BMW X5 45e hybrid
Discussion
Around 12 weeks ago I placed the order for this X5 through work.
It fulfils several key needs for me: can fit several dogs, not slow, not ruinous to run and kind on BIK!
I couldn't find one anywhere for a test drive, but reviews said it was basically the same to drive as the 40i - which I did get a go in.
Purposely stuck with X-line trim as it will no doubt end up running down hedges etc - so a slightly more rubust finish in places can only help, along with the marginally taller tires.
It's currently pouring with rain, howling gales and a random F35 is repeatedly buzzing the house...so in spite of it being delivered 2 hours ago I've done little more than check it was straight and sat in it for a few minutes.
I'm already mildly in love with it though, so expect updates on this thread as I learn more about it.
The spec and options are as follows:
Power = 286+113hp
Battery = 21.6 kWh (50 mile-ish range)
0-60 = 5.6seconds
Top speed = 146mph
Weight = 2.4t (ouch...)
Colour is Arctic Grey (from the sea of grey/white/black/greyish options)
Black leather
Aluminium running boards
BMW Individual leather finished instrument panel
Acoustic glass
Anthracite headlining
Electric folding towbar
Luggage compartment separating net
Comfort pack - X5
Visibility pack - X5
Driving Assistant Professional Pack -X5
19" V spoke light alloy wheel - style 735
Heated front comfort pack - X5
Technology pack - X5
CraftedClarity glass application for interior elements
Travel and comfort system pack - X5
Sun protection glazing
BMW Individual high gloss black shadow line roof rails
BMW Individual high gloss shadow line
BMW individual full Merino leather - Black
The pics... (BMW drove it here, so it arrived pre-dirtied on the lane!
)
It fulfils several key needs for me: can fit several dogs, not slow, not ruinous to run and kind on BIK!
I couldn't find one anywhere for a test drive, but reviews said it was basically the same to drive as the 40i - which I did get a go in.
Purposely stuck with X-line trim as it will no doubt end up running down hedges etc - so a slightly more rubust finish in places can only help, along with the marginally taller tires.
It's currently pouring with rain, howling gales and a random F35 is repeatedly buzzing the house...so in spite of it being delivered 2 hours ago I've done little more than check it was straight and sat in it for a few minutes.
I'm already mildly in love with it though, so expect updates on this thread as I learn more about it.
The spec and options are as follows:
Power = 286+113hp
Battery = 21.6 kWh (50 mile-ish range)
0-60 = 5.6seconds
Top speed = 146mph
Weight = 2.4t (ouch...)
Colour is Arctic Grey (from the sea of grey/white/black/greyish options)
Black leather
Aluminium running boards
BMW Individual leather finished instrument panel
Acoustic glass
Anthracite headlining
Electric folding towbar
Luggage compartment separating net
Comfort pack - X5
Visibility pack - X5
Driving Assistant Professional Pack -X5
19" V spoke light alloy wheel - style 735
Heated front comfort pack - X5
Technology pack - X5
CraftedClarity glass application for interior elements
Travel and comfort system pack - X5
Sun protection glazing
BMW Individual high gloss black shadow line roof rails
BMW Individual high gloss shadow line
BMW individual full Merino leather - Black
The pics... (BMW drove it here, so it arrived pre-dirtied on the lane!
)
Why did I go for the X5 over the other options?
Pure EVs just don't have the flexibility I need at the moment - I often do 450+ mile trips with little forewarning.
None of the EVs have a boot big enough.
The RR/RRS cost more and have a much lower EV/ICE range overall.
The XC90 was a close call, but in the end a 4 pot vs a 6 pot for longer range driving was no contest.
Tests indicate it could/should do 50+ miles on battery power, if it gets half of that I will be genuinely impressed. (other owners seem to say the range is good, so we will see)
It will have to cope with 15" of water on the lane tomorrow morning as well....
Pure EVs just don't have the flexibility I need at the moment - I often do 450+ mile trips with little forewarning.
None of the EVs have a boot big enough.
The RR/RRS cost more and have a much lower EV/ICE range overall.
