[CarMan77]

***LENGTHY POST***


My love with automobiles goes back till when I was 4/5 and could read. I was able to buy my first BMW at age 19, a 318is. I went through multiple brands Honda, Mazda, Volvo, Jaguar, Infiniti, Lexus, Saab, Mercedes, Porsche, but I always come back to BMW. My love affair with the X5 began with my E53 4.8is. In the recent past, my wife has had 2009 E70 4.8, 2011 E70 35d, 2014 F15 35d, 2016 Cayenne E Hybrid, and most recently 2019 Mercedes E450 Wagon and I have owned 2013 Cayenne diesel, 2014 F15 35d, 2016 Cayenne E Hybrid, 2018 Mercedes C43 Sedan, 2017 F15 40e, 2019 640 GT.

After three months, I was regretted picking up the GT and wanted something new. However, I had one problem, my wife decided she was tired of sitting low and wanted another SUV too. I promised her I would get her a new vehicle first, happy wife, happy….

Fast forward to February 2020, my wife was ready for a new SUV, other than sitting low, she was impressed with the E class wagon, so she decided on the GLE. I made the mistake of letting her test drive the 580 first, as the dealer only had 350’s and 580’s. She knew she wanted the 580 after 5 minutes of the test drive. After making sure wifey was happy, a week later, I decided to go from my 2019 BMW 640GT to an SUV. A friend of mine located a buyer for my 640GT, and my dealer agreed to facilitate the paperwork(allowing me to get courtesy trade credit). After test driving the X7, G05 40i, and M50i, for me, the M50i was a clear choice.

Below are my thoughts on both vehicles.

Exterior

The sportier experience appearance package enhances both of the vehicles. The 580 as the AMG Line with the Night Package, and the M50i has the M-Sport with Shadowline. The Mercedes has broad shoulders, but an overall softer look, and I love the 22’ black rims with the machined finish. I personally prefer the aggressive look of the X5, and I wish the style 740 wheels came in a larger size. The BMW is the athlete who just came out of the gym, and the Mercedes has been in retirement for several years.

Interior

On paper, even though they have similar dimensions, the BMW's cabin is smaller than the Benz, the GLE has better use of interior space. The 580’s rear seat is spacious, we have the 3rd-row option, and that offers more adjustments for the 2nd row, my 12-year-old fits fine in the 3rd row. I do not have upgraded leather in either vehicle, with that said, the X5 has a more luxurious feel, the Mercedes leather feels no different than MB Tex. The 580 is missing some features for a $90K vehicle, speed limit display($250 option), rear a/c controls, and heated seats. That being said, the vehicle of choice for a family road trip, would be the 580.

Technology:

I love the quality of the MBUX screen and the level of customization available, especially the HUD system, which offers three screens and multiple options from speed, suspension setting, G meter, distance from the vehicle in front, blindspot warning, and more. However, when I step inside the M50i, I am at home, I love how BMW has progressively upgraded the interior and idrive tech. The HK sound system is abysmal compared to the Burmeister in the Mercedes.

My M50i has Driver Assistance Pro, and I can see the upgrade from the F15. However, I cannot compare to the Mercedes as we did not get self-driving options. I do like how the blind spot beeps in the Mercedes and shows up in the HUD feature.


Performance,

The 580 has standard air suspension and is tuned for a more luxurious, softer ride. Even in sport mode, the suspension is still soft and too bouncy for my taste. Although it sits on 22's, around corners, the Mercedes has considerable lean. While the 580 has the V8 growl, it is tame compared to the M50i.

The M50i is the high riding sports car and family hauler I was looking for, and I do not have DHP. BMW tuned the engine, suspension, exhaust, and brakes for the spirited driver. I am not past the break-in period on the BMW, but it moves, I can’t wait to hit 1500 miles. When my wife told me, your car accelerates to fast; I knew I made the right choice. I have the 20’ wheel option, and the handling would benefit from a larger rim and/or a more aggressive tire.

To sum it up, I believe Mercedes designed a vehicle for its target audience soft ride and feature-laden. I don’t think either SUV is the wrong choice. However, regardless of features, I prefer the aggressively tuned engine, transmission, exhaust, that the M50i offers, and therefore, for me, the BMW is the vehicle of choice.

I look forward to driving my beast and smile every time I get out of it!

The parking lot was sloped excuse some of the pics

[Unit]

Stunning mate! My inbound M50i will also be Arctic Grey albeit with 742Ms....if the dealers ever open! Congrats on the car!

[Bandit-X]

thanks for sharing. nice summary.

[renogi]

Nicely done, thanks for sharing

[CarMan77]

Originally Posted by Unit

Stunning mate! My inbound M50i will also be Arctic Grey albeit with 742Ms....if the dealers ever open! Congrats on the car!

Love the Arctic Grey! It hides dirt well too. Make sure you post picts when you pick yours up.

[Unit]

Originally Posted by CarMan77

Love the Arctic Grey! It hides dirt well too. Make sure you post picts when you pick yours up.

Hiding the dirt is one of the things I'm looking forward to after 2 years in a San Marino Blue M4 (amazing colour but worse than black for showing water marks, dust and grime. Even with ceramic coating it's a PITA to keep clean!).

[JJC01]

Nicely done and beautiful vehicles. Thanks for sharing the great info.

[CarMan77]

Originally Posted by JJC01

Nicely done and beautiful vehicles. Thanks for sharing the great info.

Thanks- I thought since both are considered the highest trim level outside of the comparison was warranted. However, most on this forum who would consider an M50i would not consider a 580.

[jjscsix]

Thanks for the comparison. Very well done.

[Timmer-Bimmer]

I can give you my comparison after driving the GLE and the X5.

