My Test Drive X6 35D

[JOHNBMWM5]

Right firstly I covered 97 miles in high winds, it returned 30 MPG I did get it up to 35MPG at a cruise, it had 20 miles on the clock when I got it so it needs a few K to give it's best which should be 34 ish.
It handles very well and car-like very little body roll without Adaptive Drive, so you don't need that, The steering is IMO well weighted without Adaptive steering, so again ya don't need that.
Although the wind was howling the car was not noisey or pushed off line, however economy did suffer as would any cars.
Power wise it's more than adiquate but not what I call quick, if pushed over 3500 rpm the engine note is heard but not too intrusive, to improve performance................. P-tronic box will fix that.
It drives very car-like and I covered most road types, right down to farm tracks................ no problems at all and it handled well.
I really like the space the car has, 4 seats yes, good room in the rear yes, and the boot is just great with a under floor hide away of large space.
I found the rear seats very spacious and the drive very enjoyable, so much so I am going to order one.
I found most of the bad press unfounded and until you drive one for more than 10 mins you really can not judge it, the more miles I did the more I loved it.
The high driving position was great and I could see all round the car easily even the very small rear window was adiquate to easily see cars behind, when reversing you can adjust the cammera to full-screen and see very well whats behind. the sports seats are great and you do NOT feel "Sitting on top of the car" as with the X5. The X6 is miles away from the X5 IMO. and much the better for it.
The HUD was really good too.

[chuck92103]

30-35MPG is impressive. That is imperial gallons right? So U.S. conversion is about 20% less or 24-28MPG, which is still impressive. Only problem is in the U.S. diesel fuel costs 20% more.

My non diesel X6 is still breaking in, but it seems on a flat road and keeping it at 65MPH or below will yield 23-25MPG. Once I go over 65MPH, it drops to around 18-19MPG.

It is a trade off though. How much horsepower does the diesel have? I have not seen any 0-60 specs on it.

[John]

nice review, what kind of others options are you interested in getting?

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by chuck92103

30-35MPG is impressive. That is imperial gallons right? So U.S. conversion is about 20% less or 24-28MPG, which is still impressive. Only problem is in the U.S. diesel fuel costs 20% more.

My non diesel X6 is still breaking in, but it seems on a flat road and keeping it at 65MPH or below will yield 23-25MPG. Once I go over 65MPH, it drops to around 18-19MPG.

It is a trade off though. How much horsepower does the diesel have? I have not seen any 0-60 specs on it.

286BHP and the conditions were very high winds, I was not hammering the car but going the national limits; 70MPH and 60MPH mostly.
US gallons are 1.2 UK gallons, I am hoping that once run-in it would give 2/3MPG more in general.The car seemed to be happest @ 80MPH where 30MPG was showing.

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by John

nice review, what kind of others options are you interested in getting?

My spec would be;
DAB
HUD
USB
20" star wheels
Dim/fold mirrors
Media pack
Sport dynamic pack
heated front seats
voice control
Deep sea blue with Oyster navada leather

think the car will look a little less "Bulky" in the deep sea blue
I have this combination on my 635D sport now and it really looks good.

[Deda]

man...nice rewiew...thanks for info about adaptive drive..i was in doubt,now i am not!!!thanks again.

[Deda]

what includes sport dynamic pack?..we dont have that kind of package.

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by Deda

what includes sport dynamic pack?..we dont have that kind of package.

It give extra choice of exterior trim, leather sports seat colours/head lining and bigger wheel options.

[Steved]

Hi John, we spoke last when you changed your RS4 to 635D.

Good post, and I agree with all that you say. I will be writing my review to add to our initial test of the 35d last week.

http://www.drivers-republic.com/news...e_22_05_08.cfm

I have a 35d on loan from BMW's press fleet, which was delivered last Friday and it's the second X6 that I've driven, both of which have greatly impressed me. We just came back from a drive this evening, covering every type of road from town to motorway to twisty country road, and I'm even more impressed by BMW's achievement.

