Taking delivery: X5 xDrive50i

atomic80 · 03-09-2014, 10:55 AM

My brother has always had a X5 from the first and second generation. I've borrowed it on a number of occasions and always loved how it drove. Finally, the time came for me to get a new SUV to replace my aging Range Rover (with the BMW V8 mind you) and so I decided to get the new F15 X5 as soon as I heard about its impending release. I placed the order back in November with a January build date. I picked every option except for the parking assistant, night vision, nappa dashboard and active steering. I had test driven the xDrive35i and my brother has the diesel version so I knew what to get and that is the xDrive50i without question. I need/want that V8 power!!!

The color, space grey was the only constant but the interior leather color and trim went through a number of changes before I chose the safe route and went with black. My salesperson was always very good in keeping me apprised of the build status up until it arrived at the dealership. I was finally able to take delivery last week but she went off to the detail shop immediately afterwards to get the full frontal XPel self healing clear film coverage and Opticoat paint, leather and carpeting protection. That took another couple of days so I haven't really had a chance to get behind the wheel until recently. I must say that although this X5 has plenty of power, it doesn't feel as "solid" as my old Range Rover if that even makes sense. Over certain bumps I could feel a little bit of shuddering but not enough to really detract from the overall driving experience which I absolutely LOVE! My salesperson showed me probably only about 20% of the features and I was able to learn about the rest on my own by playing with the features and actually cracking open the owner's manual (LOL!)

I still have a ways to go before I break it in and I have a couple of things in mind for this magnificent machine. So far I've added rubber mats, changed the front kidney grill to blacked out ones from iND and gotten the front side windows tinted 20%. I have painted front and rear reflectors and will add those later. My plan is to add the M Performance brake and pedal kits. I haven't decided yet if I'm going to get a ski/bike rack. I would stick my skis in the Rover just because it was so high I couldn't reach on top.

Here are the photos from delivery day

After the detailing, grill, tint & film installation

Love that Space Grey!!!

And yes, she got dirty!!!
[img][/img]

golovan · 03-09-2014, 11:42 AM

Congratulations! It looks gorgeous!

How much did you pay for XPel self healing clear film coverage and Opticoat paint?

drewdogg808 · 03-09-2014, 11:59 AM

Beautiful photos and x5!

E92LNGCGY · 03-09-2014, 12:02 PM

That looks awesome. I am actually in the researching stage and this is pretty much the same combo as I would be ordering. Good to see some real life pictures. Thanks.

hanman · 03-09-2014, 12:18 PM

Looks phenomenal congrats

Baunton · 03-09-2014, 12:21 PM

Great shots! Congratulations.

Bibendum · 03-09-2014, 12:53 PM

How hard were the new grilles to put on?

sirajkas · 03-09-2014, 01:05 PM

Congrats.. Nice ride. What kind of leather protection you went with? I thought opticoat was only for exterior paint. Also is xpel like 3m clear bra film protection.? Is the film visible?

Kief · 03-09-2014, 01:25 PM

Gorgeous!

So are the 20s" now coming with Conti rubber or is this only for the 50i? Anything but the dreaded Dunlops

Bigtop · 03-09-2014, 01:48 PM

Beautiful photography! I think BMW marketing needs to learn a thing or two from your imaging. You are the first photographer to make the car look good!

wdimagineer · 03-09-2014, 05:11 PM

Beautiful pictures! Congrats!

JJPP · 03-09-2014, 05:32 PM

Congrats!
This car looks so beautiful!!!

jlee · 03-09-2014, 05:37 PM

Thanks for the pics. Now I which know what wheels I want! The m sport ones are really nice...and probably will look better over the long term.

Did you get the dynamic suspension with the m sport?

