BMW X5 Drivers
Discussion
I'm loathe to do this, I really am because the X5 is such a stunning piece of kit, which ever way you look at it.
First, it's a BMW and I generally like 'em.
Second, I'm not into stereotyping performance or simply good cars in terms of their drivers' characteristics.
But here's the thing (and please don't think this is aimed at any PH owners; I'm sure you guys are quite unimpeachable as to the following):
BMW X5s seem to confer upon their helmsmen a certain 'droit de seigneur' that I thought only Volvo 240DL folk had mastered during the time of that car's vile reign as champion of the mid lane hanger.
Every time I see the hoisted kidney beans, some kind of impatient and yes - arrogant - manoeuvre seems to be going down.
I won't recite the list of recent transgressions suffice it to cite last night's classic X5 masterstroke which involved said vehicle parking right outside the local 24 hour Tesco store in a preposterously, overbearingly obvious disabled zone.
The chap responsible, whilst clearly more of an Arthur Daley than Daley Thompson type gait, nevertheless had no pigging right to be where he was. I spied his tax disc and nowhere was there any indication of disablement or such like.
I thought, since I had parked my equally capacious Lexus only several genuine spaces away, what had prevented this guy from doing the same? Why, with a million free spaces in the locale (it was about 2130 hours), could he not just park rationally?
I realize this is hardly the stuff of great debate but it did rile me. It was just so willfully antisocial and unnecessary, a small act of 'sod you, I'm going where I bloody well like, bugger you' me-me-meism of the type that must surely inspire the atrocious middle lane antics et al that we PHers so often bemoan.
So there you have it.
First, it's a BMW and I generally like 'em.
Second, I'm not into stereotyping performance or simply good cars in terms of their drivers' characteristics.
But here's the thing (and please don't think this is aimed at any PH owners; I'm sure you guys are quite unimpeachable as to the following):
BMW X5s seem to confer upon their helmsmen a certain 'droit de seigneur' that I thought only Volvo 240DL folk had mastered during the time of that car's vile reign as champion of the mid lane hanger.
Every time I see the hoisted kidney beans, some kind of impatient and yes - arrogant - manoeuvre seems to be going down.
I won't recite the list of recent transgressions suffice it to cite last night's classic X5 masterstroke which involved said vehicle parking right outside the local 24 hour Tesco store in a preposterously, overbearingly obvious disabled zone.
The chap responsible, whilst clearly more of an Arthur Daley than Daley Thompson type gait, nevertheless had no pigging right to be where he was. I spied his tax disc and nowhere was there any indication of disablement or such like.
I thought, since I had parked my equally capacious Lexus only several genuine spaces away, what had prevented this guy from doing the same? Why, with a million free spaces in the locale (it was about 2130 hours), could he not just park rationally?
I realize this is hardly the stuff of great debate but it did rile me. It was just so willfully antisocial and unnecessary, a small act of 'sod you, I'm going where I bloody well like, bugger you' me-me-meism of the type that must surely inspire the atrocious middle lane antics et al that we PHers so often bemoan.
So there you have it.
I had a similar thing with a Jag recently.
There's a nice friendly 24-petrol station/bakery thingy quite close by where you can gorge yourself for not much come lunchtime.
Big Jag parks itself about two feet from the exit door of the shop and 'Mrs Gold' gets out – dripping head to toe in the stuff while Big Fat Red-nosed Businessman Pin-striped suit hubby proceeds to talk at length (loudly) on his mobile phone, can be heard even in the shop and blocking everyone from a) leaving the shoip on foor and b) anyone extricating themselves from said establishment in their car. And the engine was still running ...
I stared at the bloke throught he glass while queueing for me two ham and salad (hold the mayo) rolls or whatever and his eyes never left his dashboard.
Well it got my goat anyway.
There's a nice friendly 24-petrol station/bakery thingy quite close by where you can gorge yourself for not much come lunchtime.
Big Jag parks itself about two feet from the exit door of the shop and 'Mrs Gold' gets out – dripping head to toe in the stuff while Big Fat Red-nosed Businessman Pin-striped suit hubby proceeds to talk at length (loudly) on his mobile phone, can be heard even in the shop and blocking everyone from a) leaving the shoip on foor and b) anyone extricating themselves from said establishment in their car. And the engine was still running ...
I stared at the bloke throught he glass while queueing for me two ham and salad (hold the mayo) rolls or whatever and his eyes never left his dashboard.
Well it got my goat anyway.
