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      09-09-2015, 04:26 PM   #1
Trojanlaw
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X5 35d 12 Month Update

Well after twelve months and about 12,000 miles, I am happy to report, this is the best and most fun car I have ever owned. There is a lot that everyone on the board struggles with ordering, so I thought I might give a quick update of what I have found over time. Please visit my original post from a year ago where I went through each item in detail. This is intended to supplement the 35d Full Report to help folks make decisions.

(1) Racechip Ultimate - This has worked like a dream and has converted my 35d into a monster. I have now been running the setting 03 for the last six months without issue. It is not the same as the 50i, however, it is pretty damn close and now does 0-60 in about 5.4 seconds, is $15k less and I am averaging about 25 mpg (plus diesel is now cheaper than premium). It is a lot more fun to drive than the 35i and the torque and pull is incredible. This should be a no brainer for anyone that purchases the 35d.

(2) Driver Assist - The heads up display in this car is the best in the industry. I just finished car shopping for my wife and we extensively drove the Audi Q7, Volvo XC90, Acura MDX, Infiniti QX60 and 80 and Mercedes GL450. There is not another interface out there that is more user friendly and driver considerate than the system in the X5 - including the new system in the Volvo (which is very cool but not nearly as user friendly as the X5). The heads up display is a main part of that. It is large, clear and easliy displays entertainment, phone information and turn by turn maps. A lot of people keep hoping that the US will get the full digital display for the X5. I for one can state that with the heads up display, I actually am glad to have the display that we have. It provides the most information at all times.

(3) Dynamic Handling Package - After a year of driving, this is even higher as a must have. I have taken my car in twice in the past year and switching to the normal suspension is depressing for me. DHP totally changes how this car handles at all times. It is tighter in all circumstances, yet more comfortable at the same time. It corners without role and truly makes this car feel more like a 5 series sedan than an SUV. It makes it a true joy to drive and blows away all of the competition. And yes I just drove all of the cars above with whatever advanced suspensions systems they had to offer. It really does make that much of a difference. I know that dealers do not normally have any available for a test drive. This is one where you are going to have to trust the posters. Adaptive M suspension is better than stock, but it does not come close to what DHP does to the car. If you are getting this car for the joy of driving, do not skip this. It totally changes the steering feel at all times as well.

(4) Ceramic Controls - This is something a lot of folks don't order but I have appreciated more than I can tell you. They not only look better but feel substantially more upscale and are easier to use. Some complain about finger prints showing up, but they always wipe off easily. Seriously consider them as they also change the look of the dash by removing any cheap looking silver plastic around the knobs. I originally thought this might be a waste of money, but I am so glad that I have them.

(5) Lighting Package - I was on the fence for this but I am so glad I got it. The car looks significantly better and the lighting is much better. Especially since variable lighting can now be coded, these are great.

(6) Driver Assistance Plus - The additional safety features are great, but the surround view camera is the most valuable thing in the package. I have not seen a better surround view system in any other car - not even the new Volvo. If you skip this package, definitely make sure to at least get the surround view.

(7) ACC Stop and Go - I never use Cruise Control so I passed on this. In part, because many of the the safety features for frontal collision are already included in the Driver Assistance Plus package. That said, if you are in traffic regularly, people on this board swear by it. I second guess this one all of the time. My wife's car has it but we never use it. Hers also has lane assist which is incredibly cool and useful, but the X5 does not have. I will definitely get it in my next car.

(8) Third row - If you have kids - get it. You will not be sorry as it also gives you the comfort second row seats. Despite what has been reported otherwise, the second row seats are not flimsy and are far more comfortable than the standard. This is not just about the padding, but because of the recline angles that you will now be able to allow the back passengers to enjoy. Without it, the passengers will be far more upright. The third row itself is more useable than people report. An adult could get in but not for any long period of time comfortably. If you do not get the third row, get the comfort rear seats.

(9) 20" Wheels - Most people do not realize that when you order 20" wheels, it includes a flare over the wheel wells. This makes the X5 much more athletic looking. The staggered wheel configuration also completely changes the look of the X5. This is the easiest and best way to transform the look of the X5 more than anything else.

(10) Black Window Trim - I applied the 3M gloss tape to the trim about a year ago and it still looks perfect. No one can tell that this is not original black trim and it does not show finger prints. Its the best $200 I ever spent.


These are just the items that stand out. After having just checked the competition again, I am even more thrilled with my X5. Good luck to everyone considering one but there is nothing else out there that is more fun to drive with the best seats in the industry.
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      09-09-2015, 05:02 PM   #2
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Where in Nashville are you? I'm off I-24 north of town.

I spend 45 miles on I-24 daily. I couldn't live without the ACC now. Makes the commute so much less stressful.

No DHP for us. Not worth the cost to me, and I find that the stock suspension really hunkers down when you push it. DHP is certainly even better. Glad you like yours. Torque vectoring is a wonderful thing.

I like 20s (I have a set of 469Ms in the garage) but man do I hate the cost and wear rate of those tires.
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      09-09-2015, 08:04 PM   #3
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Glad to hear you're still loving you f15. The 3M gloss back looks great, and I love the mod.

