[formerE36M3/4/5]

I picked up a new X5 x40 a couple of weeks ago but I’m a little disappointed in the steering feel / feedback. Before ordering I was able to do a (very short) testdrive but not enough to get a good feel for the steering unfortunately. I’ve driven a good bit in Sport (but not Sport + yet) but it didn’t seem to help it a lot.

I’m curious if the 60M has better feel in the steering? Does anyone have A/B experience with the 2 models?
I realize most manufacturers have “softened” the steering on their vehicles to appease the masses but I’m hoping the 60m is better.

My most recent SUV’s have been Macans and Cayenne’s but I haven’t driven a newer Cayenne in a while.

[SteVTEC]

Had an E70 X5 for 6 years, and still have an E93 335i purchased new, both of which have hydraulic power steering racks.

The G05 rack isn't one of those, but it's seriously not bad. I don't think there's much feedback (haven't really pushed it enough to know), but the steering feel and weight/heft at speed is nice, especially in Sport mode. The only thing I truly and strongly dislike is how the effort lightens way up at slower speed. I wish it would just maintain the same firmness or vary by a whole lot less than it does, especially in Sport mode. This is just a tuning decision by BMW trying to keep both camps happy. The G05 steering is a night and day level improvement over the F15, which had "pinky light" steering seemingly at all speeds, and just never felt right at all.

If the G05 was my daily I'm sure I'd have gotten used to it by now, but it's my wife's daily. Cannot comment on M50/M60i rack, but I think it's the same.

[HappyDance]

There’s a sport+ mode on the 40i? I only have sport mode on mine. Steering feel/feedback isn’t my favorite thing about current gen BMW’s but it’s far from a dealbreaker for me… I think it all comes down to the individual drivers preference.

[formerE36M3/4/5]

Originally Posted by HappyDance

There’s a sport+ mode on the 40i? I only have sport mode on mine. Steering feel/feedback isn’t my favorite thing about current gen BMW’s but it’s far from a dealbreaker for me… I think it all comes down to the individual drivers preference.

Hit the Sport button twice and it puts you in Sport +.

[HappyDance]

Originally Posted by formerE36M3/4/5

Hit the Sport button twice and it puts you in Sport +.

I just learned sport plus isn’t available unless you purchased the M-sport package from the factory. Mystery solved.

[Theruleslawyer]

Originally Posted by HappyDance

I just learned sport plus isn’t available unless you purchased the M-sport package from the factory. Mystery solved.

You can add it later either in the connected store or through coding. Bimmercode can unlock a few new modes for you. For $500 there is a M sport mode I can buy in the store.

[sharkymcpeterson]

I had a 2017 x5 35i, then a 2019 x5 40i and now a 2023 x5 m50i.

The 17 by far was the best handling vehicle, it felt literally glued to the road somehow. Very precise, I could feel the road in my hands while driving. It was good. I bet the m version of that x5 was amazing.

The 19 was by far the worst handling car. It seemed to sway between the yellow lines constantly and was a job to keep straight, even directly after getting new tires and a 4 wheel alignment.

The 23 has DHP and is considerably easier to drive than the 19 was although not quite as good as the f15 x5 I had.

DHP makes a difference, that’s for sure.

[HappyDance]

Originally Posted by Theruleslawyer

You can add it later either in the connected store or through coding. Bimmercode can unlock a few new modes for you. For $500 there is a M sport mode I can buy in the store.

I swear I looked into buying this a few months ago and it was way more expensive than $500. I want to say it was $950… anyways, now I have the adaptive suspension but still no sport+. I’m okay with that though.

[Theruleslawyer]

Originally Posted by HappyDance

I swear I looked into buying this a few months ago and it was way more expensive than $500. I want to say it was $950… anyways, now I have the adaptive suspension but still no sport+. I’m okay with that though.

You got it? Worth it? The I’ve heard mixed reviews.

[HappyDance]

Originally Posted by Theruleslawyer

You got it? Worth it? The I’ve heard mixed reviews.

I think there’s some psychology behind the mixed reviews and what individuals want from their car. Objectively, it’s a 4800lbs SUV and there’s no opportunity for true and honest sport driving, only opportunities to prematurely wear out your drivetrain and consumables. But with sport mode, m adaptive suspension and summer tires, the perception of sport is definitely there for your enjoyment despite the weight. Personally, I bought this car for relaxed driving with the family. To expand on that, I’ve tried but never been able to happily daily drive a sports car; I become impatient when stuck in congestion and can’t drive the car as aggressively as the car is begging me to. I find snappy transmissions, twitchy steering, and rigid suspensions put me on edge and encourage risk taking. I usually arrive at my destination flustered from not having driven as aggressively as I wanted, or I arrive lacking composure with a raised pulse and sweaty back from driving the car aggressively the way it was intended. None of these are the desired outcome when I am traveling to work or a family oriented destination.

All that said, I prefer comfort mode 95% of the time, and during my 30 day trial, I was not convinced it was worth $950 for that 5% of the time I might use it. But for $500, I thought sure, why not. Now I have the option to toggle between sport and comfort suspension in the sport mode when I do use it on rare occasions.