[SimasJ]

Originally Posted by Higgs Boson

I have both

There is a synergy to the X5M that makes it seem like a completely different class of vehicle. Bought the X5 M50 for my wife, I really liked it and decided I would have an X5 also but didn't want the same car as her so I got the X5M.

Driving the X5M50 I never thought I would get so much out of the X5M. You can easily try to name the differences like oh its just the seats, exhaust, upper RPM power, etc but in reality it comes together to make a night and day difference and now I feel bored when I drive the M50i although my wife really likes it a lot.

The X5M is definitely not too stiff either, I almost feel like the M50 is too soft and we definitely have some trash roads around here.

If the 30k price difference is not a deal breaker for you, always get the X5M, imo.

I agree on softness, I did felt that M50 had to mush sway on the corners, big difference between these two cars.

[Joe Gro]

I'm someone who bought an M50 last summer and traded it for an X5M 6 months later.

The M50 is really a great vehicle. I think its a big improvement over the base model.

But it just isnt an M car. To me, there is really no comparison between the two. The X5M drives totally differently-they both have very good straight ahead acceleration, but the handling of the M is far superior in my opinion.

I struggled with the decision to upgrade, and the extra money, but I'm super happy I did. I just love the X5M every time I get into it

[Tehnoid]

A lot of the feel difference comes down to seats though. I think it's easy to get pushed around in the M50 seats, whereas you're much more planted in the M. I think there is likely quite a bit more mechanical grip to be had in the M50 before you would see the car start to slide; however, it's harder to get there as the seats are no where near as supportive under hard cornering.

[bmwauug]

I totally agree on points raised on the M50 - it really is all about expectations. The X5MC is incredible in corners, handling, power, and the seats hug you - there is also a big delta in driving and feel between the two. The marketing and 0-60 times make it seem trivial (e.g., just reading the site) - but driving and owning them both leaves no debate.

[PittsDriver]

I have not driven an X5M but what I get from this thread is that the difference is very real and shows up in hard cornering at the expense of more comfortable ride. I don't plan to autocross or track our X5. It's a family road trip and around town errand vehicle so I'm thinking that this thread confirms for me that we made the right choice for us in selecting the M50i we have on order. I just can't see pushing a big SUV hard enough that I need more locked in seating but I totally understand why others might feel differently.

[Chas8283]

Originally Posted by PittsDriver

I have not driven an X5M but what I get from this thread is that the difference is very real and shows up in hard cornering at the expense of more comfortable ride. I don't plan to autocross or track our X5. It's a family road trip and around town errand vehicle so I'm thinking that this thread confirms for me that we made the right choice for us in selecting the M50i we have on order. I just can't see pushing a big SUV hard enough that I need more locked in seating but I totally understand why others might feel differently.

I think you're totally right on your decision. We had 40i that was amazing around town and on highways so I think you'll be thrilled with your new ride. Where we were really let down is on the fast mountain roads we're on every weekend when we're in upstate NY.

Enjoy the new car. Please start a thread with photos when it arrives.

[bmwauug]

Originally Posted by PittsDriver

I have not driven an X5M but what I get from this thread is that the difference is very real and shows up in hard cornering at the expense of more comfortable ride. I don't plan to autocross or track our X5. It's a family road trip and around town errand vehicle so I'm thinking that this thread confirms for me that we made the right choice for us in selecting the M50i we have on order. I just can't see pushing a big SUV hard enough that I need more locked in seating but I totally understand why others might feel differently.

I'd add - the M50i is an amazing SAV; and the M is extremely compliant as a daily driver. It's all preference and expectations on which end of the spectrum you prefer (e.g., same to be said about the M50i over the 40i).

[elitex]

Originally Posted by TODDE

I don't agree, I drove both a 2021 x5m and a m50i I ended up ordering the m50. Once you tick all the options the price ws only about 3k difference. However the x5m was just like sport ++ all the time. It don't have a chill mode... Yes it's slightly quicker. But I'm not taking it to a track and not using launch control so maybe it's a wee bit more fun when you push it but I ordered my m50 with the DHP and it feels the same as the M but in comfort is where I use it 80% of the time. .

The x3m/m40 has a much larger gap between the two that's like comparing a 530 vs an M5. I have driven both but after being in an x5m/x5m50 the x3 seems cheap. Bmw pricing has gone stupid you can buy an x3 m competition for 80k and an M3 loaded is 108k

Also, with all the options ticked on M50i I couldn't go over $98k my X5M was $124k not exactly $3k….. like for like difference between regular and M models have been $20-$25k for some time now.

