Observations for the first 500 miles.

[secretariat]

I picked up my MW 2016 X5M with Mugello Red interior on Friday 8/5/16 and put 500 miles on so far. A few observations:

1)-I will not waste everybody's time comparing the X5M to my 2008 4.8i X5, because frankly there is no comparison.

2)-I was told by another member on this forum that the 8-speed transmission will not shift down 2 or 3 gears, like the DCT in the M3, when you are cruising in 8th gear and decide to put your foot down. Well that is nonsense or his transmission is not working properly. I went out for an early Saturday morning cruise ans was really happy to see that this 8 speed transmission is in fact very similar to the DCT. The shifts are much quicker than I could do it myself, and very smooth.

3)-The full leather (Mugello Red) in the X5M is so much better than the full leather I had in the M3. It's softer, feels way better to the touch and just seems way more luxurious.

4)- Seats: I read or saw on you tube a driver comparing these seats to a church pew. I have herniated discs in my lower back, and that statement is complete bulls*&^. These are by far the most comfortable seats I've ever had.

5)-Harmon Kardon sound system. I was so close to ordering the Bang and Olufsen system because I was disappointed with the HK in the M3. Well I'm happy as hell that I didn't do it. The HK system in the X5M is fantastic. With the windows up I found myself turning it down because it was quite loud and crisp. I turned all the dials on the equalizer to the same settings I had in the M3, and it is worlds apart. Very happy.

6)-Handling: I'll have to get back to everyone on this because I only have 500 miles. I do not expect the X5M to handle like the M3, that's a given. But let me get the break-in miles done, and I'll report back. One thing I did notice in the X5M is that the grip I have on the steering wheel is much tighter than I had on the M3.

7)-For those that have the night vision. I noticed that when I turn it on the light comes on and the screen on the I-drive display comes on but goes back to my music. Does the night vision screen come back on when a pedestrian or a deer is spotted/

8)-Coding: It's great to see that you don't have to code the lights for automatic high beams. In the M3 you did, even though BMW sold the LED's with that video that they posted. When I first got the M3 with LED's I was very disappointed that the lights did not match up with the video, something about the DOT not allowing this in the U.S. I will be coding a few things, like seat belt chimes turned off, A/C set to off unless I want to turn it on. Very frustrating that it automatically comes on the next time that you get into the car. Folding mirrors through the key, and windows up and down through the keyfob. I'll also get the European night vision with the straight beam that follows the pedestrian or animal on the road.

Pretty long I know, but thanks for reading. Any comments or suggestions are welcome.

[Alan l.]

Congrats!

I'm about 2 months in with my X5M and it gets better and better every time i drive it. The harder you push it the more it will amaze you. I took it on a back road with nothing but hilly tight curves and the X5M handled it like no SUV should. It really brings a smile back on my face when taking corners with this 5200lb suv!

Alan

[Dan725]

Great write up! I just picked my 2016 F85 up on Saturday so anything you have is great for newbies like me. I am new to BMW altogether, having had several Acura's and Toyota's in the past.
How do you "code" an item, like the auto-on air conditioning? And how does one get the European night vision or European taillights?
Congratulations on your new X5M and going with the red leather. I just couldn't do it, so I went black/black.
Cheers!

[Luca42]

Originally Posted by Dan725

Great write up! I just picked my 2016 F85 up on Saturday so anything you have is great for newbies like me. I am new to BMW altogether, having had several Acura's and Toyota's in the past.
How do you "code" an item, like the auto-on air conditioning? And how does one get the European night vision or European taillights?
Congratulations on your new X5M and going with the red leather. I just couldn't do it, so I went black/black.
Cheers!

To Dan and Secretariat --

Post photos or it didn't happen!

Welcome to the party! Enjoy your new rides!

[Alberta]

Nice feedback !

Great to see some people enjoying their cars , after all that turnover ...

[kanvas]

I swear I'm so close to pulling the trigger on an X5M. Nothing but great reviews about the car.

Thanks for the review OP.

[secretariat]

Dan725, I've had silver exterior and black interior since 2005. 4 different cars all BMW's. I wanted something different very badly. Coming from the 2015 M3 I wanted to feel like I was in something new. The red interior is a bold color not my usual self on that. I'm very conservative and like to keep low profile, but I said F$#* it, and went for it. I'm not disappointed at all. I ordered this beast sight unseen.
I have a guy who codes for me, he did a lot of work on the M3. It's very cheap to code the ///M. When I see him I'll ask if he goes to Maryland or if he knows someone who does. Congratulations on your purchase and remember the 1200 mile break in period.

[gizmo958]

congrats on your x5m guys , buy anychance does any one have the new i drive system?

[dkhm3]

congrats on the car!

I think I was the one on the dct comment. I believe I stated that the DCT skips gears, even 4 gears if you click the paddle fast enough.

i.e. cruising in 7th @ 60 mph, click quickly 4 times, dct skips all gears to 3rd.

The ZF 8 will NOT skip gears, even if you click it fast, it will shift through each gear.

i.e. cruising in 8th @ 60 mph, click quickly 4 times, and the zf will shift to 7,6,5, 4th.

