EQE SUV questions.

[MikeInWimbledon]

Supply chains have been back to normal - for car production at least, even if not for aftersales spare parts - so the fact that there is only one stock car in the country suggests that the factory might not actually be in full production for this model at the moment.

You can be sure that Tuscaloosa has never been in full production of the right hand drive EQE SUV.

Which is fine. Who wants to see another car just like theirs on the open road? Shudder

Most people think that these things roll down continuous production lines like MINI's off the line from Oxford. The reality is that it's actually only a few runs a year for esoteric kit. Hence the stock shortages, zero interest deals to clear stock, and awkwardness when it comes to finding non-standard orders, like light interiors.

So just a dozen or two EQE 500 SUV's sold in the UK in 2024. "Find another !"

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

So just a dozen or two EQE 500 SUV's sold in the UK in 2024. "Find another !"

I spoke to soon ! I checked Autotrader while working through my usual Friday Fish and chips this morning.

A dozen "demonstrator" or staff EQE 500 SUV's listed on AT. At bargain prices which start at a mere £70k

Very interesting.

 

[snerkler]

Well the EQE is definitely off the cards, no prem plus stock available and build times are now being quoted as 7-9 months

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Well the EQE is definitely off the cards, no prem plus stock available and build times are now being quoted as 7-9 months

Nature's way of telling you there are other very important reasons to swerve this one.

 

[snerkler]

Nature's way of telling you there are other very important reasons to swerve this one.

I've actually just been on another test drive of it

I'm all out of options car wise, exhausted every possibility so the EQE is my last roll of the dice, either that or a stick with my current X5. The reason for my u-turn is that the dealer advised me that the offer has been on for 6 months and he can't see them taking it off, and on other models the offer's been running for 12 and 18 months. Obviously can't guarantee it, but did say that the deposit would be 100% refundable, even if I just didn't want it or I found something else in the meantime.

Now I took the 350 out again (got a 500 test drive lined up next week) and some of the 'niggles' I had from the first test drive have been sorted, such as I got used to the brake pedel and I didn't feel car sick this time I also had a play with the Burmester Stereo and intially I thought what a load of poop, but then I went into the personlisation settings and it absolutely transformed it. Wow, impressive, real good clarity at the high end and what bass it has. Kicks in tracks like Still Dre had some real good punch which is often lacking in a lot of stereos, and the sub bass properly rattles your brain but in no way muddies the rest, brilliant for drum and bass and jungle.

Acceleration from 0-40mph is carzy but then it then doesn't pull so well, hence why I want to look at the 500.

My main concerns with it are:-

1) the rear wheel steering. Great for maneouvering, got used to it in the main going around mini roundabouts and the like but I did have a couple of squeeky bum moments turning out of T-junctions. Now I have a heavy right foot, and if I'm going I'm going, but if say turned right out of a t-junction nailing quite a bit of throttle it felt as though the back end was going to come around on me, like driving a RWD car on ice. Clearly it wasn't sliding round but that's what it felt like and it was unnerving.

2) I'm tall (6'4 on a good day) and my left knee feels cramped against the centre console. Comparing it to my X5 it's because the centre console on the EQE is so much higher so my knee can't rest over the top of it so to speak, i.e. I can't manspread.

3) The reliance on the touchscreen. With BMW I'm so used to having the iDrive controller where my hand rests that I can control everything with ease, and it's easy to change things like the radio station on the move, or change the zoom on the sat nav etc etc. With having to control everything from the big screen I felt I had to stop the car just to change something otherwise it was dangerous as I wasn't looking at the road. It would be a bit annoying having to stop every time I wanted to change to a different album or wanted a different view on the sat nav. I'm not a fan of having to talk to the car to perform the actions I want

So I'm on the fence, there's so much to like about the car, but then after every test drive I've had over the past week (iX, X5 50e, Audi SQ6 and EQE) I get back in my X5 and realise what a great car it is and I think it would be a shame to let it go.

First world problems and all that

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Does it have to be a new car?

I've actually just been on another test drive of it

I'm all out of options car wise, exhausted every possibility so the EQE is my last roll of the dice, either that or a stick with my current X5. The reason for my u-turn is that the dealer advised me that the offer has been on for 6 months and he can't see them taking it off, and on other models the offer's been running for 12 and 18 months. Obviously can't guarantee it, but did say that the deposit would be 100% refundable, even if I just didn't want it or I found something else in the meantime.

Now I took the 350 out again (got a 500 test drive lined up next week) and some of the 'niggles' I had from the first test drive have been sorted, such as I got used to the brake pedel and I didn't feel car sick this time I also had a play with the Burmester Stereo and intially I thought what a load of poop, but then I went into the personlisation settings and it absolutely transformed it. Wow, impressive, real good clarity at the high end and what bass it has. Kicks in tracks like Still Dre had some real good punch which is often lacking in a lot of stereos, and the sub bass properly rattles your brain but in no way muddies the rest, brilliant for drum and bass and jungle.

Acceleration from 0-40mph is carzy but then it then doesn't pull so well, hence why I want to look at the 500.

My main concerns with it are:-

1) the rear wheel steering. Great for maneouvering, got used to it in the main going around mini roundabouts and the like but I did have a couple of squeeky bum moments turning out of T-junctions. Now I have a heavy right foot, and if I'm going I'm going, but if say turned right out of a t-junction nailing quite a bit of throttle it felt as though the back end was going to come around on me, like driving a RWD car on ice. Clearly it wasn't sliding round but that's what it felt like and it was unnerving.

2) I'm tall (6'4 on a good day) and my left knee feels cramped against the centre console. Comparing it to my X5 it's because the centre console on the EQE is so much higher so my knee can't rest over the top of it so to speak, i.e. I can't manspread.

3) The reliance on the touchscreen. With BMW I'm so used to having the iDrive controller where my hand rests that I can control everything with ease, and it's easy to change things like the radio station on the move, or change the zoom on the sat nav etc etc. With having to control everything from the big screen I felt I had to stop the car just to change something otherwise it was dangerous as I wasn't looking at the road. It would be a bit annoying having to stop every time I wanted to change to a different album or wanted a different view on the sat nav. I'm not a fan of having to talk to the car to perform the actions I want

So I'm on the fence, there's so much to like about the car, but then after every test drive I've had over the past week (iX, X5 50e, Audi SQ6 and EQE) I get back in my X5 and realise what a great car it is and I think it would be a shame to let it go.

First world problems and all that

Sounds positive.

1. Like the brakes you’ll get used to rear wheel steering. All RWS are not equal in how natural they feel but regardless you will get used to it. You’ll naturally have to limit how going for it you’re going for it in a fast EV, from rest pulling of a T junction. It will do it’s best to look after you, but foot to the floor would be uncomfortable in that manouvere.

2. Extended test drive required, unless it’s just a matter of getting used to your knee falling in a different position.

3. That’s modern cars for you! Like the brakes and RWS you’ll get used to touchscreens. If you can’t then the voice assistant in MBUX is superb.

Good luck with your decision

 

[snerkler]

I think I already know the answer to this, but can you turn off the rear wheel steering?