JoeMa

Hi Ron. I didn't hear anything about this so I check with the dealership and they said according to the NHTSA, only 31 vehicles are actually being recalled and all of them are still on dealer lots. Our X7 isn't one of them.

JoeMa

I discovered another feature in our X7. I created driver profiles for me and one for my wife which gives the option of pairing the profile to a specific FOB. The payoff is that when I walk up to the X7 the lights come on and the doors unlock without ever touching the FOB or the car. Then the seats, side mirrors, and steering wheel immediately adjust to your settings. Even the last SirusXM station you were listening to is selected. I've always wondered why more manufactures didn't offer this feature. I know MBUX supports driver profiles so it may also support a similar feature.

kombifan

Mercedes interestingly enough did hvwe this feature. On pre 2009 models.

Why did they get rid of it?

Mercedes realised owners got very very upset when they took the wife's key and got "crushed" by the self adjusting seat.

JoeMa

Interesting reasoning. However, the seats in the X7 adjust to the profile of the FOB you have "before" you get in so that wouldn't happen. As mentioned above, the X7 does all of this as you walk up to it. Also automatically locks the car as you walk away. All of this is user-configurable and can be disabled on the infotainment screen. They really did their homework because the full-size, 3-row luxury SUV market is full of great choices, not to mention the soon to be revealed next-gen GLS.

Jno211

Most bmw’s are excellent cars, and probably better than MB on paper, but the driving experience is more than a specsheet. Since I was a teenager 30 years ago, I wanted a BMW much more than an MB, but despite having test drived a lot, and owned 3, I could never get over some typical bmw flaws/manners :
- artificial steering feedback
- flawed damping (too hard, too soft, sometimes both)
- (massive « in your face » dashboards, but this is very personnal)
- exciting to drive, puts me always in « zoom-zoom » mode, but can be tiring, and make me the driver I don’t wanna be. Whereas in MB’s I feel more serenity.

If I dare a sexist comparision, MB would be my wife, and BMW a mistress or fantasy 🤔. In this way I understand Joe saying he secretly always wanted one, you have to try or you will always think maybe you’re missing something.

Now again I am sure the X7 is an excellent suv, I hope Joe enjoys his, and comes back in 3 years time to let us know if he ordered his second X7, or a ´22 GLS 😉

On a side note, I am not surprised the X7 seems better value compared to the GLE, as I always found the GLS better value than previous GLE. But I agree the X7 pricing is competitive, and hope that it will inspire MB for my next GLS !

JN

JoeMa

This is one of the best posts I've read in a long while. I didn't realize I was cheating on my wife (MB) when I bought the X7 but I have to admit, I agree with your logic. Every time I get in the X7 she touches me in ways my wife (MB) never did.

And you're right about the future. It's our first BMW and some bumps in the road may be coming but for now we're happy and have no regrets. When I see my first 2020 GLS I may just start missing my wife.

nosnoop

BMW has had this features for years. I took it for granted and thought all cars had this as well, as this was such a logical and intuitive feature and easy to implement too.
Imagine my surprise when I found out my Mercedes could not do this. I even made a post about this https://mbworld.org/forums/m-class-w...-settings.html 6+ years ago. So quite disappointed that Mercedes still failed to allow this function.

GregW / Oregon

Well, I have to say I enjoy my mistress every day, and my wife on occasion!

JoeMa

Speaking of your mistress, post a pic. I've never seen her.

GregW / Oregon

JoeMa

OMG, she is beautiful

Ron.s

There have been some logical reasons pro and con on this feature. Customer convenience and Wow factor are a plus. I don’t remember the negatives but there are some.
The Near Field Communications (NFC) between the car and key fob allow all of the hands free functions” to happen. Push button start, touch to lock, etc. Once you have NFC it’s more of a Software function than a feature set. Mercedes and Audi choose not to use it for the lock unlock functions like most other Manufacturers. Might be an interesting subject to research more.

JoeMa

Thanks for the explanation on how it works Ron. Makes sense they would use NFC. Now that we have this feature, I wouldn't want to be without it (much like the ObamaCare-ACA ).

kukipie

So someone like me, who has never owned either one, in your opinion is it worth waiting for GLE or a BMW X7 should be equally better? I am confused between GLE 450 vs 40i, I know you can't compare different segments but after adding all the packages that I want, they both come to be around $85k..I will have to wait for my GLE for 3 to 4 months (I do not mind waiting)at least but a nicely loaded 40i is readily available..
I am switching from Acura RDX...

GregW / Oregon

As you infer, they are different classes of vehicles. Why aren't you comparing the GLE to the X5 which was new 6 months ago and is readily available now? The X7 is about 20" longer than the RDX. Unless you really need the room you may find it too large. Only way to tell for sure is go drive one.

JoeMa

After first ordering a loaded 2020 GLE 450 I test drove a GLE 350 and later a 450 and preferred the 450 engine. Then I test drove a BMW X5 which was surprisingly fun to drive and very comfortable but my wife and I didn't care for the 2nd row leg room compared to the new GLE. A few weeks later the BMW salesman called when they received their first allocation of three new X7's so I went back for a test drive of it. I was hooked almost right away. Second row leg room is as good as the GLE and you still have the option of a 3rd row if needed. Maybe what drew me the most was the luxury interior BMW offers in the X7. It's simply beautiful (IMO of course).

Greg's right about test driving these cars to see what does or doesn't work for your specific needs. We decided to go with an X7 xDrive 50i rather than wait on the GLE 450 we ordered and have no regrets. We owned three consecutive Mercedes and they are great cars. So if the GLE fits your needs best, you will be happy with that selection. The more knowledge you accumulate the better decision you'll make. Best wishes on your car search.

kukipie

Yeah something similar happened to me too. I just thought of checking out the X7 and liked it . I think you guys are right. I just need to go over my wishlist again and decide one or the other.

As always thanks Greg and JoeMa..

Germancar1

Well the GLS is out now:





M

kombifan

Looks good 😍!

I have gone to the bmw dealer to check out the x7 and am not a fan. The grille is humongous.

From these pictures the gls looks very handsome !

GregW / Oregon

Looks good; as expected, pretty much like a longer GLE, though the rear window treatment makes it look quite a bit different.

GregW / Oregon

The GLS was just unveiled at the NYAS.

https://t.co/C8dWKm1KRT