[gamingstein]

Originally Posted by Jay_P2324

Introduction

The X5 is an amazing driver's car, it has all the right features for a driver, as a passanger it misses out on a few but no car is perfect. You get a laidback driving experience in Eco Pro, sedated yet peppy in Comfort and the car gets into maniac mode in Sport. I am unsure of the value quotient of the car in 2023 where BMW has increased the pricing of the car closer to 1cr ex-showroom.

Hey, congratulations on your beast and wish you amazing miles for years to come.
I have a question regarding the current X5 LCI M Sport variant to all owners; what is the utility of the air suspension?
Per my understanding, in an X7 (where the air suspension is standard), when you select SPORTs mode, the car automatically drops its ride height to suit aggressive handling; however, in the X5 (where the air suspension is not standard - read xLine vs M Sport), the ride hide automatically settles at the default height post crossing 30 kmph (irrespective of the mode) and the explanation for this is that the car aerodynamics are tested and created for same height to apply on both variants!
If this is actually the case, i am not sure what else can be the utility apart from having a leverage when loading heavy stuff or crossing really bad roads at crawling speeds (which in most case the standard model should be able to tackle too)
Also, any other major changes you noticed in the M Sport over the xLine (apart from cosmetic upgrades, M badging)

[Jay_P2324]

Originally Posted by gamingstein

Hey, congratulations on your beast and wish you amazing miles for years to come.
I have a question regarding the current X5 LCI M Sport variant to all owners; what is the utility of the air suspension?
Per my understanding, in an X7 (where the air suspension is standard), when you select SPORTs mode, the car automatically drops its ride height to suit aggressive handling; however, in the X5 (where the air suspension is not standard - read xLine vs M Sport), the ride hide automatically settles at the default height post crossing 30 kmph (irrespective of the mode) and the explanation for this is that the car aerodynamics are tested and created for same height to apply on both variants!
If this is actually the case, i am not sure what else can be the utility apart from having a leverage when loading heavy stuff or crossing really bad roads at crawling speeds (which in most case the standard model should be able to tackle too)
Also, any other major changes you noticed in the M Sport over the xLine (apart from cosmetic upgrades, M badging)

Hey gamingstein,

I have noticed that the air suspension drops two bars in Sport Mode but never noticed it go back up after 30 kmph. I found this thread on another forum that explains the G05 air suspension settings better. Hope it helps.

https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...ormal%20level.

Also, I own the pre-facelift model. No mechanical changes in the car compared to the Xline model. I had test-driven the Xline.

[gamingstein]

Originally Posted by Jay_P2324

Hey gamingstein,

Also, I own the pre-facelift model. No mechanical changes in the car compared to the Xline model. I had test-driven the Xline.

Thank you for the update. On a separate note, how is the consumption for AdBlu in the 30d? And how is BMW's Adblu charge compared to other manufacturers?
More importantly (my question to all BMW 30d owners), how is the reliability of this engine and especially post AdBlu addition and the 12hp electric motor addition? I guess this is the B57 engine if iam not wrong.

[Jay_P2324]

Originally Posted by gamingstein

Thank you for the update. On a separate note, how is the consumption for AdBlu in the 30d? And how is BMW's Adblu charge compared to other manufacturers?

The Adblue consumption is dependent on the terrain, engine size, load, temperature, and various other factors. Generally from what I've read online, it is about 3-5% of the fuel consumption.

As far as my experience goes, the first 6500 km Adblue showed 100%. During my last trip to Coorg, I experienced the first drop in Adblue. Now at about 10,500 km, the Ad Blue tank is at about 70%. If that is the rate of consumption I am good until the next service.

I have consulted my SA about the Adblue top-up. He recommended Shell Adblue. Refilling from outside is completely fine, not necessarily having it refilled from BMW itself. On my last visit to the BMW workshop, I saw 20L Gulf Adblue containers. I believe BMW uses Gulf.


On another note. There is one update to the LCI 30d engine. Evo India mentioned in their review that the LCI 30d now uses Steel Pistons in place of Aluminium Pistons. Attaching a link below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu7wbkUU_B4

[Jay_P2324]

The X5 goes on a Coffee Expedition to Chikmangalur!

In March this year, a couple of my friends and I decided to do a boy's road trip. We had two destinations in mind; Udaipur and Chikmangalur. I was keen on driving down to Chikmagalur and my friends agreed. We booked a beautiful Stay Vista Property and I got the car prepped and ready for the Trip.

We left at 4:00 AM from home and reached the first Food Plaza on the Mumbai Pune Expressway by 7:15 AM. This was a quick breakfast and loo break and we were back on the road in 25 minutes.


Mumbai-Pune Expressway

The next stop was Kolhapur for Lunch. We covered distance at a good pace and reached Hotel 7/12, Kolhapur exactly at 1:00 PM. Just when we thought that we were exiting Maharashtra and we would be greeted by beautiful three-lane highways, we hit traffic patches between Kagal and Belagavi. This set us back around two hours.


Karnataka Highways after Belagavi

The plan was to reach Davangere that day, we reached Apoorva Resorts at 7:45 PM, checked into our room, and called it an early night.


Trip meter at the end of day 1

The next day we did not have to rush as Chikmanglur was barely 3 hours away. We had some delicious breakfast at the Resort and the famous Benne Dosa.




It was a sedate drive from Davangere to Chikmagalur, we enjoyed the wide and scenic single-lane roads of Karnataka.




Before we knew it we were in Chikmangalur and just in time for Lunch. We decided to try the famous Donne Biryani in the City Center and we headed to our Villa. It is a beautiful property amidst a Coffee Estate.








The next couple of days we explored the city and the Coffee Estate and were served some delicious homegrown coffee. Saw a few Peacocks and Peahens within the Estate. We made a couple of trips to the town for some shopping and that’s pretty much it. We were in Chikmagalur for 3 nights and loved the nice and quaint little hill station.



Our journey back home was a breeze, we left Chikmangalur around 9:00 AM and our destination was Kolhapur for the night. Reached Kolhapur around six and headed out for dinner. The next morning we started around 9:30 and reached Mumbai around 6:00 PM.


Trip meter from Kolhapur to Mumbai


Overall trip meter

[oilgascng]

Beautiful! Can you please share the property name?

[Jay_P2324]

Originally Posted by oilgascng

Beautiful! Can you please share the property name?

Sure, the Villa is called Cicada by Stay Vista

[Guru_Shikhar]

Lovely photos!!!

The villa looks beautiful to have a peaceful break.
Thanks for sharing. Means Chikmangluru can be reached in couple of days by road and it is inspiring.

On a side note- the A pillar of your vehicle is too thick for one to drive.

Cheers.

[Jay_P2324]

Originally Posted by Guru_Shikhar

On a side note- the A pillar of your vehicle is too thick for one to drive.

I don't find it that intrusive to be honest, or maybe I've gotten used to it.