2014 BMW X5
Post your experience, comments, questions and thoughts right here for the complete makeover of the (3rd gen) 2014 X5, more of an evolution rather than a revolution of changes.
Here are a couple videos of the 2014 X5 XDrive 35i to give you a taste of some of those changes:
In the snow: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMg5o7-T3mk
With some mild to moderate off-road use: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3GlrVW2qww
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Excellent video review of the 2014 X5 by Alex Dykes, including embedded X5 Child Seat Review and BMW iDrive Review: (http:// "
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gm2bwJkQxjU")
2014 BMW X5 Safety Camera Tech Options: pricey, and a work in progress
Back-up Camera: Should be included. For a $60 + K vehicle, BMW should not be gigging BMW buyers ~ $400; it will be mandatory in 4 more yrs (long overdue): (http:// "http://www.autoblog.com/2014/03/31/nhtsa-issues-backup-camera-rules/")
BMW Surround View/Top View Camera System: gives 270 degrees vs 360 degrees available on competition (Infiniti/Nissan, Mercedes, Audi, Acura-currently only in MDX in Canada, Lexus/Toyota-soon to be released), a work in progress, with Infiniti/Nissan Arround View Monitor with Motion Detection currently the best: (http:// "
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zu7eu4-FSoI") and: (http:// "http://www.autotrader.com/research/article/car-tech/219633/trend-watch-nissans-around-view-monitor-video.jsp")
BMW Night Vision Option: Pricey at ~ $2,500 and not ready for prime time. It does not work well in fog, dawn/dusk situations (when animals/deer are more active), and the alarm(s) both visual and auditory should be more pronounced. But, this tech definitely shows promise; check it out: (http:// "
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBZaE1UwABs"), and: (http:// "
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEftk0AzLM8")
If you live in a rural area with wildlife on or near the road at night, and/or with people/kids walking/cycling after dark on or next to the road without proper lights/reflective tape, it may be worth the cost.
I'm in the process of configuring a 2014 X5 xDrive 35i. I'm need assistance in deciding between the options below. It'd be great if anyone could shed some light or share their experience. Is it worth the extra bucks? I understand the experience could vary from person to person, but is their substantial difference in performance or experience? Thanks
Does anyone know if the 2014/2015 and 2016 X5 has built-in keyless ignition safeguards, like a timed auto shut-off, to eliminate the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, if you have an attached garage? And if not, is there a recall in place yet to retro-fit/fix this problem?
Check out the following link: http://abcnews.go.com/US/keyless-ignitions-led-carbon-monoxide-deaths-recalled-suit/story?id=33344253
At the very least, this car tech deficiency can cost the car owner lots of wasted gas and bad MPG #'s, and at the worst it can kill the owner and the entire family!
Some have argued these inexpensive auto shut-off safeguards are unnecessary, and that drivers who forget to turn off their keyless ignition cars in their garage before they exit their vehicle are 'stupid' and shouldn't be driving at all. I disagree. After all we are human, and we all occasionally make mistakes. This occurs with some frequency when people get distracted by their kids or grand kids, etc, or having a senior moment. While it probably happens more than we might think on non-hybrid models, it probably occurs much more on the ultra quiet hybrids! Sometimes people need to be protected from themselves, and I believe requiring BMW and other mfg's installing an inexpensive auto-off switch on keyless ignition cars is one of them, when a stupid mistake or forgetfulness could cost someone and their family's lives from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Heck, one could make the same argument for the necessity of safety features that are showing up on most cars like blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, etc, etc, because if the 'stupid' driving public would only look into their side and rear view mirrors properly and turn their head a little over their right shoulder like they are suppose to before changing lanes in traffic to check their blind spots we shouldn't need those safety features (and other safety nannies) either, right, yet the auto manufactures (including BMW) claim these features make driving safer (and I agree), and are putting them on more and more of their products/cars.
Requiring the auto mfg's to retro-fit/fix this problem/tech deficiency seems to me to be a no-brainer, before more people are injured or die from keyless ignition carbon monoxide related poisoning.
If BMW does not intervene in a timely fashion and right a wrong in their cars, like issue a TSB and/or recall, for those BMW cars already sold that have keyless ignitions, it's not only terrible for the owners who will continue to be injured and killed by carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning due to this issue, it can be very expensive to Acura, like the unintended acceleration suit that cost Toyota at least one billion dollars not so long ago.
Article #1) Oct 5th ABC News Investigation of Keyless Ignitions: http://abcnews.go.com/US/abc-news-investigation-potential-risk-keyless-ignitions/story?id=34161887
Article #2) Courthouse News Service: http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/08/28/class-calls-keyless-autos-dangerous.htm