My X5 M50d has arrived at Pre-delivery

[watrob]

My new X5 M50d has arrived and is going thru pre-delivery, just found out that the audio system in it has been connected to the engine management system and the exhaust note plays out thru the speakers, the same as the new M5 (V8) does?

I am also awaiting the arrival of the ceramic based brake pads which will be installed and I have also had 5mm offset caster bushes made. The front brakes now have 2 pot calipers but single still remain on the rear, I am having them painted yellow as well.

The front brakes on the M50d are off the X6 V8 Hybrid, the rotors are 384mm in diameter, so it should stop quite well.

Delivery will be in about 2 weeks.

[paul051]

I picked mine up on Friday (1 day before official launch)
, it is a beast! Replaces a 2011 Overfinch RR sport!

You will not be disappointed.

One of the jobs to do is have the calipers painted M blue and tint the privacy glass darker as you can still see through it.

[watrob]

Originally Posted by paul051

I picked mine up on Friday (1 day before official launch)
, it is a beast! Replaces a 2011 Overfinch RR sport!

You will not be disappointed.

One of the jobs to do is have the calipers painted M blue and tint the privacy glass darker as you can still see through it.

Thats why I did not get the privacy glass as you still have to tint, especially here in Queensland.

Mine arrives today at the dealer, so the calipers are coming off straight up for painting and the installation of the castor bushes, my ceramic pads are in freight so they should arrive by the end of the week.

Also got some H8 7500k bulbs for the inner lights as they act as fog lights so the colour matched the Xenon lights.

Attached a photo of the bushes.

[watrob]

Here are a couple photos of my front & rear calipers, sorry for the quality but I used my iPhone.

[watrob]

This what the front caliper looked like before .

[Dinan-M]

The color to me look like they have a lime tint to them and not Yellow? Is this the phone picture quality?

Also, where you get the M sticker from.

Look 100% better than stock. Good job.

[watrob]

Originally Posted by Dinan-M

The color to me look like they have a lime tint to them and not Yellow? Is this the phone picture quality?

Also, where you get the M sticker from.

Look 100% better than stock. Good job.

Its Fluro Yellow with a bit of lime tint in it, it will fade a little also and come back to a more yellow colour, it same as the shirts roadworkers have to you can see them.

[mmmmQuattro]

Hate to tell you but....
Still lipstick on a pig. ;(

We need to all sign a petition to get BMW to make brakes that look like they should be shown off.
I mean a 20 year old WRX has better looking brakes.

[watrob]

Originally Posted by jp330Cic.au

Hate to tell you but....
Still lipstick on a pig. ;(

We need to all sign a petition to get BMW to make brakes that look like they should be shown off.
I mean a 20 year old WRX has better looking brakes.

BMW have always been slow off the mark when it comes to option performance parts, they have only just started doing these parts for the 1 & 3 series. I don't thing you will see anything for the current X5 series due to its end of life coming in around 18-20 months, probably sooner for Europe.

There might be some stuff for the new model, only time will tell.

[ND40oz]

You have any pics of the 435Ms? I'd like to see how the new wheels look.

[watrob]

Originally Posted by ND40oz

You have any pics of the 435Ms? I'd like to see how the new wheels look.

The photo is just after the calipers were refitted, they test drove the X5 and its pouring down rain.

[GKyri]

I have seen these Tarox calipers in the flesh and they look amazing. They have a set that fits X5's apparently. A 16 pot version from memory.

http://en.tarox.com/products/racing-brake-calipers.html

"Ceramic" in brakes is a term that is often used loosely. What brand did you upgrade to? I would have thought the OE pads would have been more than adequate.

50d versus V8 - what is the main driver for the choice? I just assumed that engine sound quality would always sway people towards the V8?

[watrob]

Originally Posted by GKyri

I have seen these Tarox calipers in the flesh and they look amazing. They have a set that fits X5's apparently. A 16 pot version from memory.

http://en.tarox.com/products/racing-brake-calipers.html

"Ceramic" in brakes is a term that is often used loosely. What brand did you upgrade to? I would have thought the OE pads would have been more than adequate.

50d versus V8 - what is the main driver for the choice? I just assumed that engine sound quality would always sway people towards the V8?

Have not driven it yet, I take delivery on Saturday morning, as for exhaust note, as like the M5 the engine management system & exhaust is connect to the audio system so it will be interesting to hear want it sounds like.

The rear muffler is a sports version and has two inlets whereas the normal X5 deisel only has one inlet, not sure what the X5 v8 50i has.

[ND40oz]

Originally Posted by watrob

The photo is just after the calipers were refitted, they test drove the X5 and its pouring down rain.

