M50d Ownership Experiences

[X5M50D]

Originally Posted by sak83

Just thought i would chime in too, i have a M50D scheduled for Week 9 delivery which is the first week of March. Enough time to avoid the April tax hike. I also deliberated over the colour and have also gone space grey, despite my current car being space grey too. Initially i wanted a change and was thinking of going black but I'm not sure i can maintain it. I do find the lighter colours make the car seem less bulky because you get a contrast between the c pillar and the black wrap around portion of the rear windscreen.

It seems to be a running theme but I didn't test drive one either, my local dealer Berry Chiswick was poor and just about let me have half an hour in a 30D SE with no spec. When I tried to finalise a deal I found i could get better elsewhere so placed an order with Arden Maidstone. They didn't have a M50D available so i couldn't get a drive with them either. I've only driven the 30D car with se suspension running 20" wheels and not experienced a car with the adaptive m suspension. So I have taken a punt with my order and specified adaptive dynamic drive. I've always wanted this option and it will be nice to have it specced on a new car with warranty without worrying about the fancy active roll bars going wrong. I may have been happy with the standard adaptive m suspension but I'll never know.

I placed my order on 1st Nov 2016 so have had plenty of time to deliberate spec, i currently have it as

Space Grey
Black Dakota/Silver Hex Trim
20" 468M wheels
M sport Plus
Cold Weather Package
Climate Comfort Screen
Surround View/Reverse Assist
Driving Assistant Plus
Panoramic Roof
Comfort Seats
Adaptive Dynamic Drive
Adaptive Leds
Enhanced Bluetooth

One thing i just realised a few days ago is that with the revisions to the standard specifications the multi function display is now included in the m sport plus pack where it wasn't before the changes. I was on the fence with this option but couldn't justify paying for it. So now its included I'm quite happy

I will also be looking to retrofit the X6 knee pads, because although I like the silver hex trim on the dash and door cards, I don't like it on the centre console. I find the leather knee pads work really well there and the centre console looks better being all black. I haven't yet checked the price of them yet.

Well it seems all new UK owners of M50d are coming out in force.
Lets hope we all get our deliveries before the 1st April when the VED tax rates increase.

[S114MON]

Originally Posted by MarkG_M50d

I've had my Carbon Black X5 M50d since mid September and am just approaching 9,000 miles!

I've also had the ceramic sealant applied after delivery - the car still cleans up easily and looks stunning.

Check out the thread I put together on the detailing:

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1316242

In terms of mpg, my car sits at 29mpg as an average and I drive it hard a lot of the time - it's difficult not to!!

I love the car, got used to the size within a week and now throw it around like the M135i.

You will not regret it.

I'm up for a meet once you all have your cars.

Detailing thread

[S114MON]

Originally Posted by mpgrant5

I have x5 50d coming to the uk in March build week5 delivery week 11 Pearl silver

Only fair you share your spec too!

[X5M50D]

Originally Posted by S114MON

Thanks Greg - very kind. I think we should arrange an little M50d Rally! Great idea.

Are you going for the full M performance body kit, stripes, grill etc??

I too wanted a delivery date pre April 1st. My build date is mid February. Shockingly unfair change of road fund licence rules from 1st April 2017 without much publicity... funny that! Seems purely about taxing people who are believed to be able to afford it, rather than dealing with the root cause.

I understand from my dealer that the key is for the car to be in the UK (Doncaster distribution) in order for the dealer to be able to register it, and not at your dealership. I'd still prefer to have the comfort of it being "physical" at the dealer to be sure, but a backup position perhaps? I'd be interested if your dealer takes this view too. Hope that helps.

21" alloys 599M
Front carbon splitter
Side skirts markings
Rear Carbon diffuser
Rear Carbon flaps
Roof spoiler
Gloss black kidney grills
Could change the tailpipe trims to chrome as part of the pack but keeping as M50d spec'd in black
Could change the mirror fronts to carbon finish but keeping them as M50d spec'd
NO go fast stripes as this would spoil the look of this premium brand car

Yes lets all meet up in the Spring if everyone in UK up for it - ideas of venue?

