X5 Trifecta

[Longboarder]

Hey guys. Just picked up this 2016 F15 x50i to go along with my 21 X5M and wifes 22 x40i.

Why? I dunno. Certainly don't need 3 X5's. I have issues lol.

The ride in my F95 X5M is really harsh. I really liked my older F85 2018 X5M as it was really comfortable with the air suspension and this F15 ride is nice as well and the S63tu has decent power.

I'm OCD and can't deal with a steering wheel that has been used so I need to get a new one. But this F15 doesnt need any other reconditioning - no dings and strangely no rock chips and no wheel damage. Sellling dealer also did full service including brakes and new PZeros. And they gave me a 6mo/6k warranty which I hope won't be needed.

[jiggz]

Nice pickup, Space Gray 50i, same as me. Looks like new!

Are you planning to keep all of these... at least for a little while?

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by jiggz

Nice pickup, Space Gray 50i, same as me. Looks like new!

Are you planning to keep all of these... at least for a little while?

Thx. Yeah not planning to sell any. Wife's 40i is a lease got 2 more years in that. I purchased my X5M although prob upside down on it so no point in trading in with so much neg equity at the moment There's different purposes for each of these X5's. Also have a couple fun cars that I can take when I want to mix things up.

[Chilled]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

Hey guys. Just picked up this 2016 F15 x50i to go along with my 21 X5M and wifes 22 x40i.

Why? I dunno. Certainly don't need 3 X5's. I have issues lol.
.

Hey did you end up seeing if it was possible to retrofit the 50i air suspension into the /M? Or what about the KW?

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by Chilled

Hey did you end up seeing if it was possible to retrofit the 50i air suspension into the /M? Or what about the KW?

No. The only thing I did with the F95 X5M was have the dash rattle fixed by the dealer which made it psychologically more comfortable. I suppose changing tires from PZero's to Mich PS4S will also somewhat help the F95 ride quality but I haven't needed to do that yet. But it's just harsh and it has to be in order to get the steering and chassis to feel like a scalpel which is truly an amazing feat. I just don't need that for 99% of my driving.

Now the trade off with the F15 is that the steering is really wiggly and sloppy in comparison. I wish it had servotronic to stiffen it up a bit but didn't see that feature in the iDrive Settings Menu.

[P1]

Certainly a tidy example, congrats!

[suitedcboy]

I have a 2016 50i with DHP and I would rate the steering highly, no wasted motion. I do not have active steering so that is not the reason. Does F15 steering feel indirect or lost motion before response or just gives up precision from the F95 because, er, it is an F95.
I'm suspicious of alignment. The tires may have been toast from too much toe-in or too much negative camber, or both. Toe-in can dull the scalpel for sure.

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by suitedcboy

I have a 2016 50i with DHP and I would rate the steering highly, no wasted motion. I do not have active steering so that is not the reason. Does F15 steering feel indirect or lost motion before response or just gives up precision from the F95 because, er, it is an F95.
I'm suspicious of alignment. The tires may have been toast from too much toe-in or too much negative camber, or both. Toe-in can dull the scalpel for sure.

So I'm comparing the steering against other X5's that I currently or previously have owned. My new (to me) F15 doesn't have DHP so maybe that is the difference between yours and mine. But generally there is some "sloppiness" like I can move the steering wheel a little in either direction and it keeps tracking straight. Yes the F95 is very precise and not a good comparison but I just drove my 22 xDrive40i MSport and the steering doesn't have any play to it and takes more effort to turn, which I prefer. Your point about alignment is good I should have it checked.

[Longboarder]

First week update....love this 50i F15. It's comfortable and quiet when it needs to be but can also be a lot of fun. Similar overall feel and behavior as my older 2018 F85 (which I liked a lot more than my current F95) but toned down a little. Definitely a keeper.

Ima sucker for space grey + V8's

[F15GorDe]

Yep, we’re a Space Gray family, too. The wife’s F10 550i, my F15d and most of the Apple goodies are a match. Funny how that all works out.
Your stable is very nice, too.

[FCX5]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

First week update....love this 50i F15. It's comfortable and quiet when it needs to be but can also be a lot of fun. Similar overall feel and behavior as my older 2018 F85 (which I liked a lot more than my current F95) but toned down a little. Definitely a keeper.

Ima sucker for space grey + V8's

Yeah. Space grey is a great color and wish they come back! Just the right grey for me!

Nice collection of cars. Can’t ding you on any of it. LOL.

[ArthurMorgan]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

Similar overall feel and behavior as my older 2018 F85 (which I liked a lot more than my current F95)

This is probably the third or fourth former F85 I've owner I've seen have something somewhat negative to say about their new F95. I don't mean to derail, but can you share what exactly it is about the F95 that isn't as good? My plan was to replace the F85 with an F95 when the time comes, but I'd love some feedback from a current owner.

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by ArthurMorgan

This is probably the third or fourth former F85 I've owner I've seen have something somewhat negative to say about their new F95. I don't mean to derail, but can you share what exactly it is about the F95 that isn't as good? My plan was to replace the F85 with an F95 when the time comes, but I'd love some feedback from a current owner.

As someone who used to track a lot (main trackcar was 991 GT3), I was initially enamored by the capabilities of the F95. It is very different in many respects to the predecessor X5Ms. Turbo lag? Gone. Precise steering? Yes. Corners on rails? Yes. The F85 in comparison has lots of lag, and in my opinion cornered like a heavy boat where response to driver inputs was delayed.

