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      10-17-2021, 10:55 AM   #1
geddylee
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Steering on X5M50i

Hi All, current X5 40i owner and I'm curious for those of you that own the M50i if the steering feel is more weighty and sharp. I just drove an X3M40i and I love the way it drove, but I hate the seats and find the ride to be a bit choppy.

My X5 has been a great car so far, it has M adaptive suspension but it's not really that fun to toss around compared to the X3, it can do it but it doesn't really want to do it that makes sense.


Appreciate the insight.
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      10-17-2021, 11:15 AM   #2
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Comparing a large sport luxury SAV to a more compact SAV. X3/4 M40i are always going to feel more tossable.

Approx base curb weights
X3 M40i = 4392lbs
X5 sDrive40i = 4828lbs
X5 xDrive40i = 4863lbs, closer to 5K with M Sport
X5 xDrive45e = 5627lbs (755lbs more than xDrive40i)
X5 M50i = 5,260lbs

You're going to feel the steering weight of the M50i V8 up front despite the 50/50 weight distribution. My personal impression after test driving one for a month, is that it's light, direct and precise in all modes and heavier in SPORT and SPORT+.

Question is have your tried SPORT mode on your 40i?
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      10-17-2021, 11:25 AM   #3
geddylee
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yes, I use sport in the X5 pretty much exclusively. I guess I am pretty much looking for something BMW doesn't really offer. Something that is comfortable with a nice interior that still can handle great and be fun to drive. I think there is an opening in their lineup for this.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Auricom View Post
Comparing a large sport luxury SAV to a more compact SAV. X3/4 M40i are always going to feel more tossable.

Approx base curb weights
X3 M40i = 4392lbs
X5 sDrive40i = 4828lbs
X5 xDrive40i = 4863lbs, closer to 5K with M Sport
X5 M50i = 5,260lbs

You're going to feel the steering weight of the M50i V8 up front despite the 50/50 weight distribution. My personal impression after test driving one for a month, is that it's light, direct and precise in all modes and heavier in SPORT and SPORT+.

Question is have your tried SPORT mode on your 40i?
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      10-17-2021, 11:30 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by geddylee View Post
yes, I use sport in the X5 pretty much exclusively. I guess I am pretty much looking for something BMW doesn't really offer. Something that is comfortable with a nice interior that still can handle great and be fun to drive. I think there is an opening in their lineup for this.
For what you want, you'll need to consider a X5 M50i or X6 M50i with DHP which includes Adaptive M Pro, ARS active roll stabilization, IAS integral active steering, 2T4 M Differential and ///M kinematics

For US markets, before you could option DHP with X6 xDrive40i - would have been my first suggestion

Otherwise X3/4 ///M and despite being ///M SAVs the interior is slightly nicer with Merino leather otherwise the interior is identical with upgraded bits

They're not gonna to introduce another niche vehicle between the two models unless suspension upgrade or a BMW i electric

The other is waiting to see what the next gen X3/4 are like - but with my past experience those will just get slight larger but not necessarily more luxurious like 5 Series and X5-X6 vehicles.
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      10-17-2021, 05:04 PM   #5
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I had an X5 40i M Sport for a year before I traded it for an X6 M50i. The steering feels a little better weighted on center and direct in the X6. I don't have DHP, wheels and tires are the same. I think the chassis is stiffer on the X6 so that might be the subtle difference. I'm not sure about the X5 M50i in that regard. The only downside is that I feel the extra weight, again not a huge difference but noticeable. I know what you mean about the X3 M40i, I had that before the X5 and hated the seats but it was a sharper handling car for sure.
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      10-17-2021, 06:52 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Denk View Post
I know what you mean about the X3 M40i, I had that before the X5 and hated the seats but it was a sharper handling car for sure.
I agree about the seats in the X3 M40i. I had a 2018 X3 M40i (vehicle buyback) and then a 2019 X3 M40i and the seats were not comfortable.
The vernasca leather felt cheap and the seats were hard and uncomfortable.
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      10-17-2021, 10:53 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BobsM3Coupe View Post
I agree about the seats in the X3 M40i. I had a 2018 X3 M40i (vehicle buyback) and then a 2019 X3 M40i and the seats were not comfortable.
The vernasca leather felt cheap and the seats were hard and uncomfortable.
It's funny because the Vernasca leather feels much better in the X5 and X7. In the X3 it feels like you are sitting on cardboard.
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      10-18-2021, 12:24 AM   #8
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2023 BMW S1000RR  [0.50]
2022 BMW F900XR  [3.00]
2022 BMW X6 40i  [0.50]
2020 BMW M2C  [9.50]
Like Auricom mention you want the M adaptive suspension + the active roll bar. I had that combination on my E70 an I think that's what you're describing. DHP adds IAS.

Really the only thing missing from my X6 40i order.
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      10-18-2021, 08:05 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by geddylee View Post
yes, I use sport in the X5 pretty much exclusively. I guess I am pretty much looking for something BMW doesn't really offer. Something that is comfortable with a nice interior that still can handle great and be fun to drive. I think there is an opening in their lineup for this.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Auricom View Post
Comparing a large sport luxury SAV to a more compact SAV. X3/4 M40i are always going to feel more tossable.

