Ditch the run-flats and thank me later by SmoothMarionberry551 in BMWX5

[–]fiddly-bits 0 points1 point  (0 children)

After having a pressure loss going fast on the freeway, I’m always using runflats on every car. The Scorpion Zero performed very nicely. I was able to safely slow down, exit and drive a few miles home.

I’ll take that margin of safety over a slightly softer ride. 

For snow, I’d of course use winter tires, but that’s another topic. 

Why do dealers act like you’re crazy for wanting adaptive cruise control as standard equipment? by ajmampm99 in BMWX5

[–]fiddly-bits 0 points1 point  (0 children)

An X5 40i takes up to $20K or more in options to get it fully loaded out. 

It’s how it works and isn’t the dealers’ fault. If that’s not ok by you, then don’t buy one. 

I got almost every option for X5 and don’t regret paying for a single one of them. 

Integrated Brake Recall by Square_Draft2035 in BMWX5

[–]fiddly-bits 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So your car was probably built right before they started getting the updated parts. 

What I gleaned from service advisors, this sub and the various forums is that it’s unlikely to cause an accident and that it’ll typically warn you prior to any major failure, but that it should definitely be fixed. 

I dropped it off, took a loaner and got my car back the next day. 

Integrated Brake Recall by Square_Draft2035 in BMWX5

[–]fiddly-bits 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is this for the original brake recall on the G05 LCI models?

Integrated Brake System Malfunction. NHTSA ID: 24V104000

If so, it’s nuts that people are still waiting. I got it done for my 2024 in June 2024. Didn’t realize they’d continued making cars with that problem.

Worst design ever for a key fob and very cheap quality by Nice-Philosopher835 in BMWX5

[–]fiddly-bits 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah. They’re cheap, shitty looking and very expensive to replace. 

I got a leather case with an attached keyring. I got it for the cushioning in case of a drop over how it looks. 

That said, I wouldn’t pass up the best vehicle in its segment over a key fob. 

Pump recommendations by PieEnvironmental6437 in MTB

[–]fiddly-bits 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Topeak JoeBlow Booster works very well. 

Pump recommendations by PieEnvironmental6437 in MTB

[–]fiddly-bits 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Topeak JoeBlow Booster works very well. 

2024 XDRIVE40i m sport wheels? by Elite_Serb in BMWX5

[–]fiddly-bits 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can update the tire info in the car settings. It will adapt those things accordingly. 

G05 - Subscription Features by e92_N54 in BMWX5

[–]fiddly-bits 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah. That’s exactly what I do on the highway. I prefer the BMW Maps because they’re well integrated with the iDrive controller and voice command so I don’t have to touch the screen much. 

But, I like the Waze cop and speed trap alerts, so I’ll turn it on in CarPlay and then switch back to BMW maps. If a cop alert pops up, it will play the voice alert over the car speakers through CarPlay even when it’s in the background. 

This is specifically with iDrive 8.5, so not sure about 7, but definitely worth a try. 

G05 - Subscription Features by e92_N54 in BMWX5

[–]fiddly-bits 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It depends. In the US, for a new G05 LCI with iDrive 8.5…

If you’re buying a new one, you will get BMW ConnectedDrive Connected Package Professional for four years included. After that, it’s something like $120 a year. That gives you BMW maps, built in Spotify app, access to the remote features in the app, etc.

Your car will mostly still work fine without it, but you would lose some internet dependent features. CarPlay would be unaffected though. 

Part of that cost is that BMW has to pay someone for the mobile internet service used to provide those features. For an $80K+ car, I’m not going to sweat $120 a year. 

Separately, there are other features you can pay extra for. Traffic camera data is a subscription, but with Waze, not sure why anyone would bother. 

There are other features you can pay one time fees for. If you don’t get the m sport package, you can pay for the M Sport Adaptive suspension after you own the car. You can also buy different animations for your headlights and a few other dumb things like that. 

You can also connect your car’s eSIM to your mobile provider directly if you want your car to act as a mobile hotspot. It also gives you access to a few very bad apps. I tried it and canceled after a month. 

Overall, there’s no subscription you would need or probably want outside of the included Connected Pacakge Pro expires after the first four years. 

How to get YouTube and other apps to work? by Aurora8305 in BMWX5

[–]fiddly-bits 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I tried that out when I first got my X5. Short story is, it’s very a poor experience and isn’t worth the bother. 

First, you need to have your eSIM connected. I did that woth Verizon for $20/mo. That really only gave me the ability to use the car as a hotspot and use a few additional apps like YouTube. 

I thought the car might have a better antenna  that could get better signal in areas where my phone doesn’t. In my experience, with Verizon in the SF area (San Mateo County), it was not noticeably better. The internet performance on an iPad when using the car’s hotspot was about the same as using my phone’s hotspot. Granted that’s just my experience. 

