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      01-17-2018, 01:17 PM   #1
in867
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How to Test Drive?

None of the dealers in my area (or within 500 miles) have an X5M in stock to test drive. Although I'm a big fan of BMW, there's no way I could ever buy a car without driving it first.

Anyone have suggestions on how to test drive one? Is there any realistic chance the dealer would get one just for me to test drive it?
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      01-17-2018, 01:57 PM   #2
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I am not sure a dealer would bring one in to test. I leased mine without driving it. You wont be sorry.
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      01-17-2018, 02:02 PM   #3
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Ironically I've never test driven any car Ive owned or leased. You might need to wait on a CPO to pop up, they might let you drive that one. My SA did allow me to take the X5M out for a drive when I was shopping two years ago but I declined, I just submitted my order and left. Perhaps a fellow member would allow you to take a ride with them.
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      01-18-2018, 07:11 AM   #4
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I agree with Nuckle -- I can't see any dealer bringing in an M car (of any variant) just for you to test drive. At the end of the day, they have to sell that car and I know I would not buy an M (or any other performance car) that had more than 10 miles on the odometer.

The dilemma is that M cars are high ticket items that beg to be driven hard. That means test driven even harder. No one will blink twice about the Lexus LS sitting on the lot with 50 miles and being sold as "new". Like I said, my eyebrow IS going to raise with an M car sitting on the lot with the same number of miles. How many "test drives" was that? What did they do?

Your options to test drive are quite limited: (1) you can have a cool SA like Patrick (but those are rare); (2) find a dealer with a used X5 M; or (3) visit southern CA (or any other place with lots of inventory and multiple dealers). In the last option, I think the competition to sell is so high that the culture is to allow test drives for all cars.

Good luck. I think you will be pleased.
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      01-18-2018, 07:40 AM   #5
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I had the same dilemma. A dealer that had one on the lot would not let me do a test drive. I kept checking local dealers inventories online and finally found one that would let me test drive. I'm not sure how many dealers you have in your area.

I think your best bet is what Luca said. Find a dealer with a used M on the lot. The F85s are out a few years, I'm sure there are plenty of lease returns out there.
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      01-18-2018, 10:48 AM   #6
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Just test an F15, the F85 will be faster and louder. The brakes will squeak though!
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      01-18-2018, 11:18 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by PatrickC23 View Post
Just test an F15, the F85 will be faster and louder. The brakes will squeak though!
I couldn't disagree more. They are totally different vehicles. Unlike the E70/E71 where the 50i and the M were pretty much the same except for the power.

Coming from a 2010 X6 50i and 2013 X6M, I ordered a 2016 X6 50i loaded - without test driving because I assumed they would still be the same. I hated it. It was cushy, floaty, loose steering. I felt completely disconnected from the road. This is why I was on a mission to find the M to test drive. I felt the difference in the M before I even got out of the dealers lot. I will never order a car again without test driving. Funny, I didn't test drive any of my previous 5 BMWs.

Just my $.02
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      01-18-2018, 11:45 AM   #8
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OP, what exactly to you plan to accomplish with a test drive? I find it hysterical that people buy or lease a vehicle based on a test drive. If the dealer is going to give you the car to test for a week than I can understand, but that will not happen. If you have the means to purchase an X5M then I suggest you get it. You will not be disappointed. The ride can be a little harsh when in sport+ and it takes off like a bat out of hell when you get on it. It handles very well. The seats are very comfortable even in long drives with herniated discs in your lower back. There I just test drove it for you.
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      01-18-2018, 12:10 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by secretariat View Post
OP, what exactly to you plan to accomplish with a test drive? I find it hysterical that people buy or lease a vehicle based on a test drive. If the dealer is going to give you the car to test for a week than I can understand, but that will not happen. If you have the means to purchase an X5M then I suggest you get it. You will not be disappointed. The ride can be a little harsh when in sport+ and it takes off like a bat out of hell when you get on it. It handles very well. The seats are very comfortable even in long drives with herniated discs in your lower back. There I just test drove it for you.
Good stuff Secretariat

Not trying to toot my horn but since you brought it up, I probably do more research on one car purchase than an average person does for all the cars they buy in a lifetime. But there comes a limit to what you glean from reading or watching reviews and message board posts. I mean, we're talking about a six figure car purchase here, not coffee from Amazon or a $25 bottle of wine.

I guess what I look for in a test drive are a few different things:

1. How EXACTLY does it feel while cornering - both at a hard and moderate pace? (Yes, I try to give the salesman the ride of the year in a test drive)

2. How does the suspension feel on the roads on my typical commute?

3. How do the seats fit my body?

4. What does the driving position feel like?

5. How pronounced is the turbo lag?

6. Most importantly - is the car FUN and can I live with it for a DD? (I compare fun with my old E90 M3)

Thanks for the good suggestions everyone, I'm going to try calling around the local dealers to see if they have any used F85s or F86s I can take for an extended drive. Maybe I'll give an unsuspecting sales guy a mild heart attack.
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      01-18-2018, 01:10 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cmyx6go View Post
I couldn't disagree more. They are totally different vehicles. Unlike the E70/E71 where the 50i and the M were pretty much the same except for the power.

Coming from a 2010 X6 50i and 2013 X6M, I ordered a 2016 X6 50i loaded - without test driving because I assumed they would still be the same. I hated it. It was cushy, floaty, loose steering. I felt completely disconnected from the road. This is why I was on a mission to find the M to test drive. I felt the difference in the M before I even got out of the dealers lot. I will never order a car again without test driving. Funny, I didn't test drive any of my previous 5 BMWs.

