"Skyracing" with an X5 M...

ajob · 08-29-2015, 05:10 AM

My sport is gliding ("soaring" in the US) and so I need a good car to tow the long trailers used for glider (or sailplane) road transport - long hauls, hundreds of miles between competition sites.

Over many years I used Jeeps, Rovers and even Grand Voyagers -- all good, but no great fun -- until I tried an X5 M, which turned out to also be an exceptional towing car, very stable and roomy.

And when you finished towing, the electrical tow hitch disappears in ten seconds and you find yourself in a "no-regrets" very fast car.

What strikes me is that both the X5 M and modern gliders are leading edge technological marvels, fun to use and to understand, kindred "fast" spirits even if so different.

You already know all about driving an X5 M, so here is a brief view about how it feels racing with a glider (please choose the lower 6 minute video):

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6f...7VIR0lpDcpgiPg

If you want to know more, in the US look at:

http://www.ssa.org/WhereToFly

and elsewhere look for your country here:

http://www.fai.org/members#active_members

Alberta · 08-29-2015, 06:34 AM

Très belle photo !

AwesomeM3 · 08-29-2015, 01:04 PM

Very cool photo!

Nick Daffern · 08-29-2015, 01:05 PM

Fly Safe!

hawkerdriver · 08-31-2015, 01:35 PM

Fantastic, I've flown the 31-Mi several thousand Km. beautiful ship!
And a great car

JNoSol · 09-01-2015, 04:49 PM

Now that is a good use of an X5M. Cool hobby, I'll have to look into it.

Wildcharlie · 10-15-2015, 05:11 AM

Great pic! What tow hitch did you go with? Did you have to cut the bumpers of install the hitch? Any pics of your hitch setup?

ajob · 10-15-2015, 07:43 AM

The tow hitch is factory delivered, option 3AC.

You push a button behind a panel on the right hand side in the trunk and it swings in or out in about 5-7 seconds.

When out and with a trailer connected electrically, it changes the ESP to a different "trailer mode" to prevent trailer jack-knifing.

NickRac · 10-15-2015, 06:28 PM

Bad ass picture!

tastelid · 10-15-2015, 06:39 PM

Is that tow hitch option available in the usa? Or is it standard?

UrbanExtant · 10-15-2015, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tastelid

Is that tow hitch option available in the usa? Or is it standard?

Last time I inquired about it, I was told the US government won't approve it for use here. So sad, since it's a great option.

tastelid · 10-16-2015, 02:05 AM

That is a bummer!

dr.waxman · 10-16-2015, 03:06 AM

I have it here in NZ

Its a great deterent to anyone rear ending you

08-29-2015, 05:10 AM	#1
ajob Lieutenant 456 Rep 493 Posts Drives: X5 M Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Monaco iTrader: (0)	"Skyracing" with an X5 M... My sport is gliding ("soaring" in the US) and so I need a good car to tow the long trailers used for glider (or sailplane) road transport - long hauls, hundreds of miles between competition sites. Over many years I used Jeeps, Rovers and even Grand Voyagers -- all good, but no great fun -- until I tried an X5 M, which turned out to also be an exceptional towing car, very stable and roomy. And when you finished towing, the electrical tow hitch disappears in ten seconds and you find yourself in a "no-regrets" very fast car. What strikes me is that both the X5 M and modern gliders are leading edge technological marvels, fun to use and to understand, kindred "fast" spirits even if so different. You already know all about driving an X5 M, so here is a brief view about how it feels racing with a glider (please choose the lower 6 minute video): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6f...7VIR0lpDcpgiPg If you want to know more, in the US look at: http://www.ssa.org/WhereToFly and elsewhere look for your country here: http://www.fai.org/members#active_members Attached Images Last edited by ajob; 08-29-2015 at 06:04 AM.. Reason: Minor edit
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08-29-2015, 06:34 AM	#2
Alberta Lieutenant Colonel 2035 Rep 1,843 Posts Drives: F90 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: somewhere iTrader: (0)	Très belle photo !
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08-29-2015, 01:04 PM	#3
AwesomeM3 Colonel 1644 Rep 2,775 Posts Drives: F95 X5MC Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW X5 M [10.00] 2020 BMW X5M Compet ... [0.00] 2008 M3 [10.00]	Very cool photo! __________________ 2020 F95 X5///M Competition CarBahn Autoworks Stage 1 \| 2023 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica
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08-29-2015, 01:05 PM	#4
Nick Daffern Private First Class 85 Rep 113 Posts Drives: 2022 X5MC Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (1)	Fly Safe! Last edited by Nick Daffern; 09-01-2015 at 07:01 PM..
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08-31-2015, 01:35 PM	#5
hawkerdriver First Lieutenant 50 Rep 312 Posts Drives: 2016 M3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Marina del Rey iTrader: (1)	Fantastic, I've flown the 31-Mi several thousand Km. beautiful ship! And a great car
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		BMW X5 and X6 Forum (F15/F16) > BMW X5 (F15) and BMW X6 (F16) Forum > BMW X5M (F85) and X6M (F86) Forum
"Skyracing" with an X5 M...

09-01-2015, 04:49 PM	#6
JNoSol Brigadier General 1383 Rep 3,834 Posts Drives: 750 MSPORT & E90M3 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Kansas City iTrader: (0)	Now that is a good use of an X5M. Cool hobby, I'll have to look into it. __________________ Daily: G12 750 MSPORT Weekend Car: E90 M3
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10-15-2015, 05:11 AM	#7
Wildcharlie New Member 9 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 2016 Donington Grey X5M Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	Great pic! What tow hitch did you go with? Did you have to cut the bumpers of install the hitch? Any pics of your hitch setup?
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10-15-2015, 07:43 AM	#8
ajob Lieutenant 456 Rep 493 Posts Drives: X5 M Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Monaco iTrader: (0)	The tow hitch is factory delivered, option 3AC. You push a button behind a panel on the right hand side in the trunk and it swings in or out in about 5-7 seconds. When out and with a trailer connected electrically, it changes the ESP to a different "trailer mode" to prevent trailer jack-knifing. Attached Images
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10-15-2015, 06:28 PM	#9
NickRac Lieutenant 244 Rep 553 Posts Drives: 2018 Join Date: May 2013 Location: Fairfield, CT iTrader: (0)	Bad ass picture! __________________ 2015 F82 M4 :: BSM/Black :: ESS Flash Tune :: 19" HRE FF01 Satin Black :: H&R Sport Spring & 12mm/15mm Spacers :: Eisenmann Sport Exhaust Gloss Black / Down Pipes :: SOLD 2016 F85 X5M :: Donnington Grey/Mugello Red :: SOLD 2016 F85 X5M :: Mineral White/Mugello Red :: Stock...for now
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10-15-2015, 06:39 PM	#10
tastelid Captain 166 Rep 710 Posts Drives: 2016 X5M Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: The Great Northwest, USA iTrader: (0)	Is that tow hitch option available in the usa? Or is it standard?
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10-16-2015, 02:05 AM	#12
tastelid Captain 166 Rep 710 Posts Drives: 2016 X5M Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: The Great Northwest, USA iTrader: (0)	That is a bummer!
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10-16-2015, 03:06 AM	#13
dr.waxman Private First Class 18 Rep 142 Posts Drives: X5M Join Date: May 2015 Location: Auckland NZ iTrader: (0)	I have it here in NZ Its a great deterent to anyone rear ending you
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