02-19-2011, 05:01 PM | #1 |
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My new X5M
Sold my M3 and picked up the X5M in Houston last week. Drove 37 hrs through 6 different states. Crossing both US and Canadian Customs was very easy. Canadian customs was nice enough not to charge me duties on the amount over exemption limit (about $600 over). They did not charge me green levy tax; just GST + $100 A/C tax. The key is to be honest and disclose everything you purchase.
Gas was cheap in the US, $3.04 - $3.34/gallon premium ($0.80 - $0.88/litre premium). Also bought a set of Michelin Alpin snow tires from TireRack for $840. Dealer installed free (Kaltire in Calgary quotes me $1680 Cdn for the same set + installation + 4 months wait). The dealer I bought the X5 M from is called City Direct Motor Cars. They even gave me a set of BMW winter mats. Last edited by kennyt; 05-16-2016 at 08:37 AM.. |
02-19-2011, 05:47 PM | #3 |
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I save $12K + a wonderful trip + a loaded trunk of bargains (eg. pair of Theory pants that costs $225 here is $69 in Houston, Michael Kors jeans that costs $170 here is $70 at Macy's, and that's regular price).
Driving it back was a blast especially on the US side. The road is wide open and smooth all the way. It becomes up/down and twisty between Casper, WY and Great Falls, MT which is perfect to test out M mode and active drive. There was virtually nobody on I-35N once I passed Denver. I was king of the road cruising at really fast speed. I hit a snow storm in Sweetgrass/Coutts and it was a complete white out. Thank God I made it through. I was doing less than 5km/hr; I could not even see the hood of my car. But the X5 was glued to the icy road with the Micheline Alpin tires. Once I got to Lethbridge, it was all clear. |
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02-19-2011, 05:56 PM | #4 |
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The car is in immaculous shape, not a rock chip, scratch. I immediately put 3M film all around it, including the lower part of the doors, rear bumper. In Texas, semi trucks are not allowed to drive in the left lane on highways/interstate which is similar to Germany. Once you get out of Texas, it's crazy. Had 2 semi trucks going up the hill side by side on a two lane highway multiple times. Had construction trucks driving in left lane spraying rocks to cars behind him in Denver. Similar in Wyoming. No road manner whatsoever.
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02-19-2011, 06:04 PM | #5 |
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Congratulations on your car! I've been thinking about an X5M vs X5 50i. My dealer said I would not enjoy using it day to day. How do the 20" snows look and work out? Best wishes on your new car!
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2005 X5 4.4 Jet Black (past) | 2007 X5 4.8 Sapphire Black (past) | 2007 X3 3.0 Sapphire Black (past) | 2015 Porsche Macan Turbo JBM (past) | 2011 X3 35i M sport Carbon Black (past)
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02-20-2011, 01:25 AM | #7 |
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Your dealer said you would not enjoy the M day to day or the 50i?
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02-20-2011, 02:01 AM | #9 |
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Oh man, there's bunch of guys out there trading/selling their M3 for an X5M. I'm one of them... Congratulation man, nice whip.
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02-20-2011, 07:56 AM | #10 | |
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Quote:
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2005 X5 4.4 Jet Black (past) | 2007 X5 4.8 Sapphire Black (past) | 2007 X3 3.0 Sapphire Black (past) | 2015 Porsche Macan Turbo JBM (past) | 2011 X3 35i M sport Carbon Black (past)
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02-20-2011, 10:59 AM | #11 | ||
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Quote:
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02-20-2011, 11:22 AM | #12 |
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Congratulations. One heck of a nice car. I am thinking of trading my M3 for an X5M also this coming spring.
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02-20-2011, 11:43 AM | #13 |
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Great color!
The X5M does ride surprisingly hard for its size. Especially noticeable driving across even small speed breakers. Well worth it for the performance. |
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02-20-2011, 01:08 PM | #14 |
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That dealer is full of crap......The M is night and day over the 5.0. I traded my M3 on one and the M is worth every penny over the 5.0. The ride is fantastic. Just as the M3 is night and day over any 335.
Congrats OP, beautiful ride......Steve
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02-20-2011, 02:12 PM | #15 |
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Harsh Ride??
I sure don't find the ride harsh in general, but the bumps are noticable.
From what I've read, however, the RFT's sure don't help things any. My replacement tires are going to be non-Run Flat's. Just have to pick up a spare tire and a jack. |
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02-20-2011, 05:08 PM | #17 |
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I have Michelin Latitude Alpin 275/40/R20 all around on stock rims from Houston all the way to Calgary. Without them I wouldn't have made it through the snow storm in Sweetgrass/Coutts. They glued the car to the icy road.
I don't have ventilated seats. As far as ride, it is much better than my M3 on 19" wheels. It's softer than my wife's 09 Accord. However, it's really firm with M mode (or EDC on) and you will feel every imperfection on the road (similar to the M3 with 19" wheels). That's just how a performance car rides. The best part is head up display, it's so useful with navigation info; always tells you one step ahead. As soon as I got to Calgary, the brake squeals like a pig. I am not kidding when I say it wakes my neighbors up. Already ordered 2 bottles of Noise Free from Bavaria Auto. Will perform the task myself. Also the heater fan makes noise like whistling when turn left or let go of the gas pedal and step on brake. Noise goes away when turn off the fan or accelerate. Dealer will probably have to replace the motor. Not sure if other X5 M owners here have experienced that problem. |
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02-20-2011, 07:57 PM | #18 |
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If the brakes squeal when in reverse that's a common problem; I had the same issue. Woke the wife up every morning when I backed out of the garage. Only in reverse though. Dealer said it's a common problem in the x5m and x6m. They put new pads and rotors on to fix it.
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02-20-2011, 08:26 PM | #19 |
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Sometimes the break squeals are due to what they refer to as an uneven pad wear. They recommend that you "Bed" the brakes. There are threads regarding this issues and how to do it. You might try it prior to taking it into the dealer. It might eliminate the squeals.
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02-21-2011, 03:46 AM | #20 |
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MY RIDE in Singapore
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02-21-2011, 07:42 AM | #21 |
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brake squeals when brake (forward & reverse). bmw dealer inspected last week, could not find anything wrong. Pads are new. rotors are smooth. Upon searching the net I find other owners had similar issue and it was solved with Noise Free applied to the shims and back of the pads.
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