BMW X5 45e hybrid
Discussion
Just what you need when it's got too bad for a blisteringly fast computer brain to deal with.
I picked it up from BMW yesterday evening, it's had a few more programming sessions now - I've agreed to keep using it and make a note of any other unusual habits it develops.
Probably the sensible thing to do would be to walk away, but it is such a great car for an awful lot of the time. (attempted murder/suicide issues accepted)
And the flap for the charger works again now too!
Probably the sensible thing to do would be to walk away, but it is such a great car for an awful lot of the time. (attempted murder/suicide issues accepted)
And the flap for the charger works again now too!
I realised this morning that I've had the 45e for a year, and what a year it's been!
1 year review:
8630miles
151 charge cycles
63mpg-average
Until the summer it was without a doubt the finest vehicle I have driven from an all-round perspective, and it still is when it works.
Sadly now the trust is gone and the problems keep on coming, which doesn't seem fair given the price I pay - so the future with it may be shorter than the 4 years I expected.
In general terms though it is astonishingly fast for a vehicle of its size and supremely comfortable. It's cheap to run providing you drive it sensibly and make use of regular charging. The onboard technology is pretty seamless and works very well, even the voice activation works properly.
It's big enough to take most loads, even the big dogs and keep you comfortable on long trips. (Excepting that I still can't get on with the comfort seats like I would like)
I really hope my problems are early adopter ones, and the later builds won't have these issues.
1 year review:
8630miles
151 charge cycles
63mpg-average
Until the summer it was without a doubt the finest vehicle I have driven from an all-round perspective, and it still is when it works.
Sadly now the trust is gone and the problems keep on coming, which doesn't seem fair given the price I pay - so the future with it may be shorter than the 4 years I expected.
In general terms though it is astonishingly fast for a vehicle of its size and supremely comfortable. It's cheap to run providing you drive it sensibly and make use of regular charging. The onboard technology is pretty seamless and works very well, even the voice activation works properly.
It's big enough to take most loads, even the big dogs and keep you comfortable on long trips. (Excepting that I still can't get on with the comfort seats like I would like)
I really hope my problems are early adopter ones, and the later builds won't have these issues.
Good review Brett. I’ve had mine 4 months and bar the battery recall haven’t had any issues (touch wood!) it really is a great car, once rolling it feels so much faster than 400hp, in fact sometimes it feels almost as fast as my previous F90 M5 which sounds crazy but it really does shift. I keep thinking of changing it already because I get bored quickly and fancy a new defender but I really think I will regret it!
The Volvo XC90 T8 left me stranded last week, apparently some kind of fuel tank sensor which tool a week to repair, reaffirmed my view that I'd never own one of these complex things out of warranty. Average mpg of 21,000 miles is 23. As per comment above was following said M5 the other week and the Volvo was doing a good job of keeping up. The X5 is due end of March.
Update time!
BMW finally replied to the lease companies request for information this week, with the reply being a complete piss boiler..
When asked about details of the warranty work they had undertaken BMW replied with 3 lines, (as far as I can tell) which were:
27/07/2020 - 6063miles - Quality Enhancement
14/09/2020 - 7153miles - LCD display - blank replace
23/10/2020 - 7666miles - Drive train warning - replace EME
Not only is that not what happened, (they replaced nothing but code) they haven't even bothered to mention the recent fun and games with the charging or the driving assistant professional suicide feature.
I've gone back to the lease company with as much detail as possible, so lets see where this ends up...
BMW finally replied to the lease companies request for information this week, with the reply being a complete piss boiler..
When asked about details of the warranty work they had undertaken BMW replied with 3 lines, (as far as I can tell) which were:
27/07/2020 - 6063miles - Quality Enhancement
14/09/2020 - 7153miles - LCD display - blank replace
23/10/2020 - 7666miles - Drive train warning - replace EME
Not only is that not what happened, (they replaced nothing but code) they haven't even bothered to mention the recent fun and games with the charging or the driving assistant professional suicide feature.
I've gone back to the lease company with as much detail as possible, so lets see where this ends up...
Just came across this thread and have now read it from the start...really interesting insight into a year with the 45e.
Thought I’d chip in with my new car and have to agree with all the initial reports from BrettMRC, I hope it gets back to being reliable once more for you however once the doubt sets in it’s probably hard to shift.
Let’s see how the custardkid gets on with his and I’ll throw my 2p in with mine too.