Cheers Greg

[S114MON]

Originally Posted by sak83

Just thought i would chime in too, i have a M50D scheduled for Week 9 delivery which is the first week of March. Enough time to avoid the April tax hike. I also deliberated over the colour and have also gone space grey, despite my current car being space grey too. Initially i wanted a change and was thinking of going black but I'm not sure i can maintain it. I do find the lighter colours make the car seem less bulky because you get a contrast between the c pillar and the black wrap around portion of the rear windscreen.

It seems to be a running theme but I didn't test drive one either, my local dealer Berry Chiswick was poor and just about let me have half an hour in a 30D SE with no spec. When I tried to finalise a deal I found i could get better elsewhere so placed an order with Arden Maidstone. They didn't have a M50D available so i couldn't get a drive with them either. I've only driven the 30D car with se suspension running 20" wheels and not experienced a car with the adaptive m suspension. So I have taken a punt with my order and specified adaptive dynamic drive. I've always wanted this option and it will be nice to have it specced on a new car with warranty without worrying about the fancy active roll bars going wrong. I may have been happy with the standard adaptive m suspension but I'll never know.

I placed my order on 1st Nov 2016 so have had plenty of time to deliberate spec, i currently have it as

Space Grey
Black Dakota/Silver Hex Trim
20" 468M wheels
M sport Plus
Cold Weather Package
Climate Comfort Screen
Surround View/Reverse Assist
Driving Assistant Plus
Panoramic Roof
Comfort Seats
Adaptive Dynamic Drive
Adaptive Leds
Enhanced Bluetooth

One thing i just realised a few days ago is that with the revisions to the standard specifications the multi function display is now included in the m sport plus pack where it wasn't before the changes. I was on the fence with this option but couldn't justify paying for it. So now its included I'm quite happy

I will also be looking to retrofit the X6 knee pads, because although I like the silver hex trim on the dash and door cards, I don't like it on the centre console. I find the leather knee pads work really well there and the centre console looks better being all black. I haven't yet checked the price of them yet.

Hi Sak83
Funny how Space Grey is a colour we have again and again... Great spec car!
We need to find a way of ordering the X6 knee pads... I'll let you know if I find a solution through here.
You may have saved me the cost of the previously optional multifunctional instrument panel if that's now a standard spec item. Are there any other standard spec changes you know of?
Cheers

[S114MON]

Originally Posted by X5M50D

21" alloys 599M
Front carbon splitter
Side skirts markings
Rear Carbon diffuser
Rear Carbon flaps
Roof spoiler
Gloss black kidney grills
Could change the tailpipe trims to chrome as part of the pack but keeping as M50d spec'd in black
Could change the mirror fronts to carbon finish but keeping them as M50d spec'd
NO go fast stripes as this would spoil the look of this premium brand car

Yes lets all meet up in the Spring if everyone in UK up for it - ideas of venue?

Cheers Greg

Yeah venue ideas...
Silverstone
Donington
Brands Hatch

Re Performance stripes: have you seen youtube clip (google) BMW X5 M G-POWER - REVS & DRAG RACE! and seen the stripes on that car? Looks a little (only a little!) more subtle

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Originally Posted by GeeRam

Blimey...... I see you have a 9-5 Aero as well

I had one of those before I bought the 135i.

Owned it for over 6 years, was the last of the 4 x Saab's I had owned since the mid 90's.

There's a story behind the Saab...

When my 335d xDrive went back, I was on holiday for 3 weeks in the USA so didn't want to take delivery of the 50d.

I bought the Saab to get us to the airport and give to my dad to house/dog sit. He then blew up the engine!

Since then I've replaced the engine, gearbox, a few other bits and generally spent way too much on it! 162,000 miles it's not worth what I've spent but I love it.

Should actually sell it really.

