2009 X5 35d Questions, New Owner (Options related)

[U235]

Hi all,
It's bittersweet, but I traded in my 2008 E90 M3 6SPD Manual last night for a 2009 E70 X5 35D. I'm happy with my decision, and we love the X5. I do have some questions. For a little more unnecessary background, I have/had 3 cars, and really wanted to consolidate down to 2. 2010 JW Jetta TDI, 2004 Toyota Sequoia and 2008 BMW M3. Will keep Jetta and BMW; all diesel home.

We moved last Summer and my M3 turned into a total garage queen, it had 12,100 miles on it yesterday when I traded it in. I carpool with my wife, so generally we drive the Jetta to work everyday and take the BMW out at night or occasionally when the weather is nice. We take the Sequoia shopping and camping, etc. My new home is located much more central to Austin and I found the few times a month I'd drive the M3, it'd never get fully warmed up so I couldn't enjoy it. Short trips, etc made it not much fun.

So I ended up going with the X5. We needed an SUV more than a sports car. I didn't believe the hype, but the X5 really does have sports car handling. My M3 didn't have EDC and the X5 has Sport/Dynamic Drive or whatever, and the X5 has less body roll than the M3. Clearly the M3 is faster and handles better, but none-the-less, the X5 is an incredible machine. I test drove ML and GL diesels and the steering and handling were garbage.

The X5d I got is Alpine White with Tobacco Nevada leather, it's a great color combo. Upon doing research, I was really happy with the color combo, miles and option packs on this particular X5. It seemed to miss only two options that I was looking for (heated seats and premium sound). Heated seats are very hard to find in Southern Texas, so I could live without it. The X5 does have Active Steer, Sport, Premium, Rear Climate, Comfort Access, Sat radio, iPod/USB, HD radio, step bars, etc so it's well loaded ($63k original sticker).

Now for the question, when doing research, I heard many complaints about the base stereo. They said it only has 6 speakers. I cannot make this conclusion, even with the original sticker which doesn't show premium stereo, I definitely have front door tweeters as well as the center speaker in the dash. Also, I'm a bit of an audiophile and I think the sound system is pretty good in base form, clearly satisfactory for my needs.

Can anyone confirm the 2009 stereo situation? I read reviews of horrid stereo performance in the 6-speaker base system, but I think it sounds fine, and I definitely have more than 6 speakers.

Loving it so far, the trunk does squeak over bumps, but I found a TSB for that, otherwise very solid and amazing performance. It rained yesterday on my 2nd test drive, and the Xdrive seems great. I previously owned an Acura MDX and that front drive biased AWD was annoying and lacked confidence. The Xdrive tracks extremely well and is quite confident in rain.

Thanks for the help,
Brian

[richard in NC]

Very nice! The X5 does handle and drive great. I can't help with the stereo, i do have the premium sound. Search for BSW. They offer a speaker upgrade.

[U235]

Originally Posted by richard in NC

Very nice! The X5 does handle and drive great. I can't help with the stereo, i do have the premium sound. Search for BSW. They offer a speaker upgrade.

Thanks Richard. So far, I don't have desire for an upgrade, I'm just perplexed at the misinformation out there. I was told the tweeter grills and dash grill were void of speaker on the base system, but it's clearly obvious there is speakers in my system. I suppose it could've been upgraded, but I highly doubt it.

[U235]

Mystery solved.

There is a lot of information on the web, but none seems conclusive. There seems to be an incorrect theory that MY2009 had its stereo reduced to 6 speakers from 10 which was available in 2008. However, it was actually MY2010 that had the cut. When reviewing Edmunds site's standard features for 2009 X5d it shows in the basic specs, 10 speaker, 205-watt system. When you go to the 2010 it doesn't list speakers at all.

I found one other forum post that said it was 2010 that had the change.

That said, the sound quality of the 2009 10-speaker setup seems adequate for me, and there are clearly tweeters and a dash speaker(s) in play.

I'm assuming the configuration on 2007-2009s is as follows:
4 mids in each door
2 tweeters in front doors
2 subwoofers under front seats
1 mid and 1 tweeter in dash

Conclusively, the 2010 and 2011 have just 4 mids in the doors and two subwoofers under the seats. It is pretty negatively considered, and apparently MY2012 base stereos have increased speaker count again (maybe 12).

[apw2607]

I think you are confused about active steering. No diesel has this option (in the USA)

Congrats on the car.

[U235]

Originally Posted by apw2607

I think you are confused about active steering. No diesel has this option (in the USA)

Congrats on the car.

Yes apw, that was a mistake. I emailed the BMW dealer the VIN and this is the option breakout they gave me:

Premium Package
Sport Package
Adaptive Steering
Comfort Access Keyless
Roof Rails
Smokers Package
Dark Bamboo Trim
Dvd/Area Coding North America
Variable Light Decoding
CO2 Control
Rear Climate Package
Tire Pressure Monitor
Running Boards
Panoramic Moon Roof
Power Front Seats
Sat Radio
Ipod/Usb
Telephone Service Activation
Diesel Funnel

I thought adaptive steering was active steer, however, I found the original sticker of the car and it has ~$10k in options, active steer isn't one, and I read in North America it wasn't available.

Is adaptive steering different, or did the BMW dealer just give me the wrong info?

Finally, is there any way to disable the steering wheel from moving when I get in and out of the car? I like my wheel low and it takes too long for it to go back into position so often times I've started the car and I'm already in reverse moving while the wheel is still going to its position. I don't need the extra clearance to get in and out so I'd like to disable it.

