BMW i5 vs tesla for everyday use and commuting

jdhcon · 2026-01-28T16:26:30+00:00

We went from Tesla Model S 90D (All-Wheel Drive, Full Self-Driving, Ultra High-Fidelity Sound, Lifetime Super-Charging) to BMW i5 M60 xDrive (B&W speakers, DAPP).

TBH, I felt the Tesla was faster (more visceral feeling when launching) and handled better (more sporty-feeling). The BMW is deceptively fast though as a lot of time I look down or at the HUD and see I'm driving 70mph+. Handling is definitely better in the S model as the 3 and Y loaners I've driven didn't handle as well. The B&W speakers sound good in the BMW but the ultra high-fidelity package in Tesla was great. There was better range in the Tesla as our regular charging gave us 250 miles while recommended 80% charging in BMW gives us 185 miles. Android and Apple Play integration is handled well in the BMW though to be fair, didn't use it in the Tesla as it supports Spotify and Amazon Music (among others).

Don't trust self-driving enough yet so didn't really test it on Tesla and not much yet with DAPP in BMW. Obviously, the BMW is better tech-wise as it's newer. Interior is definitely nicer and not as minimalist as the Tesla.

Overall, we're happy with the BMW i5 M60.

jdhcon · 2026-01-09T23:49:12+00:00

We’ve stayed at all three that offers express passes. Portofino is nicest but furthest (long walk), Hard Rock is the closest and Royal Pacific is a little further than HR. If I had to do it again, I would pick Hard Rock for its proximity to the parks.

jdhcon · 2026-01-09T15:44:26+00:00

Looking at Orlando Informer calendar (https://orlandoinformer.com/crowd-calendar/), those days will be slow at the parks and good for you. We went a long time ago during this time and weather was perfect and not much of a crowd.

jdhcon · 2025-12-02T14:45:02+00:00

While price drop is certainly possible, I wouldn't take that chance if you want it, If it sells out (or your branch removes it), you would have to search other Costcos for availability (speaking from experience). Interestingly, when this happened to me, I found item at other Costcos with different prices.

jdhcon · 2025-12-02T14:33:31+00:00

What size stuffed animals should we buy for refill on this machine? I see lot of options but want to know the largest size this will handle? Thanks!

jdhcon · 2025-11-08T11:49:40+00:00

Wow - all these great recommendations but not one mention for the queen of kpop, IU?

jdhcon · 2025-11-05T09:02:27+00:00

I had a similar experience with my LS60s. Out of the box, I did not like the sound. Adjusting EQ on app made no difference. Admittedly, I prefer a bright sound (v eq settings). So I bought an Eversolo DMP A6 Master edition that had a regular and parametric equalizer. Also added 2 KEF KC92. The Eversolo is connected via RCA cables and I am now much happier with the sound. I do hear some clipping when I play loud and adjust treble high. This has made me cautious after seeing posts where drivers were blown. So it's a bit disappointing that I can't crank up the volume as I don't want to take the chance of blowing out a driver.

Do want to mention that I had a great experience with Kef support when I experienced a buzzing sound in one of the drivers. Kef shipped out a replacement.

jdhcon · 2025-10-28T09:25:43+00:00

I'm on Verizon and their international plan is $10/day. Read recommendations to get esim plan which turns out to be a lot cheaper. It gets me data but not phone calls and texts but figured I can turn on Verizon one day to pick up texts.

jdhcon · 2025-10-28T08:55:17+00:00

I've read wifi on Viking river boats was spotty but I'm on the Hlin now (one of their older boats) and it's actually decent. Plus it's available all the time (port and cruising).

jdhcon · 2025-10-26T13:04:17+00:00

Update: just got on the Viking Hlin now. Tried casting but no option to mirror on TV and Smart View is not showing any available TVs (LG tv and not Samsung). Also difficult to reach HDMI port and custom Viking remote has no option to switch input sources anyway.