Originally Posted by S114MON

...I'll look at the Deezer/Napster option. Guessing I just need an online account to migrate into the car?

i bought the Online Entertainment option through the BMW portal, then activated it in the car - once done, it takes over your existing Deezer account (if you have one) so you no longer pay the monthly charge.

[X5M50D]

Originally Posted by S114MON

Hi Sak83
Funny how Space Grey is a colour we have again and again... Great spec car!
We need to find a way of ordering the X6 knee pads... I'll let you know if I find a solution through here.
You may have saved me the cost of the previously optional multifunctional instrument panel if that's now a standard spec item. Are there any other standard spec changes you know of?
Cheers

I've just checked my order details and the multi functional instrument panel is included within the M sport plus pack.
Shame as I was hoping to swap for something else had I paid extra for it. Be interested to see Simon whether your order is the same?
Yes I would be interested if there are any other now standard spec items for the this years production?

[GeeRam]

Originally Posted by sak83

It seems to be a running theme but I didn't test drive one either, my local dealer Berry Chiswick was poor and just about let me have half an hour in a 30D SE with no spec. When I tried to finalise a deal I found i could get better elsewhere so placed an order with Arden Maidstone. They didn't have a M50D available so i couldn't get a drive with them either. I've only driven the 30D car with se suspension running 20" wheels and not experienced a car with the adaptive m suspension. So I have taken a punt with my order and specified adaptive dynamic drive. I've always wanted this option and it will be nice to have it specced on a new car with warranty without worrying about the fancy active roll bars going wrong. I may have been happy with the standard adaptive m suspension but I'll never know.

You must be close to me then, as Berry's are my local dealer (I'm about mid-way between Chiswick and the Heathrow branch) and I also found the sales team at Chiswick to be poor....or rather too full of BS.
Heathrow are a lot better and I got a good deal out of them to be fair, a very good one. But a guy on PH who had just bought a M50d put me in contact with his sales guy at Vines of Gatwick, and they beat the Berry deal by only a couple of hundred quid, but I just got a nicer vibe from the team there....so while not local, they got my business.
I've ordered the Adaptive Pro suspension for my SE, and I managed to find a MSport 40d at a dealer in Oxford, that have the Dynamic suspension fitted so feigned interest in buying to have a test drive.
You'll be impressed, it makes a HUGE difference from just a normal MSport with adaptive

Originally Posted by sak83

One thing i just realised a few days ago is that with the revisions to the standard specifications the multi function display is now included in the m sport plus pack where it wasn't before the changes.

The other thing that has changed in spec from week 1 build, is that the reverse camera in now standard & the base audio is now the BMW Advanced.

[sak83]

Originally Posted by S114MON

Hi Sak83
Funny how Space Grey is a colour we have again and again... Great spec car!
We need to find a way of ordering the X6 knee pads... I'll let you know if I find a solution through here.
You may have saved me the cost of the previously optional multifunctional instrument panel if that's now a standard spec item. Are there any other standard spec changes you know of?
Cheers

Hi the Multifunction Display is not standard, I meant its now included within the m sport plus pack

Previously the m sport plus pack cost £3095 and included the following:
20" 469M wheels (468M's were an extra £300 on top of the m sport plus pack)
Sun Protection
HUD
Harmon Kardon
Speed Limit Display

With the 2017 changes the 20" wheels became standard and you could specify either 469M or the M50D specific 468M at no cost.

The M sport plus pack was reduced to £1995 and now includes:
Sun Protection
HUD
Harmon Kardon
Speed Limit Display
Multifunction Display

Other 2017 changes were on bimmerpost, from memory 20" wheels are standard on the m sport models. There is a black 469M wheel option which costs £300. Reverse camera is now standard. There is contrast stitching on some of the dakota leather options and the rear of the front seats are no longer illuminated.


http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1325614

By the way lovely spec on your car and great choice with space grey I'd be interested to know how much its costs for a light correction and Gtechniq applied as it sounds appealing. The results on Marks car are fabulous.

