X5M or M5?

[Greenwillie]

Hello,
Please let me introduce myself. I live in the Southwest and currently drive a CLS63 and I am thinking of returning to the BMW family. (I’ve been gone about 10 years, previous BMW’s, 320i, 530I and a couple of 550’s) I typically lease my vehicles for 36 months.


I’m deciding between a M5 or a X5M and would appreciate your input to help me process my decision. I’ve driven both and love them!

A few random thoughts…Xm5 recently refreshed and M5 to be refreshed soon. Back seat and “trunk” feel small and cramped in XM5 but I rarely have back seat passengers. My wife drives a Navigator so we do have a large SUV and family car when needed.

Does anyone know the current residuals and top tier money factor for 36/12k?

I’ve read all the threads, thank you in advance for you input.

My apologies for double posting in M5 and XM5 forums.

[Poleposition]

Get both

[JNoSol]

If you track your cars, then take the M5 over the X5M. If you don't track, X5M is a beast I would choose. It's actually faster than the M5 0-60 and quarter mile.

The X5M is capable of tracking (same time around the ring as an E92 M3), but not all clubs allow SUVs + Tires and brakes will eat your budget.

[psuibmw]

Go F80 its the most fun

[Roundown]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

If you track your cars, then take the M5 over the X5M. If you don't track, X5M is a beast I would choose. It's actually faster than the M5 0-60 and quarter mile.

The X5M is capable of tracking (same time around the ring as an E92 M3), but not all clubs allow SUVs + Tires and brakes will eat your budget.

If you track your car- neither are really ideal.

Between the M5 and X5M- the later takes it for me. Feels faster (re: AWD) and is more useful. If I really felt compelled to go the sedan route, the F80 makes more sense.

[iconoclast]

Originally Posted by Greenwillie

Hello,
Please let me introduce myself. I live in the Southwest and currently drive a CLS63 and I am thinking of returning to the BMW family.

unless you have a need for a hatch and or starting a family the points above indicate the M5 is the way to go for you. for me it is a combination of loving wagons which no m product is available in, growing family and the need for xDrive / AWD.

[avi8tir]

If you live in an area that has nice roads and doesnt require an SUV, M5 all the way. Picking up a 2016 will hold you over nicely until the next generation is released.

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by Roundown

If you track your car- neither are really ideal.

Between the M5 and X5M- the later takes it for me. Feels faster (re: AWD) and is more useful. If I really felt compelled to got the sedan route, the F80 makes more sense.

I'm not going to disagree, I came from an F80. It's a beast on the track. But given the 2 choices, that's why I would pick one over another. And the M5 is also likely to be less expensive. Not all clubs allow SUVs on the track.

I've seen M5s on the track. It's no slacker. Maybe it was my poor driving with the F80, but I got passed by an F10 on the track.

[WCH]

I just went from a F10 M5 to a F85 X5M. They are both great cars - in my case, I needed to have an AWD car to climb snowy hills in the winter. Given that you are in the Southwest, it is less likely that this is an issue for you.

I loved the M5. It's lighter than the X5M and lower, which both contribute to a more sporty drive. I had the Competition package, which both with the lower suspension and exhaust were perfect. The M5 is often traction limited - which can be fun but you are constantly reminded that you have a lot of HP/tq trying to get to ground at the rear.

The X5M actually has an easier time getting the power down. Of course, it is about 800 heavier and taller so it drives differently.

Both cars are luxurious and have great tech. The X5M is slightly updated in both of these areas over the M5.

You can't go wrong with either one.

[Luca42]

Originally Posted by WCH

I just went from a F10 M5 to a F85 X5M. They are both great cars - in my case, I needed to have an AWD car to climb snowy hills in the winter. Given that you are in the Southwest, it is less likely that this is an issue for you.

I loved the M5. It's lighter than the X5M and lower, which both contribute to a more sporty drive. I had the Competition package, which both with the lower suspension and exhaust were perfect. The M5 is often traction limited - which can be fun but you are constantly reminded that you have a lot of HP/tq trying to get to ground at the rear.

The X5M actually has an easier time getting the power down. Of course, it is about 800 heavier and taller so it drives differently.

Both cars are luxurious and have great tech. The X5M is slightly updated in both of these areas over the M5.

You can't go wrong with either one.

+1. This is a great write-up. I think it hits all the major points between the two models.

One last thing to add -- the next M5 is in sight (i.e., it should be here soon) and it will have AWD. The ability to put the power down easier in the X5 M is what makes it unique among M cars now. It will be a more direct comparison when both are AWD.

[ajob]

Let me add a "minority viewpoint".

Both F10 M5 and F85 X5M are about equally fast, but there is one big difference: interior space!

Being older than most, in the 70's I had the benefit of driving for some years my ever favourite car, an Alpine A110 - 1600, see for instance:

http://www.cheatsheet.com/automobile...tml/?a=viewall

Let me confess, it was also the most dangerous... a flimsy fiberglass sheet covering a minute space frame propelled by an "enraged" 4 cy engine -- 150 hp on 1500 lbs in 1970...(think an extremely downsized Corvette) -- but, for me, no later car came ever close to the fun of fast-driving it, when, at least in Europe, it was still allowed (think Switzerland with no speed limits on mountain roads...)

The Alpine's interior space was minimal, a "car glove" you wore around you, to stretch even a little you had to get out... but you never did!

Now, modern street driving being so different (molasses...), I discovered the pleasure of stretching inside a fast car -- and inside space became a big factor.

In essence, with both an M5 or an X5 M you buy an option to drive equally fast, but AFAIK, you can only exercise it legally in Germany, or on a special limit-free road in Central Australia, or within these very small spaces we call tracks.

