[#enzowho]

Originally Posted by karan561

40K for the official black grilles

I remember when i had asked at the service centre for my F30 M Performance grilles they had quoted me around INR 14.5k, hence i got mine from ebay for around 5.5K

But 40K for X3 is simply bonkers.

That's true,
The Black Grills are quite expensive!
I've paid something similar for my 530d for the Twin Slat Black grills!
Ridiculous Pricing I must say!

[Santoshbhat]

Suffered my first problem with the X3 today. A long drive in the rains meant that I used the windscreen washer quite frequently. The headlamp washers do their thingy once every few sprays (only if headlight is on I guess). After the end of journey I glanced back at the car after hitting lock on the key fob to find that the right side headlamp washer was protruding out and had not retracted fully. Tried pushing it in by hand but it refused to go in. Started the car and did a few sprays and it protruded even more but did not retract. Pushed it back by hand and it went only upto a certain point. Googled it up and it seems to be a common problem . Looks like a warranty replacement. Worst part is that the BMW workshop is right in the other end of the city from where I stay.





Meanwhile I've racked up nearly 6,500 kms and iDrive says oil change is due in 3,500 kms. Brake pad life as projected by iDrive is another 44,000 kms for the front and 48,000 kms for the rears. 90% running so far has been on 4 lane GQ

Clicked a few pics en-route the latest trip.

[sweetvar26]

Originally Posted by Santoshbhat

Suffered my first problem with the X3 today. A long drive in the rains meant that I used the windscreen washer quite frequently. The headlamp washers do their thingy once every few sprays (only if headlight is on I guess). After the end of journey I glanced back at the car after hitting lock on the key fob to find that the right side headlamp washer was protruding out and had not retracted fully. Tried pushing it in by hand but it refused to go in. Started the car and did a few sprays and it protruded even more but did not retract. Pushed it back by hand and it went only upto a certain point. Googled it up and it seems to be a common problem . Looks like a warranty replacement. Worst part is that the BMW workshop is right in the other end of the city from where I stay.

Attachment 1522276

Oh man, I lost the panel on the headlight washer on my S4. I've no idea how but I noticed it randomly that it's missing the panel and now there is like a black patch that's clearly visible. The washer and all works perfectly fine but you know, just doesn't fit right with your mind when you know there's clearly the panel is missing.

Worst part is that the nearest Audi service is 4-5 hours away from where I live. Ugh!

[Santoshbhat]

There have been a few small updates with the car, which I would like to share with you all. I went shopping on Ali Express and bought a few small things.

1. Got an original BMW leather key case. It does make the key quite bulky, but protects it from hard falls etc... and the leather feels nice to hold. Cost : $ 13.79
   
   
   
   
2. Got M styles tyre valve caps. Package included an ///M styled key ring which I've put on the spare key. Cost : $ 4.00
   
   
   
   
3. Got tiny ///M stickers , one of which I've put on the gear lever. It look like an ///M car lever now. Cost : $ 2.00
   
   
   
   
4. Got glossy carbon fibre finish mirror caps. Cost : $ 122.00. The finish is really good and it fits perfectly. These CF mirror caps are almost 2X thick and are much more sturdy and stronger than the OE ones. Installation was a simple half hour DIY job.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Got a nice German font number plate set from eBay. It comes with a frame and the quality is quite good. Cost : Rs. 1,900.00
   
   
   

The look is now complete. The black grill and the CF mirrors go well together. The M sport does not have black cladding on the sides and there's too much of white on the body. These black bits contrast nicely with the white and also make the car look mean from front on.



The only thing that's left now are the wheels. The alloys on the car look a bit dated and ordinary. There is a lovely design in 19" called M 622 and in 19's there is an option to get staggered wheels with 245s in the front and 275s at the back.

This looks great on the car but there are two things I am worried about. One is the deterioration in ride quality and increased likelihood of tyre damage due to the reduced sidewalls. Second is the increased rolling noise due to fatter rear tyres. Also these will cost a bomb. I will take a call on this when the current 18" set is due for replacement. Availability may also be an issue.

I haven't posted proper interior pics. So here goes...

[Santoshbhat]

Being a BMW owner I was invited to the BMW experience tour held at Taneja Aviation runway near Hosur. It was the first time I attented such an event and it was a very nice experience. We did timed laps on a Slalom course and some breaking and acceleration tests in regular BMW cars. The handling and poise of these cars really makes you understand what BMW stands for. Also the braking test really allowed me to understand how these cars behave under hard braking. They made us slam the brakes as hard as we could at 60 kph, then 80 kph and then at 100 kph and finally they asked us to let go of the steering wheel at the same time. The car (5 series) just tracked straight and stopped wthinin a few meters, no drama whatsoever. . One lesson learnt : At 100 kph stopping distance is 4 times what it is at 50 kph.

A few pics from the event.

P.S. to Mods : I made a separate post for the BMW event as I did not want to clutter my last post.

[nurni76]

Originally Posted by Santoshbhat

There have been a few small updates with the car, which I would like to share with you all. I went shopping on Ali Express and bought a few small things.

...

Nice bit of mods there. I got the leather case and key chain as complimentary from the dealer. To reduce the white portion on the sides I am planning to have black body skirts as an accessory.
[ATTACH]
It does enhance the looks. Let me know what you feel of the same?

