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Road Test: BMW X5 xDrive 35d
Yes, this is the diesel
Let me begin my review of the X5 Diesel with this: I'm not much of an SUV driver. I'd much rather drive a car, preferably one with a sporty nature. But I don't think I'm an atypical enthusiast. You know what I mean. It's much more fun to drive a car, even with just a hint of performance, rather than a truck or SUV.
The American market has struggled to accept diesel's, unless it's a pickup truck. The low-end torque makes diesel power ideal for towing trailers and hauling loads.
But when I heard I'd have access to a BMW X5 for a few days, I hate to admit it but I got excited. I have, of course, read a lot about the X5 and BMW's take on the world of SUV's. But I have never driven one, plus this was a diesel. Would driving a diesel be any different than a gasoline powered car or truck? What about the noise? And just how "green" would it prove to be?
What about today's diesels?
Some years ago, U.S. auto makers introduced buyers to diesel-powered cars with mixed results. Those 70's era Oldsmobile's and Cadillac's emitted such a clatter that it startled most potential buyers to dash the thought of better mileage for smoother running and quieter rides. Still land yachts, just not so noisy.
Any previous opinions I held regarding today's diesel vehicles were quickly dashed with this X5. Diesel engines have come a long way and BMW has done much to quell consumers fears about engine clatter and smelly exhaust.
Can you tell its a diesel? Well aside from the X5's graphics, you can when accelerating from a standing start. But the engine is at full grunt doing the job of getting the car up to speed. But standing outside the X5 as it idled or when at cruising speed, it was quiet and smooth.
The diesel X5 comes in two forms, the xDrive 30d or 35d. Each is powered by a turbocharged 3-liter in-line six, with the 35d bestowed with twin-turbos. The 30d has 235 horsepower and the 35d with 286.
BMW's diesel produces a hefty 425 lb-ft of torque at a low 1750 rpm. It accelerates to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds, impressive for a 5111-lb SUV. For those wondering about mileage, the EPA rates the diesel X5 at 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. I easily achieved these numbers, particularly on the highway where my local freeways are relatively flat.
The X5's handling easily rivals many "sports" sedans and is a ball to drive. The low end torque powers it through corners quite nicely and makes you think you're driving something other than a heavy SUV. Fun, yes, but the weight will catch up with you with a nod to understeer that is easily controlled and expected.
Electronic gadgetry
Hallelujah, I was able to pair my iPhone with iDrive! Or, more specifically, with the Communications center of BMW's disputed entertainment hub. I wasn't so successful with the 3 Series I tested not long ago so I was pleasantly surprised by my success this time around.
What I was disappointed with was the quality of the system itself. The iDrive control knob is nicely weighted and feels like it should be linked to a grade-A entertainment system. Unfortunately, the expected BMW quality ended there. The other buttons used to access the system were a hard plastic that didn't mesh well with nearby surfaces. The BMW standards guide may need a revisit.
I did find the iDrive system easy to navigate. BMW has taken much heat over the system since it was introduced and has simplified it. To those ends, they may have let the on-screen graphics suffer. A visual update is needed, especially in the age of computer gamers and hybrid "greenness" measuring dash displays.
How about the competition?
You can see how the diesel X5 faired against it's competition in this comparison published by Motor Trend. Based on their results, Motor Trend favors Volkswagen's Touareg TDI.
You benefit from German engineering in both the BMW and VW, but the Touareg seemingly wins out with a better designed interior. You want your time behind the wheel to be a great experience, not only in driving dynamics but in the quality of the environment. BMW may be lacking here, but first hand experience will be your best guide.
Any true-blue BMW fans out there? What do you think of a diesel BMW, particularly an SUV? Is it high time American buyers accept diesel, particularly with its miles per gallon advantage? Or will the higher showroom sticker price turn buyers away, not to mention the higher cost at the pump? Let me know what you think, especially if you are an X5 owner.
