[cobramite]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

Likely is a stretch depending on the course and the drivers. Look at the cars that the current X5M has outdone in the Lightning Lap. It is an SUV that handles better than many cars you would think would blow it away.

Yeah, I've got a sig. amount of seat time in a friends pre LCI X5MC(S63) and can tell you that these full boat "M" SUVs are the real deal. You can roll off an interstate in excess of the speed limit and they will take a 180 ramp as flat a board. They defy the laws of physics. Sure, they cost 30 grand more and you get what you pay for.
I love my X6 M60i but fully understand that it is not the the top dog of the 2 M levels.

[matowi]

Glad we settled that

(Said a prospective owner of an M60i &#129315

[e46e92love]

Originally Posted by Vak331

Went from a 2019 X3 M40i w/ adaptive M suspension (option back then) to a X5 M60i. Coincidently, test drove a X5 40i as they arrived at dealers back in April; I took my M40i for service and was surprised they had three on the lot that had arrived a couple of days earlier. Expected the X5 to perform much better than my (other vehicle) X7 40i pre-LCI (w/ mild hybrid) as a 'relative' replacement for my X3 M40i. I was quite disappointed back in April but I will admit my opinion has slightly changed since renting one from SIXT while in Florida. Some say it might have been due to the restriction BMW puts in place for the first 300 miles. I do not know which X5 you are looking at but do not expect the X5 40i to replace the handling/acceleration of your X3. Other factors may sway you one way or another.

I briefly considered the X5 50e but was worried about the feel of the changeover from electric mode to ICE. Personal decision of just not being ready for a plug in vehicle. I ended up biting the bullet and getting a X5 M60i to replace my X3 after getting a great deal a couple of months ago.

I had 21" wheels with summer RFT tires on my X3 and have 22" wheels with non-RFT summer tires on my M60i. Night and day difference even though I was not bothered by the 21s on the X3. The stock adaptive M suspension on the M60i offers a much nicer/comfortable ride than on my X3 especially in combination with those tires. Just swapped the wheels with 21" RFT winter tires BMW sells for the M60i and the ride is slightly harsher (barely so) - due to the RFT winter tires. Still a much nicer [...]

As a counter to this. I drove a 2024 X5 4.0i with msport tuning on the suspension (same hardware as non-msport) and upgraded brake option and it handled every bit as good as the X3 M40i. 0-60 I think is very close as listed and at the performance center driving I can’t say the X5 in sport mode had rolling problems more pronounced than the X3. X3 seats are considerably smaller and the X5 at high speeds has a more planted feel.

Just one drivers .02 but YMMV.

Cheers,
e46e92

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by e46e92love

I drove a 2024 X5 4.0i with msport tuning on the suspension

Don't forget though that was a special edition, they usually don't make them with a period in them.