So, I try to be comfortable everywhere else and a big inside space is my way of getting it.

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by Roundown

If you track your car- neither are really ideal.

Between the M5 and X5M- the later takes it for me. Feels faster (re: AWD) and is more useful. If I really felt compelled to go the sedan route, the F80 makes more sense.

Interesting X5M track test. Pro driver says the X5M would be much easier for an average driver to drive the car to nearly its limit.

For those who think you're not an average driver, chances are... There's less than 5% of people on the road who have the track experience needed to extract the near full potential from the M5 and M3.

[Roundown]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

Interesting X5M track test. Pro driver says the X5M would be much easier for an average driver to drive the car to nearly its limit.

For those who think you're not an average driver, chances are... There's less than 5% of people on the road who have the track experience needed to extract the near full potential from the M5 and M3.

Throwing 3-tons around a track is a great way to eat consumables at an alarming rate.

I suspect the ideal entry-level track car is a probably a lightly prepped, used Miata.

Which would probably cost you about as much as B&O and a set of PSS for the X5M.

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by Roundown

Throwing 3-tons around a track is a great way to eat consumables at an alarming rate.

I suspect the ideal entry-level track car is a probably a lightly prepped, used Miata.

Which would probably cost you about as much as B&O and a set of PSS for the X5M.

One of the reasons why people love M cars is the ability for them to track. An average HPDE/track enthusiast would probably track once or twice per year which isn't enough to justify a track car in the garage.

Otherwise, you could buy a regular X5 35i mSport and still have money left for an E92 M3 or 996 C2S track car.

The tire/brake wear is actually not as bad as you think.

http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1167087

@AwesomeM3 could comment on the tire/brake wear.

[tastelid]

When calculating tire wear, do you include all the wicked sick 4 wheel burnouts? You don't want your tires to be cold!

[elisiX]

Nice video. Had not seen that before.

[AwesomeM3]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

One of the reasons why people love M cars is the ability for them to track. An average HPDE/track enthusiast would probably track once or twice per year which isn't enough to justify a track car in the garage.

Otherwise, you could buy a regular X5 35i mSport and still have money left for an E92 M3 or 996 C2S track car.

The tire/brake wear is actually not as bad as you think.

http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1167087

@AwesomeM3 could comment on the tire/brake wear.

There was definitely tire/brake wear when I took my X5M on the track. I can't tell you specifically how much, but you could see that the tires had a workout.

[Greenwillie]

Thank you guys for the input! I'm leaning M5. Will BMW Offef 39 month leases for the current 59% residual or only 36 month? I believe the lowest top tier rate is .00132.

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by Greenwillie

Thank you guys for the input! I'm leaning M5. Will BMW Offef 39 month leases for the current 59% residual or only 36 month? I believe the lowest top tier rate is .00132.

That would be my choice as well, especially you live is a snow free zone. M5 is a beast. With good grippy wider tires, JB4, and DPs it will tear up the track. K&W coils and boom...

[IHATECOP]

In my opinion, I had both car.
For the M5, I custom ordered the car. I get everything on the car. But, turns out I did't like the car that much. Few thing I want point out for the M5.
PRO
-WITH ZCP(competition PKG) is powerful, come with the lowering future.
-handling is better than the X5M, lower body and short wheel base.
-M DCT is way better the ZF8, even BMW saids they made ZF8 as good as they can, but still ZF8
-easy to mod, and easy to get or get rid of parts
CON
-The rear leg room is to tiny. unless my wife drive it, otherwise I won't fit in comfortable.
-Since M5 is a performance sedan, it has coliover both front and rear, but X5M has the AIR ON REAR, RIDES MORE COMFORT.
-G10 is coming soon. so the M5 might change the body type with the G10.
-Rear wheel driven, may slow than the X5M, they use the same engine tho.

If u have further questions. you are very welcome to PM me.
And facebook Sam Cao/ INS caoeasy. incase u wanna see the pics.

[brainblade]

I recently moved from a 2013 m5 to a 2016 x5m. The x5m is a faster car. The all wheel drive transmits all the power to the pavement and it launches much faster than the m5. the m5 constantly battles with traction control.

that said, I miss the m5 for a number of reasons. I believe the non comp package m5 is easier to drive around the City than the x5m. In comfort mode a the m5 has a softer, more luxurious drive. The m5 is a more fun to drive, is lighter , and is easier to park. HOWEVER, I think the all wheel drive outweighs the aforementioned and im glad I made the change to x5m. If the next m5 is all wheel drive , I cant imagine how fast it will be off the line. it will be amazing so go x5m and then go for the new m5 one year after introduction.

[M6-Coupe]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

If you track your cars, then take the M5 over the X5M. If you don't track, X5M is a beast I would choose. It's actually faster than the M5 0-60 and quarter mile.

The X5M is capable of tracking (same time around the ring as an E92 M3), but not all clubs allow SUVs + Tires and brakes will eat your budget.

No this is not correct unless you refer to BMW website. The real world test result shows M5 is faster than X5M due to over 700lb weight difference even with AWD vs RWD. See here:

2015 X5M C/D TEST RESULTS:

Zero to 60 mph: 3.8 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 9.1 sec
Zero to 150 mph: 25.4 sec
Street start, 5-60 mph: 4.6 sec
Top gear, 30-50 mph: 2.6 sec
Top gear, 50-70 mph: 3.0 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 12.3 sec @ 115 mph
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...ed-test-review



2013 M5 C/D TEST RESULTS:

Zero to 60 mph: 3.7 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 8.3 sec
Zero to 150 mph: 18.3 sec
Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 4.6 sec
Top gear, 30-50 mph: 1.8 sec
Top gear, 50-70 mph: 2.4 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 12.0 sec @ 122 mph
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...ad-test-review