XSeries-forum

Hi,

Just signed up to the forum after collecting my car last week. We had a little boy at the end of last year so we needed something bigger. The e46 M3 convertible had to go as it was just proving impossible to get him in, plus all our junk in the car easily. We seemed to be spending hours packing the car like a game from the crystal maze / Krypton factor whilst getting funny looks from passers by and the odd "tut" as we posted the car seat with baby through the rear window into position on the back seat! Loved the M3 to bits and sad to see it go especially before the Spring/ Summer weather. I manged to get a fantastic price on the private sale so i was mad not to let it go. Then came the decision, 4x4 or estate car. Looked at the RS Audis but seemed crazy running costs (a friend was getting 8mpg in his!) and could'nt face a people carrier !!

After much thought and consideration I was convinced it had to be a 4x4 for something a bit different to all my previous cars, and the X5 seemed to win hands down. I looked at the RR and RR Sport but was shocked at how non-sporty the Sport was ! I can see why land rover called it that though as the Range Rover tractor doesnt have the same ring to it! Also shocked at the poor build quality of the Sport too. Admittedly I tried the 2.7 but even if the TDV8 was a huge leap forward the interior and build quality of the 2.7 i tried was enough to put me of. I then seriously considered the proper RR TDV8 too. Lovely car, but felt far too big and not much fun to drive either. Also thought that I was not old enough for a RR just yet! Maybe in a few years, lovely car though! Briefly considered the other options for a few days like Toureg, Q7, ML but non came close in terms of all round quality, performance, looks etc compared to the X5. I went on a few test drives in a single and twin turbo X5. After driving them both back to back I was not initially sure if the twin turbo was worth it. However, after coming from an E46 M3 I decided to go for the extra oomph as I thought in time I would regret not getting it, also there is not much difference between the two in terms of running cost so thought it was a no brainer providing I could find one on budget and the right spec etc.

I never really got to drive the BMW demo car properly on the test drive in London as the salesman took me on a congested route round west London. I then found a great car advertised in Hants. The spec i was looking for (M Sport, panoramic roof, shadow line trim in Saphire black, plus several other good extras on too) so decided to try this car in Hants one Saturday morning. The dealer was a great guy who let me try it on my own for a proper run. I was sold. So over the next couple of days and a bit of negotiation the deal was done. Anyway, collected the car last week. Its a 2008 E70 X5 Msport 3.0sd and I'm delighted with it. Such smooth power delivery and plenty of grunt for such a big car. On the long drive back home via BMW to get a dealer stamp in the service book I couldn't stop smiling when I put my foot down, it really does go well. After the M3 I thought I would find the X5 a huge change. I had accepted it would be very different but I now just love the the twin turbo and I'm really glad I went for it. A superb car. I'm a happy man. A brilliant car to ferry the new family round in safely for the coming years, and enjoy driving and bit harder when I'm on my own!

I'm a member of M3 cutters, terrific forum, and now looking forward to being a part of this forum too.

Welcome abaoard

Decent intro post

Glad you like the new car......M3 no doubt will be missed albeit you already seem to be finding the joys of X5 ownership. Hope you like the board. M3 cutters a friendly forum - Hope learn to like it here too

Welcome and nice car

The later generation RRS and Porsche cayenne are far superior to the old ones. I tried both of the old shape before I bought my sd in 2008

Nowadays I think the tables are turned away from BMW as they are starting to loose the plot

Welcome to the forum

You'll have to get some pics up when you can.

You'll like it here.

Great first post, thank you

Very interesting to hear your thought on all the X5 alternatives, you didn't mention a Cayenne?

I'm thinking of upgrading my E53 to an E70, did you get yours from a main dealer or privately? 'I'm interested to know what you paid for it but understand if you would rather not discuss that a public forum (or a PM would do!).

Enjoy the forum.

[quote=""Waka""]Great first post, thank you

Very interesting to hear your thought on all the X5 alternatives, you didn't mention a Cayenne?

I'm thinking of upgrading my E53 to an E70, did you get yours from a main dealer or privately? 'I'm interested to know what you paid for it but understand if you would rather not discuss that a public forum (or a PM would do!).

Enjoy the forum.[/quote]

Wait until September ......

Hello & welcome, what a great informative intro post & i hope your new x5 treats you well & you have lots of fun in it.

It sounds a lovely motor & hope you settle into the site its a good one with lots of educated members on all things X.

