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The weather is starting to get cold, so I haven't used the a/c that often lately and will probably have to wait and deal with it in the spring/summer. However, has anyone else had this problem? If so, what did your dealer do to fix it?
However, I do like the way this car drives. It has more than enough pickup, and has a much longer driving range than the Acura SUV. I have been average 20-21 city highway which isn't at all bad. I am also the unfortunate owner of a Range River LWB so this car feels like a jet compared to that.
My wife is interested in the Acura version. How does it handle compared to the X5?
However, I do like the way this car drives. It has more than enough pickup, and has a much longer driving range than the Acura SUV. I have been average 20-21 city highway which isn't at all bad. I am also the unfortunate owner of a Range River LWB so this car feels like a jet compared to that.
My wife is interested in the Acura version. How does it handle compared to the X5?
The car has also stalled a few times, also on a turn at vey low speeds. This has happened twice inthe last 5000 miles.
But I really love this car. My kids are off to college my hauling is limited to grocery bags. Anything larger, I lower the rear seat,
But if I had kids I would probably opt for the Acura with the 3rd seat.
Great forum. Very helpful!
Thanks
-steve
Drew/aling
Townhall Community Leader/Vans Conference
I believe BMW has a tire exchange program, for the Z's - check into it and see if it is available for the X5 also.
I had a colleague, whose father owns a MB dealership in the Bay Area. But interestingly enough, he purchased a BMW 540i 6-SP.
His reasoning, MB's quality and design no longer lives up to their historical standards and reputation may otherwise suggest.
To quantify our qualifications: we are designers, who have practiced and traveled extensively all over the world, and do understand and appreciate the complexity involved with quality fabrication when we see it.
BMW have done an exceptional job in its design developments and quality control in the last 15 years to earn its reputation and in surpassing MB in resale value.
Having said all this, I do wish that BMW (hopefully, you are listening in Munich and/or Spartanburg)(amongst other auto manufacturers) will endeavor to do a much better job in providing the consumer with broader options in upholstery/trim options.
Case and point: does any self-respecting designer really believe that burl (or poplar) wood (light or dark) go with light grey or black leather. Contrary to popular believe, consumers do not always know what is best for them. In these instances, the professional has to take the lead in providing the needed objectivity and judgement for esthetic value.
Try staining the poplar with ebony stain to match the black leather interiors. For the grey interiors, consider metallic trims with perforations, patterns, brushed aluminum in various shades of greys. By the way, the gloss finishes aren't working either.
Personally, I would prefer no wood or high gloss trim at all. This in fact is one of the issues that is keeping my decision to order a new 530i or x5 from being a snap.
True...we were presuming that BMW's performance is superior over the MB to begin with. At least for the sporty crowd, who are interested in the total package.
On Thanksgiving Day, my wife and I were headed from LA to Carmel for 4 days of vacation. As is my usual M.O., I like to rent a vehicle I'm interested in for any road trip (I consider it an extended test drive which will show you SO much more that the usual around-the-block test drive most dealers offer).
Anyway, I had a ML 320 reserved for the voyage, but the rental car company failed to have it for me when I showed up on Wednesday afternoon. After much negotiating, I asked if I could have the Silver X5 I saw outside as a replacementfor the ML at the same rental price. To my amazment, they agreed, and I soon drove off in 4.4 liter bliss.
This vehicle was LOADED. As far as I could tell it had every available option; so many, in fact, that I needed most of Wednesday evening to research the owner's manual.
While on the 101 "freeway" northbound to Carmel on Thursday, I experienced firsthand just how well DSC-X worked. We we travelling about 75 in the left lane, when some young girl in a Camry entered the freeway and proceeded to slide over three lanes; attempting to put her little toy in exactly the same spot of highway occupied by my $60,000 rental with the $5,000 deductible. Needless to say, the horn failed to alert her. The only option was full-on braking and movement onto the shoulder.
There I am...under full braking, half the car on a sloped shoulder covered with gravel and the other half on dry, clean pavement. To my AMAZEMENT, I still had full steering, traction and brake modulation control, and managed to get the X5 back on the road with no further hysterics (and she just drove on in my lane as if nothing happened).
Upon reaching Carmel, I found the nearest BMW dealer and requested information on the X5. During the trip, the Nav system proved to be an INCREDIBLY useful tool, although "the [non-permissible content removed]" (as my wife calls her) got confused as to our location occasionally.
I'm probably going to buy one in spite of my usual predeliction of avoiding first year models. It may not have saved our lives, but it sure prevented an accident, and that would have certainly ruined our vacation!
There is no comparison between a Denali and any of the luxury sport utes. They are not truck platforms. The difference between the ride and how each vehicle drives is like night and day. I don't understand the comparison any more than I do the LX470.
It's all on what you need, though. How could our opinion matter? I have no clue what your needs are...I only know mine. Sorry, but I think I am less than helpful to you. Good luck in your purchase, though...whatever you choose!
If I want to do serious offroading, I am NOT going to want any of the car based vehicles because they are not going to be able to perform very well. They simply are not made for the Rubicon Trail. If all I want is to have some added utility, a little higher seating position, all wheel drive, and comfort in knowing that the vehicle is safe, I am probably going to go with one of the car based vehicles.
It's all a matter of purpose and personal taste. My point was that to ask us which is more suited to a given person is pointless. I have my opinions about vehicles and I know what my needs are. But I certainly can't compare a vehicle like the X5 to the Denali because in my opinion they are completely different classes, serving completely different needs....it's all a matter of PERSONAL taste and preference.
- Handling. The Yukon/Denali handles well enough for a big SUV, but it still has a ponderous truck feel to it. I've been driving big SUVs for years and even owned a previous generation K-Blazer (renamed Tahoe) and I've come to believe that there is not much that can be done to make this type of vehicle handle really well. The X5 doesn't handle as well as a BMW sedan, but it's as good as many cars and better than some.
- Interior. Okay, I'll get flamed for this but I think the current GM truck interiors are awful. They have a squared-off 1980's look and feel that I find inappropriate for a high-end SUV. Even the Escalade suffers from the same interior, they just try to cover it up with bits of wood and some chrome. The X5 has an outstanding interior that looks and feels like a BMW should.
- Styling. The Denali looks pretty good, but I think that GM was way too conservative when they redesigned the big SUVs. At least GMC used a front end that matches the rest of the body, unlike the Escalade which looks like the front was grafted on. The X5 is not perfect, but I haven't seen another SUV on the market that I think comes close to it.
- Economy. Okay, gas is cheap here, even with the price hikes. However, I can reasonably expect to get 17-20MPG in the X5 while I'd bet the Denali would come in at 13-15MPG.
- Performance. GMC claims 8.7 0-60 for the Denali and BMW claims 8.6 0-60 for the X5 3.0i with automatic transmission. Not much difference and only a head-to-head race would indicate which is quicker.
Overall I think that I made the right decision, but if I had kids or the need to haul stuff frequently, the Denali would be better. As many have said, it comes down to what works best for you and any opinions, mine included, should be taken with a grain of salt.
Cheers,
SS