Jeff

joejoejr · 03-09-2014, 07:23 PM

What camera were you using? Pics look great. Congrats on your new ride.

chrisny · 03-09-2014, 07:28 PM

congrats!! awesome pictures

golovan · 03-09-2014, 08:43 PM

Could you please tell me if the X5 on the left side is dark graphite or space gray?

chrisny · 03-09-2014, 09:03 PM

dark graphite, beautiful color. you can tell it's much darker than the OP's space gray (a color I also love) on the right side.

atomic80 · 03-09-2014, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by golovan

How much did you pay for XPel self healing clear film coverage and Opticoat paint?

I paid about $2500 for all those plus the clearplex windshield film which I forgot to mention too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bibendum

How hard were the new grilles to put on?

It's not super difficult..just tight getting your hands in there to release the tabs. Helps to have smaller hands.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirajkas

Congrats.. Nice ride. What kind of leather protection you went with? I thought opticoat was only for exterior paint. Also is xpel like 3m clear bra film protection.? Is the film visible?

I went with the Opticoat leather/fabric protection. Here's more information. The shop is one of the best in the area as far as film installations go so they did a good job. Xpel is much clearer optically than the older 3M material which is a bit yellow because of the adhesive they use. It actually changes the way the paint color looks. I prefer Xpel because it doesn't appear yellowish.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kief

Gorgeous!

So are the 20s" now coming with Conti rubber or is this only for the 50i? Anything but the dreaded Dunlops

I checked, I have the Continental tires on mine. Not sure why or how they'd choose to use Dunlops instead.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigtop

Beautiful photography! I think BMW marketing needs to learn a thing or two from your imaging. You are the first photographer to make the car look good!

Thanks!!! I'm a photographer so I love capturing cars the way they are meant to be captured!

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlee

Thanks for the pics. Now I which know what wheels I want! The m sport ones are really nice...and probably will look better over the long term.

Did you get the dynamic suspension with the m sport?

Yes, I did...I'm really glad I did. The car runs/drives/handles REALLY well especially in the twisties even in the wet!

Quote:

Originally Posted by joejoejr

What camera were you using? Pics look great. Congrats on your new ride.

For these I was using my Nikon D800E. Thank you!

Quote:

Originally Posted by golovan

Could you please tell me if the X5 on the left side is dark graphite or space gray?

Like Chris said...graphite on the left and space grey on the right.

xDrive35i · 03-09-2014, 11:18 PM

Have a D800 myself and love it.

Haris · 03-09-2014, 11:23 PM

Great shots! Much better than official photos

Zipforia · 03-09-2014, 11:45 PM

Nice! Looks almost exactly like mine! The photos are fantastic! I especially like the LED light shot. I was just thinking to myself, "Wow! My X5 would look almost like that...and damn it looks good!"

Congrats!

Z.

atomic80 · 03-10-2014, 12:37 AM

Here's another picture from earlier today..

