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So far, more fun than any other BMW I've owned, even my '74 2002 tii. Handling is crisp and precise, more than enough power for me with the 3.0, although might not be enough for some of you younger drivers :) Seating position is a little weird with relation to the instrument pod. I like the wheel far away and down, so its hard to see the top of the speedo & tach. Steptronic is great, smooth shifts, very positive shift program. The heated steering wheel is killer! Well worth the $150.00. Visibility is excellent, I've replaced the backup lights with halogen 50w bulbs, which made a big difference in visibility. I'm working on either adding additional brake lights in the empty rear fog sockets, or I may just install a left rear fog where there should be one on U.S. spec trucks (BMWUSA, are you listening?) Seat comfort is good, the lumbar helps with support, but the seats are a little firm, and it would be nice if there were more lateral and thigh support. Rear seat comfort is better than the ML, and folding the seats is a breeze, unlike the ML, which requires a degree in mechanical engineering! Heating and A/C system is good, works well, and if easy to operate. The Xenons are pretty cool, the color temperature of the light is nice and white compated to Halogen. It's a shame that they are not Bi-Xenon, but I guess you can't have everything. Auto leveling of the Xenons takes a little getting used to. Have only been flashed once, by a Miata.
Power window switches could be in a better location, maybe the console, but just a minor annoyance. I hate the aluminum painted plastic on the door grabs, and interior handles. I would prefer chrome metal handles, and wood or leather grabs. I really wish someone would kidnap Chris Bangle!
All in all, a superior vehicle to the ML, with the exception of the Radio/CD/NAV. I'd like to know why BMW has eliminated the weather band on the radio. Being a SAV, it would be really nice to have the WB, the radio station call letters are pretty worthless to me. The NAV system is the absolute worst I've ever used. Way too complicated regarding entering addresses with the right knob. The ML uses an ALpine unit which has a joy stick to enter addresses. Much more efficient. Also, there is no way to edit addresses in the address book. This system needs more dedicated buttons on the unit for functions such as, repeat last voice direction. (I'd like to see BMW program the "Information" button on the radio, or the little "call" button on the lower left of the steering wheel for this purpose) I personally like dedicated buttons for features, which seems to go against the current BMW I-Drive trend. Cars should not be like video games, and I don't like BMW's current thinking that design should take presidence over functionality. (BMWUSA, remember your 70's credo -"Form follows function"?)
The DSP system is O.K., not great, but O.K. I can't imagine what the stock audio system sounds like. I'm a little biased, b/c the ML Bose system has the sub located under the driver's seat. I'm not a Bose fan, but the ML's system does sound better to me. Nice crisp low frequencies, compared to the boomy sub in the X5.
As I said, all in all, a great vehicle. I would'nt want anything else. Hopefully, it will be more reliable than the ML, which is a disaster. Only defect so far is the key memory problem which seems to be widespread, but not a big deal for me, since I can't imagine letting my wife drive it for a while ^')
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