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Post by Martin on Jul 1, 2019 11:04:08 GMT
I needed a loan car this morning and my heart sank a little after getting an facelift X4 when it went in for service last time and hating it, as I've got a fair few miles to cover over the next few days. I was prepared to push to get something reasonable, but didn't need to as the lady from the service department said that she would get me something large and comfortable as a 7 series owner. As per the subject, it's an X5 with a pretty decent spec level. As you'd expect, I've had to check the price list to see what it's got and it's a long list, £16,460 worth of options if I've captured everything. It's got the M Sport Plus pack (21" wheels, M Sport Exhaust, sun protection glass), Technology Pack (Display key, parking assistant plus, HUD, HK speakers), Visibility pack (laser lights), Comfort Pack (comfort access, comfort seats, heated/cooled cup holders, heated rear seats, window blinds), Driving Assistant Plus (voodoo cruise, lane assist etc), Ivory White Merino Leather, Leather Dashboard, Piano Black tim, 3rd Row Seating and Sky Lounge Sunroof (LED lights embedded in it). That's a total list price of £77,600, 5% discount makes it £73,720 which I think is an awful lot for a 3.0D SUV. I'll start with the things I don't like. - The ride is reasonable for 21" RFTs, but it's a bit floaty at speed and is firmer than the 7 at low speeds. It only has the standard adaptive air suspension and I didn't like that much in the std 7 either for the same reasons. - The new instruments are awful, too busy and you can hardly configure them - The climate control looks OK and a bit more modern, but the action of the buttons feels cheap and it's not easy to adjust the temperature quickly - 'Hey BMW' is pointless, it doesn't do anything more than the full voice control in mine, just saves you pressing a button on the wheel. - The new idrive controller doesn't feel decent quality and the action is a bit clunky, I've already used the touchscreen which I never do (or feel the need to) in mine - The idrive isn't as intuitive as the last generation - The panoramic sunroof has a fabric cover, the one in the 535d was a solid panel, as it is in the 7 - Manual load cover, first world problems I know, but the one in the 5 estate powers out of the way - The Air Suspsension doesn't drop down when you park (the 7 goes up to make it easier to get out), but that might be a setting I haven't found Things I like - It sounds very good for a diesel, combination of fakery and sports exhaust, very close to the 4.0 V8 in the Panamera I drove last year - The voodoo cruise works really well, the semi-autonomous lane assist is too much on an A road, but queuing through Bedford it was excellent - Very spacious/practical, the electric folding rear seats are great and they move the front seats forward them back to get a flat floor - Electrically reclining rear seats, which also power forwards/backwards (quite narrow seat though compared to mine) - The split boot works well and is much quicker in operation than a FF RR - Larger HUD, with even better junction graphics - Feels smaller and easier to manoeuvre than the 7 - The reversing assistant works brilliantly, not sure when I'd need it, but it's very clever. (Whenever your speed is below 22mph, it stores the steering movements over the last 50m and can re-trace your steps) - I assume I'll like the fuel consumption as well, but it 'only' did 36mpg on the way back from Bedford, the 750 did 32mpg on the way there so not a big improvement Anyway, here it is in all it's stickered up glory (lovely colour, Phytonic Blue). The grille is huge, but looked quite modest when it was parked next to an X7    |
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Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Jul 1, 2019 11:57:16 GMT
I'm still not sold on the grille but I'd probably have one over the equivalent dull and dated Audi Q model. Not at £70k though!
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Post by Martin on Jul 1, 2019 12:08:06 GMT
I'm still not sold on the grille but I'd probably have one over the equivalent dull and dated Audi Q model. Not at £70k though! The Q7 has just been facelifted and looks even worse thanks to the grille from the Q8. |
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Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Jul 1, 2019 12:40:55 GMT
It was interesting what Aiden van Dipplydonk was saying about the grilles on the 7 series and other larger BMWs. www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/bmw-grille-debate-should-focus-7-series-says-design-directorHe pretty much admits that these large grilles are for the Chinese and US markets where the 7 series sells far more and to a younger buyer demographic, but that tastes are changing. We could see a reduction in grille size in the near future. I wonder if, much like with the E90, a tweak to the grille at mid-life facelift will improve it. |
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Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Jul 1, 2019 12:55:59 GMT
I'm still not sold on the grille but I'd probably have one over the equivalent dull and dated Audi Q model. Not at £70k though! The Q7 has just been facelifted and looks even worse thanks to the grille from the Q8. To be fair it looks like Audi are trying harder with the next A8:  |
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Post by Martin on Jul 1, 2019 13:04:21 GMT
It was interesting what Aiden van Dipplydonk was saying about the grilles on the 7 series and other larger BMWs. www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/bmw-grille-debate-should-focus-7-series-says-design-directorHe pretty much admits that these large grilles are for the Chinese and US markets where the 7 series sells far more and to a younger buyer demographic, but that tastes are changing. We could see a reduction in grille size in the near future. I wonder if, much like with the E90, a tweak to the grille at mid-life facelift will improve it. That is good news. |
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Post by racingteatray on Jul 1, 2019 13:50:27 GMT
Shame about the sign-writing. That would annoy me hugely.
