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2007 BMW X5

214 messages,  Last post on Aug 04, 2011 at 9:22 AM

You are in the BMW X3 & X5 Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW X5, SUV

Messages Page 19 of 22

#179 of 214 Re: 3.0 X5 2007 Front Seats Too Hard [dianeg] by anon3

Jul 30, 2007 (1:12 pm)

Replying to: dianeg (Jul 03, 2007 9:54 am)
I have been driving a 2007 X5 with active contour seats and the ventilation package since December 2006. The contour seats are extremely comfortable. I specifically ordered these seats because I had them in other BMWs and loved them. Note the following:
 
1. The contour/comfort seats have better NHTSA safety and whiplash ratings than the base BMW seats. The contour seat backs have more adjustments that help a driver to adjust the headrest right up to the back of your head while driving. The seat backs are higher to support your shoulders and they pivot forward/back at the center point, which helps you make the seat conform to your body contours. Higher seat backs that support your shoulders and closer head rest positioning are important safety factors for whiplash and rear collisions according to Consumer Reports, the NHTSA, etc.
 
2. While I love the contour seats, I question the value of the active (massage) and ventilation optional packages. Choosing ventilated seats limits your choice of interior color and leather because it requires a special leather that can be perforated. When I ordered the car, ventilated seats were only available in black or tan. Also consider that when you sit on the seats, your body blocks the ventilation holes and you really get very little air flow. The massage and ventilation functions are nice to have, but I wouldn't recommend them unless you don't care about purchase price.
 
The contour seats, however, are absolutely worth the money in my opinion. A good seat is very important to the driving experience: it affects your communication with the car and the road (especially driving conditions at the rear wheels), driver comfort/fatigue, ability to control the car in turns, etc.

#180 of 214 Re: Run Flat Tires EXPENSIVE [daryll44] by anon3

Jul 30, 2007 (1:32 pm)

Replying to: daryll44 (Jul 10, 2007 6:59 pm)
I used tirerack.com to learn which tires can be used on my X5. I had a 2005 X5 4.8is with 20 inch wheels and OEM low profile, run-flat tires that are useless in the snow. It took less than 10 minutes to find several options for replacement tires and wheels that are compatible with my X5. I bought a set of non-run-flat, all season tires that were pre-mounted on 18 inch wheels and they worked great (even though the vehicle shipped with run-flat performance tires.)
 
The correct sizing of the tires and the performance ratings are more important than whether they are run-flat. Just make sure you have a functioning spare tire if you swap out your run flats.
 
I have heard from several friends that run-flat tires yield a bumpier ride because the side walls are reinforced and stiffer. The ride improved after switching to standard tires. They had BMW and Lexus vehicles.

#181 of 214 Re: iPod USB port [escheng] by anon3

Jul 30, 2007 (1:54 pm)

Replying to: escheng (Jul 06, 2007 4:33 pm)
Hi escheng,
 
If your dealer can't fix the problem with the USB controls, you may be able to use your iPod in auxiliary mode. Check under the arm rest to see if your car has an auxiliary stereo input (3.5mm single stereo input) in addition to the USB connector. If it does, you can buy a cable for $10 (from stores like BestBuy) that connects an iPod to the auxiliary input on a stereo. Select Auxiliary on the car's stereo and connect the iPod using the cable. You will have to operate the iPod using its controls and use an external charger, but it will play through your stereo and will sound just as good as the USB connection.
 
I use this method because 2007 X5s that shipped before April 2007 did not have the USB port to control an iPod through the iDrive or stereo.

#182 of 214 Re: Run Flat Tires EXPENSIVE [kyfdx] by achonko

Jul 31, 2007 (4:50 pm)

Replying to: kyfdx@Edmunds (Jul 11, 2007 8:01 am)
Any runflat that you drive on is ruined..
  
So, if you have a puncture, your only choice is a tow bill or a new tire..
  
Other than gaining the option of driving the car to a different location before changing the tire, I've yet to see the advantage to runflats.
  
regards,
kyfdx
 
I have had my RFT repaired twice. The key is having enough pressure in the tire to avoid the side-wall taking majority of the load. I just changed out my OEM tires after 28K miles.

#183 of 214 Re: Run Flat Tires EXPENSIVE [achonko] by kyfdx@Edmunds HOST

Jul 31, 2007 (7:27 pm)

Replying to: achonko (Jul 31, 2007 4:50 pm)
Well.. Although I didn't write it that way, what I meant was.... If your tire is flat, and you drive on it, it's ruined...
 
Sure, if it holds enough air pressure to get you to the tire shop, then it's just like any other tire.. If the sidewall is okay, then you can repair a puncture.
 
The difference really isn't in the run-flat part... It's in the no spare tire part. If your run-flat tire is flat, you don't have the option of putting the spare on. It's either a tow bill, or a new tire.
 
Actually, assuming that a run-flat tire would ride and handle just like a gets-flat-tire, then I'd love to have them.... as long as I still had a spare. That would be the best of all worlds... a CHOICE!!
 
regards,
kyfdx

#184 of 214 Re: Run Flat Tires EXPENSIVE [kyfdx] by achonko

Aug 01, 2007 (5:34 pm)

Replying to: kyfdx@Edmunds (Jul 31, 2007 7:27 pm)
Actually, that is what I have done.
I bought a spare and left that in my garage. The RFT on both occasions has allowed me to drive back home to change out my tire.
I have also noticed that the solid sidewall helps with the slow depletion of tire pressure as it supports part of the load.

#185 of 214 Re: Run Flat Tires EXPENSIVE [achonko] by kyfdx@Edmunds HOST

Aug 01, 2007 (8:26 pm)

Replying to: achonko (Aug 01, 2007 5:34 pm)
Yeah.. I can't imagine not having a back-up spare, at least at home.. That was a good idea!!

#186 of 214 X5 & bluetooth by kabbalah

Aug 03, 2007 (2:38 pm)

My new X5 4.8 picks up my new cell phone with the bluetooth but it doesn't pick up the telephone numbers in my phonebook so I have to voice dial after fumbling through looking for the numbers. By the way, the cell phone is a brand new LG Trax, which just came out. Any suggestions on how to download the telephone numbers? thanks

#187 of 214 Re: X5 & bluetooth [kabbalah] by kyfdx@Edmunds HOST

Aug 03, 2007 (4:18 pm)

Replying to: kabbalah (Aug 03, 2007 2:38 pm)
If your cell numbers are saved on a SIM card, then bluetooth won't grab them...
 
You have to have the numbers saved to the phone, itself..

#188 of 214 Re: X5 & bluetooth [kyfdx] by kabbalah

Aug 04, 2007 (1:55 pm)

Replying to: kyfdx@Edmunds (Aug 03, 2007 4:18 pm)
I tried that today & it still doesn't work. Any other suggestions?

Messages Page 19 of 22

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