But there is a huge trade off for all of this extra performance. The F95 is never a comfortable drive for me. The best way I can explain it is the car is always jittery or nervous. There is always something shaking you in the seat and steering wheel that never allows the driver to fully relax. You cant even lean back and put your head on the headrest because it is hard and pointed. On the track this performance has to be amazing for a big SUV. But I'm never taking this to the track. It basically goes back and forth to the beach with my son in the car and our stuff.

And can I dare say the F95/G05 is just ugly with that funky body line? Well it is to me and I have two of them and cant unsee it. Seems like too much going on wherever you look. The body lines and especially front / grille of the F15 is timeless in comparison and had a focus on simplicity that I appreciate with the older gen BMWs.

Look, I'm getting older and that prob has something to do with it as well. Old man status and the F95 just prob don't mix as not everyone shares my views. Have to take it for a long drive to decide for yourself.

[shimmy23]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

As someone who used to track a lot (main trackcar was 991 GT3), I was initially enamored by the capabilities of the F95. It is very different in many respects to the predecessor X5Ms. Turbo lag? Gone. Precise steering? Yes. Corners on rails? Yes. The F85 in comparison has lots of lag, and in my opinion cornered like a heavy boat where response to driver inputs was delayed.

But there is a huge trade off for all of this extra performance. The F95 is never a comfortable drive for me. The best way I can explain it is the car is always jittery or nervous. There is always something shaking you in the seat and steering wheel that never allows the driver to fully relax. You cant even lean back and put your head on the headrest because it is hard and pointed. On the track this performance has to be amazing for a big SUV. But I'm never taking this to the track. It basically goes back and forth to the beach with my son in the car and our stuff.

And can I dare say the F95/G05 is just ugly with that funky body line? Well it is to me and I have two of them and cant unsee it. Seems like too much going on wherever you look. The body lines and especially front / grille of the F15 is timeless in comparison and had a focus on simplicity that I appreciate with the older gen BMWs.

Look, I'm getting older and that prob has something to do with it as well. Old man status and the F95 just prob don't mix as not everyone shares my views. Have to take it for a long drive to decide for yourself.

good feedback! didn't you say you wouldn't dare own an x5m out of warranty? how is a 50i any different? they share a very similar engine with similar issues; rod bearings, engine gaskets, chain slap, etc

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by shimmy23

good feedback! didn't you say you wouldn't dare own an x5m out of warranty? how is a 50i any different? they share a very similar engine with similar issues; rod bearings, engine gaskets, chain slap, etc

Yeah good memory. I had quite a few problems with my e70 out of warranty. Once it left me stranded on the way to the airport with my family. I wouldn't recommend if it's someone's only car unless they were really on top of things.

For longer trips / rides the '22 x5 is our go-to car. But I do a lot of really short beach trips most just down the hill less than half a mile and many days we are going multiple times each day. I used to have a jeep wrangler that i used for these beach trips so really the F15 is is serving a specific purpose and won't accumulate a lot of miles. My e92 M3 is my car for longer solo drives and I like the familiarity of going back and forth of these two cars as the tech is the same and they retain the old school bmw feel that I like but modern enough for convenience.

[FCX5]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

Yeah good memory. I had quite a few problems with my e70 out of warranty. Once it left me stranded on the way to the airport with my family. I wouldn't recommend if it's someone's only car unless they were really on top of things.

For longer trips / rides the '22 x5 is our go-to car. But I do a lot of really short beach trips most just down the hill less than half a mile and many days we are going multiple times each day. I used to have a jeep wrangler that i used for these beach trips so really the F15 is is serving a specific purpose and won't accumulate a lot of miles. My e92 M3 is my car for longer solo drives and I like the familiarity of going back and forth of these two cars as the tech is the same and they retain the old school bmw feel that I like but modern enough for convenience.

Interesting. To me E92 was peak BMW, amazing high revving engine and design. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but I love the design, especially the front.

[ArthurMorgan]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

As someone who used to track a lot (main trackcar was 991 GT3), I was initially enamored by the capabilities of the F95. It is very different in many respects to the predecessor X5Ms. Turbo lag? Gone. Precise steering? Yes. Corners on rails? Yes. The F85 in comparison has lots of lag, and in my opinion cornered like a heavy boat where response to driver inputs was delayed.

But there is a huge trade off for all of this extra performance. The F95 is never a comfortable drive for me. The best way I can explain it is the car is always jittery or nervous. There is always something shaking you in the seat and steering wheel that never allows the driver to fully relax. You cant even lean back and put your head on the headrest because it is hard and pointed. On the track this performance has to be amazing for a big SUV. But I'm never taking this to the track. It basically goes back and forth to the beach with my son in the car and our stuff.

And can I dare say the F95/G05 is just ugly with that funky body line? Well it is to me and I have two of them and cant unsee it. Seems like too much going on wherever you look. The body lines and especially front / grille of the F15 is timeless in comparison and had a focus on simplicity that I appreciate with the older gen BMWs.

Look, I'm getting older and that prob has something to do with it as well. Old man status and the F95 just prob don't mix as not everyone shares my views. Have to take it for a long drive to decide for yourself.

This is great feedback, thank you. I also agree that the F95/G05 just simply does not look as good as the F85/F15. I realize this is subjective, but like you said, the F15 is much more in the "timeless" and simple BMW design language. The F95 feels like someone took enormous amounts of speed and designed a car. I've had two brand new G05 M50i loaners and it just doesn't do much for me, granted the actual M looks significantly better.

The F85 seems to toe the line well between aggressive and compliant. You can drive it like an orangutan and it'll still outhandle and outperform most things on the road even in 2023, yet it's still perfectly reasonable to take on long trips. Sounds like they roughed up the edges on the F95 in the interest of track numbers. I'll certainly have to drive one for a while when the time comes. Thank you again for the insight!