Happy motoring

Thanks guys. Sorry it was a bit garbled for a first post. I was so tired last night. Still doing the sleepless nights with the little one !!

I did think about a Cayenne but they are too expensive to run also there were no Diesels in my price range. For about 30 seconds I did consider a cheap Cayenne Turbo and spend the rest of the budget on running the thing !! I also felt that if you're buying a Porsche then it should be a 911, not a Touareg with an Audi engine and a new badge !! (Only kidding, don't want to offend any Cayenne owners).

One thing I have noticed, and I think 535dboy has a point, BMW might be loosing the plot. Where the hell did they get consumption figures of 27 urban, 34 combined and 40 extra urban from ? If I could get that I'd be a very happy man.

Now to to look at remapping. I had an Audi remapped a few years back and it made a great difference. Better fuel economy, more torque and more power, generally better than the standard car I thought. The Audi used to hold gears far too long, but after the remap with the extra torque it would change up earlier which worked well for what I wanted and still accelerated well too. I've noticed my X5 holds onto second in town when it could easily be in third. I'm sure round town that would make a good difference to economy?

Anyway, thanks for your comments and feedback guys. Will try to get some pics up soon.

Jason at bw Chiptune is the guy who is highly regarded on this forum and many others for remapping bmw's and many other makes.

My 535d was done by DMS and the X5 by emaps who seems to be highly regarded on BMWLand

Did improve economy a bit and of course a fair bit more grunt

[quote=""dirtymonkey29""]Jason at bw Chiptune is the guy who is highly regarded on this forum and many others for remapping bmw's and many other makes.[/quote]

Thanks. He certainly seems to be well regarded on the forums. A superb reputation judging by everything I've read so far plus he's not too far from me. I think I might have to visit him and see what he can do for me.

[quote=""535dboy""]My 535d was done by DMS and the X5 by emaps who seems to be highly regarded on BMWLand

Did improve economy a bit and of course a fair bit more grunt[/quote]

Do you know what I mean re the holding 2nd too long in traffic? Has you remap cured this?

Would you say it is worth doing the remap then? It goes well enough at the moment for such a big heavy car.......... but a bit more is never a bad thing !

[quote=""X5_twin""][quote=""535dboy""]My 535d was done by DMS and the X5 by emaps who seems to be highly regarded on BMWLand

Did improve economy a bit and of course a fair bit more grunt[/quote]

Do you know what I mean re the holding 2nd too long in traffic? Has you remap cured this?

Would you say it is worth doing the remap then? It goes well enough at the moment for such a big heavy car.......... but a bit more is never a bad thing ![/quote]

Hadn't really noticed it no

I do drive mine in manual quite a lot too

There is some reset procedure you can do with the gearbox which may help that. I'm really rushing around at the minute but do a search here or failing that pop on to bmwland and ask somebody on there

Yes the map I guess is worth it, the torque really pulls it along. I have surprised a few fast cars whilst driving this one

[quote=""535dboy""][quote=""X5_twin""][quote=""535dboy""]My 535d was done by DMS and the X5 by emaps who seems to be highly regarded on BMWLand

Did improve economy a bit and of course a fair bit more grunt[/quote]

Do you know what I mean re the holding 2nd too long in traffic? Has you remap cured this?

Would you say it is worth doing the remap then? It goes well enough at the moment for such a big heavy car.......... but a bit more is never a bad thing ![/quote]

Hadn't really noticed it no

I do drive mine in manual quite a lot too

There is some reset procedure you can do with the gearbox which may help that. I'm really rushing around at the minute but do a search here or failing that pop on to bmwland and ask somebody on there

Yes the map I guess is worth it, the torque really pulls it along. I have surprised a few fast cars whilst driving this one[/quote]


Thanks for the comments. I'll have a look now on google and look into the reset.

I'm tempted to take it to BMW and ask them to do a complete reset and update the software to make sure everything is running up to date etc. They could reset the 2 keys too and also programme them to fold mirrors when locking etc. Don't normally like the dealer, but to get this done once by them might a good start to ownership knowing that its been reset completely. Will give it some thought.

Welcome aboard. I see you have met the resident moaner, 535dboy. Don't take too much notice - he is getting married any day now

Would be interesting to see what you got, pics etc.

Can't see anything wrong with lifting a child over the backwindow though, I am sure it is great for the stomach muscles. I am sure that you did not suggest that to your Mrs as you may not have been around to do your first posting over here