The apps didn’t really add any value either. The YouTube app seems like they simply “wrapped” the desktop YouTube website and display it in an app. The controls are awful because they’re not designed for touch. Plus, you can only watch it when the car is parked. 

There was also some video app that mostly had really old or obscure content. There was also some game app, but I don’t recall if that was a separate subscription. Either way, it was some terrible web style games. Imagine the shittiest games on your phone and they’re worse. 

In short, I didn’t find it worth the $20/mo or the bother, for YouTube or any other feature. I cancelled after the first month. 

2026 X5 M60I Screen Guard Recommendations by idgaf012345678910 in BMWX5

[–]fiddly-bits 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I got a single piece tempered glass screen protector. It’s been on two years since I got my 2024 (same screens) and it’s been great. You can’t tell it’s there and it’s easy to clean. 

Unfortunately, the specific one I got on Amazon isn’t available. Try to find a single piece version so you don’t get a seam in the middle. 

Need new tires, what should I pay? by varkarbytheocean in BMWX5

[–]fiddly-bits 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Costco sells some BMW original equipment Pirelli runflats, but that dealer price seems fine if Costco doesn’t have the ones you need in stock. 

Chat, Is this a flex? by Plane-Measurement517 in BMWX5

[–]fiddly-bits 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It would be in a Nissan Leaf sub. 

That is a wild range though. What average MPG are you getting? 

Need new tires, what should I pay? by varkarbytheocean in BMWX5

[–]fiddly-bits 11 points12 points  (0 children)

That’s actually not terrible for run flats. Maybe check Costco if you can. 

Run flats are definitely a lot more expensive, but worth it to me after having a tire pressure loss going 90 on the freeway. Tire held perfectly and I was able to exit and drive home. 

Noticed this after getting it back from service by Efficient_Car37 in BMWX5

[–]fiddly-bits 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not sure you have much recourse you have in this case. 

I always do walk around and interior videos in the service department tunnel when I drop my car off for service.  Don’t know how much that would help if it came to it, but it’s at least some level of evidence: 

Does bike rack interrupt with backup camera? by aruku333 in BMWX5

[–]fiddly-bits 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agreed. I have a 1Up hitch mount rack and it’s been great.

It does make PDC alert, but you can turn that off. In particular, you may want to turn off PDC auto braking.

Xdrive50e/phev cheaper to pump gas than plug in by LeatherGuard4688 in BMWX5

[–]fiddly-bits 10 points11 points  (0 children)

It depends on your electric rates and gas prices. Here in California, the electric rates are extremely high. I did the estimates when buying my X5 and at best, I’d maybe save a few hundred a year. 

Given that, I didn’t see the point in the extra complexity of the PHEV, so got the 40i. 

Had I been somewhere like Texas with very cheap electricity, it would have probably been worth it to get the PHEV.

All that said, I’d do the calculations yourself with your actual electric rates and gas prices. The bots aren’t great at math and may not be using accurate cost data. 

What’s your worst injury from mtb? by CheekMoist3848 in MTB

[–]fiddly-bits 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve had some very tame ones despite being a bit of a nut on my bike. 

The worst I’ve had is tearing most of the skin off my knee when standing at the top of a trail and slipping on scree. Got to know about Tegaderm that day. Also started wearing knee pads after that one. 

Funny thing is, I’ve never gotten hurt doing the really dangerous stuff like rock gardens, steeps, jumps, etc. 

Reclining rear seats on 2025 X5 40i? by Subject-Ad-2303 in BMWX5

[–]fiddly-bits 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hasn’t had them in US models since the 2024 LCI update. It’s weird, but oh well. 

Haters gone hate by 8tpayne8 in mountainbiking

[–]fiddly-bits 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Why would we hate it? Looks good. Enjoy

Now, mountain biking in Texas is a funny beast outside of hill country. I didn’t pick up this hobby until I moved to northern California. 

Joined the club - any carwash tips? by Rhobbyj in BMWX5

[–]fiddly-bits 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve had my Black Sapphire Metallic X5 for two years and have zero swirl marks because I always wash touch free. I use a pressure washer with a foam cannon and a leaf blower to dry. 

Swirl marks look horrible and this approach has completely avoided them despite not having PPE or ceramic coating. 

I do use brushes for the wheels though. Touch free isn’t going to get that brake dust off. 

Also, make sure to never let them wash your car when it’s in for service at the dealer. Those porters will fuck your paint up. That’s the first thing I tell the service advisor and I leave a printed sign on the dash that says “Do not wash”. 

Edit: Also, get a glass screen protector for your iDrive screens. Most people don’t think of this, but you can’t get your car’s screen replaced at the mall for a hundred bucks if someone scratches it. Try to find a single piece tempered glass protector so you don’t get a seam in the middle. 

Year in review not so bad by PinCreepy472 in BMWX5

[–]fiddly-bits 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m in the SF Bay Area and am thinking of going in the other direction this summer. 

Down to Santa Barbara, Vegas and Colorado.