So after a 9 month wait I finally picked up my Ibis White SQ5 today and had a 250 mile drive home in lovely sunshine, a nice day to pick up a new car. After driving a BMW 330d for 5 years it's quite a difference driving an SUV. First impressions:
- Haven't really tested the power yet while I run it in (I know some say it's not necessary but I always treat my cars gently for the first few thousand miles) but it is effortless on the motorway and acceleration at motorway speeds is a step up from my previous car.
- Engine noise particularly in dynamic mode is a lovely rumble not unlike a V8, one of the reasons I bought this car in the first place. I've already had a few quizzical looks from people I've driven past when in dynamic mode.
- Fuel economy over 250 miles is showing as 40.3 mpg on the dash but no doubt it's a bit below that. That's not hyper-miling either and keeping up with the flow of traffic. Not too bad for a 2 tonne car with over 300bhp and only slightly down on the 48 mpg I got from my 228 bhp 330d.
- Sound system is MUCH MUCH MUCH better than the BMW (and I don't have the Bose upgrade as I actually prefer the standard setup with my untrained non-audiophile ears).
- Visibility is great particularly with the big dumbo ears for wing mirrors.
- Ride comfort also better than the BMW presumably thanks to normal tyres and not the horrible run flats BMW insist on using these days and this is despite the increase in wheel size from 18" to 20".
- I wasn't expecting a spare wheel but I have a collapsible spare in the boot which was a nice bonus. Electric seats are also nice.
- Nice looking for an SUV.
- Some rather cheap looking hard plastics around the stereo and in fact the volume controls appear to be made of cheap silver effect plastic which is a step down on what I had before. The rest of the interior is a significant step up from the somewhat bland BMW interior particularly as I opted for the 2 tone red leather interior but the plastics around the stereo controls do detract from it somewhat.
- Steering feels a little twitchy on the motorway and I had to make constant small adjustments to the steering wheel (I didn't opt for dynamic steering). This might simply be me adjusting to the increased ride height and having to adjust my steering inputs accordingly but it meant I had to concentrate on steering input more than I was expecting.
- Other drivers seem offended by the thought of being overtaken by an SUV and I've already had numerous white van's and 250cdi Merc's try it on. Very strange behaviour particulary one middle aged gent in a CLS 250 cdi overtaking me repeatedly then slowing down in front of me. I look forward to being free of my own self imposed running in period.
