have a spare? what would you do in the event of a flat?

[535dboy]

[quote=""Minda""]Do you have a spare? what would you do in the event of a flat?[/quote]

Can of tyre sealant like I have on TT and lotus

[535dboy]

Fly what are the tread depths on front and rear tyres?

You need to change all 4 if difference is big

[flyfs6]

No, I don't have a spare, but there is a spare kit available for the 5 seater only X5 which comes with jack etc. I would be likely to invest in one, it diminishes any non rft saving (£300 or so for the kit).

Most people buy a can of tyre weld and a tyre compressor (tyre weld makes a mess, and I've heard if used tyre places will not repair the puncture, not sure why?). Obviously this wouldn't work if there was a big hole in the tyre.

Pricing isn't an issue but this is. Rft's will in most cases disintegrate if you drive on them. Even if they don't, as with any tyre once driven on flat you couldn't/shouldn't repair them (most places won't repair then even if they're undamaged). Plus its hard to tell when you've got a flat, unless the car tells you and by then its too late anyway. They have failed on many people I know, only lasting a few miles at best and nowhere near what the manufacturer's claim. It makes them a bit useless.

I'm not saying they are completely pointless, I do see the positives when they work. But what good are they, if in an event of a puncture they don't do what they are supposed to do i.e. get me home/tyre place at slow speed over a reasonable distance?

In fact BMW dealers have been known to recommend non rft tyres when customers have complained of hard ride. X5 rides pretty well considering it has run flats, when compared compared to a 3 series on 18" rft', on 19's they ride what I can only imagine the Flinstone's car must have felt like

[flyfs6]

Thanks, 535. I believe they are well over 4mm at their lowest, but they look great compared to fronts which have worn more on the outer edges.

I had the X5 KDS'd and its felt much better since.

The reason why I am so indecisive is that I don't want to end up with either rubbish non rft's or non rft's that are only relatively less rigid than Dunlop rft.

[flyfs6]

Have ditched the run flats. Am I the first e70 owner here to ditch these? Dunlop Sport Maxx were fitted from the factory, thought they were good for runflats.

Had Vredestein Sessanta SUV tyres fitted earlier and they feel fine. They have the same load ratings, but higher speed rating (Y). Will update once they've been driven on.

Downside was that the wheel fitter gouged a spoke on one of the wheels, but as I didn't watch him to do the work I couldn't prove it. It's a small mark but annoying nonetheless especially because all wheels were unmarked, it's going to get fixed in the new year though (might get all four done in a different colour)