I will check the cost of the knee pads with Cotswold as they are usually keen on pricing. As a matter of fact I asked them for the cost of the rear blinds and they quoted £124.12 including delivery. A fair bit cheaper than specifying it at a cost of £200 from factory

[X5M50D]

Originally Posted by sak83

Hi the Multifunction Display is not standard, I meant its now included within the m sport plus pack

Previously the m sport plus pack cost £3095 and included the following:
20" 469M wheels (468M's were an extra £300 on top of the m sport plus pack)
Sun Protection
HUD
Harmon Kardon
Speed Limit Display

With the 2017 changes the 20" wheels became standard and you could specify either 469M or the M50D specific 468M at no cost.

The M sport plus pack was reduced to £1995 and now includes:
Sun Protection
HUD
Harmon Kardon
Speed Limit Display
Multifunction Display

Other 2017 changes were on bimmerpost, from memory 20" wheels are standard on the m sport models. There is a black 469M wheel option which costs £300. Reverse camera is now standard. There is contrast stitching on some of the dakota leather options and the rear of the front seats are no longer illuminated.


http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1325614

By the way lovely spec on your car and great choice with space grey I'd be interested to know how much its costs for a light correction and Gtechniq applied as it sounds appealing. The results on Marks car are fabulous.

I will check the cost of the knee pads with Cotswold as they are usually keen on pricing. As a matter of fact I asked them for the cost of the rear blinds and they quoted £124.12 including delivery. A fair bit cheaper than specifying it at a cost of £200 from factory

Thanks for that very informative.
As a matter of interest what are "knee pads"?

[S114MON]

Originally Posted by sak83

Hi the Multifunction Display is not standard, I meant its now included within the m sport plus pack

Previously the m sport plus pack cost £3095 and included the following:
20" 469M wheels (468M's were an extra £300 on top of the m sport plus pack)
Sun Protection
HUD
Harmon Kardon
Speed Limit Display

With the 2017 changes the 20" wheels became standard and you could specify either 469M or the M50D specific 468M at no cost.

The M sport plus pack was reduced to £1995 and now includes:
Sun Protection
HUD
Harmon Kardon
Speed Limit Display
Multifunction Display

Other 2017 changes were on bimmerpost, from memory 20" wheels are standard on the m sport models. There is a black 469M wheel option which costs £300. Reverse camera is now standard. There is contrast stitching on some of the dakota leather options and the rear of the front seats are no longer illuminated.


http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1325614

By the way lovely spec on your car and great choice with space grey I'd be interested to know how much its costs for a light correction and Gtechniq applied as it sounds appealing. The results on Marks car are fabulous.

I will check the cost of the knee pads with Cotswold as they are usually keen on pricing. As a matter of fact I asked them for the cost of the rear blinds and they quoted £124.12 including delivery. A fair bit cheaper than specifying it at a cost of £200 from factory

Thanks Sak83 - very useful indeed.
On my Dec 16 order that I placed, I've been charged extra for 488M alloys, Reversing Camera, and multi functional instrument panel, and the cost of the M Sport package is much higher than the UK configurator, with these new changes. So there's some conversations to be had with the dealership! I guess I may need to offset the cost of removing these spec changes against an increase in the list price from Jan 17, so it may end up being 6 and two 3's.
Gtechniq quotes I've had range from £725 to £1150 so far. But it's the detailers' facilities and approach that seem important too.
Let me know how you get on with the knee pads from Cotswolds BMW. Interested to hear if they'll fit them too, although it's a bit of a trek for me.

[S114MON]

Originally Posted by X5M50D

Thanks for that very informative.
As a matter of interest what are "knee pads"?

If you look on an X6 or even better, an X5M interior, you will see they run down the centre console from arm rest to radio, one either side of the centre console. They finish the console better in my view.
There's not an F15 X5 OEM parts option, but I saw on here that the X6 part fits the F15 X5.
I also heard you may need an X6 vehicle VIN for some parts depts to place an order, but either grab one from a showroom X6 if they really are awkward... or walk away etc. Fitting them might be an issue for me with my skills

[X5M50D]

Originally Posted by MarkG_M50d

I've had my Carbon Black X5 M50d since mid September and am just approaching 9,000 miles!