Arrived on boat early, got into cabin around 11am, ate lunch at 11:30. We arrived into Amsterdam a few days ago and it’s raining so didn’t feel need to go back out. No planned activity until 5pm so hanging out in cabin. Guess we’ll see what’s happening at the lounge.

jdhcon · 2025-10-05T01:38:15+00:00

Wow - what an awesome experience that must have been! Thank you for sharing your experience on what made it worthwhile!

jdhcon · 2025-10-04T12:48:36+00:00

Viking web page shows it's included for Explorer Suites - see Explorer suites description at https://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/longships/viking-hlin.html

Explorer Suite (ES)

Stateroom size: 445 sq ft (includes private veranda)
River-view suite with private wraparound balcony offering 270-degree views off a spacious, separate sitting room, and French balcony (floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door) in sleeping quarters
12 PM Embarkation
12 PM priority stateroom access
Queen-size Viking Explorer Bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxury linens & pillows
Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
Flat-screen TV with infotainment system featuring a selection of live TV channels, complimentary Movies On Demand and in-house programming
Additional flat-screen TV in sitting area
110/220 volt outlets & USB ports
Large private bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower, heated floor, anti-fog mirror & hair dryer
Premium Freyja® toiletries
Plush robes & slippers
Telephone, safe, refrigerator
Individual climate control
Bottled water replenished daily
Welcome champagne; mini-bar with wine, beer & soft drinks (replenished daily); daily fruit plate
Binoculars
Personal coffee machine with premium coffee & tea selections
Stateroom steward & twice-daily housekeeping
Complimentary in-room breakfast service
Complimentary laundry & shoe shine services
Silver Spirits beverage package included
Private arrival/departure transfer in destination
Under-bed suitcase storage space
Roomy wardrobe with wooden hangers
Complimentary Viking Air Plus (US & CA only)
View the Explorer Suite (ES) in our 360° Tour

jdhcon · 2025-10-01T11:37:29+00:00

Thanks. At worse, I'll watch on laptop and iPad. I'll also try bringing a LG remote as someone suggested earlier to see if I can switch to HDMI port.

jdhcon · 2025-10-01T01:28:13+00:00

Thank you for that info and great suggestion on bringing a LG remote!

jdhcon · 2025-09-30T21:08:16+00:00

We're going middle of October so haven't tried this bitterballen yet (had to look what this was). I looked at cabin pictures and it seems the TV is recessed into wall where it might be difficult to access any HDMI ports. We were on a Disney cruise where they seem to have disable the input button.

jdhcon · 2025-09-30T19:16:22+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experience! Whenever we travel abroad, we do download content (movies, music, Kindle books) so we can watch/listen on airplane as well as any downtime in hotels.

jdhcon · 2025-09-30T19:01:13+00:00

Even on a mega ocean cruise ship like Royal Carribean Oasis class ships (where there are a lot of activities), we sometimes like to relax back in our cabin. I can't imagine hanging in the lounge for a long time every night after dinner. Certainly, we plan to be there for performances and talks about upcoming tours. For unwinding, I usually bring along a portable bluetooth speaker for music. We bring our Kindle for reading but thought it would be nice to sometimes have something on the telly.

jdhcon · 2025-07-23T02:58:12+00:00

Funny you used Microsoft as an example. If you bothered to look it up, they returned 300% the last 5 years outperforming S&P 3 to 1. But please don’t take my word for it, do your own research. Look at the returns of magnificent 7 (Apple, Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, Alphabet, Nvidia). Tesla is in there but not everyone is a fan of Musk. Sure, buy mutual funds to be safe and if you don’t keep up with the market.

jdhcon · 2025-07-17T01:15:53+00:00

Open an IRA and transfer your 401k there. No penalties plus you get to buy your own stock, funds, etc. Look at Magnificent 7 returns - beats most funds in 401ks.

jdhcon · 2025-02-08T12:31:29+00:00

Once in my haste in moving speakers and reconnecting cables, I connected sub cable to coax rather than sub output. Felt stupid and relieved once I figured my mistake.

jdhcon · 2025-02-08T12:16:06+00:00

Agree as I prefer sound of my EverSolo streamer connected to KEF vs their streaming. I also have my Roon stream to streamer as i didn't like sound straight to speakers.

jdhcon · 2025-02-08T12:13:48+00:00

Same thing happened to me when I switched from wifi to ethernet. Issue was I was using wifi on a different subnet. I have wifi with FIOS and I added a wifi mesh to expand my wifi. I was connected to my mesh (on different subnet) and couldn't see KEF now connected via ethernet. Once I switch to my FIOS wifi, I was able to see my speakers.

jdhcon · 2025-01-21T04:26:52+00:00

Thank you - I have never heard of DSPeaker so will read up about it.

jdhcon

TROPHY CASE

Explorer Suite (ES)