My new X5M

[kennyt]

I'm happy to report that following brake bedding instructions here http://www.zeckhausen.com/bedding_in_brakes.htm my brakes no longer squeal.

[NavM]

Congrats. Did you get the 3M clear bra and winter tires put on by the dealer in Houston, city motor direct?

[kennyt]

Clear bra was done by BMW of Houston North. City Motor Direct mounted the tires for me no charge. They are very helpful and patience with me. Met all my requirements.

[gilbertfg]

How much was the clear bra?

[kennyt]

Clear bra was 1300. Front back bumpers, hood, fenders, mirrors, head lights, doors up to molding. They did a very good job.

[CominAtYaBich]

congrats this is a very cool X5M and the trip sounds fun too

[kennyt]

The trip was very memorable. The brake squeal is back today with the temperature down to -20C. Hopefully Noise Free from Bavaria Auto will solve it. Completed Federal and Provincial (out of province) inspections today. Less than 0.5 hr of "inspection" costs $180. But rather have dealership do it than Canadian Tire. Inspection done by BMW of Houston North prior to taking possession of the car not accepted. Have to pay the government/dealer one way or another.

[kennyt]

Added a couple cosmetic things. Will take pictures after washing it (weather dependent ).

[Deda]

Congrats,i love that color!

[vladberca]

Congrats for your upgrade!

[kennyt]

Noise Free from Bavarian Auto is here. Will do the brake on Sunday and report result next week.

[AngelinIsRich08]

My dealer recommended to me something called Zylon I think and it's used on jet engines and entire planes. It's a protective coating that goes all around your car but isn't as noticeable as 3M bras and works better. Also cost $900 on the X5M all around.

[bf900]

Any issues at the border or registering the X5M with the US spec speedo cluster and DRL's?

[kennyt]

No issues at the border at all. US customs took 30 seconds to verify copy of the title faxed to them 72 hrs in advance with the actual title and stamp the actual title. Cdn customs took 0.3 hr to fill out the forms, pay GST and that's all. No PST in Alberta. Like I said before, you have to be honest and disclose everything you purchase in the US. They like that and most of the time do not charge you duties if you are over your exemption limit.
The agent handled my case did not charge me green levy (excise tax) which is about 2K for the X5M. All I paid was $100 A/C and GST. With the Cdn $ over/at par there are more and more Cdns shopping south of the border.

On US X5M, you can activate DRL yourself via iDrive menu under Lighting option. Speedo cluster has km/hr and miles/hr so they can't make you change it (unless you go through BMW for the recall clearance letter and they will not issue you the letter unless you have the inspection done at bmw dealership at which they will make you change the cluster to km/hr only).
I got a copy of Warranty Vehicle Inquiry document from BMW dealer and emailed it to RIV in advance. It was accepted the next day. Got my Fed and out of province inspections done at Stampede Toyota (either Cdn Tire or Stampede Toyota and Cdn Tire will never see my car in their shop). Shop foreman was very pleasant to deal with so I got him to do both inspections for me in 0.5 hr. If your vehicle has 5000km or less you don't have to perform the out of province inspection.

Remember to scan and email/fax Form1 to RIV YOURSELF at the same time you pay them $195 fee. Instructions on the Internet say that Border Agent will send it to RIV on your behalf, that is not true. After waiting 1 business, call RIV and talk to an agent. They will email Form2 to you that afternoon or you wait for 2-3 days if you don't call them. The person performing Fed inspection has to fax Form2 (asssuming you pass) to RIV and RIV will send you a compliance sticker that you put on the side of the driver door. In the mean time you can take Form1 and out of province inspection form, title to register your vehicle.

[kennyt]

Under iDrive menu, you can actually change unit from miles to km on the digital display. My X5M has head up display that I change from mile to km.

[LEDZEP]

Beautiful - congrats!

[sim@ecuprogram]

Lucky u!

congratulations!

[bf900]

Thank you! Very helpful.

[GMP - MATTHEW]

Very nice, love the color

[ADV.1 Matt]

What a machine! I love these X5M's. How are you liking it so far after having it a while?

[bf900]

Great thanks.

I've now been told that teh BMW warranty is transferable but ONLY if we change the cluster / DRL's? Did you happen to check with a local (Canadian) dealership on this? Will they honour any remaining warranty you have ...even if you didn't change the cluster, etc?

I can see BMW Canada not honouring the warranty...

thanks in advance

B

[kennyt]

The new car warranty is transferable according to BMW Canada email to me. In fact just had it in the shop today for replacing the blower motor as it was making noise. $0 for me as it was under warranty. My DRL is on and my clust has both mile/hr and km/hr.