Gooding & Company Scottsdale Auction
If your fortunate enough to live in or visit the Phoenix area shortly after the new year, your always in for a car enthusiasts treat. The auction houses have begun announcing their upcoming events, with some truly fantastic cars set to cross the block.
Gooding & Company recently introduced their 2010 Scottsdale Auction with five one-of-a-kind European cars for sale.
The consignments include a winning 1956 Jaguar D-Type, a rare Pinin Farina 1959 Ferrari 250 GT Series I Cabriolet, a beautiful 1956 Maserati A6G/54 Berlinetta, Hollywood’s 1934 Hispano-Suiza J-12 T68 Cabriolet and a 1932 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750.
Gooding & Company will hold its auction event at the Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall on Saturday, January 23, 2010, beginning at 11 a.m.
The Five
Beginning with the 1956 Jaguar D-Type Sports Racer, chassis XKD528 began its racing career in 1956 with driver Pearce “Pete” Woods at popular racing events throughout California. A podium finisher at Santa Barbara, Bakersfield, Palm Springs, Riverside, Paramount Ranch and Pomona, XKD528 retired to street car status in 1964. Since then, it has been featured in countless magazine articles and proudly rallied in the Colorado Grand, Terry Larsen’s C & D-Type Rally, and Copperstate 1000. Following a recent comprehensive restoration, the Sports Racer will be offered for sale in its original appearance of cream over blue.
"According to Jaguar historian Andrew Whyte, this Jaguar D-Type Sports Racer’s victory at the Pomona Six-Hour Enduro in November 1958 is widely considered the last big win for a D-Type in the US," says David Gooding, founder and president of Gooding & Company.
The 1959 Ferrari 250 GT Series 1 Cabriolet may be best known as one of only 40 Series 1 Pinin Farina Cabriolets ever built, the last car of its kind to wear the famous covered headlights. At one time, this car was a daily driver for Marion Chinetti, the wife of legendary Italian race car driver Luigi Chinetti. Gooding & Company expects this Ferrari to be a bright star in Arizona this January.
David Gooding said, "This is the first time a Series 1 Cabriolet has been presented at auction in many years and Gooding and Company are honored to be representing it."
The 1956 Maserati A6G/54 Berlinetta, with coachwork by Allemano, was originally owned by Giulio Dubbini of Padua, Italy, a renowned collector of significant Italian racing cars. One of only 15 examples of Allemano-bodied Maseratis built in 1956, this rare gran turisimo retains most of its original components, including its Verde Suro (Mackeral Green) livery, original coachwork and matching-numbers engine. The A6G/54 is estimated to sell for $375,000 - $450,000.
Formerly the property of Alfa Romeo enthusiast Ralph Stein, this 1932 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Series V Gran Sport is a comprehensively-documented touring car that has participated in some of world’s most renowned events including the Mille Miglia Storica, Colorado Grand Rally, Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and Laguna Seca’s Monterey Historic Races. It is being offered for sale with accompanying reports from experts Angela Cherrett and John Boer, FIVA paperwork, original bumper and engine components, and an extensive file of receipts from Jim Stokes’ comprehensive mechanical work that included the build of a Vittorio Jana-designed, supercharged twin-cam engine.
“From the moment we climbed into the car and slid into the low bench seat, it was apparent that the Alfa was a true driver’s car,” says David Gooding.
One of only nine original-bodied open J-12s in existence and also one of the most attractive, this 1934 Hispano-Suiza J-12 T68 Cabriolet became famous when it appeared in the popular 1979 James Bond film, Moonraker, starring Roger Moore. This car is one of only 120 twelve-cylinder models ever built and with a massive engine displacement of nearly 9.5 liters, it has been enjoyed by its owner for thirty years. During this time together, the owner toured numerous Hispano-Suiza rallies around the world as well as CCCA CARavans and the Colorado Grand. One of the most coveted of all classics ever built, this car is eligible to be shown at every major classic car event in the world.
If you were a money-no-object collector, is there any car listed or pictured here that you would just have to own? I love the little blue Porsche but I'm also a fanatic for the classic 356 models. Let me know what you think with a comment below.
