New member from Friday

Riggie · Post by **Riggie** » Sun May 20, 2012 4:35 pm

Hi all,

Well, I've gone and done it! After three 3 series and three 5 series, I've bought an X5. Will collect it on Friday next. It's a 56 plate sport with 32k, AUC from a dealer. Seems well specced, pan roof, heated comfort seats, tv, heated steering wheel (found that amusing) nappa leather, bi xenons etc.

After my 530d it's a totally different driving experience. This will be my first auto as well. I found that I 'wafted' rather point and shoot. I was quite impressed with the performance for such a big bus.

I have a work colleague who has had one for four years and he gets 25 around town, 35 on a motorway run and 30 overall, so pretty good. Road tax is a bit of a ripoff, considering what I pay for my 530, but I'm assuming the lack of a DPF is the reason.

BMW warranty should take care of any problems for 12 months, but given the low mileage, I'm hoping it will behave. I'll post a pic when I get it! Any advice, particularly about auto driving would be appreciated.

Thanks
Andy.

shadrack · Post by **shadrack** » Sun May 20, 2012 4:52 pm

wecome nice bus

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sun May 20, 2012 5:01 pm

Welcome. Sounds like a nice car on its way to you....

And you have correctly surmised the lack of more advanced emission controls causing the higher tax charge. They were only built to meet EU3. You can have a DPF fitted, but I have no idea whether it would actually reduce the bill, or even if the cost of the retest would allow you to realistically recover the additional VED cost.

Sanj · Post by **Sanj** » Sun May 20, 2012 7:42 pm

Welcome to the forum and tell your work colleague to join too!

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sun May 20, 2012 7:47 pm

Pssst, Sanj.......

You forgot out the piccies hint...after Friday.....

Sanj · Post by **Sanj** » Sun May 20, 2012 7:52 pm

[quote=""Riggie""] I'll post a pic when I get it!

Thanks
Andy.[/quote]

No, no he's covered, til Collection day!

Lee4.8is · Post by **Lee4.8is** » Sun May 20, 2012 7:53 pm

Hello & welcome, sounds like a great specced X, bet you cant wait,hope all goes well,enjoy

Raj · Post by **Raj** » Sun May 20, 2012 8:01 pm

Welcome aboard. Does sound like a superbly spec'd example.

What colour combo by the way?

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Sun May 20, 2012 9:41 pm

Welcome along and nice spec ( although it does seem familiar ).
Yes we need colour spec and pics upon collection

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Riggie · Post by **Riggie** » Sun May 20, 2012 10:43 pm

It's black with tan leather. As per the OP, I would welcome some autobox driving tips, when it's best to use tiptronic, do I have to select N at the lights etc.

Any pointers would be appreciated.

thanks
Andy

Cannondale · Post by **Cannondale** » Sun May 20, 2012 10:46 pm

Hi Andy

I bet you carnt wait untill Friday.

I leave mind in D all the time the Trip is no advantage. If you are going to be stationary for a while it would do no harm to put in N, but normal driving just leave in in D.

Rich...

Riggie · Post by **Riggie** » Sun May 20, 2012 10:50 pm

Thanks Rich,

Looking forward to picking it up, although the stealer is 150miles away. I suppose it will give me a good chance to get the feel of it on the way back.

Need to sort out the transfer of my no. plate. It's a real pain now, as the DVLA local offices won't do it over the counter for the stealers like they used to.

Riggie · Post by **Riggie** » Sat May 26, 2012 8:33 pm

Picked it up on Fri and enjoyed the 150 mile drive home. Got 33mpg which I was pleased with considering I gave it some stick when I could. There are a few issues with the dealer. When I went through all the documents, I couldn't find the service book. It was serviced on Weds, so I'm assuming that it is still in the service dept. Not good attention to detail.

They said they will chase on Monday morning. When I took the car for a test drive, there was some wind noise around the top of the front passenger dooor, which they said they would fix. Having driven it now for a few hundred miles it is still there and when I had a look, I found that the window seal, at the top rear is slightly perished and as a result the seal isn't sitting tight against the glass. I'm pretty sure this is where the noise is coming from. They'll be fixing that as well.

The only other issue is the nsf tyre is scrubbed on the very outside edge. The rest of the tyre has good tread, probably around 5-6mm. I pointed out to the sales guy that I understood that AUC cars should have a mknmum of 3 mm and his initial reaction was that that only applied to the centre 75%, as per the tyre laws. I will argue that they should not be putting out AUC vehicles with scuffed tyre edges. i'll name and shame if they don't get their act together.

Other than those slight niggles, I love the car. It performs brilliantly for such a big bus. I'm getting use to the high driving position. As expected, the sports suspension shows up uneven road surfaces and tends to be a bit hard, although not unconfortably so. I'll get some pics up asap.
Andy

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sat May 26, 2012 8:40 pm

[quote=""Riggie""]As expected, the sports suspension shows up uneven road surfaces and tends to be a bit hard, although not unconfortably so.[/quote]

Glad you're enjoying it, and you have found the slightly hard ride? I actually found it pretty good and is does stop the 'leans' when you're going around corners. If you ever go to a later version with 20" or 21" Runflat Tyres fitted then you'll probably want the E53 ride back! You feel everything on those tyres! Not good about the 'scrubbed' tyre though. Some dealers don't seem to really look at things for the AUC bit and I think it's starting to get a poorer rep....a bit like Network Q with GM.

[quote=""Riggie""]I'll get some pics up asap.[/quote]
Good idea, you don't want a Sanj chasing you...

Riggie · Post by **Riggie** » Sat May 26, 2012 9:16 pm

It has 20" wheels on it now. Probably explains things. You're right about the lack of lean. I've driven Range Rovers and Discos and they made you seasick. It's amazing how it sricks for a tank!

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