- Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 6 reviews Back to product review
- My rating: 0 stars
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2 out of 3 people found this review helpful
4.5 stars
"Get the Technology Package"
Pros: Performance, technology, style, cargo utility
Cons: Some molding has loose fit, valets don't know how to drive it
Summary: I've had this vehicle a month and love it. I expected a lot with BMW performance and it exceeds my expectations. If you get a chance, get your sales rep to arrange a test drive on a performance track in this car (with a professional driver - available at the larger dealerships). Once you've done that, you'll know that the Lexus and others 'comps' are really not comparable at all.
What I didn't expect was all the utility in the technology package. The DVD navigation system is very good with restaurants, traffic information, and route information all integrated. I've gotten into the habit of setting a Nav destination even on commutes and well-known routes because the BMW system gives me traffic and detour warnings all along my route.
Now that I've gotten skilled with the iDrive, I like it very much. I think a lot of thought was put into how to make it very functional yet have a stylish look (instead of the 50 buttons you'll see in the Infinity). The iDrive has a bit of a learning curve. But if you're reading this review on CNET, you should be able to handle it.
The display screen is not as bright as some other modern navigation screens and might not look as good on the dealer lot. After driving this car for while, however, I'd say the positioning of the display screen at the top of the dash, the sloped angle of the screen, and the deep setting in the dash with a sun shade over it makes the BMW X5 screen very easy to read while driving in any light condition.
The system can can also do a split screen display which lets you watch the map in one window while simultaneously showing your radio, telephone list, etc. in the other window. Why my sales rep didn't demonstrate this great feature amazes me because it is very cool.
I wasn't sure how much I'd use some of the other technology such as rear camera, weather band radio, satellite radio, and bluetooth. But I use all of them frequently and do not intend to own another car without them. Yes, the technology packages put a 4.8l at near $70k, but it's also going to increase your resale value -- especially as these kinds of features become standard and cars without them become 'dinosaurs'. As I said, Lexus and most other SUVs are really not comps to the performance and technology of this vehicle.
I also added a dealer-installed radar detector (Escort 9500 with Laser shifters) and love that. The only technology I'm really not using a lot is the Heads Up Display. It is a good quality display and shows your speed, direction, and next navigation turn. But since I'm not driving turn-by-turn very often, I haven't used it a lot.
- 2 replies to this review
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Who wants to take an hour long self taught course to have stereo presets programmed? Didn't the auto industry master push button technology in the 1960's? But we need i-drive the screw that up? Bad design.
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I'm a member of x5world.com and it has been a great resource for me and the E70. You should join and become a member, seeing how much you like your X5. Lots of great information and people on there.