I've also had the ceramic sealant applied after delivery - the car still cleans up easily and looks stunning.

Check out the thread I put together on the detailing:

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1316242

In terms of mpg, my car sits at 29mpg as an average and I drive it hard a lot of the time - it's difficult not to!!

I love the car, got used to the size within a week and now throw it around like the M135i.

You will not regret it.

I'm up for a meet once you all have your cars.

Nice job on the detailing
I noticed this was done sometime after you took ownership which I will do on an annual basis. What was the cost to do this?
However I want the paintwork and leather protected immediately after taking ownership which I assume is a different process using different materials. Can these guys do this and at what cost.
I'll check out their web site.
Cheers Greg

[sak83]

Originally Posted by GeeRam

You must be close to me then, as Berry's are my local dealer (I'm about mid-way between Chiswick and the Heathrow branch) and I also found the sales team at Chiswick to be poor....or rather too full of BS.
Heathrow are a lot better and I got a good deal out of them to be fair, a very good one. But a guy on PH who had just bought a M50d put me in contact with his sales guy at Vines of Gatwick, and they beat the Berry deal by only a couple of hundred quid, but I just got a nicer vibe from the team there....so while not local, they got my business.
I've ordered the Adaptive Pro suspension for my SE, and I managed to find a MSport 40d at a dealer in Oxford, that have the Dynamic suspension fitted so feigned interest in buying to have a test drive.
You'll be impressed, it makes a HUGE difference from just a normal MSport with adaptive



The other thing that has changed in spec from week 1 build, is that the reverse camera in now standard & the base audio is now the BMW Advanced.

I think we may be quite close indeed

Sounds like our experiences were similar and we have been in touch with similar dealers too. Heathrow were great and had the best deal until the last moment. I was also in contact with Vines but they very helpfull but off the mark. In the end a post on Pistonheads led me to contact Arden Maidstone who happen to be quite close to my office. Not ideal for collection but couldnt argue with the price.

Thanks for the feedback on the suspension, that's the first person from the UK i have had comment on it as its rarely specced.

Originally Posted by S114MON

Thanks Sak83 - very useful indeed.
On my Dec 16 order that I placed, I've been charged extra for 488M alloys, Reversing Camera, and multi functional instrument panel, and the cost of the M Sport package is much higher than the UK configurator, with these new changes. So there's some conversations to be had with the dealership! I guess I may need to offset the cost of removing these spec changes against an increase in the list price from Jan 17, so it may end up being 6 and two 3's.
Gtechniq quotes I've had range from £725 to £1150 so far. But it's the detailers' facilities and approach that seem important too.
Let me know how you get on with the knee pads from Cotswolds BMW. Interested to hear if they'll fit them too, although it's a bit of a trek for me.

I'm really not sure what happens in such situations, I was in a similar position and thought I would benefit from the spec revisions but be committed to the old price. But i added a panoramic roof to my spec in late November and my dealer repriced using 2017 prices. Like for like spec I ended up £436 worse off. So as you say not sure its worth addressing.

Thanks for the info on the Gtechniq pricing, its something I'm seriously considering so will have a look to see what I can find locally

[sak83]

I just got a quote for black Dakota knee bars from
Cotswold @ £331 for the pair. A bit more than I thought

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Originally Posted by sak83

I just got a quote for black Dakota knee bars from
Cotswold @ £331 for the pair. A bit more than I thought

I'd just sent a message asking you to share the pricing...!

Hmm, quite a bit then really, I'll have to think about it - they do look nice though.

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Originally Posted by X5M50D

Nice job on the detailing
I noticed this was done sometime after you took ownership which I will do on an annual basis. What was the cost to do this?
However I want the paintwork and leather protected immediately after taking ownership which I assume is a different process using different materials. Can these guys do this and at what cost.
I'll check out their web site.
Cheers Greg

Thanks....