The stores themselves need to do more about arrogant, lazy able-bodied motorists parking in disabled spaces. Only once have I ever heard a tannoy announcement in a supermarket, telling the driver of such-and-such a car without an orange badge to move it from the disabled bay. I'd go further - clamp the 
ers, charge a hefty release fee, and give it to a charity for the disabled. They might never shop there again, but do you really want customers like that??
ers, charge a hefty release fee, and give it to a charity for the disabled. They might never shop there again, but do you really want customers like that??
the driver so's they qualify to park in the bay? Sorry, but it really winds me up 
(old man's an orange badge user)Trust me - we aren't all like that. Even though I have 2 "large" cars - I've only been tempted once in the Noble to use a disabled space when all the others were "Nissan Micra" thin spaces so I would have never got the Noble door open enough to get out had another car parked next to me.
Mind you - what *really* annoys me is the fact that super markets et. all *never* enforce the rules. If they all started clamping non disabled people in disabled bays then that would soon change peoples minds about it.
Old proverb is don't tell the dog off unless youre prepared to remove its food......
However, given the X5's got parking space sensors front and back - there really isn't any excuse - it's so dam easy to park the thing compared to any of the others I have (probably except the elise...)
J
Mind you - what *really* annoys me is the fact that super markets et. all *never* enforce the rules. If they all started clamping non disabled people in disabled bays then that would soon change peoples minds about it.
Old proverb is don't tell the dog off unless youre prepared to remove its food......
However, given the X5's got parking space sensors front and back - there really isn't any excuse - it's so dam easy to park the thing compared to any of the others I have (probably except the elise...)
J
Just a word of caution before we go around haranging anyone we believe not to be validly using disabled parking privileges.
A good friend had a heart transplant a few years ago, resulting in him being a lot weaker generally and having good and bad days. Having just received his driving license back and trying to get used to going out of the house he took a barrage of abuse from a vigilante shopkeeper for "abusing his relatives" disabled parking badge. The whole incident was very distressing for him at the time, taking him totally by surprise and putting him in a state of shock. He got back in his car and drove home.
Needless to say without his knowledge a visit was made and the shopkeeper was put straight. He was obviously sorry for the distress he had caused.
So just be careful out there, even though your intentions may be honourable you may end up distressing those whose rights you seek to protect.
DAZ
>> Edited by Dazren on Friday 4th October 00:20
A good friend had a heart transplant a few years ago, resulting in him being a lot weaker generally and having good and bad days. Having just received his driving license back and trying to get used to going out of the house he took a barrage of abuse from a vigilante shopkeeper for "abusing his relatives" disabled parking badge. The whole incident was very distressing for him at the time, taking him totally by surprise and putting him in a state of shock. He got back in his car and drove home.
Needless to say without his knowledge a visit was made and the shopkeeper was put straight. He was obviously sorry for the distress he had caused.
So just be careful out there, even though your intentions may be honourable you may end up distressing those whose rights you seek to protect.
DAZ
>> Edited by Dazren on Friday 4th October 00:20
What also amazes me is the number of Disabled badge holders (I've got used to calling them "old folks badges", see below) who will drive round and round in circles until a disabled bay becomes available, then park up and walk to a shop at the opposite end of the car park!
It allways keeps me amused getting "Your too young to park there" looks from onlookers when I park in a disabled space. Just smile, wave, then get the wheelchair out!
There is a scheme involving a few big stores to keep a check on parking abuse, it's called "Baywatch" - I lost interest when I found out there were no babes involved..............
It allways keeps me amused getting "Your too young to park there" looks from onlookers when I park in a disabled space. Just smile, wave, then get the wheelchair out!
There is a scheme involving a few big stores to keep a check on parking abuse, it's called "Baywatch" - I lost interest when I found out there were no babes involved..............
Hi Daz,
I know what you mean but I am/was at pains not to be misinterpreted as 'anti-X5' or 4x4 witch hunter - my wife has a Land Cruiser (sorry) which I use now and then.
The thing is, I'm actually aware of the negative vibes such things often correctly generate so drive like a venerable Miss Daisy when aboard; I guess it's the arrogant sh1te that MickeyT describes which is what I'm ranting against.
Fact is, I wouldn't mind an X5 (4.6, of course, with Hartge conversion). About as gloriously OTT as a Lambo in some ways!
I know what you mean but I am/was at pains not to be misinterpreted as 'anti-X5' or 4x4 witch hunter - my wife has a Land Cruiser (sorry) which I use now and then.
The thing is, I'm actually aware of the negative vibes such things often correctly generate so drive like a venerable Miss Daisy when aboard; I guess it's the arrogant sh1te that MickeyT describes which is what I'm ranting against.
Fact is, I wouldn't mind an X5 (4.6, of course, with Hartge conversion). About as gloriously OTT as a Lambo in some ways!
I don't condone using either parent & child or disabled bays when its busy. These drivers need that extra bit of space to get kids/wheelchairs out of the car.