Thought I’d chip in with my new car and have to agree with all the initial reports from BrettMRC, I hope it gets back to being reliable once more for you however once the doubt sets in it’s probably hard to shift.
Let’s see how the custardkid gets on with his and I’ll throw my 2p in with mine too.
Both of those look stunning - especially the white leather & open pore wood! (too many dogs for me to consider going for the lighter colour leather!)
Would love to hear more about how you guys get on with yours as the miles and time go by, really hopeful that early versions like mine have gone through the pain so you don't have to!
Update on my one:
BMW UK and the lease company have now reached an accord, the '45e is going to go back to BMW and the lease terminated. I'm just awaiting the confirmation of when it can be collected.
All things considered it's a bit of a relief now to know that it will be going, but it's bittersweet because for 6 months it was without a doubt one of the finest all-round vehicles I've had the pleasure to drive.
Would love to hear more about how you guys get on with yours as the miles and time go by, really hopeful that early versions like mine have gone through the pain so you don't have to!
Update on my one:
BMW UK and the lease company have now reached an accord, the '45e is going to go back to BMW and the lease terminated. I'm just awaiting the confirmation of when it can be collected.
All things considered it's a bit of a relief now to know that it will be going, but it's bittersweet because for 6 months it was without a doubt one of the finest all-round vehicles I've had the pleasure to drive.
BrettMRC said:
Both of those look stunning - especially the white leather & open pore wood! (too many dogs for me to consider going for the lighter colour leather!)
Would love to hear more about how you guys get on with yours as the miles and time go by, really hopeful that early versions like mine have gone through the pain so you don't have to!
Update on my one:
BMW UK and the lease company have now reached an accord, the '45e is going to go back to BMW and the lease terminated. I'm just awaiting the confirmation of when it can be collected.
All things considered it's a bit of a relief now to know that it will be going, but it's bittersweet because for 6 months it was without a doubt one of the finest all-round vehicles I've had the pleasure to drive.
Can't say I blame you for getting it returned. Would you get another? If you're anything like me it would more than likely be something else...Would love to hear more about how you guys get on with yours as the miles and time go by, really hopeful that early versions like mine have gone through the pain so you don't have to!
Update on my one:
BMW UK and the lease company have now reached an accord, the '45e is going to go back to BMW and the lease terminated. I'm just awaiting the confirmation of when it can be collected.
All things considered it's a bit of a relief now to know that it will be going, but it's bittersweet because for 6 months it was without a doubt one of the finest all-round vehicles I've had the pleasure to drive.
Interior on mine is the Carbon Fibre effect, really like it too. Could have done with the Crystal Gear selector set...ah well!!
BrettMRC said:
That carbon looks really good 
Update:
The '45e went back on Friday, mixed emotions - but at least it's no longer my problem.
The chap collecting it decided he would walk from the nearest station...took him 3 hours!
Was his decision related to concerns over COVID? I bet he enjoyed the heated seats!Update:
The '45e went back on Friday, mixed emotions - but at least it's no longer my problem.
The chap collecting it decided he would walk from the nearest station...took him 3 hours!
So what's next? More fettling on the old gas burning X5?
Near term I'll carry on using my dad's Rx400h, he passed recently so using it for as long as practical might be the thing to do.
RE: the 4.6, our coal man was all over it yesterday trying to buy it - I should let him really, but the Mrs loves it and so do I...even though I know it's bound to throw another expensive tantrum at some point!
RE: the 4.6, our coal man was all over it yesterday trying to buy it - I should let him really, but the Mrs loves it and so do I...even though I know it's bound to throw another expensive tantrum at some point!
Thanks for those contributing to this thread (and despite the issues encountered) I've just ordered an X5 45e M Sport with a September delivery estimate
Need to confirm the colour and spec but I'll probably just add the sun protection windows and choose either Arctic Grey or Phytonic Blue. We have a black LR5 so I can't deal with another dirt magnet!
Done a business lease direct with BMW as all have come back within a few £ per month on the price. My Q5 goes back mid-September so the timing is spot on, I probably wouldn't have looked until it was too late if I'd not read this thread.
Need to confirm the colour and spec but I'll probably just add the sun protection windows and choose either Arctic Grey or Phytonic Blue. We have a black LR5 so I can't deal with another dirt magnet!
Done a business lease direct with BMW as all have come back within a few £ per month on the price. My Q5 goes back mid-September so the timing is spot on, I probably wouldn't have looked until it was too late if I'd not read this thread.
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