-Brian

[apw2607]

My guess is, it's adaptive drive since you have the sports package (bundled back in 09) Do you have a sport button on the shifter ?

No way to disable steering wheel position

[U235]

Yes it has the sport button.

Bummer about the steering wheel. The motor seems kid of loud and it seems a bit slower than I'm used to. My past Infinitis and Lexus had power steering wheels and they were both quieter, smoother and faster.

Does anyone else think its a bit rough, slow and loud? Maybe it's just mine. I'll head to the dealer in a couple months to get the rear hatch tsb done and I'll get them to fix anything else I think is abnormal.

Other minor complaints. Rear windows make the faintest squeak when going up/down. Only at one specific moment.

Brakes squeak a little bit at low speed just before coming to a complete stop, only audible with windows down. Only squeaks for a second at at about 1-2 mph. Not a loud squeak or brake pads getting low squeak either.

Thanks, we are still loving it. 23 mpg city average so far.

[Jim E.]

Originally Posted by U235

Hi all,
It's bittersweet, but I traded in my 2008 E90 M3 6SPD Manual last night for a 2009 E70 X5 35D. I'm happy with my decision, and we love the X5. I do have some questions. For a little more unnecessary background, I have/had 3 cars, and really wanted to consolidate down to 2. 2010 JW Jetta TDI, 2004 Toyota Sequoia and 2008 BMW M3. Will keep Jetta and BMW; all diesel home.

We moved last Summer and my M3 turned into a total garage queen, it had 12,100 miles on it yesterday when I traded it in. I carpool with my wife, so generally we drive the Jetta to work everyday and take the BMW out at night or occasionally when the weather is nice. We take the Sequoia shopping and camping, etc. My new home is located much more central to Austin and I found the few times a month I'd drive the M3, it'd never get fully warmed up so I couldn't enjoy it. Short trips, etc made it not much fun.

So I ended up going with the X5. We needed an SUV more than a sports car. I didn't believe the hype, but the X5 really does have sports car handling. My M3 didn't have EDC and the X5 has Sport/Dynamic Drive or whatever, and the X5 has less body roll than the M3. Clearly the M3 is faster and handles better, but none-the-less, the X5 is an incredible machine. I test drove ML and GL diesels and the steering and handling were garbage.

The X5d I got is Alpine White with Tobacco Nevada leather, it's a great color combo. Upon doing research, I was really happy with the color combo, miles and option packs on this particular X5. It seemed to miss only two options that I was looking for (heated seats and premium sound). Heated seats are very hard to find in Southern Texas, so I could live without it. The X5 does have Active Steer, Sport, Premium, Rear Climate, Comfort Access, Sat radio, iPod/USB, HD radio, step bars, etc so it's well loaded ($63k original sticker).

Now for the question, when doing research, I heard many complaints about the base stereo. They said it only has 6 speakers. I cannot make this conclusion, even with the original sticker which doesn't show premium stereo, I definitely have front door tweeters as well as the center speaker in the dash. Also, I'm a bit of an audiophile and I think the sound system is pretty good in base form, clearly satisfactory for my needs.

Can anyone confirm the 2009 stereo situation? I read reviews of horrid stereo performance in the 6-speaker base system, but I think it sounds fine, and I definitely have more than 6 speakers.

Loving it so far, the trunk does squeak over bumps, but I found a TSB for that, otherwise very solid and amazing performance. It rained yesterday on my 2nd test drive, and the Xdrive seems great. I previously owned an Acura MDX and that front drive biased AWD was annoying and lacked confidence. The Xdrive tracks extremely well and is quite confident in rain.

Thanks for the help,
Brian

Post the last seven of your VIN and we can get you your spec sheet to know which stereo system you have. Assuming you don't already have it.

[U235]

Originally Posted by Jim E.

Post the last seven of your VIN and we can get you your spec sheet to know which stereo system you have. Assuming you don't already have it.

LJ96512

I know it doesn't have the premium stereo, it's not on the original sticker, but it does have the previous base stereo which was much better than the 2010-2011 base stereo.

[Jim E.]

Originally Posted by U235

LJ96512

I know it doesn't have the premium stereo, it's not on the original sticker, but it does have the previous base stereo which was much better than the 2010-2011 base stereo.

Attached is your full spec sheet. You should save it for future reference. You have adaptive drive. No active steering obviously and trust me you are lucky to have adaptive drive!

As you can also see you have Audio system SA676 which is also called "HIFI"

The other attachment is all about the E70 audio systems for your E70 (excluding the BMW Individual Sound System - AKA: EPS).

The final attachment is all about BMW's recent product changes in table format. Your E70 was not affected as far as the stereo system goes.

Happy reading.

[U235]

Originally Posted by Jim E.

Attached is your full spec sheet. You should save it for future reference. You have adaptive drive. No active steering obviously and trust me you are lucky to have adaptive drive!

As you can also see you have Audio system SA676 which is also called "HIFI"

The other attachment is all about the E70 audio systems for your E70 (excluding the BMW Individual Sound System - AKA: EPS).

The final attachment is all about BMW's recent product changes in table format. Your E70 was not affected as far as the stereo system goes.

Happy reading.

Jim, thanks so much, I really appreciate you providing this. For clarification, Adaptive Drive is included in the Sport package right ($3,700 I think)?

[Jim E.]

Originally Posted by U235

Jim, thanks so much, I really appreciate you providing this. For clarification, Adaptive Drive is included in the Sport package right ($3,700 I think)?

I believe so but not 100%. I have an 11 X5d and adaptive was around $3500 alone.