[MystroX5]

Originally Posted by X5MC4ME

Actually that’s what makes the X5M great to those of us that enjoy sporty cars. The air suspension in the other X5 models is straight up wallowy. The Cayenne is nowhere near as much fun. Some of us enjoy a firm ride and the feedback that comes with it. Some people want to be coddled. The X5M rides significantly more comfortably than the M4 (though I would go with the M4 if circumstances permitted). There are people on this forum that went to an M60 and regret it.

X

There were also many that bailed out of the X5M after a few months to a X5M50i as well. A proper air suspension with a performance DHP can give you both handling and ride comfort. It gives you that large vehicle defying physics magic trick most expect at that price point.
It also removes any side wallowing and keeps you flat in high speed twisties. It’s a win win. A Cayenne Turbo is so much more composed in high speed turns because of it.

[BlkGS]

Air suspensions.are never proper in a sporty vehicle..they simply don't function the correct way, reducing spring rate when they lower down.

The steel spring suspension plus DHP is the ideal combo.

[Ibiza]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

Get the M4 and forget the X5M. The X5M is a compromised SUV to achieve marginal performance gains over the significantly better riding X5 M50/60i. In general, BMW’s “Full M” in any SUV rides too stiff and is compromised too much because of it. If BMW would just add a selectable air suspension to alleviate these problems like stance and ride stiffness like every other high-performance SUV then it might be a different story.

What is all the rave about air suspension, as if you want a floating ride then go get a MB. No way should a full on M ever have air suspension. Some of us enjoy the stiff ride, that’s why BMW offers the X5 M60 with air suspension as an option if you want to “float” when you drive. But the anti-roll bars keeping the SUV planted when taking a hard turn to defy the logic of physics with lateral g force is what a X5M comp is all about.

[Ibiza]

Originally Posted by X5MC4ME

Actually that’s what makes the X5M great to those of us that enjoy sporty cars. The air suspension in the other X5 models is straight up wallowy. The Cayenne is nowhere near as much fun. Some of us enjoy a firm ride and the feedback that comes with it. Some people want to be coddled. The X5M rides significantly more comfortably than the M4 (though I would go with the M4 if circumstances permitted). There are people on this forum that went to an M60 and regret it.

X

That’s why I drive my M60 always in sport mode for the firmer suspension of the anti-roll bars.

[Condorll]

Originally Posted by Ibiza

What is all the rave about air suspension, as if you want a floating ride then go get a MB. No way should a full on M ever have air suspension. Some of us enjoy the stiff ride, that’s why BMW offers the X5 M60 with air suspension as an option if you want to “float” when you drive. But the anti-roll bars keeping the SUV planted when taking a hard turn to defy the logic of physics with lateral g force is what a X5M comp is all about.

I have a 2023 X5 xDrive 40i (no air suspension) and downloaded the adaptive M suspension software from the MyGarage store, a one time $500 cost last October. Love the sport damper settings it activated. Car rides like an SUV sports car now! I would never go for air suspension, most people complain about it being too soft.

[BMPHIL]

No floating in my M60 with air suspension, I drove an x5m and it should come with the option of orthopaedic visits - way too stiff for an suv.

[Cardona]

Originally Posted by BMPHIL

No floating in my M60 with air suspension, I drove an x5m and it should come with the option of orthopaedic visits - way too stiff for an suv.

Hate to admit it, but that is the honest truth. 2024 X5M Comp is waaaaay to harsh, not even stiff, just harsh/unvereable

[-cj-]

Some relatives left their air suspension G05 parked at my house for a week while they were out of town. I got to drive the X5M and their X5 back to back and they’re two different cars. One feels like a raised sports car, the other like a lush SUV.

One encourages you to take corners at speeds that no SUV should.

I didn’t feel comfortable pushing the air suspension at all.. you have zero feed back. Plus it wasn’t my car lol. (The owners did tell me to put it through its paces though!)

If you find the X5M harsher than an M3/4, something isn’t right. The tires are probably inflated into the 40+ psi range for high speed. If you aren’t taking the car to insane speeds often, keep the tire pressure at 36ish and it makes a world of a difference.

Also, keep in mind you posted this outside the X5M group where you have a completely different set of X5 owners..

[-cj-]

Oh, look up “Destroying supercars in my X5M Competition” track video. I didn’t want to post it because it’s become a little cliche among the X5M owners. But it’s what sold me on the X5!

[Cardona]

Originally Posted by -cj-

Oh, look up “Destroying supercars in my X5M Competition” track video. I didn’t want to post it because it’s become a little cliche among the X5M owners. But it’s what sold me on the X5!

Checking it now, thanks!

[blake6551]

I've had/have all 3, M50i DHP, X5 45e with Air and X5MC. DHP is much closer to the air suspension than the X5MC, miles apart in handling. I also felt my X5MC smoothed out noticeably after about 3000 miles, I have zero complaints about the harshness now, just a little more tire noise than 20s or 21s on the others. I have 25k miles on my X5MC in 18mos, love driving it!