[Turbanator]

These black bits contrast nicely with the white and also make the car look mean from front on.

Your car looks nice, I am sure with 6 cylinder engine it will be fun to drive as well. From the pictures, looks you don't have newer M steering wheel they use on current 530 as well X5-M , I will suggest you order one given your taste for the modifications.
It feels very different to hold & will be a worthy change - have a look at mine X5

[CarLoverJosh]

Originally Posted by Turbanator

Your car looks nice, I am sure with 6 cylinder engine it will be fun to drive as well. From the pictures, looks you don't have newer M steering wheel they use on current 530 as well X5-M , I will suggest you order one given your taste for the modifications.
It feels very different to hold & will be a worthy change - have a look at mine X5

Hi Turbanator sorry for being but the thing is that there isn't a single ownership review of the new X5 and I would like to request you on behalf of all the members that kindly put up an ownership review of the vehicle. It would be of great help for people thinking of buying the X5 as their next vehicle or just considering it. Thanks a lot.

[Turbanator]

It would be of great help for people thinking of buying the X5 as their next vehicle or just considering it.

I am not very good in writing but if you or anyone else has any query will try to answer, I bought this 2 months ago when I sold my 2014 -730D. I was supposed to change with current 7 but after an extended drive I didn't found any major difference in ride quality of newer 7 over old and instead picked carbon black-M kitted . New X5 is probably one of best BMW's available given the overall practicality it offers both in terms of ride and fun besides it's super quiet and fuel efficient.

Hope Santosh is ok if I post few photos here

[Santoshbhat]

Originally Posted by Turbanator

Your car looks nice, I am sure with 6 cylinder engine it will be fun to drive as well. From the pictures, looks you don't have newer M steering wheel they use on current 530 as well X5-M , I will suggest you order one given your taste for the modifications.
It feels very different to hold & will be a worthy change - have a look at mine X5

The new M wheel looks nice. My car has got the paddle shifters as well. So if I swap the wheel, it will be for purely cosmetic reasons. Maybe something I can think of after a couple of years. The MY 2016 X3 M sport US model actually gets this new M wheel from the factory. It also gets the latest iDrive 5.0 similar to what is seen on the new 7 series, albeit a non touch screen one unlike the 7 which is also a touch screen. Don't know whether Indian models are updated with these changes.

Originally Posted by Turbanator

I am not very good in writing but if you or anyone else has any query will try to answer, I bought this 2 months ago when I sold my 2014 -730D. I was supposed to change with current 7 but after an extended drive I didn't found any major difference in ride quality of newer 7 over old and instead picked carbon black-M kitted . New X5 is probably one of best BMW's available given the overall practicality it offers both in terms of ride and fun besides it's super quiet and fuel efficient.

Hope Santosh is ok if I post few photos here

I would love to see more pictures of your X5 M-Sport . Those wheels look interesting. Are those 255s or 275s? The X5 has great sound insulation, better than the X3. How is the tyre roar with those fat tyres?

Totally agree with you. These BMW X cars are great all rounders. Great ride and handling with the added practicality of a big boot and ground clearance. The 3.0L engine is a real gem. Refined, fast and frugal at the same time.

[Turbanator]

The new M wheel looks nice. My car has got the paddle shifters as well

More than appearance, the new one is very different to hold , very comfortable and it will be worth upgrade. Do try when you visit the dealership in some other car.

It also gets the latest iDrive 5.0 similar to what is seen on the new 7 series, albeit a non touch screen one unlike the 7 which is also a touch screen. Don't know whether Indian models are updated with these changes.

Yes, X3 iDrive has been re-designed and these should be in showrooms by now. X5 with a touch like 7 are planned for this or next month. We should see these here next Year surely but I don't think touch is much useful except for say pinch/zoom in Navigation

Those wheels look interesting. Are those 255s or 275s?

These are with staggered setup - front: 255/50 R19, rear: 285/45 R19

[Strella]

I believe BMW is planning to launch the X3 with a petrol engine. The type and power output of the engine is not known at the moment.

Should be a good option for the NCR if priced well.

[Fstlndrive]

Originally Posted by Santoshbhat

There have been a few small updates with the car, which I would like to share with you all. I went shopping on Ali Express and bought a few small things.
[list=1][*]Got an original BMW leather key case. It does make the key quite bulky, but protects it from hard falls etc... and the leather feels nice to hold. Cost : $ 13.79

Attachment 1535900

Thank you for this info. I checked for the same at the BMW dealership when I bought my 320i last week. Costed above Rs. 2000. I did not buy that since it was bulky (as you said) and it was expensive. I saw your post and ordered the leather key case from Ali Express.

[Akshay1234]

Originally Posted by Strella

I believe BMW is planning to launch the X3 with a petrol engine. The type and power output of the engine is not known at the moment.

Should be a good option for the NCR if priced well.

Surprising if its true. There is only about a year left for the X3, I'm not sure if BMW would bring in a petrol for such a short time. Though I have a feeling it will be the 28i engine if at all.

[coolboy007]

Nice nifty updates to your X3, the car would look even better with a better set of alloys. Did you get the headlamp washer checked? I can see it sticking out in the photos you have posted.