GLE: "Not bad at all."

X5: {huge shit-eating grin on my face.}

[FCX5]

Originally Posted by CarMan77

***LENGTHY POST***


My love with automobiles goes back till when I was 4/5 and could read. I was able to buy my first BMW at age 19, a 318is. I went through multiple brands Honda, Mazda, Volvo, Jaguar, Infiniti, Lexus, Saab, Mercedes, Porsche, but I always come back to BMW. My love affair with the X5 began with my E53 4.8is. In the recent past, my wife has had 2009 E70 4.8, 2011 E70 35d, 2014 F15 35d, 2016 Cayenne E Hybrid, and most recently 2019 Mercedes E450 Wagon and I have owned 2013 Cayenne diesel, 2014 F15 35d, 2016 Cayenne E Hybrid, 2018 Mercedes C43 Sedan, 2017 F15 40e, 2019 640 GT.

After three months, I was regretted picking up the GT and wanted something new. However, I had one problem, my wife decided she was tired of sitting low and wanted another SUV too. I promised her I would get her a new vehicle first, happy wife, happy….

Fast forward to February 2020, my wife was ready for a new SUV, other than sitting low, she was impressed with the E class wagon, so she decided on the GLE. I made the mistake of letting her test drive the 580 first, as the dealer only had 350's and 580's. She knew she wanted the 580 after 5 minutes of the test drive. After making sure wifey was happy, a week later, I decided to go from my 2019 BMW 640GT to an SUV. A friend of mine located a buyer for my 640GT, and my dealer agreed to facilitate the paperwork(allowing me to get courtesy trade credit). After test driving the X7, G05 40i, and M50i, for me, the M50i was a clear choice.

Below are my thoughts on both vehicles.

Exterior

The sportier experience appearance package enhances both of the vehicles. The 580 as the AMG Line with the Night Package, and the M50i has the M-Sport with Shadowline. The Mercedes has broad shoulders, but an overall softer look, and I love the 22' black rims with the machined finish. I personally prefer the aggressive look of the X5, and I wish the style 740 wheels came in a larger size. The BMW is the athlete who just came out of the gym, and the Mercedes has been in retirement for several years.

Interior

On paper, even though they have similar dimensions, the BMW's cabin is smaller than the Benz, the GLE has better use of interior space. The 580's rear seat is spacious, we have the 3rd-row option, and that offers more adjustments for the 2nd row, my 12-year-old fits fine in the 3rd row. I do not have upgraded leather in either vehicle, with that said, the X5 has a more luxurious feel, the Mercedes leather feels no different than MB Tex. The 580 is missing some features for a $90K vehicle, speed limit display($250 option), rear a/c controls, and heated seats. That being said, the vehicle of choice for a family road trip, would be the 580.

Technology:

I love the quality of the MBUX screen and the level of customization available, especially the HUD system, which offers three screens and multiple options from speed, suspension setting, G meter, distance from the vehicle in front, blindspot warning, and more. However, when I step inside the M50i, I am at home, I love how BMW has progressively upgraded the interior and idrive tech. The HK sound system is abysmal compared to the Burmeister in the Mercedes.

My M50i has Driver Assistance Pro, and I can see the upgrade from the F15. However, I cannot compare to the Mercedes as we did not get self-driving options. I do like how the blind spot beeps in the Mercedes and shows up in the HUD feature.


Performance,

The 580 has standard air suspension and is tuned for a more luxurious, softer ride. Even in sport mode, the suspension is still soft and too bouncy for my taste. Although it sits on 22's, around corners, the Mercedes has considerable lean. While the 580 has the V8 growl, it is tame compared to the M50i.

The M50i is the high riding sports car and family hauler I was looking for, and I do not have DHP. BMW tuned the engine, suspension, exhaust, and brakes for the spirited driver. I am not past the break-in period on the BMW, but it moves, I can't wait to hit 1500 miles. When my wife told me, your car accelerates to fast; I knew I made the right choice. I have the 20' wheel option, and the handling would benefit from a larger rim and/or a more aggressive tire.

To sum it up, I believe Mercedes designed a vehicle for its target audience soft ride and feature-laden. I don't think either SUV is the wrong choice. However, regardless of features, I prefer the aggressively tuned engine, transmission, exhaust, that the M50i offers, and therefore, for me, the BMW is the vehicle of choice.

I look forward to driving my beast and smile every time I get out of it!

The parking lot was sloped excuse some of the pics

Amazing write up. I think the 580 is a closer comparison to the V8 Range Rover Sport rather than the M50i, since both have more of a softer ride emphasizing luxury and the air suspension vs M50i's sportier, firmer ride. Beautiful looking cars as well.

[CarMan77]

Originally Posted by FCX5

Amazing write up. I think the 580 is a closer comparison to the V8 Range Rover Sport rather than the M50i, since both have more of a softer ride emphasizing luxury and the air suspension vs M50i's sportier, firmer ride. Beautiful looking cars as well.

Thank you.

I did not try out this generation RRS. IMO BMW and Benz were firing on all cylinders with the G05 and W167 iterations.

No longer in X5, pic of my new ride. M50i as well.

[FCX5]

Originally Posted by CarMan77

Thank you.

I did not try out this generation RRS. IMO BMW and Benz were firing on all cylinders with the G05 and W167 iterations.

No longer in X5, pic of my new ride. M50i as well.

X7 looks exactly the same as a friend of mine. He was the two tone white and blue interior with piano black inside with B&W interior and looks great! He sold his RRS SVR by the way to get the X7.

[Frenetic]

The MB hud is pretty awesome. Audi’s hud is equally as impressive.

That’s one thing BMW lacks is good instrumentation; nothing is customizable to the instrumentation level of MB or Audi.