[ggergg]

Hey all -

Just wanted to provide my thoughts on my new ride. I'll try to hit on a number of the common questions/thoughts that I've read in other threads on the site.

First, my build:

Check out the build sheet picture below for the full details, but basically I think I checked just about all the boxes when I sat down to place the order.

- 2024 M60i
- Marina Bay Blue
- Silverstone Sensafin
- Driving Assistance Pro
- Parking Assistance
- Exec Package
- Climate Comfort
- M Sport
- Adaptive M Suspension Pro
- Trailer Hitch
- Space save spare
- B&W Sound
- 20" 740M wheels

Like I said, I think I checked almost all the boxes. The things that I didn't go with were leather seats or any extended leather anything (the Sensafin is really amazing), massaging seats (I still go back and forth whether this was the right call), and Alcantara headliner.

A couple decisions that I made and my rationale:

1) Adaptive M Suspension Pro vs Air Suspension - I was pretty nervous about this one as I was worried that the Pro suspension would create too rough of a ride vs the Air. However, in about 1500 miles of driving I'm glad to report that I no longer worry about it at all. The Pro is amazing all around, and the ride is not too harsh.
2) Trailer hitch vs "kick to open" - to me this was an easy decision as being able to tow or attach a bike rack was way more important to me than an occasional kick open.

Secondly, delivery

I decided to go with PCD for this one. I've ordered many BMWs in the past, but have never taken advantage of the PCD. I am so glad that I did for this one. The experience is really fantastic! Obviously driving fast on the track is a lot of fun, but the real eye opener for me was the offroad course. While I hope to never have to use my X5 for severe off-roading, it was great to see what these vehicles are actually capable of if the need ever arises.

Finally, observations

First, a note - my wife and I have owned a lot of BMWs in the past (and Audi, and MB, etc...) - my wife currently drives an iX and I've had M3, M550, X5 40i, X5 45e. X7, and more - so this isn't our first experience with BMW. Take that into consideration as with my observations below.

Driving experience - I purposely selected the M60 this time around as I really wanted a V8 before they stop making them. After a nice long drive home from SC -> WI after PCD I can definitely say I'm glad I went that route. We were considering the 50e because of the in town fuel benefits, but in the end FOMO on the V8 won out. It really is a super smooth, super fast drive and I'm glad we did it.

idrive 8.5 - a lot has been said about the move from idrive 7 -> 8.0 -> 8.5 so I won't rehash much of what has been said before. Personally, I liked the buttons from 7, but have gotten used to the 8.0 interface in my wife's iX and really don't mind it. 8.5 fixes a lot of the last remaining complaints that I had with 8.0, and the addition of true hand's free driving is a game changer. I had a lot of opportunity to try it out on my drive home from South Carolina, and with the exception of having to switch away from my favorite sunglasses (evidently they blocked IR) I absolutely love it.

Oh, yeah, you might also notice that I've switched over to winter wheels already here in WI - 4.5" of snow on Halloween accelerated that process! For anyone who is wondering, 19" rims (ordered from Tirerack) work just fine with the extra large brakes on the M60 with trailer package.

Let me know if you have questions about my experience at all - glad to help contribute to the knowledge base here!

[cobramite]

Beautiful X5, great color and I agree, you can't go wrong with the M60i, you will never regret that choice. The S68 in the LCI is awesome as I am sure you know by now.
Looks like you have some good bite for snow.
Enjoy it!

[rundeyvoo]

Originally Posted by ggergg

Hey all -

Just wanted to provide my thoughts on my new ride. I'll try to hit on a number of the common questions/thoughts that I've read in other threads on the site.

First, my build:...

Congrats on the new M60i, great contrast with the MBB and the silverstone interior! MBB is one of my fave colors and looks so good on the X5

[radmjk]

Looks great! I’ll be putting on my winter wheels/tires tomorrow. I wondered about doing 19” but went with 20”. I currently have 21” staggered set up.

Edit: update just got installed 11/4.

[Longboarder]

Congrats and Thx for the comments particular on the Adaptive M suspension pro. I dumped my 2021 X5M at a pretty big loss as I couldn't stand the ride any longer. I think the M60i could be in my future.

[roamio]

Congrats, awesome car.

[X3_Alaska]

She's beautiful, congratulations!

[Mattl0806]

Nice write up.
Question - have you driven one with air suspension since to compare? I haven’t driven bmw air suspension but it seems a bit of mystery to me. Other competitors use it in the higher end sport suspensions that’s capable of both comfort and more dialed in sport’s suspension - (Porsche, Audi, MB). Bmw seems to take the opposite approach where their air is for comfort and gives you the impression it cannot tighten up like the m sports suspension pro will do.

[ggergg]

I didn’t compare on an X5, but we have it in our IX. That car certainly “floats” a bit more over uneven surfaces, and also has the ability to raise or lower height.

I think in an aggressive vehicle like the M60 wants to be, the Pro is more suited and really isn’t much less comfortable.

[Mattl0806]

Originally Posted by ggergg

I didn’t compare on an X5, but we have it in our IX. That car certainly “floats” a bit more over uneven surfaces, and also has the ability to raise or lower height.

I think in an aggressive vehicle like the M60 wants to be, the Pro is more suited and really isn’t much less comfortable.

That’s an important observation- the pro “isn’t much less comfortable” - therefore you’re not sacrificing anything at all really and getting more capability

[LipLip]

Congrats, great spec and beautiful color.

[bostonx6]

Congrats!! Great color. I opted for the ivory merino, but the silverstone is a great choice.