Happy new Year from a soon to be X5 owner

[J77TDC]

Greetings all,
I stumbled across this forum today after reading various posts on Pistonheads saying how great you guys all are so I thought I'd better sign up.
My wife currently drives a 2012 X1 2.0 Xdrive M Sport and I am in the process of negotiating on a 2009 X5 35D M sport so it looks like I have found a great resource for all things 'X'!
Some great and informative posts on here so I'm looking forward to joining in and hopefully I can make some valuable contributions. I worked in a family owned dealership group for over 10 years which included a BMW franchise and now work closely with vehicle OEMs and component suppliers so hopefully I'll be able to add some value somewhere along the line, rather than just lurking and learning from your ownership experiences.

[X5Sport]

A very warm 

Richard

[Wakey]

Welcome!

[Johnny-p]

fella!!

The place to be for all things X....

John..

[Sanj]

[graemeX5]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

There is a useful buyers guide for the E70 to let you know about spec and options, but it's worth checking all the electrical bits and if it has a sunroof check it works several times as it can be a bit of weak point.

Also on another post they suggested a longer test drive to check if your happy with the ride as some have found the 20" with runflats and the sport suspension can be a rather harsh. Some have found swapping tyres for no run flats has helped or even going to 19" wheels.

Hth

[J77TDC]

Hi All,
Thanks for the warm welcome.
Graeme, cheers for the advice, I had a read of the buying guide yesterday and it's very well written and has some good info.
The car does indeed have the sunroof so I'll make sure I give it a proper test. The car is from a main dealer so I'm hopeful that the AUC 12 month warranty should give me the peace of mind that things like that should be covered if anything goes wrong... saying that, having worked in main dealers, I know all is not quite that simple!
Regarding the ride, I totally agree that for some, it can be a bit harsh on 20" wheels. I test drove a few and one in particular that was an SE with sports suspension and big wheels was very hard and skittish. The one I'm looking at now has the M-Sport suspension deletion and 20" wheels and seemed to be a good balance for my preferences. I've just sold a MK2 TVR Tuscan S so am quite familiar with a hard ride!

[J77TDC]

Quick update... I've just done the deal so hopefully pick the car up in a week or so. Excited and nervous all rolled into one but have confirmed that the AUC warranty covers the roof and pretty much everything else mechanical so at least I can relax for a year.

[Colin]

a warm welcome , congratulations on your new motor , i can remember my excitement when i got my e35 , pop on some photos when you get it , good luck , Colin ...

[tyzer]

Welcome

[Raj]

Welcome and congrats.

[J77TDC]

Hi All,

Well, I now have the car and love it. Still not really had the chance to drive it much as I was working in India for a couple of weeks and flew out 2 days after collecting, then it went back to have some paint defects sorted which the dealer missed pre delivery. ANyway, I now have it back and am very grateful for the heated seats! Managed to take a very poor pic on the drive sso here you go. I will get some more when I get the chance.

[Colin]

looks first class , health to drive and good luck . Colin..