[Ilyam5]

Some x6 thoughts after driving one:
First – the car does look better in person, and especially in black, but I’m still not a fan. Next to X5 – I will still take the x5 any day.
Second thing that surprised me – is the lack of utility compared to x5.
-Visibility is nonexistent from rear – tough to get used to for me.
-Front door handles get in the way of window controls. Not sure why they changed it from perfect X5 layout.
-Trunk is smaller, higher and not as easy to access without the lower hatch opening compared to x5.
-Rear seats are smaller and roof is lower so the rear quarters are cramped compared to x5.(but we all knew that).
-What surprised me the most - is the lack of roof rails – so no possibility to install roof rack and carry bikes or Tulley box for extra cargo.
-Both X5M and X6m do not allow trailer hitches since BMW does not want you to tow with M engine, but lack of roof rails makes it a no go for me and mountain biking.
Another thing that surprised me in utility and everyday usability – is the lower radiator cooler under front bumper. Both X5M and x6M have it UNPROTEXCTED. For me it is a red flag for an SUV. I had to buy custom covers for all my M cars to prevent what happened in this thread,
https://f90.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1704144
So – since no one makes one for these cars – one has to custom make it.

Now – to the performance. My biggest fear based on all the reviews – was the ride quality.
Let me say – it is a NON issue. Ride is absolutely fine. Assuming its enthusiasts buying those cars and not grandmas.
It is very composed and makes the car feel taught and whole with its suspension – where in X5m50 I feel like they are separate in comfort mode.
I still do not understand the 22inch wheels in the back – but it’s just me. For 20 years I’ve ben taught on the track to use lightest and smallest diameter wheels to clear the brakes to save on unsprung mass. So I would totally buy custom 20” wheels in lightest possible form to still withstand the mass of the car.
22s look good but if you hit a pothole with 22s – you’d feel it – but to me it’s a function of no rubber on the rim vs suspension tuning.
Ok – here is the biggest surprise. I was ready to be blown away by the acceleration and the engine HP - I WAS NOT.
Like all M cars – the engine is tuned to deliver its power and torque higher in the rev range. So one has to rev the car all the way to achieve that 600Hp acceleration.
Coming out of x5 M50 that shoots you from stop like a cannon – I was surprised at the x6M “mellow“ acceleration from the stop lights.(no launch control was used). Now at 5K RPM that car pulls. But I was forced to use manual shifting to hold it there.
Ok I expect it from M2 but in an SUV – not so sure. I jumped back into my car right after, put it in sport plus and I would say – I liked it more for street use. The tuning of X5 M50 engine is better suited for everyday driving – was my conclusion.
Now to the good part – handling is great on the x6M for an SUV. Suspension tuning shrinks the car. It drifts “at will” and corners like a champ. I would say – that is the biggest difference in x6m vs M50.
X6 m understeers less. It still does but later in the corner and at higher speed. Car rotates better.
Its more willing to change direction at high speeds. So you can have a close enough impression to load it into the corner like a sports car and actually corner vs square SUV driving. There is a little “BUT” there – all this mass has to go somewhere. So just like in the heavy M5 the front tire is doing all the work. So if you corner like that Front tire is not going to last.
Conclusion – the big question is – will I trade up to X5 M competition. The gap in performance is smaller than I thought. 15 to 20- % better cornering is tempting and acceleration at higher speeds (above 100MPH) is great – but will I use it every day since I’m not tracking it ever?
Now I want to drive the MB 63s AMG to experience that 600+ torque – maybe that acceleration will surprise me. Or I’m just getting spoiled with horsepower and how good the X5 M50 really is. Bravo BMW.