XSeries-forum

Hello,
I’ve been having a look round the forum and have some questions to ask about the X5 that I’ve not come across.

I'm looking to buy a 30d if that helps in answering questions.

First off, I believe that the 2007 and 2008 cars differ. The 2007 cars have a higher CO2 and as such are in the higher road tax band. Is it just the 2007 (07/57) cars or some 08 cars also?

Were the M Sports introduced in 2008?

What is the difference between the SE and the SE with the dynamic package? I believe that the dynamic package gave M Sport Suspension and M Sport steering Wheel. Is that correct and is there anything else.

What is the difference between the SE + dynamic and the M Sport? Different Alloys, colour coded arches and bumpers. Sport seats in the front. Anything else?

Are all the cars on Run Flats? Are they better (like many of the cars) on non run flats.

What is the tyre sizes for the 20” Y Spoke alloys?
What is the tyre size for the M Sport alloys?

Anything else you can tell me that I’ve not asked????

19" Wheels are fitted with 255/50 RFT Front and 285/45 RFT on the rear.
20" Wheels are fitted with 275/40 RFT Front and 315/35 RFT on the rear.
RFT is standard across the BMW range as it allows for more boot space (no spare) and 7-seats on the E70.

OEM Wheel sizes optional from 19" up to 21". Of course you can go larger if you wish.

Run-flat tyres v handling is a matter of some debate. It does give a harder ride, and the larger rims make that harder still as there is less side-wall to provide any 'give'. Some folks like them, some hate them. The only way to know it to try one for yourself.

Tax band wise, there may be a change that affects some of the '08' plates as the 'production year' starts in October of each year on the X5/X6 I think. Given it takes a few weeks to ship the cars over from the US, and early '08' might just land the wrong side of the line.

Later 2008 cars had the updated engines and arrival of the twin-turbo variant (35d) which are cleaner as well as more powerful.

[quote=""steve burnett""]First off, I believe that the 2007 and 2008 cars differ. The 2007 cars have a higher CO2 and as such are in the higher road tax band. Is it just the 2007 (07/57) cars or some 08 cars also?[/quote]

Early 2007 cars were higher tax bracket £460 now (I think) - late 07 cars dropped to lower bracket. 08 cars should all be lower bracket but you never know. Always check the log book for the CO2 value.

[quote=""steve burnett""]Were the M Sports introduced in 2008?[/quote]

Yes

[quote=""steve burnett""]What is the difference between the SE and the SE with the dynamic package? I believe that the dynamic package gave M Sport Suspension and M Sport steering Wheel. Is that correct and is there anything else.

What is the difference between the SE + dynamic and the M Sport? Different Alloys, colour coded arches and bumpers. Sport seats in the front. Anything else?[/quote]

Not being an owner of the E70 not entirely sure but others will know.

[quote=""steve burnett""]Are all the cars on Run Flats? Are they better (like many of the cars) on non run flats.[/quote]

Personal choice - harder ride on RF 20's, but better on the 19's. Others just hate them and change over - think warranty cover too. Some companies will try to wriggle out if not approved, etc.

[quote=""steve burnett""]What is the tyre sizes for the 20” Y Spoke alloys?[/quote]

Same as E53 I think - Rear 315/35/20 & Front 275/40/20

[quote=""steve burnett""]What is the tyre size for the M Sport alloys?[/quote]

19's, 20's and 21's I think

I test drove the 19 and 20 inch wheels on the M Sport, and the 19s were my favourite so I ordered that. I chucked the car about quite a bit on bad roads during the test drive (did feel bad as the car was just washed prior to me driving it), but it was holding up fine.

Perhaps it is the weight, as on my first Z4 the run flats were awful.

Agreed I noticed the same re CO2 when looking for my car. Always a good idea to check the vehicle re CO2, I used this link to check mine before I bought it as I noticed the same as you that he CO2 differs on earlier cars:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Bu ... G_10014436

Dynamic park includes: Sports Suspension, Sport Steering Wheel, Y Spoke Style 20" Wheels with Extended Wheel Arches, Colour Coded Door Handles, Sports Seats, High Gloss Shadow Line, Anthracite Headlining.

Re the run flats they are not too bad. I've only had my car a week or so but I think they have improved a lot since the early days. I used to have Mini Cooper S a few years back with run flats. Got rid of the tyres as soon as I could they were too thumpy. Having said that now I think about it I'd like to try an x5 without run flats to see the difference.

Anything else - Well I'd recommend you try both the single and twin turbo engines and see what you think of the two driven back to back. I wasn't convinced initially as my test drive was a bit stop start but after a proper drive on my second test drive in a different car I loved the twin turbo.

The Tyres are some price. A quick look and I'm getting a price of £330 for the rears and £250ish for the fronts.
My ML320 is £200 a corner for OEM tyres.

Well worth concidering when looking to buy one then!!

There are plenty of places that you can get cheaper tyres from. I don't know what the max speed of you ML is, but these new E70/71 40d's can clear 150mph. That needs expensive rubber. You may not be going that quick, but these cars have high torque and that can burn rubber.

40d Spec: Power : 306 PS (225 kW/302 hp) at 4400rpm. Torque: 600 Nm (443 lb-ft) from 1500 to 2500rpm.

I use a local tyre fitter and I think the cost is around £750-£800 a set for the 20" X6, and that's fitted and balanced. If you are only doing a low mileage, they'll last you a while. Of course it does depend on how much 'hooligan' you have in you to use the power, and on the road types. I only had two set changes in 54,000 miles on my E53, but our 330 went through sets much faster because of all the roundabouts in Milton Keynes. A lot of us also have winter tyre sets too, but if you aren't doing much out of town driving then those may not be needed.

If you only have the 19" then that brings down the cost, and you can also come off RFT when you do your first replacements too - and that's a further saving. RFT are much more expensive as you have no doubt found. Some of us have tyre insurance too to cushion the blow of non-repairable damage. Non-RFT tyres can be filled with 'PunctureSafe' which protects against holes up to 0.25" That eliminates any need to carry a spare.

I think everybody has answered the Qs you wanted

Do try all suspension tyre variants - my sport on 20s I find quite tiring sometimes

I've had a drive in an 08 plate 30d m sport. Really like it. The suspension is harsh but I prefer that to the ride in my ML320.

I've a couple more questions.

some cars i've seen have 30d on the wing and others have xdrive 30d. Is there a difference?

What are the service costs. Oil, Service 1 and service 2.

Thanks

Didn't know there was a difference. They're all 'XDrive' on the E53 after 2003 and all E70s should be. Probably something to do with a model year change to the badging. May have come in when the twin-turbo versions appeared. It's possible the twin has the 'Xdrive n.nD' on it. Look under the bonnet and see if the engine cover has 'Twin Turbo Power' on it.

My local BMW Dealer charges as follows:

Diesel/Petrol 6-cyl service price....(petrol V8)
Oil Service = £160....(£170)
Insp 1 = £250....(£270)
Insp 2 = £390....(£460)

Between each Inspection there'll be an oil service usually I think. Never had a BMW up to high enough miles to need more than Insp 1 and the bi-annual brake fluid change. Depending upon how you drive you'll be looking at around 20,000 miles or two years between each normal service.

Nope - no difference

Just a rebranding exercise