03-09-2014, 10:55 AM	#1
atomic80 Lieutenant 404 Rep 561 Posts Drives: 997TT Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bellevue, WA iTrader: (0)	Taking delivery: X5 xDrive50i My brother has always had a X5 from the first and second generation. I've borrowed it on a number of occasions and always loved how it drove. Finally, the time came for me to get a new SUV to replace my aging Range Rover (with the BMW V8 mind you) and so I decided to get the new F15 X5 as soon as I heard about its impending release. I placed the order back in November with a January build date. I picked every option except for the parking assistant, night vision, nappa dashboard and active steering. I had test driven the xDrive35i and my brother has the diesel version so I knew what to get and that is the xDrive50i without question. I need/want that V8 power!!! The color, space grey was the only constant but the interior leather color and trim went through a number of changes before I chose the safe route and went with black. My salesperson was always very good in keeping me apprised of the build status up until it arrived at the dealership. I was finally able to take delivery last week but she went off to the detail shop immediately afterwards to get the full frontal XPel self healing clear film coverage and Opticoat paint, leather and carpeting protection. That took another couple of days so I haven't really had a chance to get behind the wheel until recently. I must say that although this X5 has plenty of power, it doesn't feel as "solid" as my old Range Rover if that even makes sense. Over certain bumps I could feel a little bit of shuddering but not enough to really detract from the overall driving experience which I absolutely LOVE! My salesperson showed me probably only about 20% of the features and I was able to learn about the rest on my own by playing with the features and actually cracking open the owner's manual (LOL!) I still have a ways to go before I break it in and I have a couple of things in mind for this magnificent machine. So far I've added rubber mats, changed the front kidney grill to blacked out ones from iND and gotten the front side windows tinted 20%. I have painted front and rear reflectors and will add those later. My plan is to add the M Performance brake and pedal kits. I haven't decided yet if I'm going to get a ski/bike rack. I would stick my skis in the Rover just because it was so high I couldn't reach on top. Here are the photos from delivery day After the detailing, grill, tint & film installation Love that Space Grey!!! And yes, she got dirty!!! [img][/img]
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03-09-2014, 11:42 AM	#2
golovan Second Lieutenant 29 Rep 203 Posts Drives: 2015 X5 35D Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Houston iTrader: (0)	Congratulations! It looks gorgeous! How much did you pay for XPel self healing clear film coverage and Opticoat paint? Last edited by golovan; 03-09-2014 at 12:02 PM..
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03-09-2014, 11:59 AM	#3
drewdogg808 Private First Class 42 Rep 126 Posts Drives: 2016 M3 2020 X5 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Houston iTrader: (0)	Beautiful photos and x5!
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03-09-2014, 12:02 PM	#4
E92LNGCGY Lieutenant Colonel 439 Rep 1,732 Posts Drives: F97/Q5/982 GT4 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	That looks awesome. I am actually in the researching stage and this is pretty much the same combo as I would be ordering. Good to see some real life pictures. Thanks.
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03-09-2014, 12:18 PM	#5
hanman BMW ENTHUSIAST 195 Rep 224 Posts Drives: 2017 M3 COMPETITION Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: ottawa, ontario canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 335I SPORT ... [0.00]	Looks phenomenal congrats __________________ 2012 335i M-Sport Black Saphire 2014 X5 35i M-Sport Alpine White 2017 M3 Competition Mineral White
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		BMW X5 and X6 Forum (F15/F16) > BMW X5 (F15) and BMW X6 (F16) Forum > BMW X5 and X6 (F15/F16) Forum
Taking delivery: X5 xDrive50i