The XC90 was a close call, but in the end a 4 pot vs a 6 pot for longer range driving was no contest.
Tests indicate it could/should do 50+ miles on battery power, if it gets half of that I will be genuinely impressed. (other owners seem to say the range is good, so we will see)
It will have to cope with 15" of water on the lane tomorrow morning as well....
Whilst the grille isn't exactly subtle, I'm not too bothered about it. In the flesh, up close it's not bad - there is an option via BMW accessories to replace it with a black one, so I suspect a lot of those will get sold! (I don't think it would work on this colour)
List price for this spec' on the BMW page was c£83k, through the work system £80k. I can't comment on the lease cost as this is different to a normal lease and wouldn't be comparable.
Took it out yesterday a couple of times and it was great - seamless transistion from EV to ICE. I didn't really throw it about it or boot it, but it's quite responsive and pointy...you can feel the weight of the vehicle fighting the suspension on quick direction changes. Filled up with fuel and fully charged it's claiming a range of nearly 550 miles at the moment...
I have the display key, it came as part of the technology pack; it's quite useful - but bulky so not great for living in a pocket. The functions it gives at a glance are things like range/charge status, lighting, ride height and pre-conditioning timers. The latter worked really well yesterday, can't fault it.
List price for this spec' on the BMW page was c£83k, through the work system £80k. I can't comment on the lease cost as this is different to a normal lease and wouldn't be comparable.
Took it out yesterday a couple of times and it was great - seamless transistion from EV to ICE. I didn't really throw it about it or boot it, but it's quite responsive and pointy...you can feel the weight of the vehicle fighting the suspension on quick direction changes. Filled up with fuel and fully charged it's claiming a range of nearly 550 miles at the moment...
I have the display key, it came as part of the technology pack; it's quite useful - but bulky so not great for living in a pocket. The functions it gives at a glance are things like range/charge status, lighting, ride height and pre-conditioning timers. The latter worked really well yesterday, can't fault it.
Post Christmas update
Have done around 750 miles in it now; so a few observations:
Couple of pics with it clean, dogs and economy details:
Have done around 750 miles in it now; so a few observations:
- It can really shift when you give it WOT.
- Driven half sensibly it gives an average of well over 40mpg - pretty epic given the size and weight!
- There is some wind noise at speed, but otherwise its very quiet and comfortable - one of the reasons I wanted smaller wheels. (That and life changing pot holes on most of my routes!)
- The dogs love it.
- Everyone who has had a go in it loves it.
- The Driving Assistant Professional option is very good, takes control smoothly on the boring bits. (M27 average speed zone I am looking at you) Does what it says on the tin, it's there to assist - not do it all for you, but once you get used to it then it takes some stress out of driving, looking forward to it on the Scotland trips I do for work.
- By default the charging rate is set to only 6A, not the 10A the charger is rated for...I had to read the manual in the end to figure out why it was taking 13hours to charge!
- Quite a lot of little things need finding and setting up in the iDrive, not the end of the world - but it was some basic stuff like folding the wing mirrors when locking the car.
- The glass elements are actually pretty nice.
- "Hey BMW" feature seems to actually work well, needs to be left in Online Mode though or it looses its ability to act like it knows what its doing...
- The display screens are incredibly clear and tight, as is the HUD.
Couple of pics with it clean, dogs and economy details:
RE: Battery range.
In the current weather conditions the car reports a 39 mile range when fully charged, a bit more it preconditioned before setting off.
Yesterday the start of my journey was B & A roads with a limit of 50mph, so acheived over 40miles on the battery - the engine only activated when climbing steep hills. (Adaptive mode is the way to go, it takes into account satnav data and radar data to get the best out of the battery)
Another interesting point is that the regen braking also uses the radar and satnav data... to a certain extent you can do a lot of one pedal driving.
In the current weather conditions the car reports a 39 mile range when fully charged, a bit more it preconditioned before setting off.
Yesterday the start of my journey was B & A roads with a limit of 50mph, so acheived over 40miles on the battery - the engine only activated when climbing steep hills. (Adaptive mode is the way to go, it takes into account satnav data and radar data to get the best out of the battery)
Another interesting point is that the regen braking also uses the radar and satnav data... to a certain extent you can do a lot of one pedal driving.
