X6 ActiveHybrid: Loaner Review

[Batke]

Pre-Flight:
I am two hours away from getting on a flight to Vancouver, "Beautiful British Columbia" (the provinces slogan) for a long weekend vacation. As I am tired of waiting for my X6 to come (May) I decided to rent a X6 from a local BMW dealership (Brian Jessel BMW). They did not have any for rent so the manager was kind enough to rent me his ActiveHybrid. Awesome. In about 4 hours they will be dropping off the ActiveHybrid at the airport for me. I am going to give it a mini-review as the weekend progresses. This should give me ample time to see how everything works. I am going to import 12gb of music and I brought my iPod Nano with purchased tracks to see how that goes.

I am hype.

Will update you guys soon.

[scottjays]

Originally Posted by Batke

Pre-Flight:
I am two hours away from getting on a flight to Vancouver, "Beautiful British Columbia" (the provinces slogan) for a long weekend vacation. As I am tired of waiting for my X6 to come (May) I decided to rent a X6 from a local BMW dealership (Brian Jessel BMW). They did not have any for rent so the manager was kind enough to rent me his ActiveHybrid. Awesome. In about 4 hours they will be dropping off the ActiveHybrid at the airport for me. I am going to give it a mini-review as the weekend progresses. This should give me ample time to see how everything works. I am going to import 12gb of music and I brought my iPod Nano with purchased tracks to see how that goes.

I am hype.

Will update you guys soon.

Awesome!! your lucky you did not rent the M. You would've wanted to cancel the 50i order and buy the M. I know I almost did. I drove my dealers Carbon Black M (looks so blue in sunlight!!) with cinamon merino leather was a real beauty. I wanted to buy so bad. fortunately for me, it sold overnight. otherwise i was def trying to justify.
have fun in the AH

[RQP]

once you own a bmw, you are entitle to rent a loaner car for the similar model? or how does it work?

[archwerks]

Stellar! I was in BJ's earlier this p.m. & saw an active hybrid x6 w/ Ontario plates on it.
U must take a dive up Howe sound to Whistler on a sunny day.
If the drive down to Big Sur / Carmel on the coast hwy. is a 10, this drive is a 9.
I dont think there is room for DPC units w/ the batteries between the rear wheels. Still be interested in ur assessment of the dynamics.

[Batke]

Originally Posted by RQP

once you own a bmw, you are entitle to rent a loaner car for the similar model? or how does it work?

No not at all. They rent 1, 3, 5, 6, 7 & X5.
For me I told them I was getting a X6 in May and really wanted to give it a good test drive. Brian Jessel was kind enough to rent me the ActiveHybrid. I am paying to rent it so there is no special BMW treatment. Although that would have been amazing.

[Batke]

Well I drove the shit outta this sucker...and I love it!
I will start with the few minor gripes I have with it.
1.) You can feel when the engine goes from electric to V8. You won't feel it when you push down the gas to about 3/4. BUT..when you accelerate slowly from a green light you can feel a sort of lag or chug when the V8 kicks in. This really does annoy me. Thankfully this will only happen in the ActiveHybrid. It's hard to explain it but you can feel it in the gas pedal all the time because the V8 turns off at every red light.

2.) This X6 was optioned with Rear DVD Entertainment Package. I absolutely hate where they put the DVD screen. When it is folded down it takes up a good 1/3 of the arm rest. At first I was hitting it with my elbow constantly so I decided to fold it open, only to find that it would still manage to make it's presence known. I did not order this with my xDrive50i so I will not have this problem. I am 6'1" and this really did get on my nerves. Also when it is folded down you can't open the middle console without lifting it up. Lame.

3.) Tiny sunroof/moonroof + when it is open fully makes weird vibrating wind sound. I wish there was a.) no sunroof or b.) Panaramic Sunroof.

Those are the three very *minor* gripes I had on my first day. As for the rest...

There is no AdaptiveDrive in this ActiveHybrid yet the ride is very smooth and there was not too much body roll when I raced it up Burnaby Mountain. Acceleration is borderline scary. Which is a good thing. This heavy beast really does fly and the sounds it unleashes brings a smile to my face every time. Handling is typical of BMW: tight & responsive. I burned through 1/4 tank of gas in 1 day. Don't blame the X6 though I was pushing it pretty hard at times. I can't tell you how man KM I drove but I will give you an update tomorrow on how many I drive today and where the gas stands. All-in-all so far I am very happy I have one of these demons coming to me soon. Anyways I have to pick my friend up in 36 mintues I better get going. I will post some more tomorrow.

Have a good weekend all!

[dmlgc]

thanks for the review. It's interesting idea but I don't think I would get the hybrid version if I had it to do all over. Yours is about the fourth review where I have complaints about the electric to gas engagement being very noticeable. I will be curious to hear your comparison after you get your regular 50i as far as handling and acceleration. ( yes I know you don't buy a hybrid for acceleration).

[Batke]

What a sweet long weekend. So sad it had to come to an end.
I don't really want to review the good. Just assume that I love everything about the X6 except what I mention.

Here are some more things that got under my skin:

No windshield wiper on rear window. I have read forum peeps say that the window is slanted in such a way that a wiper is not necessary. Well in Vancouver it rains pretty much once a day and with the already limited view the X6 provides I really think the rear window should have a wiper. IMO.

Also for any potential buyers out there: get any and all options with camera's. Side View, Top View, Rear. Get them all. This thing is so huge and the windows are so small, unless you have been driving it for a year you will need these to park. Especially at malls.

