X5 slight disappointment

[highintensity]

Hi,

At the risk of angering the natives of this forum and forever being branded a heretic, I want to express that I am slightly disappointed at the interior of the X5.

I have been psyching myself up to make an X5 purchase and I finally made my way to the dealer to check out the 3rd row of an X5. Obviously, the 3rd row is even smaller in real life than in the photos!

But I was a bit taken aback with what I can only describe as a "cheap" looking interior in the brand new 40d M Sport and 30d M sport I saw at the dealer. The "leather" seats were the things that got me down the most. The leather's texture is rough, it seems thin, and just doesn't give off the luxury vibe that I thought BMW would be know for. In fact, it almost looks like vinyl or plastic.

In the past, BMW's I've seen had much nicer, soft leather seats which exude quality. When did BMW decide to start cutting costs and corners?

Do the seats "break-in"? I currently drive a Lexus RX300 and even though it is 9 years old, the interior just seems so much nicer than the X5s? I want an X5 for its performance and economy, but expect to be pampered in luxury for £50K. Am I being too picky? Am I asking too much? Or are the seats "not that bad"?

I need to rethink my entire BMW reality because my Ultimate Driving Machine dreams was been shattered.

...sigh. where is the nearest Audi dealer....

[535dboy]

As you will see from my sig I am an Audi fan but I do think that the E70 has a more luxurious feel to it than the Q7

I thought Audis were supposed to be the interiors to have but I think the bMs are nicer

[shadrack]

Can you get nappa leather in an e70, that's smooth?

[X5Sport]

I doubt you would annoy anyone, or be branded a Heretic....

Dakota Leather does have that appearance and Nappa, or even Individual Merino, is much better and certainly were available for the E70. I specced it on my E53 and X6. We have Dakota on the E46 (no better was available) and it is a 'rougher' finish.

The big thing about BMW is they have a nasty habit of making everything half decent that you might want an optional (and expensive) added extra. Hence a £46k X6 40d (in 2010) rapidly becoming a £64k X6 once the options and delivery charges get added, and I think some of those really should be standard. Mind you, when the E53 was launched, the base spec was cloth seats!!

Whether Audi, or Merc are any better in that regard I don't know. I certainly like the Audi car range (not the 'Q' ones though) but I much prefer the BMW.

[pvr]

[quote=""X5Sport""] Hence a £46k X6 40d (in 2010) rapidly becoming a £64k X6 [/quote]

All the same with dislexia ...

[X5Sport]

[quote=""pvr""][quote=""X5Sport""] Hence a £46k X6 40d (in 2010) rapidly becoming a £64k X6 [/quote]

All the same with dislexia ... [/quote]

Trust me, it wasn't when I paid the bill!

[pvr]

Should have found a sales guy with dislexia then, "and here is my cheque for £64k" whilst writing 46

[X5Sport]

Now you tell me......

[Minda]

I think its each to there own, currently got an old A4 and been looking around the new A4 & A5 but not really taking a likeing to the dash layout. not really sure what else to explore at the min.

[535dboy]

[quote=""Minda""]I think its each to there own, currently got an old A4 and been looking around the new A4 & A5 but not really taking a likeing to the dash layout. not really sure what else to explore at the min.[/quote]

I agree on the dash

A 450bhp V8 should take my mind off it though!

[Minda]

[quote=""535dboy""][quote=""Minda""]I think its each to there own, currently got an old A4 and been looking around the new A4 & A5 but not really taking a likeing to the dash layout. not really sure what else to explore at the min.[/quote]

I agree on the dash

A 450bhp V8 should take my mind off it though![/quote]

[highintensity]

I guess since there is no cloth option anymore, the Nevada leather is the "new" cloth. Makes sense, but doesn't help sell a +50K 40d M Sport in the dealer's showroom. Especially since most of the other cars I saw in the showroom also had Dakota. I don't think the 7 series example had anything better in the showroom; and the 7 series is supposed to be the epitome of luxury....

Also, the sales man I spoke to about the X5 was a bit standoffish. Polite, but a bit cold. Is that the norm with BMW dealers?

[doc4246]

[quote=""highintensity""]I guess since there is no cloth option anymore, the Nevada leather is the "new" cloth. Makes sense, but doesn't help sell a +50K 40d M Sport in the dealer's showroom. Especially since most of the other cars I saw in the showroom also had Dakota. I don't think the 7 series example had anything better in the showroom; and the 7 series is supposed to be the epitome of luxury....

Also, the sales man I spoke to about the X5 was a bit standoffish. Polite, but a bit cold. Is that the norm with BMW dealers?[/quote]


You are able to spec anthracite twill cloth trim as a zero cost option on the E70...I was lucky when buying my E70 from an indy trader as they didn't notice it had the smooth Nappa leather trim with front sports seats rather than the rougher Nevada leather trim with front standard (for SE) seats...

As a factory option it wasn't that expensive an upgrade GBP605 for the exclusive Nappa leather and GBP400 for the front sports seats

They also didn't notice the factory fitted webasto parking/auxiliary heating with remote control...fantastic in winter and for clearing ALL the windows, warming up the cabin and the engine block...

Or even the adaptive headlights/high beam assistant options for the xenons let alone the head up display and the anthracite headlining and the upgraded sports (but not adaptive drive) suspension...

Previous owner hadn't even activated the 3 years BMW On Call service either...

Okay I didn't get the BMW AUC 12 months warranty...but the car was a cheaper purchase over a BMW dealers' prices, so I've used some of the difference and bought the BMW insurance warranty for peace of mind instead...and it came with the dreaded leaking washer system issue (which I might send the invoice to repair back to the trader to see their reaction)...

[Woofer]

As others say Dakota is the new cloth, if you wear jeans beware of lighter colours like oyster as not only does the colour transfer but pocket rivets can play havoc, nappa is a far better option but black Dakota seems to wear less obviously.

Finally the side bolsters wear and sometimes stitching gives way if driven by anyone built for comfort not speed..

There are a few cars with individual leather inc dash iirc which are better

The 7 luxury model comes with a pack which includes nappa and looks and feels properly luxe (:

Cheers!

[X6_40d_Nick]

I have the black Dakota leather and understand what you are saying.
Hoping it will wear well, as had the same in my E91 touring (ice lemon!), and that had a lovely feel after a few years!

but I looked at an F10 touring with only 4000miles on it (less than 6 months old) and the stitching on the drivers bolster was so worn it looked like it would split at any moment... !!!

Hope they haven't cut the quality too far!!!!