[hdahman]

the only thing that bothers me in X5M is the no trailer hitch, given it is available in other countries.
other than that, no justification for M50. maybe suspension!
I test drove X5/7 M50 in very bad roads, very slight difference from X5M IMHO. not enough for me to go for M50. I would love to see X5M 3 rows or X7M (not Alpina XB7)

[PittsDriver]

Originally Posted by hdahman

the only thing that bothers me in X5M is the no trailer hitch, given it is available in other countries.
other than that, no justification for M50. maybe suspension!
I test drove X5/7 M50 in very bad roads, very slight difference from X5M IMHO. not enough for me to go for M50. I would love to see X5M 3 rows or X7M (not Alpina XB7)

Obviously this is a matter of personal priorities but there was about a $20K difference between the M50i we ordered and a similarly equipped X5M. I was hard pressed to justify that for differences.

I'm pretty happy that I can buy a X5 with more than 500 hp without going all in on an M. And heck, that car is $20K more than a 40i so the folks buying that version would be saying the same thing to me.

Truth be told, I probably should have ordered the 40i and would have loved it. But there was a time back in 2007 when I was about to pull the trigger on a M6 with V10 500 hp. I at there looking at the sales contract ready to sign it when the sales guy suggested that I take my 540 6 speed to CarMax to see what they'd give me for it before I traded it. I did that and then went around the corner to the Porsche dealer. I ended up buying a Carrera 4S instead and thus never have owned an M car yet.

When I went shopping this time I thought this might be the time. My wife gave me marching orders to eliminate anything with a slower than her current '13 X5 35i. I got her to test drive a 40i and the M50i and she's the one that said "let's buy the one that barks." I have no idea what kind of wait we would have had for an X5M and fortunately, my wife didn't get to drive that one

[hdahman]

one of my issues with anything other than M is the back diffuser and exhaust tips. not sure why BMW does that, as if they know and wanted people to buy the Ms for such little details!

[skyline408]

Originally Posted by PittsDriver

Obviously this is a matter of personal priorities but there was about a $20K difference between the M50i we ordered and a similarly equipped X5M. I was hard pressed to justify that for differences.

I'm pretty happy that I can buy a X5 with more than 500 hp without going all in on an M. And heck, that car is $20K more than a 40i so the folks buying that version would be saying the same thing to me.

Truth be told, I probably should have ordered the 40i and would have loved it. But there was a time back in 2007 when I was about to pull the trigger on a M6 with V10 500 hp. I at there looking at the sales contract ready to sign it when the sales guy suggested that I take my 540 6 speed to CarMax to see what they'd give me for it before I traded it. I did that and then went around the corner to the Porsche dealer. I ended up buying a Carrera 4S instead and thus never have owned an M car yet.

When I went shopping this time I thought this might be the time. My wife gave me marching orders to eliminate anything with a slower than her current '13 X5 35i. I got her to test drive a 40i and the M50i and she's the one that said "let's buy the one that barks." I have no idea what kind of wait we would have had for an X5M and fortunately, my wife didn't get to drive that one

I went to the dealer ready to buy an M50i and once I drove that and the X5M, the M50i wasn't even a contender. My wife is also a car enthusiast and she said, "lets get the M"

Now we're on my G80 order, she OK'd the carbon buckets, but myself on the other hand, may not want it.

[PittsDriver]

Originally Posted by skyline408

I went to the dealer ready to buy an M50i and once I drove that and the X5M, the M50i wasn't even a contender. My wife is also a car enthusiast and she said, "lets get the M"

Now we're on my G80 order, she OK'd the carbon buckets, but myself on the other hand, may not want it.

Then I'm glad they didn't have a X5M for my wife to drive!

[bmwauug]

Originally Posted by hdahman

one of my issues with anything other than M is the back diffuser and exhaust tips. not sure why BMW does that, as if they know and wanted people to buy the Ms for such little details!

Probably because they know "some people" (who have mild obsessions with items such as those you mention) will have an unyielding drive to obtain them

[Brandt51]

What about the heated and cooled cup holders? Or the soft close doors? Can you get that on the M50i and M60i models?

The massaging seats are available tho. With Ford trucks you have to get a Platinum to get them. But they’re better than the bimmer’s.

[Ibiza]

Originally Posted by Brandt51

What about the heated and cooled cup holders? Or the soft close doors? Can you get that on the M50i and M60i models?

The massaging seats are available tho. With Ford trucks you have to get a Platinum to get them. But they’re better than the bimmer’s.

Heated/cooled cup holders only for the X5M-- I currently have now on my '21 X5M ZCP and no big deal.

Yes for soft close doors for M60i and X5M.

[Brandt51]

Soft close doors are the dumbest option of all time. It takes 2-3 tries to close the doors on every other car I get into now 😅😂

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by Brandt51

Soft close doors are the dumbest option of all time. It takes 2-3 tries to close the doors on every other car I get into now 😅😂

It should be a standard on all cars.