Photos by Hugh Hamilton © 2009 Courtesy of Gooding & Company
AUTOMOBILE names 2010 GTI Automobile of the Year
Volkswagen GTI: Halo car?
Would you consider the GTI Volkswagen's halo car? When you stop and think about it, the GTI has, over the years, meant sporty driving. If you're old like me, you remember the original GTI as a small yet tossable car to drive.
That fun-to-drive reputation has continued over the years and manifests itself yet again by being recognized by AUTOMOBILE Magazine as its 2010 Automobile of the Year.
Now, some of you might say the New Beetle is VW's halo car but for me it's always been a little too cartoonish. For diehard VW buyers, the GTI describes performance in an affordable package that's hard to beat. The Beetle is there for college coeds and commuters yearning for the '70s. They may have owned the original minivan, the VW Bus, as well. But that's another story.
A loose definition of halo car is one that draws buyers to showrooms. Usually it's an expensive car that catches your eye because of its exotic looks, expensive price and mind-numbing performance. In a nut shell, halo cars are unaffordable and will outperform 99% of drivers; i.e., its performance will get you in trouble in more ways than one.
But does a halo car need to meet those specifications? A car doesn't need to be expensive or exotic looking to be great to drive. Does the GTI look exotic? Absolutely not. But what does it have?
We can start with its 2.0-liter, 16-valve DOHC turbo-charged four-cylinder producing 200 horsepower and 207 lbs.-ft. of torque. Transmissions include VW's slick DSG or a traditional six-speed manual. Add on the new for 2010 electronic limited slip, which VW is calling XDS, and you have the makings of a car most enthusiasts will love.
Let me know what you think. Do you think the GTI can be VW's halo car? What other car does VW have that fits the halo characteristics? I can't think of any other VW model that fits the bill.
First Impressions: BMW 328i
Gushing over German engineering
You've heard it all from the motoring press. Rock-solid German engineering, a true enthusiasts sports sedan, slick shifting 6-speed manual and one of the best six-cylinder engines on the planet. In other words, BMW can do no wrong.
But I'm a newbie. I'll admit it, I've experienced minimal time behind the wheel of any BMW. So does that make me the perfect candidate to cast a critical eye? Maybe, maybe not. But I'll leave it for you to decide.
Details, details
The first thing that strikes me about BMW is their attention to detail, where making the little things matter is important.
First point, the turn signal, where a light touch provides three flashes for a lane change. But a firmer flick pushes the stalk past a second notch, leaving the marker blinking during a right or left-hand turn. This took some freeway and city driving to get used to but once you comprehend its purpose, it makes complete sense. How many other auto makers mimic a detail such as this? Probably not many for fear of being called a "copy-cat". Nonetheless, the savvy of BMW at work.
Second, the cars transmission. The 328i I'm driving has BMW's six-speed manual. It is very smooth and easily one of the best manuals I've driven. But what impresses me the most is the feather-light clutch. Now you may ask, "Shouldn't a car in this price/performance range have an excellent manual?" Absolutely. But you don't realize the importance of it until you drive it. You can't brand yourself the enthusiasts car without properly engineering one of the most important aspects of driving; i.e., simply shifting gears. It shouldn't be a distraction but a function of your driving. BMW realizes that their cars are purchased by drivers who will take their kids to school and run to the grocery store but also carve up their favorite switch-backs on the weekend. An excellent transmission makes performance driving that much more enjoyable. With this manual, there's no need to worry about your leg getting tired.
Long-termer
I have to laugh a little because for Ridestory, this BMW is a long-term test. It's a unique treat to have a car to wring out for six or seven days. But I'm not complaining. I'm looking forward to it and will bring you even more impressions as the week goes on.
I would love to hear from current or past BMW owners, particularly of the 3-series variety. You've driven this car or past variations much longer and I think your opinions and experiences would prove invaluable to Ridestory readers. You can DM me on Twitter, drop me a note via the contact form or leave a comment below. I look forward to hearing from you.
