Must-have options?

[sgtpeper]

I agree with DHP. My e70 didn't have the adaptive drive and I never knew what I was missing. It was even more apparent when I got back in my e70 recently - I felt super out of control on an onramp whereas in my F15 with DHP I just keep my food on the accelerator.

[Jlnike]

Do you guys think putting super wide x5m 20's on it will help or I need to get new springs and lower it in order to make up the difference

[Kzang]

Originally Posted by Jlnike

Do you guys think putting super wide x5m 20's on it will help or I need to get new springs and lower it in order to make up the difference

Adding custom springs might help, but I'm not totally certain by how much.
If you can wait, I would refuse delivery, tell the CA that you made an error on the order and place a new order. Your CA can sell your current car easily.

[P1]

Originally Posted by Kzang

I'm 100% positive you will be. Test drive one from the lot and see for yourself. Don't let the newness of the car distract you from the actual feel or handling of the suspension.

OK, so I took your advise to heart and went over to the dealership and test drove a used M Sport that did not have any sort of suspension upgrades. It was actually a M Sport that didn't have many upgrades at all. That being said, the biggest difference from my E70 was the steering. The steering wheel is thinner, and it's much "easier" to drive if that makes sense. The way it drove was fine, I took it through a few twists and turns. I can tell it's not as well planted as my E70, but I'm not exactly a sporty driver in the first place. More of a cruiser.

[Jlnike]

it looks like it was a 3.5 but they front grill? wondering if 5.0 is the same?

[Kzang]

If you're not a spirited driver and just "cruise" then I wouldn't even waste the money on a DHP ( $4,500 ) and at the very minimal get the Adaptive M suspension ( $900 ) for better and more compliant stable ride. If you don't care for that and you were perfectly happy with the standard suspension that you just tested, then keep it stock.

not sure what to advise you. If you drive a standard suspension X5 back to back with a upgraded suspension X5, you will know the difference.

[Kzang]

Originally Posted by Jlnike

it looks like it was a 3.5 but they front grill? wondering if 5.0 is the same?

50i/35i does not make any difference in regards to suspension.

[P1]

Originally Posted by Kzang

If you're not a spirited driver and just "cruise" then I wouldn't even waste the money on a DHP ( $4,500 ) and at the very minimal get the Adaptive M suspension ( $900 ) for better and more compliant stable ride. If you don't care for that and you were perfectly happy with the standard suspension that you just tested, then keep it stock.

not sure what to advise you. If you drive a standard suspension X5 back to back with a upgraded suspension X5, you will know the difference.

True. If they would have had one with and one without suspension upgrades, it would be much easier to differentiate the two and make an informed decision that way.

[P1]

Another thing I noticed was excessive glare off the GPS screen. Is that normal? I'm in Texas, so plenty of blues skies and sunshine, and it was tough to see what was on the screen. Don't have that issue with the E70 since the screen sits in a cubby.

[Kzang]

I do not have any issues with glares. One thing to consider is that mine is tinted on the front side windows and the X5 you were driving was most likely not. Not sure if the sun glare was coming from the side windows or from the front windshield.

[P1]

Originally Posted by Kzang

I do not have any issues with glares. One thing to consider is that mine is tinted on the front side windows and the X5 you were driving was most likely not. Not sure if the sun glare was coming from the side windows or from the front windshield.

The X5 actually had some of the darkest tint I've ever seen before. It could be an excessive amount of Armor All sprayed all over the dashboard and on the screen itself come to think of it.

[Jdavuga]

Originally Posted by Kzang

If you're not a spirited driver and just "cruise" then I wouldn't even waste the money on a DHP ( $4,500 ) and at the very minimal get the Adaptive M suspension ( $900 ) for better and more compliant stable ride. If you don't care for that and you were perfectly happy with the standard suspension that you just tested, then keep it stock.

not sure what to advise you. If you drive a standard suspension X5 back to back with a upgraded suspension X5, you will know the difference.

Maybe I'm not a spirited driver.
My e70 had the M suspension and my f15 has standard. I feel like sport mode on the f15 is equivalent to the e70 and comfort mode is easy and light.
Granted, I didn't test drive one with any upgraded suspension

[Stinkyxy]

I'll throw it out there -X5M. A number of people have switched over after a period of time. I'm still contemplating it but don't think I can sneak it passed the wife.

[P1]

Originally Posted by Stinkyxy

I'll throw it out there -X5M. A number of people have switched over after a period of time. I'm still contemplating it but don't think I can sneak it passed the wife.

Fair enough. But what does a one year old X5M cost? Probably quite a bit more than an X5 35i M Sport...

[twelve535i]

1. Any type of "sporty" suspension upgrade. If you're going with M sport, M adaptive suspension does wonders for the car. There is a huge difference in Sport mode and comfort mode.
If you're not going with M sport, use the extra money to go for DHP.

2. Leather. It's a car with a $55k base price......faux leather shouldn't be an option

3. Spare tire. Cheapest option available. Never know when you'll need it

4. Rear manual sunshade if you want privacy or have kids

5. Harmon Kardon. Not the best system there is but should be what you'd expect in a premium car.

6. Back up camera. No need to explain that one.

----------------------------

[alphaod]

I agree with twelve535i.

Definitely need leather seats, spare tire, HK speakers, and backup camera.

Everything else is optional.

[originalgoods13]

I think it all comes down on "How often are you going to use these amenities?" question.

In most cases, my family is with me and rarely push the X5 to its limits.

I would rather spend the extra $$$ for the DHP, M-Sport, 21"s, on a second hand sports car like an S2000 or Miata.

[iconoclast]

DHP and M-Sport are felt driving leisurely and at speed. It is not solely a sporting option or something felt at speed or on spirited jaunts. The difference in handling is noticeable and the comfort of passengers is greatly improved over the plain jane steel suspension which tends to make some passengers car sick from being jostled around the cabin as if cruising through the Serengeti. While I agree the larger engine may be overkill for most and you can use the money saved over the 50i or X5M to purchase a weekend toy I would not skip the suspension upgrades. YMMV.

[P1]

Originally Posted by iconoclast

DHP and M-Sport are felt driving leisurely and at speed. It is not solely a sporting option or something felt at speed or on spirited jaunts. The difference in handling is noticeable and the comfort of passengers is greatly improved over the plain jane steel suspension which tends to make some passengers car sick from being jostled around the cabin as if cruising through the Serengeti. While I agree the larger engine may be overkill for most and you can use the money saved over the 50i or X5M to purchase a weekend toy I would not skip the suspension upgrades. YMMV.

Do the suspension upgrades go into effect only when the car is switches into Sport or Sport+ mode?

[originalgoods13]

Originally Posted by P1et

Do the suspension upgrades go into effect only when the car is switches into Sport or Sport+ mode?

This one is a good article about the adaptive suspension
http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=942225

[Who's on first]

For a less expensive option, we checked the box for leather dash.

So very happy we did.

[Who's on first]

Originally Posted by P1et

Thanks everyone. I'm looking at an X5 that is optioned nicely when it comes to creature comforts, but is lacking anything related to suspension upgrades. I have Adaptive Drive on my current X5, so wondering if I'm really going to be let down not having this going forward.

We just received our X5 M-Sport. Standard suspension. We like it so far on the Mid-Atlantic roads.

I could not see spending the money on any suspension, we want comfort. I feel it has that.

But, we also have an M4 Comp Package... So that handles our spirited drives well enough.