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BMW X5 - 2008

51 messages,  Last post on Jan 14, 2009 at 6:19 PM

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What is this discussion about? BMW X5, Automotive News, Future Vehicle, Car Comparisons, Car Buying, SUV

Messages Page 4 of 6

#29 of 51 Re: 2007 BMW X5 Back up Camera [buosaiba] by mzwerin

Dec 02, 2007 (10:27 am)

Replying to: buosaiba (Oct 13, 2007 2:28 pm)
I have a 2007 X5. Can't see anything out the rear with the camera at night. Clearly the camera is pathetic and non IR illuminated. So, this AM I hardwired a pair of 55W low profile fog lights under the rear bumper to illuminate the back-up area for the camera.
 
You didn't mention my most important back-up camera complaint: why would anyone design a backup camera (ostensibly to prevent running over something behind the vehicle) which delays so long and requires acceptance of the navigation system legal disclaimer so that by the time it comes on, it's become useless?

#30 of 51 Re: 2008 X5 4.8i Gas Mileage [bmw_bayarea] by mzwerin

Dec 02, 2007 (10:40 am)

Replying to: bmw_bayarea (Nov 04, 2007 11:34 am)
I have a 2007 X5 4.8i. I live about 20 miles north of San Francisco. Most driving is local with 50/50 freeway and city driving. I have 2000 miles on the car which is a blast to drive.
 
My mileage has improved by 1 mpg to 13 in the city and ~ 20 mpg when driving 90 miles to Sacramento on I-80 wihch is mostly flat to small rolling hills. I NEVER put the vehicle in SPORT mode becuase it tanks the MPG by at least 2-3 mpg.
 
Other Complaints on a $74K vehicle (loaded except for heads-up display and active steering)
Back-up camera is awful. It's a stupid design with no IR illumination at night. All you see is grainy blues and blacks. Then there's the imbecil who dreamed up the legal disclaimer and long start-up delay before the backup camera even activates. BMW apparently has no clue that any safety device such as a camera designed to prevent injury should activate instantly. Someone's going to get killed by that design.
 
3rd row seat access. (Not to mention the absolute lack of human occupant space back there). BMW should visit their local Toyota dealer and check out a Highlander to see how access to the "far back" seats should be done.

#31 of 51 Re: 2008 X5 4.8 Gas Guzzling [shellshock] by anon3

Dec 02, 2007 (1:12 pm)

Replying to: shellshock (Oct 29, 2007 5:47 am)
After a full year of driving a 2007 4.8i in mixed driving conditions, my average fuel economy is 13 mpg. During pure highway driving, I'm lucky to get 17 on a trip, but I have a lead foot.
 
The sobering issue for me is that this vehicle, like others in its class, generates about 11 tons of carbon dioxide per year and requires more than 21 barrels of oil to produce the gasoline needed to drive 15,000 miles ( per www.fueleconomy.gov ). I am trading this X5 for a 2008 535xi wagon, which is over 1,200 lbs lighter, produces less CO2, has 30% better highway mileage, is quicker, and has comparable cargo floor space.
 
Regarding the backup camera, keep in mind that you're not viewing a video. It's a computer enhanced view of the area behind the car. I think BMW's expectation is that you will focus on the computer-generated guide lines that the computer overlays on top of the image to show you where to steer. Using the guide lines, you don't have to worry about low light conditions, theoretically making it more effective at night than a pure video feed.
 
I don't like the rear camera much either, so I turned it off in iDrive. You can operate the vehicle using only the Parking Distance Control, which I find more useful.

#32 of 51 Re: 2007 BMW X5 Back up Camera [mzwerin] by anon3

Dec 02, 2007 (1:44 pm)

Replying to: mzwerin (Dec 02, 2007 10:27 am)
That's a good point and another reason why I just turned the camera off and only use PDC. I gave up on waiting for the iDrive systems to fully boot and the camera to start working before backing up.
 
In 2008, BMW gives you the option to add navigation and parking distance control as separate features. Before, they were bundled with the back up camera in the Technology Package. If I were buying the car again, I would get nav and PDC without the camera.
 
It's funny how the back up camera is categorized as a "Convenience" feature, but is anything but convenient.

#33 of 51 Re: More power in the 3.0? [papsephus] by anon3

Dec 21, 2007 (9:09 pm)

Replying to: papsephus (Oct 13, 2007 3:30 pm)
The X6 has been announced and it has two engines, one being a twin turbo V-8 that produces 400 hp and 450 ft lb of torque. That engine will also appear in 5.0is version of the X5 and in the new 7 series. So there will be a third X5 with more power, but it will NOT be an M vehicle. BMW only assigns the M badge to vehicles that they race in competition. They don't race SUVs.

#34 of 51 2008 BMW X6 has been announced... by anon3

Dec 21, 2007 (10:21 pm)

BMW posted the first official detailed description of the new X6 on their website on December 15, 2007. The current URL is:
 
http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/AllBMWs/FutureVehicles/X6/Default.aspx
 
Note the new twin turbo V-8 that makes 400 hp and 450 ft lb of toque. That engine also will appear in the new 7 series and probably in a 5.0is performance version of the X5. I saw the X6 in South Carolina on a test track back in August and have been watching for the announcement. My dealer says they still don't know exactly when production slots for an X6 will be available, but I put my name on the list now.
 
An X6 discussion group will probably be needed soon.

#35 of 51 hi by bmlexus

Feb 09, 2008 (6:37 pm)

SUV Rankings: Luxury Midsize SUVs top 14. I was shock to see the position of my favo SUV the BMW X5 . and even more to see the no.1 position SUV.
 
link title

#36 of 51 Re: hi [bmlexus] by cablue

Mar 11, 2008 (11:57 am)

Replying to: bmlexus (Feb 09, 2008 6:37 pm)
Those ratings just don't make sense to me. I ruled out the 400h because it's not safe in rear collisions. It gets a "poor" rating from the IIHS. Yet, this review must just take into account front and side testing. The X5 and MDX are the safest of the ones I'm looking at. Interior is so subjective. I found the X5 to be so much more luxurious than the RX or the MDX. The quality is like night and day. Of course, you pay the difference. I'm not saying the X5 beats out the others in every way. It doesn't. But as far as quality and safety, that's how I see it.

#37 of 51 Re: hi [cablue] by bmlexus

Mar 12, 2008 (5:42 pm)

Replying to: cablue (Mar 11, 2008 11:57 am)
I'm not saying the X5 beats out the others in every way. It doesn't. But as far as quality and safety, that's how I see it.
 
Same here but reliability is a big issue to me i just keep think why why lexus doesn't bring a SUV to compete with these SUVs like x5 ml cayenne and i don't consider the RX oe LX to compete with them...

#38 of 51 hi by bmlexus

Mar 14, 2008 (4:07 am)

Since i checked out the new LX and the RX i can definitely say that bmw does have a different kind of car the interior is more luxurious much better and it definitely feels as its a true drivers car.
 
I just hope that bmw gets more reliable in the future and solve whatever the current problems there has been with the x5
 
To sit inside a x5 it feels so much nicer than the lx rx

Messages Page 4 of 6

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