2018 Bmw X5 M Azurite Black Metallic, Aragon Brown Fml

[jiggz]

^ gonna be a long weekend/early part of next week for you!

Looking forward to some pics, love the combo.

[Montesquieu1748]

Finally. Received an update this evening after dark. It is getting dark early now in Germany. My 2018 X5 M finally was transported from Bremerhaven and has arrived at my dealership. Should find out more on Monday if all the inspection, cleaning, prep, tire and wheels swap (from summer tires to winter tire package), combined with all the dealership and German Zoll customs paperwork can all be scheduled smoothly and quickly enough for me to take delivery next week. The X5 M is in an external secure holding area, so the sales agent is hoping to get me a couple of pre delivery snapshots by Monday. Will share photos as soon as able.

[Maverik259]

how much longer do you have in Stuttgart? you lease it just for the time you're there or you planning to bring it back to the states?

[Montesquieu1748]

I bought the X5 M. No lease. It is US Spec. I will move back to the US next year. Based on my occupation, I do not know exactly where I will move yet. I am definitely bringing it back to the US when I return. Should be at approximately one year when it gets to the US, since I registered the car as soon as I received the VIN, based on when I will fly back to the US, and all the time it will take to get it trucked to the port, shipped, and through customs, and final delivery and US registration.

[Montesquieu1748]

Dealership contacted me yesterday, saying they have a delivery slot for me on Thursday. Hoping everything is prepared and ready to go on my X5 M by then.

Hoping to get some photos tomorrow morning. Will share when I do.

[Montesquieu1748]

A couple of pictures from the sales agent. The weather here in winter takes away from the photos, and the angles are limited, but at least I have a couple of snapshots.

[onfireX5]

It’s coming home !

[Montesquieu1748]

Finally. I ordered in June! It was built on 12 September since I wanted to wait on the 2018. It took 52 days to get from the assembly line to my dealership. By the time I pick it up on Thursday, it will have been at my dealership for 6 days, although 2 days were A weekend. Quite a long process to go through to impatiently wait for a new X5 M.

Will try and take some better exterior pictures on Thursday (high of 40 degrees F, and cloudy), and I will definitely post some interior pictures of the Aragon Brown with Black leather accents.

You can see the 21” 612 m style wheels in these snapshots above, but tomorrow they are replacing them with the winter tire and wheel package so I will get some photos with the 20” orbit grey 611 m style wheels.

[botis1028]

How soon are you IND’ing it? Looks awesome.

[Montesquieu1748]

Great in depth video for X6 M, but. I am posting it because it has great video of the Aragon Brown and Carbon Fiber trim that I selected on my 2018 Azurite Black metallic X5 M.

[Montesquieu1748]

Originally Posted by botis1028

How soon are you IND’ing it? Looks awesome.

I am trying to figure out what I really want to do...partly because I am in Germany, and will only be here for another 6-7 months. I am hoping to move back to San Diego next summer, but I do not know where I will live back in the US yet. Thinking about waiting to give someone in the US some good business, like all the great referral business Ben @ RG Sport gets. Might wait until I am in the US.

The other reason is my vehicle color and options I chose do not necessarily lend themselves to a lot of the blackout accessories most folks on this forum go for. I am thinking more likely that I would add more carbon fiber inside and out. I really need to see my vehicle in person when I pick it up on Thursday morning.

I went for the Individual Azurite Metallic Black. Partly because I have had three vehicles in a row that are all black. All of the last three brand new vehicles I have purchased prior to the X5 M have had all black interiors too. I feel the Azurite goes well with all the Satin Aluminum on the grilles, the roundels, side vents, roof rails, exhaust tips, and even the X5 M logo in the rear. The Blue in Azurite and silver go well together in my opinion. Azurite Blue and black do not contrast as much as my eye would like. Same for my interior. Aragon Brown with the Carbon Fiber Trim. Lots of contrast with the interior Aluminum and the contrast between the brown and black leather.

In the sun, the Azurite is amazing. I purposely ordered Satin Aluminum Trim, and Satin Aluminum roof rails. My taste is different than a lot of folks that go for the full black out on the grilles, roundel surround trim, side vents, and so on...I felt that the brilliant blue just really pops with the silver components.

All that said, here are things I am currently considering from multiple different companies. I have been looking at a lot of parts, and trying to compare pricing and quality from company to company. I know iND have a great reputation. I also see companies like Auto Tecknic, and RW Carbon that seem to have better prices on the same products.

