Let me nitpick my new X5M...

[kimi_fan]

OK, and I know this is going to sound stupid, but after 2 days of ownership here are 2 things that bother me about the X5M:

1. The key fob - compared to the 50i MSport the key fob feels like it is all plastic and not as heavy. The only reason I mention this is the weight of the key fob let me know it was in the pocket of a pair of jeans before I threw them in the wash. Maybe this is a "weight" savings opp I was not aware of. Maybe all the new keys are the same now, but I enjoyed the weight and metal/heavy feel of the old key fobs. I distinctly remember handing over the old keys to get the new keys when picking up the X5M and thinking this doesn't feel as good in my hand.

2. The lack of a ceramic controls option - we have a X5 35i in the family as well, and I noticed the controls in that car, as well as our new X5M, don't feel as nice as the ceramic controls we had in the 50i MSport. When ordering the 50i I thought "this may be the option I care the least about", but after driving the 35i and the new X5M I miss the "heavy" feel of the controls. Seems like the ceramic controls should have been included in the X5M as standard.

That being said, and still breaking the car in, as soon as I step on the gas I forget about the key fob and the ceramic controls. The full leather also helps as well

[gizmo958]

in my personal opinion:

the key for the x5m is actually pretty neat , feels quality and generally tidy , although if i were going to nit pick over this i would prefer the new 5 series key and 7 series keys as they are now the new must have key . and im sure you will always know if its in your pocket .

you have to imagine the vehicle has so much power but also weight , so a possible reason ceramic controls do not come with could be part of the weight saving program where they nit pick bits and bobs .

Where i was disappointed my self is when you go for the carbon fibre option on the interior trim , the doors and dash all get the treatment except for the gear shift panel , this is another additional extra from bmw afterwards at an additional cost . this part looks the bollocks , definitely gives the x5m that ascetic edge .

the car is amazing generally , but ill be honest here , american workmanship from the carolina plant isnt that great. i had quite a few factory defects (interior items leather roof lining etc) which bmw had to replace at a wait of around 3/4 months being an individual part . bmw definitely take this seriously at least in uk anyway , and will rectify these sorts of issues , however would be nice for some qc coming out of Carolina , would save us a few months of waiting

also on an extra note , its a shame we dont have the dinan upgrades in the uk .seems dinan offers product and warranty in us , g power offers and warranties on continental Europe but not uk . this would of been good . although for most of you guys this isnt a issue ;-)

[PatrickC23]

Have you thought about adding a key fob case/jacket for it? I had that for my F10 M key and really liked it. Could add some bulk/weight to it for your purposes.

[ajob]

For me the X5 M key is already bulky enough, but I would love to find a thin rigid cover for it that protects the remote rear door opening button while the key is in my pocket.

Already twice the door just opened while I was walking away from my car...

If anyone knows about such a thin key cover please advise, thanks!

[Dirac]

Originally Posted by ajob

For me the X5 M key is already bulky enough, but I would love to find a thin rigid cover for it that protects the remote rear door opening button while the key is in my pocket.

Already twice the door just opened while I was walking away from my car...

If anyone knows about such a thin key cover please advise, thanks!

Your pants are too tight!

[r33_RGSport]

@kimi_fan , you got the keyfob right.
I believe BMW started replacing the full aluminum into full plastic since 2016 production.
I just noticed it when I was working on my customer's 2017 X5M.
But no surprise, BMW tend to do that after the first couple years of the car production.
Like the F10 5 series, the first couple year, it has a full LED taillight, then the later model 2014 and up, they changed it to regular bulb on some of the lights.

[gblansten]

I just carry my keyfob and no keys. I love that it is light.

While I wouldn't mind the ceramic controls (they are cool) all the other luxuries make up for them. My full leather Aragorn interior is awesome.

[secretariat]

Speaking of keys, people be very careful with your key. Example, I drove to my mothers house and before I was able to get there I had to stop to take a leak. Now I always turn my car off when I exit it, and I dropped the key next to the car, started the car up and drove away. A minute or so later I realized it and returned to find the key by the woods where I was. If I hadn't realized that the key was missing I would have turned off the car when I arrived and would have been screwed.