But you need to look at it with some common sense. If its not busy and you are only going to be five minutes, then park as close as you can. Theres not going to be a mass entourage of disabled drivers going to do their shopping at 21.30 is there. How many kids do you see been dragged round the shops at 2.00 am for the weekly shop?
You'll have us all doing 70 along the motorway next - cos the speed limit tells us so.
Chill baby!
No doubt i'll get a load of abuse by people who drag their kids shopping at 2.00 am now
But you need to look at it with some common sense. If its not busy and you are only going to be five minutes, then park as close as you can. Theres not going to be a mass entourage of disabled drivers going to do their shopping at 21.30 is there. How many kids do you see been dragged round the shops at 2.00 am for the weekly shop?
You'll have us all doing 70 along the motorway next - cos the speed limit tells us so.
Chill baby!
No doubt i'll get a load of abuse by people who drag their kids shopping at 2.00 am now
quote:
Fact is, I wouldn't mind an X5 (4.6, of course, with Hartge conversion). About as gloriously OTT as a Lambo in some ways!
No, no, no.
Someone with your discerning tastes should have a Brabus ML73 V12 (580bhp), to compliment the porker.
I quite often borrow my fathers ML320 and I've got to agree with your earlier comment, I tend to just pootle around, as when I went to drive quickly (perish the thought) I have another option.
Good post Dazren.
My wife has the disabled badges (blue now) but no endorsement on the tax disc and the stares we get from particulary the old brigade is appaling. My wife looks fine, (well bloody good in the .... but thats another story
.. but can only walk short distances and tires quickly. Some days are better than others. we are 32 and we always look happy after a drive in the 911 
so she doesnt look like the typical war wounded 90 yr old.
Needless to say it is not easy to get a disabled badge. On the rare trips out when she used to use a wheel chair there was no problem but now as she looks fine its not very nice.
Yes it helps parking in the disabled bay as your car is protected from the next one by distance and when Im out by myself I use the normal spaces, right at the end away from anyone and trollies and often in two spaces!! (so this problable makes me just as bad)
I get very anoyed when as the posts have said cars are parked in disabled spaces and not display a disabled badge. But they tend to be the numpties of the driving world and the muppets that drive with their eys shut 2 foot from your rear.
Mother and child spaces.... we are penalised by the govt financially by not having children and then penalise again parking. I love hearing the extra benefits for families on budget day which I pay for.
(although kids would make the car heavier and slow it down - so not all bad)
Im surprised there is not special spaces for the X5 and other 4x4, and then for mobile homes and then foreigners...... getting off topic rant over..
ps We try and shop online at tescos now anyway.
My wife has the disabled badges (blue now) but no endorsement on the tax disc and the stares we get from particulary the old brigade is appaling. My wife looks fine, (well bloody good in the .... but thats another story
.. but can only walk short distances and tires quickly. Some days are better than others. we are 32 and we always look happy after a drive in the 911 so she doesnt look like the typical war wounded 90 yr old.
Needless to say it is not easy to get a disabled badge. On the rare trips out when she used to use a wheel chair there was no problem but now as she looks fine its not very nice.
Yes it helps parking in the disabled bay as your car is protected from the next one by distance and when Im out by myself I use the normal spaces, right at the end away from anyone and trollies and often in two spaces!! (so this problable makes me just as bad)
I get very anoyed when as the posts have said cars are parked in disabled spaces and not display a disabled badge. But they tend to be the numpties of the driving world and the muppets that drive with their eys shut 2 foot from your rear.
Mother and child spaces.... we are penalised by the govt financially by not having children and then penalise again parking. I love hearing the extra benefits for families on budget day which I pay for.
(although kids would make the car heavier and slow it down - so not all bad)
Im surprised there is not special spaces for the X5 and other 4x4, and then for mobile homes and then foreigners...... getting off topic rant over..
ps We try and shop online at tescos now anyway.
quote:
Mother and child spaces.... we are penalised by the govt financially by not having children and then penalise again parking
Ever tried getting three toddlers out of a car?
Anyway I 've always thought they are there for everyone's benefit. Kids are notorious for opening car doors and just letting them swing until they hit something. Mother and child spaces keep them out of the way of everyone else.
Why do people take their kids to the supermarket anyway? They only tell them they can't have any of the bright shinny sweets and cakes, start them crying and have to give them a slap. Leave them at home, or in the boot, or at the park, with a strange uncle, anywhere but don't bring them with you! 
:runsoffandhideswaitingforalltheexcusesaboutwhyyourvegottotakethemwithyou:
:runsoffandhideswaitingforalltheexcusesaboutwhyyourvegottotakethemwithyou:
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