Seeing these components only in internet photos makes me hesitate, and I would prefer to shop and buy in person to some degree. Specifically for one of the first components I am considering. Carbon fiber OEM mirror cap replacements. I have a hard time telling a difference in the quality based on the price being so different in many cases. I am willing to pay more for a better product, but I will not pay more for the same exact product.

Carbon fiber mirror caps ($450.00 RW Carbon, $450.00 Auto Tecknic, $450.00 RG Sport, $840.00 BMW, $899.00 iND)

Carbon fiber center console panel ($250.00 Auto Tecknic, $250.00 RG Sport, $336.00 BMWPartsPros.com, $385.00 GetBMWParts.com, $422.00 iND, $432.00 ShopBMWUSA.com)

Carbon fiber shifter ($150.00 Auto Tecknic, $192.00 BMWPartsPros.com, $205.00 GetBMWParts.com, $223.00 iND, 243.00 BMW)

Carbon fiber steering wheel trim ($200.00 iND)

Carbon Fiber Shift Paddles ($230.00 Auto Tecknic, $425.00 iND)

Carbon Fiber front lip ($930.00 RW Carbon) or
3D Carbon Fiber front lip ($950.00 RW Carbon)

Carbon Fiber rear diffuser ($750.00 RW Carbon) or
3D Carbon Fiber rear diffuser ($1,200.00 RW Carbon)

Carbon Fiber Upper Front Bumper Air Curtain/ Splitter Insert ($300.00 RW Carbon, $450.00 iND)

Carbon fiber front grilles ($555.00 iND)
Carbon fiber side vents ($495.00 iND)

Painted Front Reflector Set ($110.00 iND) -Cannot find Azurite
Painted Rear Reflector Set ($95.00 iND) -Cannot find Azurite

Performance Exhaust System ($6,600.00 Akrapovič @ iND, $??? Frequency Intelligent, $2059.00 Dinan, or $4,995.00 Eisenmann @ iND)

Stainless Steel Pedal Covers ($130.00 GetBMWParts.com, $162.00 BMW, $184.00 Dinan - omit if buying Dinan S1 Package below)

Dinan Performance Tuner Stage 2 ($3,346.00 Dinan)
Dinan Carbon Fiber Air Intake ($1,199.00 Dinan)

*Alternatively Combined: Dinan P1 Power Package $5,944.00 includes Stage 2, CF Intake, and Dinan Exhaust, savings of 10% or $6,604.00 - $5,944.00 = $660.00 savings. $5,944.00

**Alternatively Dinan S1 Signature Package: $6,558.00 includes Stage 2, CF Intake, Dinan Exhaust, Performance springs kit, ride quality kit, Auto transmission pedals, deck lid badge, and under hood plaque for $614.00 more than P1 Package. $7,286.00 total separate price. Savings of $728.00. $6,558.00


So in summary, I am thinking about doing a lot. I just do not know when I will begin based on considering Dinan packages, I think I need to be back in the US, and there are a lot of products I kind of want to see in person.


Anyone have any feedback on how they chose between the front lip and the 3D front lip, and similarly the rear diffuser, and the 3D style rear diffuser?

Lastly, I am really trying to determine which carbon fiber mirror caps to go with? Prices of different companies go from $450-$900 per set (left/right).

[Montesquieu1748]

Picked up the 2018 Azurite Black Metallic X5 M with Aragon Brown Full Merino Leather and Carbon Fiber Trim today. I have been talking about it, but finally here are some pictures since I took delivery today at 1030 am Central European Time.

[onfireX5]

Absolutely stunning color ! Congrats !

[bruza]

Looks good, congrats.

Jealous that you get to drive her on the Autobahn out there. I took delivery on my last two ///M Cars via ED. What an experience.

[Montesquieu1748]

Thanks bro. Waiting for the sun to come out, to really see what the Azurite looks like. In gray overcast skies, it looks black. Direct intense light brings out the blue. I will take some pictures in the sun when possible, and post them ASAP. Winter doesn't bring much sun though.

[Montesquieu1748]

Yeah. The autobahn is great when there is an open lane. I have been able to get other cars up to 155 mph. Some of the fastest cars you see are family wagons. I literally saw a Ferrari F12 Berlinetta crashed on the Autobahn yesterday. I guarantee it was because the Autobahn is almost always 2 lanes. The driving lane, and the passing lane. The rule is to stay to the right unless passing. Typically you get up to 130 mph, and some car doing 80 miles per hour gets in the fast lane to pass a car doing 79 mph. What a shame. I think an F12 is over $300k.

