Milage Test, Warning Icon, and Dogs in Vehicle

On a road trip from Ashland, VA to Palm Harbor, FL, on November 28, 2009, 865 miles, of which all but about 40 miles were on interstate highways, I averaged 69.9 mph, and 25.2 mpg.

While in Virginia, I started getting a symbol flashing on the instrument panel. It was a triangle with a snow flake inside. I couldn't find anything in the Owners Manual, so I called BMW roadside assistance. I described it to the technician, who told me I needed anti-freeze, and if I felt comfortable enough to do it, I should buy some and put it in. Instead, I drove to the local BMW dealer in Short Pump, where it was quickly checked and I was told that it didn't need anti-freeze; it is a warning light that comes on for about a second at about 37∘ to warn of possible road icing.

I also discovered that when leaving dogs in the vehicle, one must press the lock button twice to disable an internal sensor; otherwise any movement inside the vehicle by the dogs triggers the alarm.

1,000 mile trip

I left Palm Harbor Sunday driving to Virginia Beach and then to the Richmond, VA area. The trip so far has been about 1,000 miles, mostly at fairly high speed on I-75, I-10, and I-95. Milage has been a disappointment, as the overall average was 24.0 mpg, far less than the rated 26 mpg.

Saturday I will drive from Ashville back to Palm Harbor, about 780 miles, mostly all on the interstates, and will check the milage again.

4 Month Report

I have had the vehicle for a little over 4 months, and about 3,000 miles. I am averaging a little over 21 mpg around town, but next week I will take the first substantial trip, about 780 miles each way.

I like the way it handles, but there is a definite downside to the electronics. There is a long delay from the time I start the engine in the garage until I can get the back up camera and the parking sensors to come on. The result is that I back out of the garage without the aid of the back up camera. Just as aggravating is the fact that the parking sensors don't stay on, so when pulling into a parking space I have to push a button on the dash and then wait for the sensors to come on.

The navigation screen is smaller than it should be, since the display is always split between the navigation screen (or other iDrive screen) on the left, and a smaller display on the right.

2000 mile - 3 Month Update

I am still learning the dreaded iDrive system. The voice commands are easier than using the hand controller, but unfortunately there are limited voice commands that it recognizes. I have photocopied the voice commands and laminated them to keep in the vehicle, and practice them occasionally, and try to learn additional commands.

I am averaging about 19.7 miles around town, and am looking forward to a road trip next month. There are plenty of diesel stations in Florida, and the iDrive has a setting to locate diesel stations as well.

The vehicle handles very well.

The biggest objection I have is that the parking sensors are not full time. They go on in reverse or by pushing a dashboard button. When I drive into the garage I have to push the dashboard button and wait for them to activate before I drive in and park. The outside mirrors don't fold in automatically when the vehicle is locked, and that requires another button to be pushed. When starting the vehicle, there is a long delay (long at least compared with my former SUV, a Mercedes Benz ML500) before the screen comes on; then a wait to push the iDrive button to accept the conditions of use, and then (in reverse) for the backup camera a parking sensors to come on.

In retrospect, I am sorry I didn't wait for the 2010 model, which is rumored to have a better iDrive system, and perhaps some other enhancements.

The FM Presets Conquered

After about a half hour with a sales assistant at Ferman BMW, I and the sales assistant finally discovered the secret to programing the FM Presets. The owner's manual does not begin to explain the process, so here it is for future reference:

To Preset a FM station:

1. Press iDrive Menu button
2. Select ENTERTAINMENT
3. Select FM
4. Select MANUAL
5. Find the desired FM station
6. Select SET
7. Select STORE - This automatically brings you to the PRESETS window
8. Select the desired position of the station and Select SET again. The FM station is now set.

After the first station is stored, repeat 5, 6, 7 and 8 above for each additional station.

To use the Presets:

A. Repeat 1, 2, and 3 above
B. Select PRESETS
C. Use the <> arrows on the bottom right side of the radio or the Up and Down buttons on the steering wheel to scroll through the presets. Any preset position that is not programed as above will default to 87.9 FM, which can be annoying, and I suggest that you fill all positions, even if you just duplicate other desired stations.

The Radio

I have had the X5d for about a month and 800 miles, and still cannot program the FM radio. I read, re-read, and tried every setting mentioned in the owner's manual without success in setting FM presets. I have called the Customer Service line twice, and all they can do is read me the owner's manual, but have no independent knowledge of how the radio actually works. I am asking the dealer, Ferman BMW, to give me instruction, if someone at the dealership can figure it out.

After 500 miles

I have been driving the BMW for a couple of weeks and about 500 miles around town. These are my impressions:

1. The diesel engine is strong and quiet. Considering that I am getting slightly over 20 mpg around town, including idling while exploring features, I can see no advantage to a conventional gasoline engine. I believe the price difference between the small gasoline engine and the diesel will be quickly offset by fuel savings, plus the tax credit.

2.Compared with my 2006 Mercedes ML500, the BMW fails in a number of ways. It is not nearly as driver friendly:

(a) There is no setting to have the outside mirrors fold in when locking the car. A button must be pushed each time to fold them in.

(b) The forward parking sensors do not come on automatically - a button must be pushed that also turns on the backup camera. However, once on, the parking sensors are much superior to that of the Mercedes,in that they visibly display the vehicle, have colored fan zones to show proximity to obstacles, and a much louder warning light.

(c) The passenger can't start the engine. Frequently my wife will stay in the car while I run an errand. If I have turned off the engine the passenger could simply start the engine with the key. The BMW will not start unless the brake pedal is depressed, which can't be done from the passenger seat.

(d) The navigation system is terrible by comparison. Compared withe the Mercedes, it takes longer to compute or recompute the route. The map display doesn't tell the name of the highway you are traveling, or the name of the next turn until you are almost there and get the small display showing the direction of turn. Programing the navigation is arduous. On a scale of 1 to 10, if I were to rate the 2006 Mercedes navigation system an 8, the BMW would earn a 2.

(e) The iDrive system is as bad as everyone has always warned and complained about in reviews an forums. Maybe worse. I once learned how to program a VCR, and will probably learn how to use the iDrive before the warranty expires.

(f) The optional 3rd row seats were a bust. Although my 5 and 7 year old grandchildren could ride fairly comfortably, there is very, very little room left. We ordered the 3rd row so that my wife could ride with me to pick up my son, his wife, and children at the airport, but found that we couldn't because there was no room for their luggage. We all went to the beach, but there was little room for beach chairs, beach toys, a small cooler chest, and towels, some of which the passengers had to carry on their laps on in the foot wells.

3. The fit and finish is excellent, as one would expect from a vehicle in this price range. I have the sport package, and I think that the quality of the materials slightly exceeds that of the Mercedes, but the layout and controls do not.

4. The transmission is very smooth, and the vehicle offers better control than the Mercedes did in cornering. The steering generally is stiffer in the BMW, which is not difficult to get used to, but the BMW has a larger turning radius.

My New BMW X5 Diesel

This blog is to chronicle my experiences in owning and driving a new 2009 BMW X5 diesel SUV. [Note: BMW characterizes the vehicle as a "SAV" which is an anachronm for "Sport Activity Vehicle" in contrast to the all of the "Sport Utility Vehicles" manufactured by everyone else].