Does anyone else hear a humming noise from the HVAC system? I had it set to the lowest setting (slowest fan speed) and I can hear this constant hum. It sounds like it is coming from the front right side of the vehicle. When I turn off the HVAC system it goes away. I sure hope this is not on my xDrive50i!!! Anyone?

Does the ActiveHybrid have comfort seats? I found this to be a odd setup for sure. So this model I drove had: Soft Close Doors, HUD, Leather Wrapped Dash + Gear Shifter. Yet it did not have ActiveSeat or AC Seats in the front. When I goto www.bmw.ca and make a ActiveHybrid with all options it does not list Comfort Seats at all. Does anyone know about this????

That's it for the "bad/annoying" things.

One thing I would like to emphasize is:
Leather wrapped dash is amazing. I just put a call in to my dealer to see if I can special order this. I know it is part of the BMW Individual Collection. BUT all I want it the leather wrapped dash and gear shifter. It's super nice looking. I would recommend for sure.

Also...I love the new iDrive system. I have only used the iDrive in a 2004 BMW 745i so this is a huge leap for me. I must say I had it mastered in about 30 minutes, that's while I was driving. I don't understand how Jeremy Clarkson can say you have to be "14 years old" to figure out how to use it. It's so easy.

Anyways that my thoughts on this X6...I hope my HVAC does not hum!!!!!

[Batke]

Some pictures.

[aas5]

Thanks for the review and the pictures. Do you have any pictures of the leather wrapped dash?

[scottjays]

Originally Posted by aas5

Thanks for the review and the pictures. Do you have any pictures of the leather wrapped dash?

I am so happy I ordered this option. My Porsche had/has the leather dash option and I love how it looks and smells! I didn't think the shifter was leather wrapped. cool if it is.
here is my order in a nutshell:
2011 X6 50i Space Gray
Black Nappa Full Leather with Leather Dash and center console
Camera Pack-back up with top down; side view is not gonna make it
Premium Pack
Premium Sound
Sport Pack w/ Adaptive Drive
20" sport Wheels Style 336
Active Steering
Comfort Access Keyless
Running boards
Multi-contour seats
Heated Front Seats
Head UP display
Dark Bamboo trim
Bring it on

[Batke]

Originally Posted by aas5

Thanks for the review and the pictures. Do you have any pictures of the leather wrapped dash?

Sadly I did not. I wish I did. I took all my pic's with the crappy iPhone camera as I forgot mine at work. Your just going to have to trust me. It's beautiful!

[aas5]

I am not sure it's an option in the US.

[scottjays]

Originally Posted by aas5

I am not sure it's an option in the US.

which option are you refering to?

[archwerks]

OV does take time to get use to if u interchange & drive other cars day to day due to airbags in the A & B pillars.
I find using Rain X on the rear windshield sufficient to keep it clear enuf.
I know what u mean about the airflow noise from the vents, I usually leave the fan speed run at the lowest setting (1 segment), which is enuf to keep the windows clear

[LANDLORD]

I have been looking for a leather wrapped shifter, and I cannot find one.

Does BMW offer this item as a part you can order? I do not like the smooth feel of the stock plastic shifter, I need leather in my hands, or a pair of you know whats.

[aas5]

Originally Posted by scottjays

which option are you refering to?

leather wrapped dash - didn't see it as a stand alone option in the US.

[kahunacanuck]

I'm afraid you will have to get used to the noisy HVAC...I took mine back in and complained, they replaced it and it sounds exactly the same. I leave mine on the "soft" setting most of the time still buzzes like a stack of pc servers are running in there. Otherwise you will love your X6...glad you enjoyed Beautiful BC!

[chuck92103]

Originally Posted by kahunacanuck

I'm afraid you will have to get used to the noisy HVAC...I took mine back in and complained, they replaced it and it sounds exactly the same. I leave mine on the "soft" setting most of the time still buzzes like a stack of pc servers are running in there. Otherwise you will love your X6...glad you enjoyed Beautiful BC!

+1 My HVAC makes a ticking noise a low fan speeds. Very annoying.

Can anyone tell me the advantage of the Hybrid over a diesel/6/8 cylinder engine?

Why would you want one given the cost?

[scottjays]

Originally Posted by aas5

leather wrapped dash - didn't see it as a stand alone option in the US.

yes it is a US Option...
NASW Black Nappa Leather $2,400.00
4M5 Nappa Leather Dashboard and Center Console

[Batke]

Originally Posted by chuck92103

+1 My HVAC makes a ticking noise a low fan speeds. Very annoying.

Can anyone tell me the advantage of the Hybrid over a diesel/6/8 cylinder engine?

Why would you want one given the cost?

Shit! So my X6 will have this noise too. I wonder how they did not catch that. As for the Hybrid I have no idea why it's on a X6 and not a X3 or 3-Series. I did find it weird how they mixed the Hybrid with the V8 and not the I6.

[Batke]

Originally Posted by kahunacanuck

I'm afraid you will have to get used to the noisy HVAC...I took mine back in and complained, they replaced it and it sounds exactly the same. I leave mine on the "soft" setting most of the time still buzzes like a stack of pc servers are running in there. Otherwise you will love your X6...glad you enjoyed Beautiful BC!

Damn for 80+G Canadian you would think that the HVAC system would be silent. It's not bad if you are rockin some music but come on...

I wish I lived in BC! What a special place!