The real negative though is how much freight is shipped by truck in and through Germany. Also Stuttgart traffic is nearly the worst traffic on earth. The autobahn is flooded with trucks, where in the US, there is a lot more freight / materials moving cross country via train. Here the trains are more for people, where the US is more for material goods and resources.

The frequency of construction, or major autobahn intersections really slows you down too. There is a good strip south out of Stuttgart, heading to Switzerland that is where you can get the most speed near me.

For those that think that the autobahn is easy to drive fast on, there is a good article I recently read that did a great job describing the problems. I can probably find it and post a link if anyone wants it. In two and a half years of driving on the autobahns there a positives and negatives. It is awesome to do 120 for an hour when you are trying to get to another country, but it is rare. So much I like better on the roads here, but there is almost as much that is better in the US. A lot of trade offs.

[1230vani]

Originally Posted by Montesquieu1748

Yeah. The autobahn is great when there is an open lane. I have been able to get other cars up to 155 mph. Some of the fastest cars you see are family wagons. I literally saw a Ferrari F12 Berlinetta crashed on the Autobahn yesterday. I guarantee it was because the Autobahn is almost always 2 lanes. The driving lane, and the passing lane. The rule is to stay to the right unless passing. Typically you get up to 130 mph, and some car doing 80 miles per hour gets in the fast lane to pass a car doing 79 mph. What a shame. I think an F12 is over $300k.

The real negative though is how much freight is shipped by truck in and through Germany. Also Stuttgart traffic is nearly the worst traffic on earth. The autobahn is flooded with trucks, where in the US, there is a lot more freight / materials moving cross country via train. Here the trains are more for people, where the US is more for material goods and resources.

The frequency of construction, or major autobahn intersections really slows you down too. There is a good strip south out of Stuttgart, heading to Switzerland that is where you can get the most speed near me.

For those that think that the autobahn is easy to drive fast on, there is a good article I recently read that did a great job describing the problems. I can probably find it and post a link if anyone wants it. In two and a half years of driving on the autobahns there a positives and negatives. It is awesome to do 120 for an hour when you are trying to get to another country, but it is rare. So much I like better on the roads here, but there is almost as much that is better in the US. A lot of trade offs.

Can u pretty please post photos of surround view (top) and b&o menus from idrive. Would like to know if smthg changed vs idrive 5. And of course congrats, car looks abs great! Also good story on f12.

[bruza]

I thought the local thoughts on the Autobahn was cool as well. Both of my Germany trips, I was doing long haul trips (not much local driving) so I was able to take advantage of open stretches of highway and did I EVER.

I thought the drivers over there were MUCH better than in the US. From what I saw, drivers respected the left lane. There wasn't much weaving in and out of traffic. The roads were in much better shape too.

[Montesquieu1748]

Luckily your experience was positive. I definitely agree that most people respect the left lane, and the lanes are wider, and the roads are carpet smooth in some cases.

It really depends on where you are with the weaving in and out. Most of the problems I noticed are near massive autobahn intersections, and on the East West running Autobahn roads. A lot of Eastern and Southern Europe trucks are driving across Germany because the roads are better and the speeds are higher when driving across Europe. Zoom in on Apple Maps or Google Earth, and you will see there are a LOT more roads in Germany than similarly sized countries like Spain and France. Being a crossroads of Europe, and near Stuttgart makes for some really bad traffic. In over two years, I do not know a time that I have driven to work and the effects of construction did not slow me down on the autobahn. I live 13 miles from work. It has taken me up to one hour and forty five minutes to go that distance. In a day I have spent nearly 3 hours getting to and from work on the autobahn.

Here is that article I mentioned.

https://jalopnik.com/germanys-autoba...ted-1816209905

[Montesquieu1748]

Originally Posted by 1230vani

Can u pretty please post photos of surround view (top) and b&o menus from idrive. Would like to know if smthg changed vs idrive 5. And of course congrats, car looks abs great! Also good story on f12.

Originally Posted by 1230vani

Can u pretty please post photos of surround view (top) and b&o menus from idrive. Would like to know if smthg changed vs idrive 5. And of course congrats, car looks abs great! Also good story on f12.

Will do. It is nearly 10 pm here, but I will definitely take some photos tomorrow when there is some daylight.

[1230vani]

Originally Posted by Montesquieu1748

Will do. It is nearly 10 pm here, but I will definitely take some photos tomorrow when there is some daylight.

That would be awesome!!! Thanks a lot!!

[bruza]

Which reminds me I still haven't posted pics of my X5///M picked up last month (no thread jack intended OP).