Long-Term Road Tests

Just got back from the dealers. My Client Advisor claims that this is a feature that was specifically engineered to ensure the longevity of the latches. He claims, "Your suppose to press down while pushing the button to open it" This sounds like what the previous poster was talking about.
 
Not sure if I can buy the "specifically engineered" since the owners manual doesn't highlight or even allude to it.

I own a 2007 X5. I have no problem opening the center console doors, all you need to do is LIGHTLY press down while PUSHING the button, and voila, they open right up!!!

Typical shoddy BMW interior "engineering". Add this to the rubbery crap they layer over everything that scratches off in 2 weeks, the silver paint on the lower half of the "M" wheel hubs that rubs off, the disappearing pixels in their dot matrix displays and radios, the dyes in the leather that are about as resilient as Spitzer's political career... etc. I could go on.
 
You get the picture. BMW pours their heart and soul into the drive and more recently the technology. Everything else is an afterthought. The one longstanding exception to this was the 2003-05 Range Rover, although alot of the poor materials were still hidden here and there (seat sides, door handles etc). That was like BMW's "W140".
 
No bother, they are still my all-time favorite car company and I make no qualms about that.

The tests that were done to show initial quality for the Aura, the Accord, and a Fusion were really intriguing. I think someone should do this test for the X5 and the new Cadillac!

this design is silly. I believe the MDX has something similar in which the door obscures your path into the console bin. Bin doors should open vertically. This is fancy for no reason.

First, BMW takes your money, and now your IPOD! ;) Who knows, it may require outrageous maintenance bills after the courtesy period, too! (well, that's actually a guarantee).

Obviously this is BMW's courtesy exercise device.
To help alleviate carpal tunnel syndrome and writer's cramps.
What other company would have provided you with such a great device to protect the future of your hand?

It seems the console became a victim of over-engineering? I thought my wife's Murano was crazy with that console lid you could slide back and forth about 4-5 inches. Then I realized her arm rest in the fore spot and mine in the aft. Maybe BMW will morph their console into something cool next time around?

I'll ignore all the responses before this and get back to the matter at hand. The console lids are a rather poor design. The pressure of them pushing up (to the open position) prevents the latches from releasing. Push down on the lid right above the buttons, and while pushing down, push the button. The lids should pop right open.

casp201, I don't see them mentioned that anywhere in the introduction article. If one never got to the last line of that writeup then surely he/she would think that Inside Line has actually purchased the X5 through a dealership. Again, like I've said, it was a very misleading and poorly executed.
 
I would keep posting the same question until I got an answer.

I'll let the edmunds staff give you the official answer, but since they didn't answer the question last time, ill provide the little that i know.
 
If i recall correctly, i remember them writing in a previous post that although the manufactuar provides them with the vehicle, they still get to choose every option (trim, color, nav or no nav, etc). So in a sense i believe they are using that section to explain what they chose and why, and what it would cost for the consumer who isn't lucky enough to be given a free car by BMW. Perhaps they should give the section a new title, but never in the article do they write about dealing with the dealership or anything else refering to the actual process of purchasing the vehicle.
 
Back on topic here, does this problem with the console look like something that will correct it self as the car is broken in, or is it a design flaw that will stick with the vehicle for years to come?

Since no editor answered my question in the X5 introduction blog I would just like to ask it again...
 
To Inside Line: If the X5 is provided by the manufacturer then why did you write the introduction like you bought it. I have to say the article is a really really really bad writeup and it'll forever leave a dent on Edmunds' credibility.