Got a new RRS HSE spec'd up a bit including the low box.

First thoughts.

Good
- wafty beautiful quiet ride compared to X5.
- road noise much better as is suspension - no more runflats
- cabin much nicer and IMO bigger too especially in the back
- higher ride height is nice
- xenons and full lamps are stunning compared to my X5
- std seats are great, seat heating great compared to x5
- love all the gadgety screens like driving economy and 4x4 screen.

Not so good
- Screens and menus quite thrown together - not nearly as unified as iDrive
- dare I say it - I miss the iDrive controller. Especially when you want to zoom in and out on sat nav to see e.g. traffic
- I also miss the split screen on idrive - you could have small sat nav window running, at same time as radio menu.
- Sloshing fuel when tank half full - you can hear it clattering around when you stop at junctions.
- small fuel tank - seems to be 10L smaller than my last car. annoying.
- auto stop. Too clunky. BMW (and wifes MINI) wait a few seconds longer before cutting the engine. In stoppy starty traffic is just plain annoying
- seat memory - I may be wrong but it doesn't seem tied to the key. I like the BMW for all these settings being kept in the key instead of having to press buttons
- seat rewind when you stop. no idea how to stop this but the seat and wheel move back to zero when I stop and open the door. annoying.
- speedo - why is the speedo on the RHS not the left. That seems plain weird to me.

Terrible
- the base sound system is total garbage. no bass at all to speak of. Whats weird is playing movies on the indash player the sound is pretty good. But iphone, Bluetooth or CDs sound crap. Radio the same. Upgrade going to be needed here.
Anyone know a good audio shop in Hertfordshire?!

Having had one for a weekend recently, I would love a new RRS..........but maybe as a second car.

Lovely ride if you want the comfort, nice high driving position, standard seats quite nice. It even has some class (except for the back). If I saw one in green, I would be very tempted (which is why I don't look too hard) But much as I really love the L494 RRS (ignoring the back end) I just don't think it could be my only car.

My X6 is a more involving drive, a harder ride but brilliant handling. As you say, iDrive is integrated and flexible, I never quite sussed the system on the RRS but I spent the 2 days driving not playing with the electrics. The X6 sports alcantara and leather seats are much more hugging than the RRS and the X6 quicker (subjectively).

Ideally, I would like both an RRS and a BMW. My next car though will be an F80 M3, just the best thing I have ever driven.

But I am still a tad envious when I see a nice L494.......

I had 5 X5s of various types before I got the RRS. Regarding seat memory and access modes, you are correct that the system does not memorise seat position per key (user). You have to program one of the seat memory buttons but it is a trivial thing to just push your number when required.

To stop the seat and wheel withdrawing to access positions, you need to find the steering column adjuster (on the side of the column housing) and rotate it to the manual position. The seat then remains where you put it.

I think the auto stop/start is a pain and it should be possible to default it off if required. Regards

Malcolm

Surely the v8 m3 still better? Raced one at Palmer was 'kin quick.

Thx for info on seat adjust. Couldn't have figured on messing with steering column to fix.

Nope, I prefer the 2x Turbo 6 of the F80 to the bent 8 M3. Its not just the engine, the interior of the V8 its looking very dated now....

mcgroa, are you referring to the old E70 X5 or the new F15 because according to reports, the F15 is a big step up in terms of ride comfort and cabin quality. If its the old E70 you are referring to, I agree with you because I owned one. The ride quality was appalling on the runflats and in fact I changed to standard tyres as soon as the first set of runflats wore out. Surprised to hear you say though that the new RRS is bigger in the back because with the drivers seat set for my long legs, there is virtually no leg room behind and the boot isn't exactly large either. IIRC the E70 had more rear legroom and a bigger boot. Actually I'm a bit disappointed with the rear legroom and boot space in my new RRS but then I traded down from a L322 FFRR so its bound to feel smaller

Yep e70. I switched the 20s out for 19s and took the flared arches off. Made a big diff but never as quite as smooth as the Rrs (apart from fuel slap).
Didn't even try new one as thought gone a bit ugly.
I'm not tall so maybe that's the diff. Maybe also the door entry or height or something. Feels bigger to me. Boot I'd say is marginally bigger /wider not a lot in it.

The boot is laughable in the new L494.... Actually about 25% smaller in cubic capacity than the old RRS...

Add that to the rear seats that don't lay flat anymore and the difference to the load you can carry is significant..


Mike will be noticing it most though coming from the L322 2014.5 SDV6 AB Dynamic ... Fuji /Santorini Pan roof and 22's
2013 Porsche Boxster S 3.4
2014 Audi A3 S line Quattro
---------------------------------

But then you don't buy an RRS for the boot.  Arrived: MY16 A/B SDV6 in Aruba, Ivory interior, piano black trim, black panoramic roof, spare wheel, blind spot monitoring, mudlaps and more...

Gone but not forgotten:
2014 RRS2 SDV6 HSE in Loire Blue
2011 Freelander 2 SD4 HSE in Santorini Black

Quote:

But then you don't buy an RRS for the boot

Don't understand the 'key sets the seat position' query.

My 2009 HSE TDV8 has this option. But you have to set the smart, or is it lazy entry to on in the cars menu.

Good luck.

Simple
RRS - an eyes and heart decision.
BMW - a head and wallet decision.

Unfortunately the RRS complexity/ reliability is disappointing whereas the BM seems to be built and constructed to one design.

Chrisr1806 wrote:

But then you don't buy an RRS for the boot.

Don't agree at all Chris....

It's only now living with the RRs i'm feeling the pinch on loadspace...

Would of gone FF but the RRS suits my driving better so the boot was the compromise...

My last RRs was used as a builders truck !!  2014.5 SDV6 AB Dynamic ... Fuji /Santorini Pan roof and 22's
2013 Porsche Boxster S 3.4
2014 Audi A3 S line Quattro
---------------------------------

Nor sure I agree drdel. My X6 was a heart and head decision and I don't regret it one bit. Can't fall in love with the L494 yet but it is growing on me slowly, very slowly. It's on the list for next time around to consider.

drdelrrs wrote:

RRS - an eyes and heart decision.
BMW - a head and wallet decision.