[omasou]

Originally Posted by Brendan///M

I’m in a 22 X4M and after two years I’m really getting tired of how rough the car is. Perhaps it is even rougher than when I first got the car, if that is possible. I figured the obvious solution is just to switch to X6M but then I stumbled across this thread today. Seeing your post, sounds like there is definitely some improvement from X3M to X5M. Just wondering if you able to quantify that in more detail? Is it significantly/noticibly less harsh, or only slightly? Do passengers complain in the X3M but not in the X5M? I am constantly having to apologize to passengers for the harshness of the suspension, haha. Test-driving the X6M again before upgrading will only tell me so much if the road around the dealership is in pretty decent shape, which I think it is. Now contemplating another option mentioned in this thread, which is to consider the X6 M60i, but having loved everything else about my X4M Competition, I swore I’d never have a non-M car again, especially for the seats alone. If the seats were an option on the M60i, that might change everything in my decision process. I’m about 11 months out from lease return, hoping for some good deals by then, with recession possibly looming and a consumer that is tapping out along with “higher for longer” federal reserve policy / interest rates.

I had a X4M40i (E70 > X4M40i > X6). The vehicle waddled (what I called it) side to side. I grew tired of it decided to go larger again and replaced it w/a G06.

The X5 and X6 are a serious step up in luxury and I will not go back down to a X3/X4. I have also decided that I do not like the V8 or any V engine and have the 6 cylinder, which I love. More than enough power and gas mileage is crazy good.

Originally Posted by Jeff J

The current X3M / X4M is definitely stiffer than the current X5M / X6M. Over on their forum you'll find lots of discussion of that topic (and also on the wider web). It's been a few years but I seem to recall the MSS springs making their first appearance over there as an attempt to civilize a ride that's brutal for anything other than a track or a glassy smooth road.

In addition to our X5M LCI, we have an OG M2. It's definitely more brittle over the same roads than the X5M. Both are considerably stiffer than our prior Audi Q7 that rode on air, even in its "dynamic" mode that was noticeably overdamped.

The M performance suspension really improved the harsh crashing of my M2C compared my prior M2. But it's still a M car., which is why I recommended selling the X5M vs. trying to "improve it". That path will be one fix after another and never really being happy w/the results.

[Cardona]

Brendan///M,

Here are my detailed thoughts….

I’m going to start by asking you to ignore the lame comments very few users do about “did you do your research? Did you know what you were getting into? Did you just wanted the most expensive SUV?”; comments of this type are ridiculous, specially after having a full visibile thread were people can see full discussion and the vehicles that I came from. This beig said, here are my thoughts that I’m confident will help you tons and everything is based on EXPERIENCE not making up anything…

Owning an X6 40i for 2 years and then upgrading in 2021 to the M50i, I can tell you those 2 vehicles were a DREAM suspension wise. Listen carefully: not because the suspension was “comfortable”, but because how it behaved performance wise. When in comfort-mode, everything was pleasant and relaxed. When switched to sport-&-sport plus, vehicle was firm, attemptive, eager to go & conquer. Was it firm…?? Yes! but NEVER harsh. It adopted a firm-mildly stiff behavior, but absolutely never harsh at all. So my score for the M50i is 4.8 starts outta 5. Now, beware the inline 40i/M60i are going to be more oriented towards comfort & ergonomics, but this doesn’t mean you’re out of the league of spirited/agressive driving. You have so much room to drive aggressively/performance oriented without hating your vehicle due to excessive stiffness. However, the M50i (now called M60i) even being a pre-M model, is a bit far from the mechanical components and objective of a full ADN M Competition vehicle. A full M competition model, is hardcore engineered towards competing on track, so on a “daily drive” context, it’s structural design fully departs from the concept as it is intended for pure-wild performance (track performance).

There is a mix type of drivers (probably like you and I) that want virtually EVERYTHING from the track competition world, BUT the harsness of the suspension, and that’s a sweetspot hard to achieve. The M60i will be very nice, but lacks the full performance ADN as to chassis rigidity, bracing, track oriented anti-roll stabilization, wheels design, 6-piston front calipers, drilled rotors, cutom-made transmission, etc. feeling more like the commuter 6-in-line 40i. Quantifying it: The M60i is capable of doing 65% of the performance aspects of what the full M Competition model does (beware for the 1st time the M60i engine is same as the M Competition being the S8 just de-tuned).

Fortunately, after 3 months of owning my 2024 X5 M Competition and going through all this “suspension nightmare”. I slowly but surely found the balanced approach to mitigate the excessive harshness not having to get rid of the vehicle by simply just adding these 3 things: keeping tire pressure at 36 PSI rear & 34 PSI front, installing the MSS adjustable suspension spring kit, and once 1st set of performance tires the car comes with wear off, replacing these with all season tires. With this 3 things in place, I guarantee you will be 100% satisfied and LOVE your X5/X6 M Competition. The MSS spring kit is NOT expensive at $1,500, but the install labor of $1K at least.

Now, adding further perspective; yes, the M Comp model will be $30-35K more expensive over the M60i, but you being an already X3 M Competition driver, will be totally worth it. Also keep in mind that an X5/X6 M won’t be much less harsh than an X3/X4 M. These models move around same harshness range (maybe a bit below X3/X4 M Competition).

Conclusion: with the M60i you will be rocking n’ rolling and will be happy for the most part, but ONLY if you add the “Dynamic Handling” package that adds anti-roll stabilization & rear axle air suspension. However, with the full X5/X6 M model, conducting the changes/add ons I’m suggesting: NO ONE will be able to erase the constant smile on your face.

