X5 40e plug-in thread

[X5plug-in]

Thought the following might be a useful thread, starting with the briefest summary of news to be updated by all as news / views develop:

Late 2015 launch - planned 14 Nov UK.

Basic price announced - £52k for SE.

Production starts August 2015 (originally was June).

High standard spec proposed - varies by country.

Full details available on BMW Austria website. UK website due shortly.

Maximum electric only range 12 - 19 miles depending on temperature, tyres and other local conditions.

All comment welcome, especially from those ordering or thinking of doing so. Thanks.

[X5plug-in]

A range of reviews have now appeared online, all accessible with a quick Google of "BMW X5 xDrive40e", specifically Autocar, Autoexpress. They like the car, like they like all X5s, but comment on the fact the petrol engine will seamlessly cut in soonish with any serious performance driving styles. They also seem impressed by the Sat nav ability to use both energy sources to best effect.

If anyone spots any other views do post them here. Still no update on when the full options list will appear despite launch being less than 5 months away.

[X5plug-in]

UK Sunday Times Motoring section reviews the 40e today and gives it 4/5, with possibly the strongest recommendation to buy yet published by car reviewers. They, like others, especially commend it for those with shorter daily trips but also point out the obvious (but sometimes overlooked) aspect that for this community instead of a weekly (or monthly) visit to get petrol (gas) or diesel, the 40e needs to be plugged in daily for a 4 hour charge - not an issue unless you forget or don't have a point point close by your car parking spot at home.

[kip1]

In my opinnion, and as a X5 owner, the Audi Q7 etron is a much better package, although uglier and probably more expensive. The 3.0 diesel and bigger battery are just a better combination.

I wanted to buy it, but couldnt wait, still no release date, maybe 2016.

[X5plug-in]

Think that is a solid view in some places Kip and can see why. Audis tho always seems to lag the X5 in general reviews and I'm not an Audi fan. The X5, because of the limits highlighted will be more niche (range / seats / mpg) but is potentially better if you are in that niche. And then there is the Volvo too. Being a BMW fan (which is why I am on here!) I still like the 40E as a package for my situation but am keen to hear all views.

[kip1]

Originally Posted by X5plug-in

Think that is a solid view in some places Kip and can see why. Audis tho always seems to lag the X5 in general reviews and I'm not an Audi fan. The X5, because of the limits highlighted will be more niche (range / seats / mpg) but is potentially better if you are in that niche. And then there is the Volvo too. Being a BMW fan (which is why I am on here!) I still like the 40E as a package for my situation but am keen to hear all views.

The X5 40e is a very nice car, would like to hear what kind of trips etc.you make. I would also like to clarify more. The reason why I like the Q7 more is, you get up to 56km of pure electric range,which covers 95% of my shoppings,work drives, hobbies etc vs 31km in the X5 (Battery 17.3 kw/h vs 9). Then we have a summer/winter cottage, where we drive to on a regular basis. The 3.0 diesel is more econimical on highways than the 2.0 gasoline engine and it has more power+ torque too. Also the total Hp is higher in the Audi,making it also faster (373 hp vs 313hp). So in theory the Audi meets my needs better atleast on paper. That said, I really like how the X5 looks and feels. The Audi design is conservative and a failure. So basically I like the X5 as a car more, but if I go for the hybrid, I think the Audi is a package that is hard to beat...if they ever really make it available...

Just for you to know, in my BMW i8 they promised a 37km range, and it means that typically it is about 25km, max 30 km. So expect max 20km edrive from the X5 40e, if you look at the battery size, the Q7 seems more realisticwith the e-range, but only time will tell.

Then theres always the Tesla Model X, but the gullwing doors in a family SUV...what were they thinking??? Also in the family car I want a gasoline engine backup.

I have to add also that as the Q7 C02 is only 46 vs 77, the taxation in Finland is also much less, making it more advantagious for me. This field moves on rapidly, and am following it daily. The M50d is just lovely, but DD in the i8 has shown me that it possible to combine eco-friendliness and car fun.

[X5plug-in]

Thanks again and all points appreciated. It is good that Q7 offers me a possible back up option, all be it deeper into 2016 than X5e in November 2015. Do you have a good link to Q7etron info - Audis website doesn't offer much yet.

My daily return commute is potentially possible all electric with X5e, so the Audi has more range than I need. For the occasional longer trip I will use the hybrid fuel.