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Post by Martin on Jul 1, 2019 13:54:32 GMT
Shame about the sign-writing. That would annoy me hugely. Me too. But it's the best they had available at short notice and I'd rather have stickers than a 1 series or a MINI as I'm doing over 300 miles tomorrow, 100 Thursday and 200 Friday. The good think is that clear I've not bought an X5...although it does look like I might want to......  |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2019 14:10:57 GMT
Urrgh. Looks like a Lexus! |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2019 14:14:26 GMT
I nearly had a Q5 loaner the other day but Audi computer say no. Apparently you can't have a courtesy car if you have any endorsements on your license and I do. I had to wait instead, so I insisted my car went in straight away and I was heading back home half an hour later. Better than doing the trip twice, in my opinion.
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Post by Martin on Jul 1, 2019 14:16:57 GMT
I nearly had a Q5 loaner the other day but Audi computer say no. Apparently you can't have a courtesy car if you have any endorsements on your license and I do. I had to wait instead, so I insisted my car went in straight away and I was heading back home half an hour later. Better than doing the trip twice, in my opinion. I always prefer to wait when getting a service, even if it's a couple of hours, as I can get some work done and as you say, saves doing the trip twice. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2019 14:25:39 GMT
I only had a loose exhaust clamp. I was already irritated by the fact they only advised me about it after my service which meant I had to go back and when I was making the booking they said they'd need the car all day. I then said if you want it all day I'll need another car but when I arrived their courtesy car system told me to eff off!
Anyhow, they didn't need the car all day because it was only in the workshop for 20 mins and that included vacuuming the inside.
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Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Jul 1, 2019 14:31:23 GMT
I nearly had a Q5 loaner the other day but Audi computer say no. Apparently you can't have a courtesy car if you have any endorsements on your license and I do. I had to wait instead, so I insisted my car went in straight away and I was heading back home half an hour later. Better than doing the trip twice, in my opinion. That sounds like a good way of reducing the demand on their courtesy car fleet.. |
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Post by ChrisM on Jul 1, 2019 14:43:48 GMT
I'm saddened that the X1 has very recently been ruined by a facelift that includes an oversize grille :-(
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Post by Martin on Jul 1, 2019 15:03:51 GMT
Just had a quick look and it's listed on their website. It is 6 months old, with 4,500 miles and it's advertised for £58k, so £15k (at least) depreciation in 6 months.
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Post by michael on Jul 1, 2019 15:15:10 GMT
That's another terrible looking BMW. Their design department seem to be exclusively inspired by the Hi-Fi section of a eighties Argos catalogue. Excessive buttons, grills and hideous creases in the bodywork. I see even the new 7 series has been inflicted with a fill width LED light bar.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2019 15:34:22 GMT
The front is horrible, the rest could be anything Korean - just scaled-up.
And doesn't 'Make your presence known' sound like the sort of tagline that appeals to The Wrong Sort... |
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Post by racingteatray on Jul 1, 2019 15:55:45 GMT
And doesn't 'Make your presence known' sound like the sort of tagline that appeals to The Wrong Sort... Yes, indeed. |
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Post by Tim on Jul 1, 2019 15:58:45 GMT
And doesn't 'Make your presence known' sound like the sort of tagline that appeals to The Wrong Sort... Yes, indeed. They may be onto something given the increasing number of thick necked people I see driving current shape Range Rovers in FF and Spurt variety. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2019 16:11:38 GMT
I'm guessing most of the X cars have been facelifted, as I saw an X3 the other day and had no idea what model it was until I read the badge. Also, is the X1 bigger than the X2? Always looks it whenever I see one.
I think the X2 might be my current favourite model right now and are trying to get Mrs P to agree for when she's ready to get a new motor!
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Post by racingteatray on Jul 1, 2019 16:19:59 GMT
Battersea BMW offer pick up and re-delivery for servicing and repairs, which is very convenient, although I only avail myself of it if really busy as I'm not overly keen on random delivery guys driving my car. Most of the time, I just drop it off in person and then take advantage of their 5-series shuttle service to/from Kennington tube station.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2019 16:46:45 GMT
My nearest dealer is 25 miles away. A pick up and delivery, if they even offered it, would mean some oily oik driving my car 50 miles or more.
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Post by Martin on Jul 1, 2019 16:57:25 GMT
We used to have the Boxster collected, because Lindsay works a 10min cycle ride from home and the dealership is just over 25 miles away. I wasn't concerned because the technicians were hardly going to get over excited over a previous generation Boxster.
