BMW X5 E70 3.0D SE - review comments

[stevee]

A couple of comments:

2011 X5 the autohold does illuminate the brake light.

Connected iDrive imho is much easier/intuitive than VW (Toerag), Cayenne, Q7 .. I tested the lot. This superiority is even greater if you have an iPhone with the app integration. The VW system is not connected (so no google), same goes for Cayenne .. which doesn't even have a DAB radio option. The Audi MMI is closer, however it only supports certain phones (not iPhone) for critical functions using the sim access profile. The screen is much smaller.

S

[pvr]

Can you expand on the iPhone bit? I have not played with the connected drive but sounds good if you can do it from the phone somehow.

[stevee]

see here: http://www.bmw.com/com/en/owners/bmw_apps/index.html

For the X5 you can remote lock+find vehicle.

[Black X5]

[quote=""535dboy""] Just a couple of things, you do know the SD isn't a 3.5 litre don't you? Your text implies it is. [/quote]

Yes. Should have made it clearer. Thanks!

[quote=""535dboy""] I wonder how many people specced the adaptive drive from new. From what I remember it was quite expensive. Bet finding one second hand is a bit of a needle in a hay stack job![/quote]

I think it was about 3K - probabaly same as upgrading to the SD engine, or a decent 2-3 other options. Not surprising few cars have it- not really something tangible that can be pushed by the salesmen I guess.

TBH mine is the first car I drove with AD- I didn't buy it because it had it specifically, more so I bought the car and found 'oh'! But next car if it is a BMW would have to have it.

[Black X5]

[quote=""brewer""]- ICE/Comms: BMW still lags way behind most other marques when it comes to ICE and general in car electronics/communications it seems. Though that said, it seems with the 2010+ models they may have caught up. Previous series used to have HK as an option - is this still an option? The deficiencies on the DVD/TV you describe seems like a major oversight.[/quote]

I think it has been improved for the LCI version. The menus seem slicker and more 'hi-tech'. As said, the Q7 has really good menu structures, and fades in/out of screens/ rev cam etc. With the first gen. E70 it just flicks- looks and feels 'cheap'

I had the Service Manager check it out and confirm you can't play one source on the other and vice versa. Shame really. No doubt there is a way to DIY it though!

[Black X5]

[quote=""pvr""]I did not know that the pre-LCI did not have the shortcut buttons on the iDrive for example, I use those all th time.[/quote]

The pre LCI does have shortcuts- just not the specific buttons. They work by holding the I-Drive controller for a couple of seconds in either the 12, 3, 6 or 9 o'clock positions for a couple of seconds. (For Communicaton, Navigation, Entertainment and Climate menus respectively).

But yes, rest of LCI I-Drive is big improvement over the previous version, especially the 7 digit postcode search.

[Black X5]

[quote=""X5Sport""]The picture on my TV completely fills the iDrive screen. Is the image size restriction only on the CCC rather than CIC systems?

I upgraded to the Pro sound system on my X6 as the base version is not good as many hve noted. I didn't go the 'Individual' route as I felt that with the road noises etc I would never hear the benefit to justify the exta cost.

Another item which may only be on the LCI onwards versions, but is on the X6, include the 'auto handbrake' function. This means you don't have to blind the driver behind by staying 'on the brakes' at lights etc, and your foot is poised on the throttle for when the lights change...

MPG wise, this is an area that ALL manufacturers are getting away with simply because the current test is fundamentally flawed. It is based on 100% controlled and repeatable criteria which do not represent a real world situation where parameters such as temp, baro press, tyre friction, airflow etc all vary moment by moment. That's why they do it in a sealed chamber on a rolling road. Even the DfT have said that the test should only be used to provide a 'comparison between similar car types' and not for purposes of the figures that will be achieved in real use. The US has now changed it's testing to a more realistic model. Don't expect Europe to follow any time soon though.[/quote]

Yes, I guess they changed it for the CIC following customer feedback!

The Auto handbrake is a strange one. I have seen cars 2007 - 2009, some with the button, others without. Mine doesn't have it, but some cars older than mine have?!?

Your right - the official MPG is smoke and mirrors TBH. The 'standards' are so removed from real world driving that it is unreal. Best taken with a pinch of salt, and always best to see what other drivers are getting day to day.

[535dboy]

Mine has auto-handbrake and it puts brake lights on too which to me partly defeats the point

I want to be able to brake up to the stationery point and then release brake so that lights aren't on but car doesn't move

[pvr]

It seems like the Apps are more for the older E70 models perhaps? What I see in the documentation I already have in the LCI.

[X5Sport]

It depends upon which options you added. Have you got 6NR, or just 6FL? The BMW 'Connected' App does not work in all it's glory without the former and Internet access fully enabled? That allows integration with Fakebook and Twatter etc..... To use the BMW 'My Remote' App you need to have downloaded it and done the on line Assist registration on the BMW UK website.

http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/connecteddri ... __,00.html

I have the earliest version on my X6 so I can lock/unlock the car, and locate it as long as it's within 1.5km. Any further away and BMW won't tell you due to 'privacy issues'. If it's my car then I feel I should be able to know exactly where it is no matter what. BMW disagree! Originally they told me 1.5km was the range of the device. Complete bollox as it uses the GPS and on board phone to tell them where the car is. They just won't tell the owner. Later versions allow the lights to be flashed and the horn beeped and all sorts of other functions like album artwork and video playback if you also have the full USB and USB Smartphone integration. Used to be called 6NF and 6FL, but have changed recently.

[pvr]

Not sure without checking, but when I select the iPhone from the main menu, I get the full menu like on an iPod with playlists etc. The App images shown seem to provide a similar look and feel judging by the images.

[Waka]

Great write up thank you.

I think I might have to add an SE to the list of E70s I'm looking at, they seem quite a bit cheaper than similar spec'd M Sport models. Although now of course I need to add HUD to my list of requirements!

[pvr]

Add to that that insurance is significantly cheaper as well.

[535dboy]

[quote=""Waka""]Great write up thank you.

I think I might have to add an SE to the list of E70s I'm looking at, they seem quite a bit cheaper than similar spec'd M Sport models. Although now of course I need to add HUD to my list of requirements! [/quote]

But there is a nice m sport up for sale soon in your area

[pvr]

The one with that leaking roof you mean?