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      06-28-2015, 01:41 PM   #1
wordsworth03
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X5 50i vs X5m

Hey guys,

I am currently debating between an X5 50i vs X5m. Did you guys cross shop prior to purchasing? What pushed you one way or another? I really don't have space for 2 cars because otherwise I would just get a separate sports car. I'm not sure if the price difference is worth it to me. I know there are people that say once you drive the M, it makes it clear how much better it is but that isn't specific enough for me.

I've read the M drives better but it seems like if you get the DHP with torque vectoring that drivability will be similar. As far as speed, seems like the 50i runs high 12s in the 1/4 mile while the M runs low 12s which is a pretty good difference, but maybe not a 25k difference. If it ran consistently in the 11s, that might be a different story.

Thanks!
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      06-28-2015, 01:48 PM   #2
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What do you currently drive? What are you used to?

50i is fast and feels great, but obviously the M is faster and feels better. It depends how you drive and what you are used to driving.

Most of us don't need an M or even a 50i for that matter, but we choose to get them for pure joy. Only you can decide if that amount of joy is worth the money or not.
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      06-28-2015, 01:53 PM   #3
wordsworth03
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I'm in a Nissan Murano right now. It is great car but it is too slow. I had an Audi S8 for a short period of time and that was a blast but not reasonable with kids and frequent road trips. I considered an RS7 but even with its large trunk, it isn't quite big enough for us. Also considering an E63 wagon but the ground clearance worries me since we go to the mountains a lot and like to go on hikes that go down some unmaintained dirt roads.

The X5 seems like the best all-in-one compromise, but now I guess I need to figure out how much speed I really need
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      06-28-2015, 02:08 PM   #4
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wdimagineer has recently switched to M from 50i. Besides his in-depth knowledge of many things BMW, he has first hand experience.

I would also ask in this forum http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=509 as others have likely done the switch and been in your position.
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      06-28-2015, 02:27 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MattBianco View Post
wdimagineer has recently switched to M from 50i. Besides his in-depth knowledge of many things BMW, he has first hand experience.

I would also ask in this forum http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=509 as others have likely done the switch and been in your position.
Thanks for that info. I've been lurking in the F85 forums for a while now but didnt ask this question there because I know the answer would be the M. Also, this forum gets more traffic.
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      06-28-2015, 02:36 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wordsworth03 View Post
I'm in a Nissan Murano right now. It is great car but it is too slow. I had an Audi S8 for a short period of time and that was a blast but not reasonable with kids and frequent road trips. I considered an RS7 but even with its large trunk, it isn't quite big enough for us. Also considering an E63 wagon but the ground clearance worries me since we go to the mountains a lot and like to go on hikes that go down some unmaintained dirt roads.

The X5 seems like the best all-in-one compromise, but now I guess I need to figure out how much speed I really need
Coming from the Murano, I think you would be more than satisfied with the 50i and have no regrets. My one caveat would be, don't test drive the M. If you really care to save some money, the ignorance will be bliss.

I got a 50i for my wife and I am highly impressed by it. I did end up ordering an X5M for myself, but not because I actually thought the 50i wasn't enough, it was purely based on looks and color choices.
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      06-28-2015, 02:43 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by djsaad1 View Post
Coming from the Murano, I think you would be more than satisfied with the 50i and have no regrets. My one caveat would be, don't test drive the M. If you really care to save some money, the ignorance will be bliss.