To answer a few questions:
- As above, the needles are digital and follow the outside track, the centre end is free floating as it were. (if that makes sense)
- I did a 130 mile cruise back home in the evening on Christmas day, driving normally without any charge in the battery I got an average of over 40mpg. A similar trip starting with a fully charged battery gave almost 60mpg on the same route. (obviously the mpg will drop the longer you drive without a charge, but as above - if driven at sensible speeds you will still see 40mpg)
- The car regens battery power from braking under most conditions, you can elect to charge the battery from the engine, but this will murder economy as is counter productive IMO.
- The bigger engine is why this vehicle performs so well IMO, less stress on it and less work for the same results as the 2.0 in vehicles such as the P400e.
- If you boot it, or cruise significantly higher than motorway speeds it is every bit as thirsty as any other big SUV - the sweet spot is below 80mph.
- Next time I do the Edinburgh run I will take it, that is c450 miles each way - so will get a better idea of true long range capability at that point. (will compare it with the c350e: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=17... )
Edited by BrettMRC on Saturday 4th January 22:14
Nearly 2000 miles in now, and had the first properly cold snap. (down to -5 when I left on Tuesday morning)
- Electric range showed 37miles when charged, increased to 41 once pre-conditioned
- Actual EV range is more or less as indicated, unusual in my experience of PHEVs to date! (The Outlander and C350e both seem to struggle to reach the indicated range)
- Comfort seats have perhaps too much adjustment, takes quite a long time to find a sweet spot. (that, or my arse is outside of the German spec!)
- Lights are fantastic, but the auto feature is nothing like as good as the one on the Merc. (The C350e lights are like witchcraft in auto mode)
custardkid said:
Any other updates?
Probably going to order a basic xline on small wheels with only options being dark glass & tow bar
Ether artic grey of phytonic blue
The grey probably compliments the plastic body trim better?
I agree with the grey working better with the plastic wheel arch extensions, but suspect any of the darker colours would still look good.Probably going to order a basic xline on small wheels with only options being dark glass & tow bar
Ether artic grey of phytonic blue
The grey probably compliments the plastic body trim better?
In terms of other updates...not much more to say that hasn't already been said.
Happy to answer any questions though
Big Tomm said:
What a fantastic pair of dogs you have there.
I’m a sucker for a nice pair of pups. I’m sure they need a good old bit of space. I’ve had to buy a larger car for my Labrador, who is significantly smaller than your hounds.
Back on topic though the X5 looks fantastic. Looking at the newer BMW range the kidney grills don’t quite appeal to me but I’m sure they’ll grow on me the more I see.
Very tempted by an X5, with some of the recent threads on here.
The grilles still don't bother me, but then I usually go for a car based on capability rather than looks - hence a litany of ugly cars in my past!I’m a sucker for a nice pair of pups. I’m sure they need a good old bit of space. I’ve had to buy a larger car for my Labrador, who is significantly smaller than your hounds.
Back on topic though the X5 looks fantastic. Looking at the newer BMW range the kidney grills don’t quite appeal to me but I’m sure they’ll grow on me the more I see.
Very tempted by an X5, with some of the recent threads on here.
custardkid said:
Sorry strange request. can you please take some pictures of the dash trim.. Cotswold only have Msports in stock
Will try and get some over the weekend for you - this one has the extended leather, not sure what one without it looks like over the dashboard area though.custardkid said:
It was more aluminium / grey bit
..its ether that or £4 per month for the fine line wood
Going white interior to brighten up the inside as wont have the pan roof & although i'll obviously clean it, if it looks tired after 4 years its not my problem
Not had a chance to get out there in the daylight yet - so no photos, but TBH the stock dark aluminium is what I have, and what has been in 99% of the ones I have seen. It's totally inoffensive and actually quite nice...its ether that or £4 per month for the fine line wood
Going white interior to brighten up the inside as wont have the pan roof & although i'll obviously clean it, if it looks tired after 4 years its not my problem
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