When quoting mpg I think there are still some unknowns for me, tho maybe not you. I read range where battery use is involved is very temp sensitive. For example from another thread I have learned that crucially batteries really need to be precondioned (warmed) at UK winter temps to release power fully, so this seems to mean the car needs to be connected to the mains whilst the driver has breakfast to be properly ready for max range each morning. i3 drivers are reporting up to 25% reduced range otherwise. Not heard impact on i8 range but presume there is an effect. Did you get a Bmw wall box for i8? Seems to make a big difference for i cars however for X5e it only saves minutes per day so seems to be less essential.

[kip1]

Originally Posted by X5plug-in

Thanks again and all points appreciated. It is good that Q7 offers me a possible back up option, all be it deeper into 2016 than X5e in November 2015. Do you have a good link to Q7etron info - Audis website doesn't offer much yet.

My daily return commute is potentially possible all electric with X5e, so the Audi has more range than I need. For the occasional longer trip I will use the hybrid fuel.

When quoting mpg I think there are still some unknowns for me, tho maybe not you. I read range where battery use is involved is very temp sensitive. For example from another thread I have learned that crucially batteries really need to be precondioned (warmed) at UK winter temps to release power fully, so this seems to mean the car needs to be connected to the mains whilst the driver has breakfast to be properly ready for max range each morning. i3 drivers are reporting up to 25% reduced range otherwise. Not heard impact on i8 range but presume there is an effect. Did you get a Bmw wall box for i8? Seems to make a big difference for i cars however for X5e it only saves minutes per day so seems to be less essential.

This is all that has been released:
https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/...i-quattro-1204

I think it is like 4-5h to charge the battery full with normal, the battery of the i8 is only 7.2kwh. Then there was the problem of chargers. It is like mobile phone charging 10 years ago, where each company has their own standards. The i8 can only use 1 phase 16A charging and I bet the X5 40e is the same.The Audi already uses 2 phase,probably 32 A, Tesla 32A 3-phase. I went to a shopping center recently with 4 plugs,none of them fit,just to give you an idea of the current situation.

Some info:
http://ukevse.org.uk/charge-points-c...compatability/

So I am very careful of paying for charging boxes at the moment as everyone has their own standard. Hybrids have relatively small batteries that also can be recharged relatively quickly with the engine, if you should need to leave quickly, the 1 phase 16 A charges my battery in 2h. The real need for fast charging is only in full electric cars like the Tesla. There a 3 phase 32A socket vs 230v makes a huge difference.

[X5plug-in]

Many thanks. You'll find more on the types of battery / charger in this thread if anyone wants more detail: Charging i3 v plug-ins http://bmwi.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1141179

[Baunton]

Might be old news to some........


https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=TLm...&v=zYiEseFtgV0

[X5plug-in]

Finally a small amount of UK technical data is on the official site :


http://m.bmw.co.uk/m/mobi/gb/en/newv...nical-data.cml

where the 40e now appears, noting you still can "build" a car nor see precisely which features are standard / options.

[UKMS]

Thanks to an anonymous donor ...... Anyone interested in the UK spec/prices of the 40e .... I've attached the August 2015 X5 UK Price List for the whole range.

[X5plug-in]

Thanks. Anyone ordering a X5e then? Seems aimed at those doing less than ~25miles a day, which BMW say is a lot of drivers. Beyond that distance does diesel win, even with the new 2017 VED tax bands looming (which go after all cars costing £40k+ new, so most BMWs!)?

[X5plug-in]

Understand firm orders for the X5 plug in are now being taken. Hope a few buyers are on here and share.

[Flying Ace]

When can I test drive one?

[X5plug-in]

Official UK launch is 14 Nov 2015 so possibly 10 days before then if you find a friendly dealer. If you Google the model you will find several online test drives, which seem to have gone well.

[uter]

Originally Posted by X5plug-in

Understand firm orders for the X5 plug in are now being taken. Hope a few buyers are on here and share.

Will UK and USA options be the same? I'm assuming they would not.

Trying to estimate cost in the USA and unsure what content will be included in the $63,xxx base cost.

[X5plug-in]

Here's the UK list (photo attached). Can't comment on US spec I'm afraid but I am sure it is out there already somewhere.

[X5plug-in]

Anyone got one of these on order? If so, what options did your add?

[Chem14]

After seeing what MB is going to offer with their plug in version, what the hell was BMW thinking.

[patrobX5]

lol at that trunk in the GLE, looks like an after thought!

[X5plug-in]

Personally the Merc is not for me. Not a fan of the look or the tax associated with the bigger engine. If you register a X5e in the UK before tax rules change you pay no road tax for the life of the vehicle. That's worth a lot of groats over 3 years compared to a bigger diesel hybrid. The Merc is fine for those who like the shape and do more miles than X5e enables tho.