I love the look of this car, it looks so much better in the metal than in pictures. Despite looking awkward in pictures, it's just so deliberately designed and must be the best Bangle-era design yet.

I took a few pictures next to a Range Rover Sport, just to illustrate how much more contemporary it looks.

Good news for me is that my own car (35d, Vermilion Red, 20" 5-spoke wheels) will be delivered this coming Thursday, just in time to hand this one back.

[simon š]

Steved!


Can you please give me some info how to import new x6 to england and then to germany.I ve heard that if you import left handed car you can pay less taxes .Can you give me some adress or links from spedition

best simon

[Deda]

Originally Posted by johnbmw6

It give extra choice of exterior trim, leather sports seat colours/head lining and bigger wheel options.

thanks.nice package.

[Steved]

Originally Posted by simon š

Steved!


Can you please give me some info how to import new x6 to england and then to germany.I ve heard that if you import left handed car you can pay less taxes .Can you give me some adress or links from spedition

best simon

Hi Simon, I really have little experience of the importing process - its been nearly 20 years since I last did so. You would need to speak with a specialist importer, although there will be greater risk with the process you describe from currency movements throughout the process. It might be worth just using this as a negotiating tactic with your local dealer, so see if you can achieve a lower price.

[simon š]

Im importing from Usa.In Slovenia this car costs at least 100.000 EUR with all the taxes.As i said that ive heard that the best way to import usa car is thru england.

[JOHNBMWM5]

Hi Steved, hows things?, I am glad you like the drive of the X6, I have decided to go for the Deep-see-blue as in this picture, I really love the space and pace of this car, I will put the "P-Tronic" box on to improve the torque and economy.

[Steved]

Originally Posted by johnbmw6

Hi Steved, hows things?, I am glad you like the drive of the X6, I have decided to go for the Deep-see-blue as in this picture, I really love the space and pace of this car, I will put the "P-Tronic" box on to improve the torque and economy.

John, tell me more about P-tronic. Did you fit it to your 635D, and how does it compare with the handiwork of Messrs DMS?

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by Steved

John, tell me more about P-tronic. Did you fit it to your 635D, and how does it compare with the handiwork of Messrs DMS?

I did not fit one to the 635DS, but my mate has fitted one to his 123DS, and it has transformed it, The 635ds and X635d are the same part Nos from P-Tronic, same engines, they assure me it can NOT be detected after removal from the car for service ect, but the V2/3 and such like (which change boost) can be detected even after removal!!!
So if this deal comes off with the X6, I will be ordering one.

PS) I like the "Lowered look" of the X6, any idea who and where I can get the X6 lowered by?.

[Steved]

I have bought a Spider box to try this out and will let you know how it runs. I couldn't decide between the Spider and P-tronic, but there seemed more information on the Spider. It seems a very similar system to that being offered by Brabus through official MB dealers for the 320CDi, and even though a chip would offer more performance, these seem to offer better value for money.

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by Steved

I have bought a Spider box to try this out and will let you know how it runs. I couldn't decide between the Spider and P-tronic, but there seemed more information on the Spider. It seems a very similar system to that being offered by Brabus through official MB dealers for the 320CDi, and even though a chip would offer more performance, these seem to offer better value for money.

Will be interesting to compair the two, does the spider increase "Boost", if it does it may be detected now by the new BMW software.
Look forward to your findings.

[doba_s]

do they have more color options for the diesel cars ?

diesel is not available in US right ?

[Suzie's Dad]

Originally Posted by johnbmw6

...does the spider increase "Boost", if it does it may be detected now by the new BMW software.

It is probably smart to assume that any mod can be detected. Many higher-end vehicles now store odometer information is several different places and constantly compare then to make sure there has been no tampering. It would be a simple matter to apply the same principle to engine management values. As I have said many times: there may be no problem with installing go-faster stuff on your vehicle, but do so only if you are happy to live with no engine warranty. I'm not averse to power-enhancing add-ons: I have a supercharger on my X5 and a Banks kit on my diesel motorhome, but I never pretended I had warranty coverage with either.