I've thought about adding the racechip ultimate but am slightly concerned about extra wear on the engine. However, the gains you get and lack of tune with mppk for the d may push me over the edge. I didn't think the chip alone would shave nearly a second of your 0-60 time though. That sounds too good to be true.
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      09-10-2015, 05:36 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Terp335 View Post
Glad to hear you're still loving you f15. The 3M gloss back looks great, and I love the mod.

I've thought about adding the racechip ultimate but am slightly concerned about extra wear on the engine. However, the gains you get and lack of tune with mppk for the d may push me over the edge. I didn't think the chip alone would shave nearly a second of your 0-60 time though. That sounds too good to be true.
The improvement the Racechip makes is totally true. It makes more of an improvement on the diesel than on any other model. This is the best money spent I could have imagined. Don't worry about ware as 42Pilot reviewed, in the case of the diesel, it has been down tuned so much there was a lot to play with. This is a very similar engine to the 40d. The increases are totally within spec.
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      09-10-2015, 09:07 AM   #5
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@Trojanlaw , nice review.
Glad that you love the RaceChip Ultimate too.
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      09-10-2015, 09:17 AM   #6
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Good write up

The only problem with third row seats is that (at least in Europe) when you check that box, you can't get the DHP. Here, having 7 seats saves 20% in VAT for company cars, so I had to go for that... Reading all those posts about how wonderful DHP is just make me angry/sad

As for the black trim, i have the OEM Gloss black and it catches some wierd stains all the time. I hear you have to polish it with some special kind of wax or something to clean it.... So the 200$ 3M solution actually seems even more attractive.
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      09-10-2015, 10:54 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by sssmokie View Post
Good write up

The only problem with third row seats is that (at least in Europe) when you check that box, you can't get the DHP.
In the US you can only get DHP and the third row in the non-M series lines.
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      09-10-2015, 02:24 PM   #8
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Trojanlaw did you acquire your race chip locally?

I love the 451 wheels. Probably more than the 469m.
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      09-10-2015, 03:48 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lowlevelhell View Post
Trojanlaw did you acquire your race chip locally?

I love the 451 wheels. Probably more than the 469m.
I ordered it over the phone from race chip USA. It literally takes no more than five minutes to install or take out. I totally agree with you with regard to the 451 wheels by the way.
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      09-10-2015, 03:58 PM   #10
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Thanks for the review, while a lot of it doesn't apply to me here in Canada (most of the stuff you discussed is standard, like the digital screen, DHP and more). I do plan on getting the tune. A friend of mine recommended getting it from Mike @ N54 tuning, I am yet to speak with him about this though.
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      09-10-2015, 05:04 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SlammedR8 View Post
Thanks for the review, while a lot of it doesn't apply to me here in Canada (most of the stuff you discussed is standard, like the digital screen, DHP and more). I do plan on getting the tune. A friend of mine recommended getting it from Mike @ N54 tuning, I am yet to speak with him about this though.
DHP is standard in Canada?
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      09-10-2015, 08:01 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by Trojanlaw View Post
DHP is standard in Canada?
No its not! Its $4500 option hence why many don't have it.
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      09-10-2015, 08:04 PM   #13
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nice looking ride. i really wanted 20's but promised myself no big wheels after dealing with 550i sport rims and tires.
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      09-10-2015, 09:27 PM   #14
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@lowlevelhell SlammedR8 , let me know if you need some tuning chip. I do carry RaceChip Ultimate for the Diesel and BMS / RaceChip for the Gas.
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      09-11-2015, 12:12 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by r33_RGSport View Post
@lowlevelhell SlammedR8 , let me know if you need some tuning chip. I do carry RaceChip Ultimate for the Diesel and BMS / RaceChip for the Gas.
Make a brother a deal?
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      09-11-2015, 12:33 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lowlevelhell View Post
Make a brother a deal?
How about a cousin deal? Cuz I can have more cousins than brothers.
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      09-11-2015, 02:37 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by r33_RGSport View Post
How about a cousin deal? Cuz I can have more cousins than brothers.
How much?

Plug & Play?

Is it detectable by BMW?
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      09-11-2015, 02:39 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bubbahead View Post
No its not! Its $4500 option hence why many don't have it.
My bad...there a few features that are standard in Canadian M Sports, which are still an option in US M Sports.

One of them I know for sure is the digital cluster.
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      09-11-2015, 02:41 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SlammedR8 View Post
How much?

Plug & Play?

Is it detectable by BMW?
PM me which one that you want and which engine type that you have.
As far as detectable, it depends on how deep they are willing to dig around.
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      09-13-2015, 02:46 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by r33_RGSport View Post
PM me which one that you want and which engine type that you have.
As far as detectable, it depends on how deep they are willing to dig around.
Pm sent on the racechip
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      09-13-2015, 02:52 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Burstofspeed
Quote:
Originally Posted by r33_RGSport View Post
PM me which one that you want and which engine type that you have.
As far as detectable, it depends on how deep they are willing to dig around.
Pm sent on the racechip
Pm'ed back.
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      10-26-2015, 03:58 PM   #22
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I'm glad you are loving your 35d as much as i am! The power delivery paired with the zf 8 speed is a magic combo. I do wish for the highway grunt my 50i had but off the line the diesel is a beast! I'm averaging 26mpg mostly city and mostly 5-10 mile drives. Highway i am getting 30-31. Racechip Ultimate on E2.
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