03-09-2014, 12:21 PM	#6
Baunton Major 320 Rep 1,368 Posts Drives: X5 45e 2021 Join Date: May 2013 Location: South Hams iTrader: (0)	Great shots! Congratulations.
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03-09-2014, 12:53 PM	#7
Bibendum Private First Class 22 Rep 172 Posts Drives: 2013 M5 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	How hard were the new grilles to put on?
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03-09-2014, 01:05 PM	#8
sirajkas First Lieutenant 32 Rep 338 Posts Drives: BMW X5 2014 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Fort Lauderdale, USA iTrader: (0)	Congrats.. Nice ride. What kind of leather protection you went with? I thought opticoat was only for exterior paint. Also is xpel like 3m clear bra film protection.? Is the film visible?
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03-09-2014, 01:25 PM	#9
Kief Major General 4440 Rep 5,733 Posts Drives: '24 iX50; '23 i4 M50 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Vereinigte Staaten von Amerika iTrader: (26)	Gorgeous! So are the 20s" now coming with Conti rubber or is this only for the 50i? Anything but the dreaded Dunlops __________________ __________________ '24-I20 iX 50; '23-G26 i4 M50; '22-G82 M4Cx;20-G05 M50i; '20-F82 M4CS; '18-F80 M3CS; '18-F80 M3CS; '18-F85 X5M; '18-G01 X3M40i; '18-F80 M3ZCP; '17-F80 M3ZCP; '15-F15 X5; '15-F82 M4; '12-E92 335is; '11-E70 X5d; '11-E89 Z435is;'09-E89 Z435i; '08-E92 335i; '06-E90 330i; '05-E83 X3; '04-E83 X3; '03-E46 325Ci* *retired
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03-09-2014, 01:48 PM	#10
Bigtop Private First Class 41 Rep 159 Posts Drives: 2020 G05 M50i Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Camelot iTrader: (0)	Beautiful photography! I think BMW marketing needs to learn a thing or two from your imaging. You are the first photographer to make the car look good!
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03-09-2014, 05:11 PM	#11
wdimagineer Major 358 Rep 1,377 Posts Drives: 2015 X5 M Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (0)	Beautiful pictures! Congrats! __________________ Current: 2015 X5 M - Donington Grey/Mugello Red - DINANTRONICS Stage 2 + Free Flow Exhaust - Bimmerpost Featured! Past: Bimmerpost Featured 2014 X5 xDrive50i · 2014 Jeep SRT · 2013 Tesla Model S P85+ · Bimmerpost Featured 2013 F10 M5 · 2012 550 xDrive · 2011 M3 ZCP
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03-09-2014, 05:32 PM	#12
JJPP Enlisted Member 3 Rep 41 Posts Drives: 2007 X5 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Manhattan, NY iTrader: (0)	Congrats! This car looks so beautiful!!!
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03-09-2014, 05:37 PM	#13
jlee Captain 168 Rep 773 Posts Drives: M2CS+GTS Targa+RRS SVR Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (1)	Thanks for the pics. Now I which know what wheels I want! The m sport ones are really nice...and probably will look better over the long term. Did you get the dynamic suspension with the m sport? Jeff
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03-09-2014, 07:23 PM	#14
joejoejr Private 9 Rep 53 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW X5 35i Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: East Coast iTrader: (0)	What camera were you using? Pics look great. Congrats on your new ride.
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03-09-2014, 07:28 PM	#15
chrisny Brigadier General 547 Rep 3,307 Posts Drives: 2020 X5 40i Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	congrats!! awesome pictures
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03-09-2014, 08:43 PM	#16
golovan Second Lieutenant 29 Rep 203 Posts Drives: 2015 X5 35D Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Houston iTrader: (0)	Could you please tell me if the X5 on the left side is dark graphite or space gray? Attached Images
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03-09-2014, 09:03 PM	#17
chrisny Brigadier General 547 Rep 3,307 Posts Drives: 2020 X5 40i Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	dark graphite, beautiful color. you can tell it's much darker than the OP's space gray (a color I also love) on the right side. Last edited by chrisny; 03-09-2014 at 09:36 PM..
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03-09-2014, 11:18 PM	#19
xDrive35i Lieutenant Colonel 126 Rep 1,781 Posts Drives: Porsche Macan S Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Have a D800 myself and love it.
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03-09-2014, 11:23 PM	#20
Haris Lieutenant 169 Rep 481 Posts Drives: F82 BMW M4 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW X5 xDrive50i [0.00]	Great shots! Much better than official photos __________________ 2021 BMW X7 M50i + 2015 BMW M4 Retired: 2018 Audi Q7 \| 2015 BMW X5 xDrive35i \| 2012 BMW X5 xDrive50i \| 2010 Audi S4 \| 2007 335i Coupe Creator of Leasematic - Lease/Loan Calculator \| iOS App Store \| Android Google Play
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03-09-2014, 11:45 PM	#21
Zipforia Captain 98 Rep 693 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW i8 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: So. Cal. iTrader: (0)	Nice! Looks almost exactly like mine! The photos are fantastic! I especially like the LED light shot. I was just thinking to myself, "Wow! My X5 would look almost like that...and damn it looks good!" Congrats! Z.
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03-10-2014, 12:37 AM	#22
atomic80 Lieutenant 404 Rep 561 Posts Drives: 997TT Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bellevue, WA iTrader: (0)	Here's another picture from earlier today..
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