[belarus27]

Originally Posted by secretariat

Speaking of keys, people be very careful with your key. Example, I drove to my mothers house and before I was able to get there I had to stop to take a leak. Now I always turn my car off when I exit it, and I dropped the key next to the car, started the car up and drove away. A minute or so later I realized it and returned to find the key by the woods where I was. If I hadn't realized that the key was missing I would have turned off the car when I arrived and would have been screwed.

lesson learned , gotta be taking leaks with caution lol

[onfireX5]

I'm surprised the car went very far without a key in it.

[kimi_fan]

Originally Posted by onfireX5

I'm surprised the car went very far without a key in it.

I dropped my wife off once in the previous X5 and she took both keys. I drove home 5+ miles...just couldn't start the car again after I turned it off until the keys came back home.

[onfireX5]

Originally Posted by kimi_fan

I dropped my wife off once in the previous X5 and she took both keys. I drove home 5+ miles...just couldn't start the car again after I turned it off until the keys came back home.

WOW. Quick way to steal a car. I'm going to test mine out of curiosity.

[kimi_fan]

Originally Posted by PatrickC23

Have you thought about adding a key fob case/jacket for it? I had that for my F10 M key and really liked it. Could add some bulk/weight to it for your purposes.

Thanks - that's an excellent suggestion. I never thought of that, even though my 91' 325i came with key covers from the factory and I see that key every time I go out to the garage and start her up...

After looking, the ones with the colored stickers/cases may come in handy - I'd swear the keys for the E70 came with stickers that we put on the back to tell the keys apart. I don't remember them for the 50i and definitely didn't come with the XM5. Those may come in handy for me as we have drastically different seat positions in our house. With my wife's seat position I can't even get into the car.

[Louv]

Originally Posted by gizmo958

in my personal opinion:

also on an extra note , its a shame we dont have the dinan upgrades in the uk .seems dinan offers product and warranty in us , g power offers and warranties on continental Europe but not uk . this would of been good . although for most of you guys this isnt a issue ;-)

The Dinan parts can be owner-installed. You know... if you really wanted it. It could be shipped over the pond. Check their site for installation instructions. If that's something you feel like installing... ask.

Of course... no warranty... as you said.

[aas5]

Originally Posted by secretariat

Speaking of keys, people be very careful with your key. Example, I drove to my mothers house and before I was able to get there I had to stop to take a leak. Now I always turn my car off when I exit it, and I dropped the key next to the car, started the car up and drove away. A minute or so later I realized it and returned to find the key by the woods where I was. If I hadn't realized that the key was missing I would have turned off the car when I arrived and would have been screwed.

Doesn't the car immediately tell you that the key is not in close proximity? Mine does. All of the keyless entry systems work the same way - it's the same on the other non-BMW cars I owned or own.

[BMWM5NYC]

Originally Posted by aas5

Doesn't the car immediately tell you that the key is not in close proximity? Mine does. All of the keyless entry systems work the same way - it's the same on the other non-BMW cars I owned or own.

This is true. My M5 tells me the minute I step out of the car that the " Remote Key is not in Range" Also I tested the distance, my car won't start until the key passes the threshold of the door way of the car.

[secretariat]

Reread my post.

[BMWadrenaline]

I like the ceramic too, so I bought one. Doesn't even need to be coded, plug and play.

[kimi_fan]

Originally Posted by BMWadrenaline

I like the ceramic too, so I bought one. Doesn't even need to be coded, plug and play.

Did the 2016 X5M have the Tel button where the Map button is on the 2017's (upper right), or is it just mislabeled because the controller is from the 50i? I assume we can't just swap the ring/knob from plastic to ceramic without replacing the controller itself including the buttons...that would be too easy.

I found this part on realoem, and it appears to be the complete controller, not just the ring/knob: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=65_2485

[BMWadrenaline]

Originally Posted by kimi_fan

Did the 2016 X5M have the Tel button where the Map button is on the 2017's (upper right), or is it just mislabeled because the controller is from the 50i? I assume we can't just swap the ring/knob from plastic to ceramic without replacing the controller itself including the buttons...that would be too easy.

I found this part on realoem, and it appears to be the complete controller, not just the ring/knob: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=65_2485

Yea it can't be replaced separately, just swap out the whole unit, it's easy to do.

[Bimmer-Mac]

I thought the m-sport key was the same as the x5m key?

[BMWadrenaline]

Originally Posted by Bimmer-Mac

I thought the m-sport key was the same as the x5m key?

It is but the newer keys feel like nothing is inside, no more metal in them, just plastic. If you lose your key and had the metal key then they will replace it with the plastic one. Feels really cheap.