Approx base curb weights
X3 M40i = 4392lbs
X5 sDrive40i = 4828lbs
X5 xDrive40i = 4863lbs, closer to 5K with M Sport
X5 M50i = 5,260lbs

You're going to feel the steering weight of the M50i V8 up front despite the 50/50 weight distribution. My personal impression after test driving one for a month, is that it's light, direct and precise in all modes and heavier in SPORT and SPORT+.

Question is have your tried SPORT mode on your 40i?
My x5m50i with DHP is probably the best handling car I've owned and that's including my 2010 s4. An amazing experience to drive and has a ton of power also.
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      10-18-2021, 10:34 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Denk View Post
I had an X5 40i M Sport for a year before I traded it for an X6 M50i. The steering feels a little better weighted on center and direct in the X6. I don't have DHP, wheels and tires are the same. I think the chassis is stiffer on the X6 so that might be the subtle difference. I'm not sure about the X5 M50i in that regard. The only downside is that I feel the extra weight, again not a huge difference but noticeable. I know what you mean about the X3 M40i, I had that before the X5 and hated the seats but it was a sharper handling car for sure.
My understanding is the steering feel only gets a huge upgrade in the true M version. I drove a X3M - the suspension/steering feel is totally different than X3 M40i. On sports mode, they are truly tight (closest to E90 era). This is not something DHP can drastically improve on non-M versions ( even M40 or M50).
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      10-18-2021, 05:03 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by geddylee View Post
yes, I use sport in the X5 pretty much exclusively. I guess I am pretty much looking for something BMW doesn't really offer. Something that is comfortable with a nice interior that still can handle great and be fun to drive. I think there is an opening in their lineup for this.
That is exactly how I would describe my '22 X5 M50i with DHP.

Comfy and luxurious, but still fun to drive. DHP is key for the fun part.

My favorite part of DHP is the 4 wheel steering. Truly an awesome feeling when you feel the rear end turning the opposite way of the front end.
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      10-18-2021, 07:18 PM   #12
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I don't have a good comparison to my M50i as i came from sedans prior to this...but i will say...there is a difference between steering "weight" and steering "feel"

For example, my prior daily driver was a 2013 328. I still have that car today...and when i drive my X5 and 328 back to back...i can say my 328's steering feels "heavier" than the X5 (ie: i can prob rotate my x5's steering wheel with my pinkie if i tried) but when i take the x5 into corners...i def have better "feedback/feel" than the 328...knowing what the front end of x5 doing vs the 3...not sure if that helps or makes sense but that's my 2 cents
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      10-18-2021, 10:52 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by goobies818 View Post
I don't have a good comparison to my M50i as i came from sedans prior to this...but i will say...there is a difference between steering "weight" and steering "feel"

For example, my prior daily driver was a 2013 328. I still have that car today...and when i drive my X5 and 328 back to back...i can say my 328's steering feels "heavier" than the X5 (ie: i can prob rotate my x5's steering wheel with my pinkie if i tried) but when i take the x5 into corners...i def have better "feedback/feel" than the 328...knowing what the front end of x5 doing vs the 3...not sure if that helps or makes sense but that's my 2 cents
Hi goobies! Does your M50i have DHP? Thanks
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      10-18-2021, 11:42 PM   #14
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Hi goobies! Does your M50i have DHP? Thanks
No. I made a promise to the wife that I’d keep the all-in drive off cost of the ride under $100k…so that was a casualty.

I justify the omission in the fact that at the end of the day…I’m buying a nearly 3 ton SUV…not a 911 or an M3/4…I’m a dad that wanted something that goes “vroom!” But I can still load a f*** ton of crap in the back from Costco. I won’t be carving up canyon runs in this thing…however…even when I do push the car…it feels very stable and compliant. There’s just a little voice in my head saying “Newton and his laws will always win if you push too hard” you do feel the mass of this car…and I’m pretty sure with or without DHP…the story will be the same

Maybe in a few years I can find a project car to play around with on the weekends…maybe an old Miata (I had a 94 back in the day) or and old 3 series

But for now…merging on the highway with the fury of that glorious V8 and my 5 year old’s giddy reaction (and mine) is more than enough for me
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      10-19-2021, 08:43 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by goobies818 View Post
No. I made a promise to the wife that I’d keep the all-in drive off cost of the ride under $100k…so that was a casualty.

I justify the omission in the fact that at the end of the day…I’m buying a nearly 3 ton SUV…not a 911 or an M3/4…I’m a dad that wanted something that goes “vroom!” But I can still load a f*** ton of crap in the back from Costco. I won’t be carving up canyon runs in this thing…however…even when I do push the car…it feels very stable and compliant. There’s just a little voice in my head saying “Newton and his laws will always win if you push too hard” you do feel the mass of this car…and I’m pretty sure with or without DHP…the story will be the same

Maybe in a few years I can find a project car to play around with on the weekends…maybe an old Miata (I had a 94 back in the day) or and old 3 series

But for now…merging on the highway with the fury of that glorious V8 and my 5 year old’s giddy reaction (and mine) is more than enough for me
My drive off cost was less than 100K. I have DHP and B&W, Only thing i skipped is the DAP. I think mine was 800 dollars off 100K. But I got the car with 13K discount back in June.
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