Either way, you can’t go wrong as both are remarkable vehicles, one directed to dsily driving ergonomics/conformt, and the other one directed towards enthusiast/performance driving.

[matowi]

On top of the above, at least in Europe, we can spec M60i with the exact same seats which are standard on the proper M siblings

Another thought - in Europe you can get in all sorts of insurance or warranty issues when installing tire/wheel combinations in sizes deviating from specified by the manufacturer. Are you sure you can apply the “higher side wall” option? Unless you plan to drop the rim size a notch along with the thicker tires?

[Cardona]

Yes, I’m sure it can be done as it just a “rubber” change without changing wheels. Is simply putting all season vs low profile performance ones. If I didn’t love the car, of course I would just take it back and jump into the M60i, but just one thing won’t steal me the joy of having the M Comp model.

[Brendan///M]

Originally Posted by matowi

On top of the above, at least in Europe, we can spec M60i with the exact same seats which are standard on the proper M siblings

Another thought - in Europe you can get in all sorts of insurance or warranty issues when installing tire/wheel combinations in sizes deviating from specified by the manufacturer. Are you sure you can apply the “higher side wall” option? Unless you plan to drop the rim size a notch along with the thicker tires?

Thank you both for the great feedback and sorry for my late response. I’ve considered the M60i, as I had an X4 M40i before the X4MC, but damn it I want the M seats! Wish they would allow me to order it the way Europeans can. I will probably just get the X6M and tell my passengers to deal with it. 🤣 As long as the roads are decent, and I really slow down to a crawl for speed bumps, the M cars just bring too much joy. 9 months from lease end, hopefully sales are slowing and they’ll be hungry to make a deal about 6 months from now (right before the pandemic they offered me $1k over invoice at buy rate on the X6MC).

[matowi]

Fingers crossed!

[MADBMWX5MC]

Originally Posted by Cardona

Yes, I’m sure it can be done as it just a “rubber” change without changing wheels. Is simply putting all season vs low profile performance ones. If I didn’t love the car, of course I would just take it back and jump into the M60i, but just one thing won’t steal me the joy of having the M Comp model.

I have been following your posts...have you made any decisions?

[Ibiza]

Originally Posted by Brendan///M

Thank you both for the great feedback and sorry for my late response. I’ve considered the M60i, as I had an X4 M40i before the X4MC, but damn it I want the M seats! Wish they would allow me to order it the way Europeans can. I will probably just get the X6M and tell my passengers to deal with it. 🤣 As long as the roads are decent, and I really slow down to a crawl for speed bumps, the M cars just bring too much joy. 9 months from lease end, hopefully sales are slowing and they’ll be hungry to make a deal about 6 months from now (right before the pandemic they offered me $1k over invoice at buy rate on the X6MC).

Issue is that it seems BMW NA is limiting X5MC allocations (not sure about X6MC), as I wouldn’t be surprised that it is to move XM’s. For December 2023, the buy rate MF was 0.0018 for a X5 M60 vs 0.0021 for X5MC. Best of luck!

[Alan l.]

Don't expect MSS to be night and day difference. I have this on my 2020 X5MC and it does take some of the edge off but its not THAT big of a difference.

You might need to get MSS and Upsize the tires to a taller sidewall to get what you want.

[matowi]

Originally Posted by Ibiza

Issue is that it seems BMW NA is limiting X5MC allocations (not sure about X6MC), as I wouldn’t be surprised that it is to move XM’s. For December 2023, the buy rate MF was 0.0018 for a X5 M60 vs 0.0021 for X5MC. Best of luck!

What’s “Buy rate MF” and how to understand the values?

[Cardona]

MADBMWX5MC I’ve decided to keep the X5M, I’ve getting more used to the suspension so far, planning on simply adding All season tires and not even adding the MSS.

[MADBMWX5MC]

Originally Posted by Cardona

MADBMWX5MC I’ve decided to keep the X5M, I’ve getting more used to the suspension so far, planning on simply adding All season tires and not even adding the MSS.

I am with you. My dilemma is making any changes to anything non-OEM, then having the dealer blame me for some issue with tranfer case, suspension, etc. and then me footing the repair bill. Thanks for closing the loop.

[Vyper340]

Originally Posted by matowi

What’s “Buy rate MF” and how to understand the values?

MF = money factor. Similar to interest rate on a loan but for a lease.

[matowi]

Originally Posted by Vyper340

MF = money factor. Similar to interest rate on a loan but for a lease.

Thanks

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by Cardona

MADBMWX5MC I’ve decided to keep the X5M, I’ve getting more used to the suspension so far, planning on simply adding All season tires and not even adding the MSS.

I was following this thread for some time.

Glad to learn that you are more comfortable with the suspension behavior.

Re-engineering M suspension for comfort isn’t inexpensive. There are always coilover-based alternatives with advantages and disadvantages.

[BlkGS]

I'm surprised nobody has just figured out how to program the shocks on the X5M to run at M50i dampener rates. That'd probably make a big difference for people.

[marillo]

Hi ive posted this somewhere else - picked up my 24 x5m; had 22 m50i; they are very different; the pedal reactivity is instantaneous, the car feels stuck to the road; No it is not uncomfortable in any stretch of the imagination; you don't need to change springs. If you want a soft bumbles ride buy a Cadillac. If you want an M car don't get the m60 as it just gives you a fast SUV and that's it...if you want it to handle somewhat like a sports car get a full M