Also, driving both cars now several thousand miles, the zf in S3 mode is rough and harsh at any speed, whereas the dct only snaps gears above 4k rpms and usually wot.

engine on the x5m pulls hard off the line and is damn impressive, but the top end and mid speed acceleration lacks the s55 sharpness. imho.

as far as the handling, the x5m will obviously understeer when reaching the limits, I have found that if you anticipate the understeer, you can bring the car in line quickly, whereas the m3 nose is as sharp as you can point it.

agree with you on the hk system, it is much better than the hk in the m3.

edit- after blasting around today, I did get the zf to skip gears, but only in 3 and 4 gear drop down requests. the tranny will still downshift the 1st gear request and then skip the rest. still, pretty damn impressive for an autobox.

i.e. 8th gear, click 3 times, shifts 8-7-5, skipping 6th gear.

[dkhm3]

Originally Posted by Dan725

Great write up! I just picked my 2016 F85 up on Saturday so anything you have is great for newbies like me. I am new to BMW altogether, having had several Acura's and Toyota's in the past.
How do you "code" an item, like the auto-on air conditioning? And how does one get the European night vision or European taillights?
Congratulations on your new X5M and going with the red leather. I just couldn't do it, so I went black/black.
Cheers!

Coding involves turning on features that are embedded in the car but set to off due to DOT or other US regulations and liabilities.

i.e. turn off all legal warnings, turn off rear camera warning, change blinkers to 5 from 3, close windows using key fob or door handle sensor, etc.

I go to EAS near me to do all the coding, they charge a flat fee for all you can code during a one time session. You can probably find a auto shop that does that in your neighborhood as well.

[secretariat]

dkhm3, you must be in S mode is that correct? Because in D mode when your in say 7th gear cruising, and you put your foot down I'm in 3rd or 4th gear in a snap. Same as DCT. I want to wait til after 1200 mile service to engage S mode. Could really see myself going overboard before break in period is over.

[dkhm3]

Originally Posted by secretariat

dkhm3, you must be in S mode is that correct? Because in D mode when your in say 7th gear cruising, and you put your foot down I'm in 3rd or 4th gear in a snap. Same as DCT. I want to wait til after 1200 mile service to engage S mode. Could really see myself going overboard before break in period is over.

correct, s mode, i like to pretend im still driving a manual.

zf has 5 clutches i believe and it can shift from 8th to 2nd when you wot. pretty damn good auto box.

btw, where are the pics of your car?

[IndyM]

Originally Posted by secretariat

Dan725, I've had silver exterior and black interior since 2005. 4 different cars all BMW's. I wanted something different very badly. Coming from the 2015 M3 I wanted to feel like I was in something new. The red interior is a bold color not my usual self on that. I'm very conservative and like to keep low profile, but I said F$#* it, and went for it. I'm not disappointed at all. I ordered this beast sight unseen.

I had to laugh... this is me to a T. My last 3 BMWs (E46 M3, E90 M3, E70 X5) were all Alpine White with black interior. Mugello Red is bold and I, like you, tend to be on the conservative side... but I also pulled the trigger, sight unseen. Really hoping I like what I see when I pick the car up at the Performance Center next week!

[dkhm3]

Originally Posted by IndyM

I had to laugh... this is me to a T. My last 3 BMWs (E46 M3, E90 M3, E70 X5) were all Alpine White with black interior. Mugello Red is bold and I, like you, tend to be on the conservative side... but I also pulled the trigger, sight unseen. Really hoping I like what I see when I pick the car up at the Performance Center next week!

congrats, you're going to love it. drives like a completely different car than a regular x5.

[secretariat]

INDYM, everybody who has seen the car loves the red interior. As far as Mineral White, some like it some don't. It's going to be hard to keep clean.

[kanvas]

OP, how is the ride when you put transmission in comfort? Is it any jerky? Or is it jerky only when put into sportier settings?

[Roundown]

Originally Posted by kanvas

OP, how is the ride when you put transmission in comfort? Is it any jerky? Or is it jerky only when put into sportier settings?

V smooth in comfort. None of the DCT-jerk.

[hirkaismyname]

secretariat please do the same for SC/NC/FL region as well. I'd like to get some of those codings done, including the folding mirrors. It's a nice touch on the RR Sport, hoping to replicate that effect on the X as well.

Thx.

Originally Posted by secretariat

Dan725, I've had silver exterior and black interior since 2005. 4 different cars all BMW's. I wanted something different very badly. Coming from the 2015 M3 I wanted to feel like I was in something new. The red interior is a bold color not my usual self on that. I'm very conservative and like to keep low profile, but I said F$#* it, and went for it. I'm not disappointed at all. I ordered this beast sight unseen.
I have a guy who codes for me, he did a lot of work on the M3. It's very cheap to code the ///M. When I see him I'll ask if he goes to Maryland or if he knows someone who does. Congratulations on your purchase and remember the 1200 mile break in period.

[Nuckle]

Good write up.

As far as down shifting I must agree with the OP. To get the ZF to skip gears you need to floor it first then hit the downshift paddle. It will immediately or at least seems to me go to the lowest possible gear. There is no need to click the downshift paddle multiple times unless you are wanting to go through each gear.

[Nuckle]

Not sure if this will work but attempting to show what I am talking about.

[dkhm3]

Originally Posted by Nuckle

Good write up.

As far as down shifting I must agree with the OP. To get the ZF to skip gears you need to floor it first then hit the downshift paddle. It will immediately or at least seems to me go to the lowest possible gear. There is no need to click the downshift paddle multiple times unless you are wanting to go through each gear.

it would be better just to have it in auto and just floor it.

not what I am looking for, in terms of driving enjoyment. the dct on the m3 is leagues better in manual mode. simply skips gears all day long in manual. if you can click it, it can skip it.