Upcoming Ridestory Roadtest: BMW 328i
First of all, a quick thank you goes out to Jawna Prieto of the The Prietive Group out of Torrance, California. She's lined me up with a BMW 328i for a 7-day review. I will be taking delivery of the car Wednesday and, as you might imagine, I'm looking forward to an extended period behind the wheel.
Look for my posts over the course of the week as well as my brief snippets on Twitter.
Yes, the Ridestory garage is a bit bare. We're new to car reviews and have only done a few. But we're doing our best to build our own library of automotive impressions and will bring each to you as opportunities come our way.
You can check out the Ridestory Vehicle Reviews page for our opinions of the Pontiac G8 GT and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR.
BMW's M line grows with X6 M, X5 M
Say what you will about BMW's X6, car manufacturers are picking up on the new niche of the tall riding coupe. Case in point is the new Acura ZDX Prototype. Acura see's the potential of the new market, with their new car based on the MDX, while BMW's new X6 M is built off the X5 platform.
The X6 M is being heralded as one of the most powerful road-going BMW's built, packing a twin-turbocharged 555hp V8 engine. Mix in the advantage of all-wheel drive and you've got the makings of a true high-performance vehicle. The X6 M sprints to 62mph in a time of only 4.7 seconds, comparable to the incredible BMW M3.
Not only is the styling of the X6 groundbreaking, but it's 4.4-litre engine incorporates a world first for an M-badged vehicle. BMW has engineered the V8 to have both the turbochargers and the catalytic converter located within the vee of the power plant. This helps the engine breathe better and at a higher efficiency due to the shorter exit manifold, resulting in better packaging as the motor is more compact.
As I implied above, the X6 has no doubt raised eyebrows among BMW enthusiasts. Is it a coupe, an SUV, a sedan? All of the above. For now, it's unique, with BMW getting a lot of controversial attention. Time will tell how it translates into sales.
Paying homage to BMW's M1
Created specifically for the Villa D'Este classic car concours event in Italy, the BMW M1 Homage concept pulls design cues from the original M1, softening the original car's sharp lines but not to the extent that the exotic car look is compromised.
We especially like the louvered rear window and the BMW badges on the sweeping rear pillars. The original M1 had pop-up headlights, which seem a little old school today. Fortunately, the Homage's nose reflects today's styling with exposed headlights, albeit barely visible within the car's bull shark-like snout. BMW's kidney shaped grill has, of course, been maintained. In addition, the wheels say only one thing...unmistakably BMW M1.
Does this car look a little over the top? Maybe. Details such as interior layout and performance were not talked about, not that we expected BMW to expand on such niceties. But it is a concept. A design experiment paying homage to a classic exotic. And it may be a bit of a stretch to see future BMW's taking on any of the Homage's design details.
But how great would it be to see BMW introduce a car similar to the Homage, taking on the likes of Audi's R8 and Lamborghini's Gallardo?
A little history
The BMW M1 began its life in the mid 1970s as BMW's Motorsport Division began development of a GT race car for Group 4 and Group 5 racing. For manufacturers wanting to qualify, 400 cars had to be built, with some being made available to the public and the rest set aside for competition. For BMW, their foray into GT racing became known as the Mid-Engined BMW M1 Project, or simply the E26. Development kicked off in 1976, with completion in 1981.
The M1 was designed by Giugiaro, with inspiration from the 1972 BMW Turbo. The original plan was to have Lamborghini develop the car's chassis, assemble prototypes and manufacture the car. But financial problems with the Italian car maker and delays brought development back to BMW. They contracted with Baur, a German convertible builder, for assembly but by the time production resumed, the rules for Group 5 racing had changed. In addition, BMW had not met the required sales goals so they moved the M1 to the Procar series.
There were only 456 M1's built, with production discontinued in 1981.
BMW M1 history
• The first M1 was completed on July 10th, 1978.
• The last car was completed on February 13th, 1981.
• All VINs have the same 14-digit prefix (WBS59910004301XXX) with individual 3-digit suffices.
