[Microeconomist]

Hello friends. I'm in the market again for a new vehicle. Sold my 2015 X5 and 2018 X5 M Sport (both with MPPK tunes) a while back. Picked up a 2013 Audi Q7 TDI (with Malone tune) as a 'temporary' vehicle until I get back into something newer again.

Things brings me to my dilemma. I'm considering an F85 X5M (most likely a 2018), a '20-'21 X5 M50i, or a '20-'21 Audi SQ7. The key ingredient is the twin-turbo V8s - I really want one. I have a budget of $50k. The F85 would be a little cheaper, but the other two have newer tech. I love my BMWs, but could be talked into another Audi.

Would like to hear from some owner who maybe have had both? My long-term plan would be stage 1 tunes and maybe exhaust. Nothing crazy. My little boy would love to see his Dad run 11's at the track someday, so that would be my speed goal. Thanks in advance for the feedback.

[BlkGS]

I was debating between those 3 (well, not the old X5M, one of those will financially ruin you. I was considering the newer X5M). The SQ7 was nice but I didn't like it as much and it was more money. Decent ones were $75k, and I didn't like the air suspension, or the overly ornate interior.

I ended up with an M50i with DHP and all the sporty stuff. It's a great vehicle. Very fast, very nice, and impressive safety

I think a $50k budget is really limited for all 3 of these. I don't think I'd trust owning any of these that were $50k or less, that's way high miles or a salvage title or some other bad stuff. Let alone the upkeep.

I'd look into an explorer ST with that budget and those performance goals personally.

[Oldgixxer]

I could never afford to own a used BMW. All fun&games til it's not

[Microeconomist]

Originally Posted by Microeconomist

Hello friends. I'm in the market again for a new vehicle. Sold my 2015 X5 and 2018 X5 M Sport (both with MPPK tunes) a while back. Picked up a 2013 Audi Q7 TDI (with Malone tune) as a 'temporary' vehicle until I get back into something newer again.

Things brings me to my dilemma. I'm considering an F85 X5M (most likely a 2018), a '20-'21 X5 M50i, or a '20-'21 Audi SQ7. The key ingredient is the twin-turbo V8s - I really want one. I have a budget of $50k. The F85 would be a little cheaper, but the other two have newer tech. I love my BMWs, but could be talked into another Audi.

Would like to hear from some owner who maybe have had both? My long-term plan would be stage 1 tunes and maybe exhaust. Nothing crazy. My little boy would love to see his Dad run 11's at the track someday, so that would be my speed goal. Thanks in advance for the feedback.

Thanks for the feedback. I can get any of these vehicles with about 50k miles for that budget. I'm not scared of that, or the upkeep. I've owned a couple X5's and I currently own this 2013 Audi Q7 diesel, so I'm familiar with German upkeep

I wouldn't consider the Ford. It's fast, sure. But, it's no BMW or Audi. Thanks again for the feedback!

[Microeconomist]

Originally Posted by Oldgixxer

I could never afford to buy a used BMW. All fun&games til it's not

I could never afford to buy a new BMW! Ha! I could lease them, but that's no fun. Thanks for the feedback.

[Oldgixxer]

Originally Posted by Microeconomist

I could never afford to buy a new BMW! Ha! I could lease them, but that's no fun. Thanks for the feedback.

I edited my reply above due to having a brain fart earlier when posting

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by Microeconomist

Thanks for the feedback. I can get any of these vehicles with about 50k miles for that budget. I'm not scared of that, or the upkeep. I've owned a couple X5's and I currently own this 2013 Audi Q7 diesel, so I'm familiar with German upkeep

I wouldn't consider the Ford. It's fast, sure. But, it's no BMW or Audi. Thanks again for the feedback!

I'd rather have a newer, lower mile Ford than a higher mile BMW or Audi, but that's me.

Of the options you listed, I'd absolutely go M50i. The Audi doesn't have remote start, and makes less power than the M50i. Plus M50i looks better. SQ7 does have a better sounding exhaust however, and it seems like tunes for them are a bit easier to do, you don't have to mess with any of this silly piggyback stuff. The M50i can be tuned but it's $3500 and the DME has to be sent to Europe for 2 weeks - not ideal for a daily driver.

If you really need to run 11s, and it's gonna be your daily, I'd probably suck it up and go Audi. The tune is easier to get and you'll just have to worry about it being sidelined due to repairs, not due to a 2 week ECU tune. If you're fine with mid 12s, the M50i is the far superior vehicle.

If I cared about going fast a ove all else, none of these would be my picks. If I had the budget, I'd have an Escalade V.

[Microeconomist]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

I'd rather have a newer, lower mile Ford than a higher mile BMW or Audi, but that's me.

Of the options you listed, I'd absolutely go M50i. The Audi doesn't have remote start, and makes less power than the M50i. Plus M50i looks better. SQ7 does have a better sounding exhaust however, and it seems like tunes for them are a bit easier to do, you don't have to mess with any of this silly piggyback stuff. The M50i can be tuned but it's $3500 and the DME has to be sent to Europe for 2 weeks - not ideal for a daily driver.