Just my $.02
That was actually a joke. But in comparison from an F15, the F85 will not feel cushy, floaty, with loose steering.
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      01-18-2018, 01:27 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PatrickC23 View Post
That was actually a joke. But in comparison from an F15, the F85 will not feel cushy, floaty, with loose steering.
Sorry if I didn't get the humor. I'm still kicking myself for ordering the 50i. It's a sore subject.
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      01-18-2018, 01:46 PM   #12
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Find a used one to test drive.
Maybe you'll like it enough to just drive it home. Instant gratification.
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      01-18-2018, 01:59 PM   #13
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I think one of the best ways is to find a fellow member nearby - most guys on these boards are really into getting others into the F85.
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      01-18-2018, 02:57 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by in867 View Post
None of the dealers in my area (or within 500 miles) have an X5M in stock to test drive. Although I'm a big fan of BMW, there's no way I could ever buy a car without driving it first.

Anyone have suggestions on how to test drive one? Is there any realistic chance the dealer would get one just for me to test drive it?
Take a weekend trip to Miami

Braman BMW is the biggest M dealer in the nation and they usually have at least 3 or 4 X5M and X6M sitting on the lot.
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      01-18-2018, 03:26 PM   #15
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Although I doubt you'll be disappointed, I can see why some would want to test drive a car before buying it. My local dealership has a used X5M that's been sitting for quite some time. They don't blink twice in tossing you the keys and telling you to bring it back later on in the day.
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      01-18-2018, 04:30 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by foldpages View Post
Take a weekend trip to Miami

Braman BMW is the biggest M dealer in the nation and they usually have at least 3 or 4 X5M and X6M sitting on the lot.
See -- this is a good plan. Find a cheap flight, pack a carry-on bag, fly down on a Friday. Have a great dinner and have the dealer pick you up on Saturday morning. Test drive it and if you like it, drive it home. If they don't have what you want, go home and order one.

In fact, take your ______ (wife/girlfriend/husband/boyfriend) and have a great weekend for ~$1000. Not much to spend on a $110K+ automobile.
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      01-18-2018, 07:04 PM   #17
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Go to the regional portion of this forum and ask if a fellow enthusiast in your area would meet with you to go over their X5M. Afterward treat him or her to a few drinks.
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      01-18-2018, 07:25 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by in867 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by secretariat View Post
OP, what exactly to you plan to accomplish with a test drive? I find it hysterical that people buy or lease a vehicle based on a test drive. If the dealer is going to give you the car to test for a week than I can understand, but that will not happen. If you have the means to purchase an X5M then I suggest you get it. You will not be disappointed. The ride can be a little harsh when in sport+ and it takes off like a bat out of hell when you get on it. It handles very well. The seats are very comfortable even in long drives with herniated discs in your lower back. There I just test drove it for you.
Good stuff Secretariat

Not trying to toot my horn but since you brought it up, I probably do more research on one car purchase than an average person does for all the cars they buy in a lifetime. But there comes a limit to what you glean from reading or watching reviews and message board posts. I mean, we're talking about a six figure car purchase here, not coffee from Amazon or a $25 bottle of wine.

I guess what I look for in a test drive are a few different things:

1. How EXACTLY does it feel while cornering - both at a hard and moderate pace? (Yes, I try to give the salesman the ride of the year in a test drive)

2. How does the suspension feel on the roads on my typical commute?

3. How do the seats fit my body?

4. What does the driving position feel like?

5. How pronounced is the turbo lag?

6. Most importantly - is the car FUN and can I live with it for a DD? (I compare fun with my old E90 M3)

Thanks for the good suggestions everyone, I'm going to try calling around the local dealers to see if they have any used F85s or F86s I can take for an extended drive. Maybe I'll give an unsuspecting sales guy a mild heart attack.
I had an E90 M3 and I can tell you the seats are more comfortable. The ride is better. Carries twice as much stuff. Handles just as good within reason as it is over a foot taller and, what, 1600 lbs heavier? Still extremely sporty and make you wonder how it seems to bend physics the way it does. It will leave a line faster and pull harder than the E90 M3 did. And it will pull harder the higher you go. Once it gets above 80 it will pull harder to 140+ than your M3 ever could.

Only thing it won't give you is fuel economy and the beautiful linear scream of the 4.0 S65 V8.

Seating position is the same as any other X5.

Let me know if you have more questions. I look forward to this vehicle every chance I have a reason to drive it just like I did my E90 M3. Puts just as big of a smile on my face and scares the heck out of my spouse just as much!
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      01-18-2018, 07:42 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nuckle View Post
I am not sure a dealer would bring one in to test. I leased mine without driving it. You wont be sorry.
I with you also, just e-mailed my order to my CA, no test drive. Mater of fact, 1st time I drove a F85 was at the PC during the track portion prior to delivery. But, I was coming from a F15 N63. Anyway it's a 3 yr lease.
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      01-18-2018, 07:53 PM   #20
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How do you guys find CPO X5M?

http://cpo.bmwusa.com/#searchIventory

The above website does not have the option to choose X5M.
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      01-18-2018, 08:50 PM   #21
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Most Dealers won't let you test drive M cars. They might let you drive it like an old lady but any good dealer won't let you get after it because of the break in period. My dealer said many M buyers won't buy an M car that someone else has driven. It's way better than an X5 50i. Just drive that if you must, but I think it's hard to make a decision based on a test drive. I made the deal on mine and then said I wanted to drive it. I could have technically backed out of the deal at that point. Good luck
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      01-18-2018, 09:20 PM   #22
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There are a ton of used ones out there, just do a search on Cars.com and find one local to you. Go drive it, if you'd like to go new, just go to the dealer afterwards and order one up.
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