The entire production range used numbers 001 to 460, with seven numbers never used (045 to 049, 428, 431) and two Group 5 race cars built without VINs.
Manufacturing breakdown...
In 1979, 79 cars were built (41 road, 38 race).
In 1980, 188 cars were built (178 road, 10 race).
And in 1981, 188 cars were built (180 road, 8 race).
A total of 455 cars were built, with 399 sold to the public and 56 for competition.
Hat tip to the Unofficial BMW M1 web site.
Follow this link to check out our photo gallery of the M1 Homage.
Review of Motors Today
I've talked previously about researching online for your new car and using that research to find the best deal. I've been asked to review another valuable site but geared to servicing buyers in the UK. That site is Motors Today.
At first glance, Motors Today clearly has you covered with model reviews, a dealer search function and finance help. You can even sell your own car. As with all successful sites, building your niche is important. Motors Today is doing just that for European buyers.
But the ideal use for Motors Today is their car search function, particularly for new cars. The left column of their site is dedicated to just that, whether it be used or new. By simply clicking the New Cars tab, visitors can search any make and model, even specifying your minimum and maximum price.
Once you enter the vehicle information you are searching for, the results page shows you the cars available, including the engine and transmissions available on each. As a test, I searched for an Audi A4 and was presented with 5 choices. From the A4 1.8 TFSI all the way up to the A4 3.2 FSI SE quattro, I could pick and choose across the model range with the price clearly indicated. Nothing hidden here. It was refreshing to see everything, especially the price, right up front. Knowing this makes me more comfortable in selecting a car and possibly buying it.
Once you are happy with your search results, click the View Car link next to the vehicle of your choice. A new window opens, presenting you with the first of four pages where you specify options. Vehicle color, interior upholstery and miscellaneous options, such as sound systems and wheels, are all there. The best part? The price of the car updates on the fly as you add or remove options.
The fourth and final page allows you to review your vehicle configuration, complete with a quote ID number. You can save the quote, then call the dealer with the number provided on the configuration page. The process of buying new cars should be so easy everywhere.
Motors Today offers a nice solution to a process many of us dread. And that's the car buying process. Motors Today provides the buyer with the tools they need to find the car that best suits them. Then add options from those available from the manufacturer, all with the price clearly visible. There's an excellent chance visitors will become buyers once they discover how easy it is with Motors Today.
Will Scirocco fans approve this new VW?
Volkswagen has pulled the wraps off the new Scirocco, set to spend this week on the podium at the Geneva Motor Show.
As we mentioned in an earlier post, Volkswagen and, in particular, Scirocco fans have been waiting and anticipating this news. But is this the car they were expecting, the one they feel carries the torch for VW fans looking for an affordable performance-minded coupe?
Volkswagen CEO Dr. Martin Winterkorn said, “In the Scirocco we will be bringing the kind of sports car into the showroom that people dream of. Yet it is a dream that an exceptionally large number of car drivers will be able to afford — despite all of the high-end technologies we have implemented.â€
In our eyes, we see a flatter version of the GTI. Does this car generate the interest VW is hoping for? Time will only tell.
Volkswagen of America executive Adrian Hallmark tipped his hand, saying the new Scirocco would not be coming to the United States because "we don't want it." His concern? Cannibalizing GTI sales. It doesn't make sense to distance yourself from a new model, especially one hoping to attract buyers to a growing segment. The small, economical yet fun to drive group of cars taking off with higher gas prices. Yet Hallmark seems OK to go without this new car.
But Volkswagen of America won't have much say in whether or not the Scirocco will be available in the U.S. That decision will be made by CEO Martin Winterkorn in Germany.
Is Volkswagen's new Scirocco nearly here?
Apparently the launch of Volkswagen's new Scirocco is imminent. A mini-site is now available, providing the opportunity for visitors to sign up for future information.
The site has a continuous stream of teaser images, giving you a subtle preview yet leaving much to the imagination.
Speculation around the 'net is that we'll see it at Geneva. Time will tell. Stay tuned.