If you really need to run 11s, and it's gonna be your daily, I'd probably suck it up and go Audi. The tune is easier to get and you'll just have to worry about it being sidelined due to repairs, not due to a 2 week ECU tune. If you're fine with mid 12s, the M50i is the far superior vehicle.

If I cared about going fast a ove all else, none of these would be my picks. If I had the budget, I'd have an Escalade V.

I think I agree on some of the objective things you're saying - the M50i looks better and the SQ7 is easier to tune and has a better sounding exhaust. The SQ7 actually make a little more torque while the M50i makes a little more horsepower. I've read the BMW 'feels faster'. That's a plus to me. I like the rarity of the SQ7 - definitely more of a sleeper, but I certainly like the look of the M50i especially with the 22" wheels.

It's not all about going fast, but that's a big part of it Reliability, especially since I'll be buying one with 50k miles, and drivability are absolutely important to me too.

Every time I post on one of these forums I feel like a poor man because I can't buy a new M vehicle. Y'all must just be super rich or something lol. If I had the budget, I'm going new X5M Comp all day long. That will likely never be in my budget in this lifetime, so I'll have to make due with the 'poor man's' vehicles

Thanks again for your input!

[BlkGS]

It's also worth nothing that the HP ratings on the SQ7 and the M50I are... Cautious. SQ7s typically Dyno out in the 470-480whp range, so they make a bit more than the 500hp they're rated at. The M50i puts down like 520 wheel, meaning it's closer to 600 crank, vs the 520 BMW rates it at.

There's nothing to feel bad about not being able or willing to go buy a brand new X5MC. Most of the people that get them can't really afford them either.

The bigger issue is the reliability. All of these are expensive cars, with expensive parts, and absurdly expensive labor. BMW and Audi aren't exactly known for reliability either, other than reliably needing lots of little bits all the time.

That's why I recommended the explorer ST. Lower price point means you can get a better one and not have to budget for thousands of dollars in repairs. My M50i needed 4 hours of suspension reprogramming last week. Paying for that out pocket would suck, especially now that they can push OTA updates that break other things, and you're stuck laying for it.

[HC707]

X5 M50I all the way! I had a 2021 M50I and loved the car! It was trouble free for the 3 years I had it before I sold it. The acceleration is awesome! Its not a X5M and is not meant to be, but drive one and you will understand. Get one with DHP and Bowers and Wilkins if you can. Good luck!

[Microeconomist]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

It's also worth nothing that the HP ratings on the SQ7 and the M50I are... Cautious. SQ7s typically Dyno out in the 470-480whp range, so they make a bit more than the 500hp they're rated at. The M50i puts down like 520 wheel, meaning it's closer to 600 crank, vs the 520 BMW rates it at.

There's nothing to feel bad about not being able or willing to go buy a brand new X5MC. Most of the people that get them can't really afford them either.

The bigger issue is the reliability. All of these are expensive cars, with expensive parts, and absurdly expensive labor. BMW and Audi aren't exactly known for reliability either, other than reliably needing lots of little bits all the time.

That's why I recommended the explorer ST. Lower price point means you can get a better one and not have to budget for thousands of dollars in repairs. My M50i needed 4 hours of suspension reprogramming last week. Paying for that out pocket would suck, especially now that they can push OTA updates that break other things, and you're stuck laying for it.

Those are all great points. I would think about an aftermarket warranty, but wouldn't want to pay a whole pile for one either. I can usually afford to fix anything that comes up...as long as it's not something catastrophic. I'm only looking at vehicles with regular oil changes and maintenance in their history. Thanks again for the feedback.

[Microeconomist]

Originally Posted by HC707

X5 M50I all the way! I had a 2021 M50I and loved the car! It was trouble free for the 3 years I had it before I sold it. The acceleration is awesome! Its not a X5M and is not meant to be, but drive one and you will understand. Get one with DHP and Bowers and Wilkins if you can. Good luck!

Thanks for the feedback! Yes, I'm not looking for X5M performance, but something close. It's a bit of a midlife crisis vehicle for me

[TomRider]

I am in the same boat.

I am looking for an M50i for around $50k - The cars are around 35-45k miles driven.

Also planning to purchase a bumper-to-bumper warranty from BMW for an additional 4-5k to get some peace of mind.

Ref: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1670964 (GOLFFRR)

[hunter04]

The M50is have really started to come down in price over the past year. It’s doable to find one under 50, just keep an eye out on places like Marketplace. There was 1-2 I saw listed for sale privately near me (NY) for about $51-$55k, with well under 50k miles I believe. And I wouldn’t go over 50k miles unless you have a CPO warranty through dealer. These can be extremely expensive out of warranty. And without a warranty you have to pay a diagnostic fee of $250 each time you take it to a BMW dealer.

You might also want to consider the 50i, no “M”. For the G05 they made it just in 2019, and I think 2020? There are some nicely optioned 2019 ones, and I’ve seen those for about $40k, or even less in some cases.