Must haves

[aussiem3]

I had dynamic dampers in the F25 X3 and I was the only one used it. You press the sports button and the engine and chassis just changes character. Through the corners it was flat as and certainly enjoyed it. But I drive this car 1% of the time and only on the weekend and couldn't justify just paying for something that's not in use on a regular basis. This car fully optioned with a corporate package and I got a good deal and traded in the X3 for it. Build quality between the X3 and X5 are like chalk and cheese and the those doors are so heavy and when you shut them there is a premium feel to it, and that extends inside the cabin too.

I paid a for a lot of the options in the X3 two years ago and I am now because most of them are offered as standard following the LCI. You just get ripped off. These days buying a car is like buying a computer the moment you drive out of the dealership it's outdated. Which was never the case!

[Barbja]

Originally Posted by Baunton

You don't mention HUD which everyone seems to rave about.
I don't have it but as the saying goes what you don't have you can't miss, right.
.

I guess I didn't say anything about it since its in the drivers assistance package with the backup camera that every sane person should get.

I have HUD and I like it. At night more than day because of polarized sunglasses though. I must depend on it because I know I lift up my glasses to see my speed often. I'm looking forward to the new HUD; its supposed to better than my '12.

[marleysf]

I have HUD and I like it. At night more than day because of polarized sunglasses though. I must depend on it because I know I lift up my glasses to see my speed often. I'm looking forward to the new HUD; its supposed to better than my '12.[/QUOTE]

I have HUD on my F25 X3 and wear polarized sunglasses. I find that just a slight tilt of my head (sideways) allows me to see the display. It sounds annoying but I've gotten used to it. I'll definitely get this feature on my X5.

[MysticBlue]

I just don't wear polarized sunglasses. Too many things they interfere with. Generally don't see much of an advantage to them anyway. I always wear sunglasses in the daytime while driving... I feel naked without them. Just not polarized.

[msat]

MC seats, Headsup Display, driver assistance +, ACC stop&Go are must haves, make an amazing difference on a long roadtrip.

The Ceramic Controls and HK system are also v nice and, in my opinion, well worth the price. I also got the Parking Assistant, its not hugely consistent in how it works but, for the price, its a great toy to have.

Finally, if you don't mind the extra $s and the fuel costs, the 8 cylinder engine really adds to the driving pleasure of the car.

Good luck with the ordering process.

[Kzang]

Originally Posted by opasha

Nicely written, @Barbja . I wish I had DHP on mine. I miss the tight suspension feel of my FX35, and judging by what you and others have said, it really helps get closer to that with the DHP. Ah, the drawbacks of buying your car on the lot, lol.

The last time I purchased a car from a lot was back in 2000... hehe.

Ever since I have found out that one could order a car without any additional costs I jumped on the opportunity to customize my own ride the way I want with the options I needed

[opasha]

Originally Posted by Kzang

The last time I purchased a car from a lot was back in 2000... hehe.

Ever since I have found out that one could order a car without any additional costs I jumped on the opportunity to customize my own ride the way I want with the options I needed

Yeah, it's the impatience of my family, lol. They always buy cars on lots. I plan on keeping and maintaining my X5 for a long time, but my next car will definitely be customized to my liking .

[cy07]

Originally Posted by opasha

Yeah, it's the impatience of my family, lol. They always buy cars on lots. I plan on keeping and maintaining my X5 for a long time, but my next car will definitely be customized to my liking .

This x5 was the first time I custom ordered, and as good as it was, the wait is killing me. Although I know 4 weeks are very short already but still, every day feels like eternity LOL.

I do miss buying and driving home the same day.

[opasha]

Originally Posted by cy07

This x5 was the first time I custom ordered, and as good as it was, the wait is killing me. Although I know 4 weeks are very short already but still, every day feels like eternity LOL.

I do miss buying and driving home the same day.

Well, for what it's worth, I hope it's everything you imagined and more .

[Barbja]

Originally Posted by opasha

Yeah, it's the impatience of my family, lol. They always buy cars on lots.

Right at this moment I completely understand that modus operandi. They're not going to even think about making my car for 3mo and about to burst!

Must have #1: A production date!

[AresM3]

HUD...sure it is nice to have the speed right there, but it really shines with the NAV. So much info right there in front of your face. Also, not to be overlooked is having your media options (song lists, radio station, etc.) right there too. Someone the other day asked me about after market NAV systems - garmin etc, and I said, sell your freaking car and get a BMW with the new HUD & NAV. LOL.

Also, agree with comfort access, not having to take your keys out is so nice. I know it seems like a small thing, but we just really like it so much. Also, we put a keypad door lock on the house. Win, win, wife never takes her keys out of her purse.

[hyde]

1) Comfort Access is a must have if you always find yourself carry stuff, I wish my garage door had comfort access.

2) Soft Close Doors are a must have if you hate to slam the door or if you have kids.

3) Rear Camera and Surround View, sadly both of these are options, and If you want either HUD or Blind Spot Monitoring you will have to pay $3200 for these as part of package. I don't think I could ever get in a car that did not have "top view" like BMW does. Magical. Unsuspecting passengers go "how do you see your car from the top, where is the camera on top" you can tell them there is a camera for every single BMW in a satellite and they follow you but it only works if you have a white or silver BMW.

Now, I have a question, I see Active Steering brought up a couple of times.
I am coming from E70, with a steering wheel that made you grunt and curse whenever it was below 45 degrees out in the morning, it is a workout getting out of tight spaces. Now that F15 has a super light steering wheel, is it really necessary to get Active Steering to help with maneuvers in small spaces? I see AS's major and possibly only benefit is while parking/getting out of parking or very slow speeds.

[Barbja]

Originally Posted by Golden Horn

2) Soft Close Doors are a must have if you hate to slam the door or if you have kids.

You won't find much love for soft close doors on this forum. I'm with you though. I love 'em.

Originally Posted by Golden Horn

3) ... I don't think I could ever get in a car that did not have "top view" like BMW does. Magical. Unsuspecting passengers go "how do you see your car from the top, where is the camera on top" you can tell them there is a camera for every single BMW in a satellite and they follow you but it only works if you have a white or silver BMW.

The first time I used this function in my E70 years ago I was thinking: "Are they finding my car with a satellite or something? How do they DO that?!!" I wised up pretty fast: "Why can't they see the tree I'm parked under?" Suspicious...

[Wing Co]

Triple turbo diesel as single diesel is simply not fast enough in Germany - F16 M5.0d due Jan...!!!!!

[Barbja]

Originally Posted by Wing Co

Triple turbo diesel as single diesel is simply not fast enough in Germany - F16 M5.0d due Jan...!!!!!

If you would be so kind, will you send it to my house after you get it? I wish they would let us have M50d's!

[MattBianco]

Originally Posted by Barbja

If you would be so kind, will you send it to my house after you get it? I wish they would let us have M50d's!

It is crazy that we don't get it. My understanding is that the 7 series diesel has the tri turbo engine.

[Wing Co]

If I lived purely in The Netherlands I would have the 4 cylinder diesel as everyone sticks to the limits and there are no fast areas to drive as people are very law abiding. If I was in my home country (UK) I would have either the 3.0d or 4.0d as you can put your foot down in the UK. However, as I get go Germany every now and then the autobahns are irresistible and power becomes everything and my X5 3.0d has been flat out at 145mph on the clock (about 132mph) actual and I've been overtaken!