Speak to, or message Jim - he can give you prices but I seem to recall it was around £600 for interior, exterior, wheels, glass... the lot.

It was planned to be done before I collected the car (at the dealership which is less than 1/4 mile from the detailer!) but the shipping information was so vague we lost the booking slot. Then the car suddenly arrived 2 weeks early. BMW is pretty poor at that.

It's the same process either way, new paint is bl**dy awful on BMWs, all the marks you see in the pictures were there from brand new. In fact the salesman was embarrassed about the prep work!

[X5M50D]

Originally Posted by MarkG_M50d

Thanks....

Speak to, or message Jim - he can give you prices but I seem to recall it was around £600 for interior, exterior, wheels, glass... the lot.

It was planned to be done before I collected the car (at the dealership which is less than 1/4 mile from the detailer!) but the shipping information was so vague we lost the booking slot. Then the car suddenly arrived 2 weeks early. BMW is pretty poor at that.

It's the same process either way, new paint is bl**dy awful on BMWs, all the marks you see in the pictures were there from brand new. In fact the salesman was embarrassed about the prep work!

Sorry mark but who's Jim?
Do you have a web address and contact number of the company who did yours. My office is in Berkshire so not a million miles away from Hampshire.
Cheers

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Originally Posted by X5M50D

Sorry mark but who's Jim?
Do you have a web address and contact number of the company who did yours. My office is in Berkshire so not a million miles away from Hampshire.
Cheers

Sorry... I meant Jim at Definitions Detailing, best to look at their Facebook Page as theirs lots of before/after pictures including my old 335 which they did at 3 years 80k miles - looked new afterwards!

Tell him Mark (with the BMWs!) recommended him...

https://www.facebook.com/Definitions...?hc_ref=SEARCH

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Originally Posted by sak83

It seems to be a running theme but I didn't test drive one either, my local dealer Berry Chiswick was poor and just about let me have half an hour in a 30D SE with no spec. When I tried to finalise a deal I found i could get better elsewhere so placed an order with Arden Maidstone. They didn't have a M50D available so i couldn't get a drive with them either. I've only driven the 30D car with se suspension running 20" wheels ...

You need to find better dealers....

I had an X5 30d MSport for 3 days....
Then another X5 30d MSport for 2 days...
Then an X3 20d for half a day...
Then an X3 30d for a day...
Then an M3 for a day...
Then an M5 for a day...
Then an X5 40d MSport for 4 days...
Then an X6 M50d for a day...

It's fair to say, I was a little indecisive when choosing this car!

Anyway, you have all made the right decision - the X5 M50d is the best of everything, its rapid, refined, fun, relaxing, spacious, well equipped...

You will love your cars, I promise!

[philsbm]

Originally Posted by S114MON

Thanks Sak83 - very useful indeed.
On my Dec 16 order that I placed, I've been charged extra for 488M alloys, Reversing Camera, and multi functional instrument panel, and the cost of the M Sport package is much higher than the UK configurator, with these new changes. So there's some conversations to be had with the dealership! I guess I may need to offset the cost of removing these spec changes against an increase in the list price from Jan 17, so it may end up being 6 and two 3's.
Gtechniq quotes I've had range from £725 to £1150 so far. But it's the detailers' facilities and approach that seem important too.
Let me know how you get on with the knee pads from Cotswolds BMW. Interested to hear if they'll fit them too, although it's a bit of a trek for me.

I had my detailing done by Bradley, near Reading. Concours detailing. he is a master at this and will give you a good quote to do the outside, inside, glass and wheels. Two really important things for you guys still waiting for your car. 1. Ask the dealer to NOT touch the car, even wash it, just remove the plastic protection. If the dealer touches it it just adds swirl marks and adds to the correction time. 2. When you have it detailed its important to get the right kit, pre-wash snow foam, shampoo and drying towels.

https://www.facebook.com/Concoursdetailing1/?fref=ts