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Post by Martin on Jul 2, 2019 9:06:46 GMT
Did my regular trip to Deeside this morning, so interesting to see how it compared to the 7. It’s good on the motorway, the ride is better and you don’t notice any float/roll plus I can see the benefit of a higher driving position. Motorway performance is good, it picks up nicely, but works best at lower revs, doesn’t keep pulling ike the 535d did and it does feel slow after the 750. However, the tyre and wind noise are significantly greater and despite looking the same, the comfort seats are smaller (narrower, shorter base and backrest) and less comfortable over time. As as I said yesterday, the noise it makes is OK/Interesting at low revs (sub 3k), but at higher revs in Sport it sounds terrible, a bit like one of those highly tuned smokey diesels from outside. Averaged 39.8mpg, which in isolation is very good, but the 750 would have done 44mpg in todays light traffic and my Dads 630d GT easily gets 50+ mpg on the motorway. The average mpg from day 1, over 5,000 miles is 30.2.  |
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Post by Martin on Jul 2, 2019 9:14:14 GMT
I’ve sorted the access/loading height which makes it easier to get out and appreciated the lower tailgate this morning as I could perch on it when changing into my safety shoes. Lowest position  |
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Post by Roadsterstu on Jul 2, 2019 9:14:14 GMT
That's a really lovely colour. But not liking the car itself.
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Post by PetrolEd on Jul 2, 2019 9:31:24 GMT
I'm not too concerned about Dealers driving my car but after I stayed in a posh hotel in Knightsbridge just before Christmas I'll think twice about giving the car to the valet. Not sure if he hadn't driven a manual for a while but the stench of clutch on its return was absolutely shocking.
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Post by racingteatray on Jul 4, 2019 9:55:15 GMT
One of the partners in my team has just bought a nearly-new X3 30d MSport in Phytonic Blue, which he seems pleased with. He had a 63-plate X3 30d previously and wanted to get a petrol-powered version this time, but he found the 20i underpowered and the M40i, whilst lovely, just a touch too pricey, so he ended up going for the 30d as the best compromise. Says it's a much nicer car than the old one.
I can believe that. One of my neighbours appears to have just bought a metallic grey X3 M40i and whilst grey isn't the colour I'd pick on that shape, it still looks unusually nice for anything from BMW's current range of SUVs. |
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Post by Martin on Jul 15, 2019 17:18:50 GMT
I had it for 2 weeks in the end, covered 1,436 miles and spent 32.5 hours behind the wheel. 36mpg on the OBC, not bad for a big SUV, but the 750 averaged 36.5 OBC mpg in June over 2,600 miles.  It's interesting to spend a decent amount of time with something that's a competitor and potential alternative to your own car, it's usually a hire car which is very different. There were a couple of things I liked; The visibility was excellent, especially on the motorway, but also when exiting junctions; leather dash and Merino leather on seats makes a big difference and is well worth the extra vs the standard stuff; loads of space with a large boot (although similar in size under the cover) and good rear legroom with the middle row powered back; the proximity comfort access is better than having to touch the handle for it to unlock (quicker/easier for passengers) and the fold down tailgate makes a good seat. Quite a few things I didn't like; 'floaty' ride which meant sport was the only option on A/B roads; body roll, really poor steering feel, the new idrive isn't as intuitive; the switches are a step backwards and difficult to find without looking; mechanical indicator stalk; rough plastic backed gear selector (assume the glitzy optional one has leather) and quite near the top of the list, the styling. I did start to get used to it, but I'd barely driven off the forecourt before it was clear the 750 is a lot better in most ways, slightly surprisingly so. It's significantly quieter at all speeds, especially on the motorway, more comfortable and the X5 was a good reminder why I was only going to get a 7 with Voodoo suspension, which takes away the roll and lets it flow down the road. It felt like I was sitting on the floor when I first got in it, but I much prefer that and the whole drivetrain is in another league. There's no lag at all when setting off, it's so much smoother right the way through the rev range and obviously sounds a lot better. unsurprisingly, the performance is in another league. So, I've given an SUV a proper try and it hasn't changed my mind. If you don't need to go off road (and on P Zero tyres, the X5 wouldn't have got far!) then a decent saloon or estate is so much better in nearly every way and you get a lot more for your money. I'm even more confused now as to why small SUVs are so popular, as you don't even get the much higher driving position. |
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Post by Tim on Jul 22, 2019 12:57:46 GMT
The current issue of CAR mag has the X5 on test against the Merc GLE and Porsche Cayenne - all in 3 litre petrol flavour.
The X5 wins except its more like being the least bad - a 3 star result for it.
It feels as if the tide is turning against these, at least in the tests, as they point out that while they may be an SUV the S part is relative to size and weight and, really, if you want a 'sporty' holdall then why not buy an estate that will also give better economy.
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