I've looked at getting an M4 convertible as a toy, I agree the materials feel cheap for pushing 6 figures. Everytime I get back into the X5MC, the price just feels more justified to me. I'd prob go with a 911 of some sort if I really needed the sports car itch scratched...

[Ibiza]

Originally Posted by BMPHIL

No floating in my M60 with air suspension, I drove an x5m and it should come with the option of orthopaedic visits - way too stiff for an suv.

That’s why there are massage seats to keep your thoracic and lumbar area well oiled.

[tooloud10]

Originally Posted by BMPHIL

No floating in my M60 with air suspension, I drove an x5m and it should come with the option of orthopaedic visits - way too stiff for an suv.

I just don’t see how that’s possible because my 45e’s curb weight is just a few hundred pounds heavier than an M60i and it’s the definition of ‘floaty’—it handles ‘competently’ and ‘comfortably’ but I can’t imagine calling it a performance SUV. It’s what I would expect from a Mercedes GL or something, which is fine because I want it to be comfortable.

Honestly don’t know who is hustling any of these ridiculously heavy SUVs around like a sports car, but I use mine as a DD on the highway with DAP activated most of the time.

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by tooloud10

I just don’t see how that’s possible because my 45e’s curb weight is just a few hundred pounds heavier than an M60i and it’s the definition of ‘floaty’—it handles ‘competently’ and ‘comfortably’ but I can’t imagine calling it a performance SUV. It’s what I would expect from a Mercedes GL or something, which is fine because I want it to be comfortable.

Honestly don’t know who is hustling any of these ridiculously heavy SUVs around like a sports car, but I use mine as a DD on the highway with DAP activated most of the time.

*Raises hand* That would be me. Hi. I hustle my SUV around like a sports car. I needed an SUV for my family, and the sports car part just doesn't turn off, so here I am. And I'm irritated when people go slow in corners. Please stay out of the fast lane in corners, that's my lane.

[tooloud10]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

*Raises hand* That would be me. Hi. I hustle my SUV around like a sports car. I needed an SUV for my family, and the sports car part just doesn't turn off, so here I am. And I'm irritated when people go slow in corners. Please stay out of the fast lane in corners, that's my lane.

I should have figured!

[Ibiza]

Originally Posted by tooloud10

I just don’t see how that’s possible because my 45e’s curb weight is just a few hundred pounds heavier than an M60i and it’s the definition of ‘floaty’—it handles ‘competently’ and ‘comfortably’ but I can’t imagine calling it a performance SUV. It’s what I would expect from a Mercedes GL or something, which is fine because I want it to be comfortable.

Honestly don’t know who is hustling any of these ridiculously heavy SUVs around like a sports car, but I use mine as a DD on the highway with DAP activated most of the time.

I’ll 2nd to raise my hand. No DAP for me as it defeats the purpose. These cars do not feel heavy, actually very nimble and precise to drive. The former S63 engine, now S68 just wants to be pushed hard and to breath, that’s why you get a V8.

[X5MC4ME]

I find it amusing so many think that the air suspension is sporty. It is literally designed to disconnect you from the road which is why it is seldom used in cars of a true sporting nature.

In a world where most of these SUVs are more alike than different the X5MC has genuine character and feedback resultant from its unique design. Its not for everyone and I can see how someone would prefer the air suspension. But just as I would never describe the X5M as cushy I would not label the air suspension sporty. The joy of the M model is the flat cornering and wonderful feedback. Even at 2/10ths it is enjoyable over my last vehicle which had air suspension.

Cheers
X

[-cj-]

Ok, after saying I didn’t want to share this video because it seemed a little cliche (It gets passed around a lot), I went and watched it again and it always makes me feel giddy. I just had to share. It’s the reason I’m in one now.

You can most definitely throw the X5M around corners. It defies physics. Its also a beast in a straight line, but just as capable on the track as it is taking your kids to school. Keep your tires inflated to 36psi and it’s quite comfortable.

X5M on the track

[Mattl0806]

Whoever says the x5 can’t serve as a fun car is just out of their mind. Heck even the 40i can be fun. If you don’t think the x5MC is tossable and hauls ass then I don’t know what else to say

[aaaaaaaaaz]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

No amount of manual transmissions can fix how hideously ugly the front end of the new M3/M4 is.

The rest is irrelevant because of that.

I think it look better than my x5

[eelnoraa]

M3 RWD 6 speed manual + a Toyota minivan. Maximum or close it, driving pleasure + utility

[BMPHIL]

Originally Posted by X5MC4ME

I find it amusing so many think that the air suspension is sporty. It is literally designed to disconnect you from the road which is why it is seldom used in cars of a true sporting nature.

In a world where most of these SUVs are more alike than different the X5MC has genuine character and feedback resultant from its unique design. Its not for everyone and I can see how someone would prefer the air suspension. But just as I would never describe the X5M as cushy I would not label the air suspension sporty. The joy of the M model is the flat cornering and wonderful feedback. Even at 2/10ths it is enjoyable over my last vehicle which had air suspension.

Cheers
X

Not sure who said air suspension was sporty, not floaty yes.
Each to their own,x5m and M60i both great cars.