Looking at a X53 3.0d - Questions

[scz4]

Evening all,

Finally found a X5 I like. It's a March 2005 car, got a few questions

I believe all X5's have rear isofix right?

Is option "676 "HIFI LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM "  any good?

Is it worth getting all the software\firmware\modules updated by my Indy before a remap?

Is Double Glazing an option or standard?

30mpg at 74mph on cruise control achievable?

What are the revs like at that speed?

Is the ride better than the E70 M Sport I recent tested? (My wife has a 2008 X3 Sport and it's ok I guess, a little firm, especially in town)

Anyone run grabbers or all season tyres on their X5?

[X5Sport]

Not just X cars, but all cars had to have rear Isofix on the outer seats from 2002 so you should be fine.

676 is better than the basic system.  Individual is the best.

Not sure there will be much in the way of updates.  Only the later generation cars have updates done in the way they are now.  There might be a gearbox firmware change if not done several years ago.

DG was an expensive cost option.

MPG, yes but it will depend upon weather, altitude, slope, and the state of the car.  Cruise uses more fuel.  I used to get low 30s on mine most of the time, occasionally over 35mpg @ 56mph on the M6.

E53 had softer suspension and tyres.  No 'M Sport' option back then and no RFTs.

Using 'grabbers' risks broken transmission.  Tread is too agricultural.  The older the car the more likely you will shatter a diff.

[scz4]

Thanks very much for the information.

Don't like the idea of an exploding diff, I'll look out for a spare set of wheels to put winter tyres on I think.

[Horizon]

[quote="scz4"]
Thanks very much for the information.

Don't like the idea of an exploding diff, I'll look out for a spare set of wheels to put winter tyres on I think.
[/quote]
Good advise from X5 sport as usual .
Winter tyres ? I had a set of Vred winter extreme 's on mine, same size as summers, went out in 12" snow drifts a few years ago, didn't even flicker the traction control light. I wouldn't bother buying any this year. Spring is nigh.
( oh dear have I tempted fate, expect 3 ft of snow tomorrow

[Smeeagain]

Depends which part of the country the OP is in. Still lots of snow in the north

Smee

[X5-D-Sport]

X5-Sport answered your questions well.

I'd advise against the Grabbers....
The X5 diffs & gearbox / transfer box are fit for purpose, but will agree, the diffs are not built for serious abuse.... You need Salisbury Axles for that treatment - on a Discovery Mk1 or 11  ie TDi or TD5 Diesels.
Suggest you use some Mitchelin Winter tyres or some thing like that...

Even on normal all season Tyres, the X5 will hold its own in a foot of snow...
I have some "All-Traction" tyres on mine... good all year round, and will pull it thru 10" of mud if necessary, but the treads are NOT so course as to cause traction judder/grabbing and smash the transfer box or diff up.

But if you need more ability, then get a Modified & Lifted Diesel Defender with Off Road Treads...

Unfortunately, you either have the creature comforts & good general + snow ability, or go Defender Modified if you need EXTREME off road performance... and you will need spinal traction hospitalisation when you get out of the damned thing...

Lets face it, if the snow is 2 feet deep, then you will be the ONLY person to arrive at work, and the door will be still locked... and if it's that deep anyway, then the chances are you will get yourself into big problems thru lack of Off-Road skills... and likely get swiped by a snow plough.

I've seen some standard vehicles go places that a modified vehicle won't go, purely down to the skills of the driver.

My rule of thumb (even with my significant off road skills) is...
If snow is higher than 20cm on the flat, it will drift to 8 feet.... Stay indoors....
If drifting is only 2 ft at the road sides/ 4 inches on the road, then go out...

Any deeper & you will end up dying of hyperthermia in a snow drift.

[X5Sport]

I have Pirelli Scorpion Ice & Snow on the X6 and Pirelli Sottozero winter tyres on the Superb.  Both cars are AWD and behave very well on dodgy surfaces.

[scz4]

[quote="X5-D-Sport Salisbury"]
My rule of thumb (even with my significant off road skills) is...
If snow is higher than 20cm on the flat, it will drift to 8 feet.... Stay indoors....
If drifting is only 2 ft at the road sides/ 4 inches on the road, then go out...

Any deeper & you will end up dying of hyperthermia in a snow drift.
[/quote]

Hmmmmm, no offense, but what's your definition of "significant off road skills"??  I can can only assume your username suggests you're from Salisbury and never had to drive on anywhere near 20cm of snow??

I do find your advice about staying at home a little amusing. I live in the north east of Scotland and wouldn't hesitate taking my 5 series out with winter tyres on in those conditions. I've not once got stuck or come off the road, amazingly.

We laugh at how life stops down south with 1.3cm's of snow, but then the Scandinavian's laugh how life for us stops with what we would classify as "arctic blizzards"

[scz4]

[quote="X5Sport"]
I have Pirelli Scorpion Ice & Snow on the X6 and Pirelli Sottozero winter tyres on the Superb.  Both cars are AWD and behave very well on dodgy surfaces.
[/quote]

Thanks, will stick to winter tyres then and avoid grabbers or all season tyres. My wife has a X3 with winter tyres on and it's fantastic, but I'd still take a RWD car with winters than a X3/5 with summers on, but I guess we all know that.....

[AW8]

[quote="X5-D-Sport Salisbury"]
My rule of thumb (even with my significant off road skills) is...
If snow is higher than 20cm on the flat, it will drift to 8 feet.... Stay indoors....
If drifting is only 2 ft at the road sides/ 4 inches on the road, then go out...

Any deeper & you will end up dying of hyperthermia in a snow drift.
[/quote]

[quote="scz4"]
Hmmmmm, no offense, but what's your definition of "significant off road skills"??  I can can only assume your username suggests you're from Salisbury and never had to drive on anywhere near 20cm of snow??

I do find your advice about staying at home a little amusing. I live in the north east of Scotland and wouldn't hesitate taking my 5 series out with winter tyres on in those conditions. I've not once got stuck or come off the road, amazingly.

We laugh at how life stops down south with 1.3cm's of snow, but then the Scandinavian's laugh how life for us stops with what we would classify as "arctic blizzards"
[/quote]

I agree that we dont get as much snow down south albeit I strongly suspect X5-D-Sport Salisbury may have ventured from Wiltshire before &/or occasionally seen more than 1.3 cm of snow in his driving life

As for driving an F11 M Sport without hesitation in 20cm of snow - I accept decent winter tyres make a huge difference. Personally I would have concerns driving any distance in snow significantly deeper in measurement than the driven vehicles' actual ground clearance figure.........especially if the front bumper turned into a snow plough

[X5-D-Sport]

Must agree...
The world does cease down here in the South... the slightest hint of snow & the entive South grinds to a bloody halt...
Its pathetic !

I have friends in Poland, and they got 6 feet of snow rigjt now near them, and they carry on without any problem..
for them, its a giant playground...

The majority of US Southerners are hopeless.

Re significant Off-Roading... my background is special purpose Civvy & Military Vehicles, from concept to production.
No insult intended my friend, but you will possibly agree, that most road users have big enough problems with a shopping trolley..
let alone Snow or a 4x4...
And
My experience also sees that a Big % of 4x4 owners have no clue what so ever of how to use & get the best from their machines...
and I have literally seen people die in the act of doing Macho driving beyond their ability in machines they dont fully understand.
hence requesting caution (just in case) you were new to "rough-terrain" driving.

I'm sure you will agree, its about Engineering Sympathy, and a "feel" of what the vehicle is telling you as she drives and handles...
to some people, this "feel" is easilly learned... where as others just never "get-it" lol.

drive safe & enjoy your machine.