I got a 50i for my wife and I am highly impressed by it. I did end up ordering an X5M for myself, but not because I actually thought the 50i wasn't enough, it was purely based on looks and color choices.
Good to know - thanks for your opinion. I also agree about the paint. I really am not a fan of any of the standard colors on the 50i and my CA said they don't do custom paint on this model (though I read on another thread that they might?). I love Donington Grey.
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      06-28-2015, 02:47 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wordsworth03 View Post
Good to know - thanks for your opinion. I also agree about the paint. I really am not a fan of any of the standard colors on the 50i and my CA said they don't do custom paint on this model (though I read on another thread that they might?). I love Donington Grey.
I read on another thread that they might too. But I asked the VIP ordering specialist at BMWNA that I used a few times before and her response was
Quote:
Unfortunately, special order paints are not available on any of the Plant Spartanburg vehicles.
That was after my CA already told me it's not possible too.
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      06-28-2015, 03:22 PM   #9
wordsworth03
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Yeah, he forwarded me the email he sent out and I got the exact same response.
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      06-28-2015, 04:59 PM   #10
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I believe the M suspension and handling is nothing like the standard BMW cars and SUV even with the DHP option. The power delivery and overall experience is what will cost you additional.
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      06-28-2015, 05:11 PM   #11
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If you financially can the M and don't look back. If you are purchasing again the M, you gotta go into service with something and the aftermarket is going to be flooded for the M not the 35/50's
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      06-28-2015, 05:47 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Taran.J View Post
If you financially can the M and don't look back. If you are purchasing again the M, you gotta go into service with something and the aftermarket is going to be flooded for the M not the 35/50's
What do you mean by go into service with something? I didn't quite catch that
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      06-28-2015, 05:56 PM   #13
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One other thing to note, if you are leasing, the residual on the M is the same as the 50i. That is a pretty good incentive to get the M.
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      06-28-2015, 05:57 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wordsworth03
Quote:
Originally Posted by Taran.J View Post
If you financially can the M and don't look back. If you are purchasing again the M, you gotta go into service with something and the aftermarket is going to be flooded for the M not the 35/50's
What do you mean by go into service with something? I didn't quite catch that
V8 issues. My 750 was riddled with them so we traded it in for a S class a while back. Don't trust bmw V8's
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      06-28-2015, 05:59 PM   #15
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The X5M does not have adaptive cruise control, which is something that I enjoy using quite a bit. Also, the tires are not run-flat, which means there's a spare tire underneath the trunk so you will not have storage space there.
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      06-28-2015, 06:01 PM   #16
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The 50i is surprisingly fast and both wont be close to a RS7 or E63 anyway in a straight line, so this is a matter of take both cars for a test drive. Because it is not all about speed. The non Ms usually feel very civilized albeit fast, but the M cars are usually very precise and give you also a wonderfull soundtrack etc.

Honestly, a test drive is the only way to pick between those cars. Then again the difference is wider if you drive a car without the M package and suspension. Where I live, Ms hold their price better, as they are special, the 50i is just another X5.

And if the part about adaptive cc is true, I really cant imagine a big SUV for distance travel without it...
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      06-28-2015, 06:45 PM   #17
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All great points - thanks guys. Regarding the reliability, it seems like the latest iteration is better but has only been out for a few years.

And I agree, the lack of adaptive cruise control is a pretty big deal for me since we do a lot of road trips.
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      06-28-2015, 08:27 PM   #18
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assuming you can afford both, for me its simple--do you need 3rd row seats? then you need 5.0. if not x5m.

if you don't need the extra trunk space, change to x6 5.0 vs x6m
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      06-28-2015, 08:43 PM   #19
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Having owned both a 2015 X6 and now a 2015 X6M the M is surprisingly much better. Besides speed, it handles much better and is quite light on its feet for such a heavy car.

The "regular 50i is a wonderful SAV but still has more of a SUV type feel. The X6M is astounding in its dynamics. Leave it in M and its a blast. Alos for me the HUD with the tachometer is fantastic, they should offer it the regular X5/X6. BTW for some reason you get a conventional gauge setup on X6M vs a digital LCD.
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      06-28-2015, 09:32 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Taran.J View Post
If you financially can the M and don't look back. If you are purchasing again the M, you gotta go into service with something and the aftermarket is going to be flooded for the M not the 35/50's
Sorry, I didn't understand a word of that either?!
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      06-28-2015, 09:42 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dr.waxman
Quote:
Originally Posted by Taran.J View Post
If you financially can the M and don't look back. If you are purchasing again the M, you gotta go into service with something and the aftermarket is going to be flooded for the M not the 35/50's
Sorry, I didn't understand a word of that either?!
If you can financially afford the X5M go for it or settle for the X5 50i.

The BMW does not make the most reliable V8 engines. Especially with the power they deliver no wonder why the 50i model BMW's depreciate so much since the repair bill is double of what it is for the usual inline 6's.

Since OP didn't say he was financing or buying out right that's my overall opinion
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      06-28-2015, 09:54 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Taran.J View Post
If you can financially afford the X5M go for it or settle for the X5 50i.

The BMW does not make the most reliable V8 engines. Especially with the power they deliver no wonder why the 50i model BMW's depreciate so much since the repair bill is double of what it is for the usual inline 6's.

Since OP didn't say he was financing or buying out right that's my overall opinion
If reliability is such a high priority for you, perhaps you should buy Japanese. I find it funny people bring up this V8 issue like they can already see it happening lol. It's a German car, I6 and V8 what not.

As for OP, you can afford it by all mean go for X5m. 50i is plenty fast for me as a family hauler and I prefer something light and agile like the M3 for fun.
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