They look great, thanks

[watrob]

Wheel alignment now done after bushes installed and towbar , M50d now waiting for window tint pre-delivery check & detail clean.

[m3the01]

I thought u were getting new brakes?

[watrob]

Originally Posted by m3the01

I thought u were getting new brakes?

I problem is sourcing the calipers, the rotors are 385mm and are only on European X5 & X6 M50d & 50i v8 models. The rotor is a little different so my best bet is the calpers & rotors off the X5M.

As the M50d is sold in the UK & Eurpo the tuners there will probably end up with calipers that will suit but it may take a few months. The ceramic pads I ended up getting from the UK as no US firm had the blank pad plates to bond the ceramic pad material too as the US does not get the M50d or in fact any X5 or X6 with 385mm rotors with these calipers.

[watrob]

Picked the M50d up late this afternoon, compared with my last White X5 m-sport 35d which is the same as the 40d ( 600nm torque), considering I have the same option bar a couple there is not alot of difference....................except:-

I have had the diesel motors (3.0ltr) in my X5's since around the year 1999-2000 in my first E53 X5, and have seen the steady increase in power when the variable fan turbo was introduced. I then stepped up to the E70 30d, 35d and then the second generation 35d ( which later was called 40d).

The adaptive drive has been revised and the suspension is a little stiffer than my pervious M-Sport 35d (40d), considering I have the same options. I felt it straight away, the steering is only a little more direct (not much) as they have kept the same system.

Wind & road noise is the same, the comfort seats are the same, of coarse the Nav unit is now HD based but there is no difference in the highend audio system as I had the same in my previous X5.

The M50d is smoother thru the powerband but I think thats more to do with the 8 speed gearbox, the M50d has a sports gearbox, the difference is it holds its revs to the upper limits in normal mode & changes quicker, but I would say that by dropping into DS mode in a normal 35d - 40d gearbox those X5's would probably be the same.

So what's the difference other than a more sporty drive, tighter suspension and a whooping 746nm (which really hits around the 2800 revs) but is more steady than neck snapping, well its this................

The M50d has two large exhaust inlet pipes into the rear muffer which starts about under and between the footwell of the drivers seat (near gearbox), when you start the engine its not a diesel sound you hear, I don't know if it's the combination of the 3 turbo's but its really weired, its a low audiable rumble, its deep and you get that feeling of a V8, and if you just cruise off you would swear it was V8. I have owned V8 M3's and I have California, its not that rarpse V8 sound, its more a 5ltr Chevy cast block sound from the old days when you only got 4800 revs out of them.

I reakon if you blindfolded someone put them in the M50d they would think its a V8 going by the sound, its really strange. If you lined up the 50i against the M50d and even if the cost of fuel was not an issue I thing you would buy the M50d, it actually sounds better and its faster, I mean coming onto the side entrance running onto the freeway and you hit it, damn its all over quick before you have to merge into the traffic.

Sitting in the X5 standing still, compared to my previous X5 there not much difference, yes you notice the Nav/Computer/iDrive is different, paddles on the steering wheel, aluiminum peddles but the rest is the same, even my wife said why did'nt I buy something different, I said I did, and pushed the start button, she turned to me and said you had to copy me and get a V8 did'nt you, you see the California is hers!!

PS. Why those big front brakes, to stopped the damn thing because it gets to 100k in around 5.4sec and it weighs nearly 2 & 1/2 ton.

[76Gas]

G'day mate I didn't go that far but my 30d M Sport arrived at the at the dealer yesterday. Can you post a pic of you towbar if you get a chance. Is it the Hayman Reese ? Im getting that installed Monday and hoping they don't have to cut any of the bumper.
Your car looks great. I got the alpine white also with the extended nappa leather.
Cheers
Luke

[watrob]

Originally Posted by 76Gas

G'day mate I didn't go that far but my 30d M Sport arrived at the at the dealer yesterday. Can you post a pic of you towbar if you get a chance. Is it the Hayman Reese ? Im getting that installed Monday and hoping they don't have to cut any of the bumper.
Your car looks great. I got the alpine white also with the extended nappa leather.
Cheers
Luke

This is my previous M-Sport 35d, the towbar is the same, only a small amount of cutting is required.

[76Gas]

Cheers mate it looks nice and tidy which is great

[doug_999]

Originally Posted by watrob

I reakon if you blindfolded someone put them in the M50d they would think its a V8 going by the sound, its really strange. If you lined up the 50i against the M50d and even if the cost of fuel was not an issue I thing you would buy the M50d, it actually sounds better and its faster, I mean coming onto the side entrance running onto the freeway and you hit it, damn its all over quick before you have to merge into the traffic.

Yea, if we could get the M50d here in the States....

Please BMW?