[Mani59]

The team from AutoTopNL review the X5M Competition LCI and put it through its paces on the Autobahn.

[MADBMWX5MC]

Heck, I love the engine sound... all of it...

[marillo]

he is so negative on the sound and the m comp vs m60 - 'don't really need it' well sir nobody needs it but its for the thrills not practicality

[Ibiza]

Interesting that ASD sound is so significant. X5M comp is an autobahn car to push its full power, hard to hit that top speed in the US. Shocking is the decrease by 0.2 sec the 150km/hr to 200 km/hr pull, is it the 48 volt battery weight for the mild hybrid set up? I’m guilty that I’m “downgrading” from the pre-LCI X5M comp to a M60.

[swiego29382]

If that sound is artificial then it is indeed embarrassing. I hate the idea of artificially generating fake engine sounds via the speaker system. Is that what this system is?

[Ibiza]

Yes, BMW Active Sound Design. Uses a module hooked up to the stereo amplifier for electric engine and exhaust sound in the cabin. https://bmwtechinfo.bmwgroup.com/tec...d%20Design.pdf

[X5MC4ME]

Been through similar feelings with Audi’s soundaktor in the past. I’ve learned to forgive if the sound is synthesized or real…even the “real” engine sounds such as crackles and pops are fabricated through the ECU.


I think this review is overly harsh on the X5M and I don’t even own the LCI version.

X

[mgmavant]

I certainly don't mind the fake sound especially if you can turn it off if you want. Kinda like changing the muffler or resonator to make the car sound different. I do find it kind of funny that he's complaining about the X5 being too stiff - all while going 165 mph on the highway while overtaking semi's.

[X5MC4ME]

I’ve owned this car for almost a month and it doesn’t seem that stiff. Sure over broken pavement or potholes the low profile tires transmit impact but that’s no different than most other sporty cars. The highway ride is serene.

I wonder how many of these reviewers tested the car with 45psi air pressure (as mine was delivered) which made the ride worse. At the recommended 36/39 I find the car delightful.

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[-Vanguard-]

Originally Posted by Ibiza

Interesting that ASD sound is so significant. X5M comp is an autobahn car to push its full power, hard to hit that top speed in the US. Shocking is the decrease by 0.2 sec the 150km/hr to 200 km/hr pull, is it the 48 volt battery weight for the mild hybrid set up? I’m guilty that I’m “downgrading” from the pre-LCI X5M comp to a M60.

Why did you put it in quotes? An M60 is definitely a downgrade from a full M in the same model regardless of lci.

M60 drives nothing like a real M which feels like its on rails.

[Alan l.]

Theres enough reviews on this forum and online to pretty must solidify that the X5M/X6M's suspension is set up firm from the factory for SUV standards. Its a common thing that all reviewers mention.

What i would say is after owning mine for over 3 years is that where you live and the road condition you drive on makes a huge difference on the perceived ride quality of this platform. When i'm outside of NYC the ride is fine. Firm like a M suv should be. When i'm driving in NYC thats when i cringe when I drive over bumps that extend across the entire lane on the highway or pot holes the size of craters on Mars.

If BMW put a good air suspension setup on this car it would make it the perfect all around SUV. No stupid 4x4 fender gap and let the driver select soft or firm with a touch of a button. No other performance suv comes with a fender gap as large as this car even if you compare it to the normal X5s. If Porsche could do it theres no reason why BMW can't.