[ToddMac]

I'll never understand why people are happy with that they buy and want to think it's something it's not. I find the same on other forums - "my Challenger 392 is really the same as an SRT". I liked the M Sport package for my X5 but I didn't go out and buy an ///M license plate surround. The M50 is awesome but if it were an M car, it would have the M after. Just my $0.02

[mjustice]

This thread is very timely for me as I found a dealer that has allocation and will not charge over MSRP. Currently I really like my 2019 fully loaded 50i and how it optioned with only 10K (because of COVID and lack of traveling). I have driven the X5M and clearly put a smile on my face but I really am not an aggressive driver all the time. Trying to decide whether to order one or buy this one out of lease. Not to mention, I love the color-TB.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by Cheesy Myneezy

Newbie here, just got 22" m50i black sapphire 22"742. Considering it's the exact same engine detuned, used in the M competition, I'd like to know people's thoughts? I get that some will say no way it's not an M car, others will say it's in between, but technically bmws website when you go to order the car, M50i is under the M setup, combined with the M competition. If you google it, many websites will argue it is "every bit an M car" where others will say absolutely not.

You basically can find info in today's day in age to back up whatever your claim/stance/opinion is.

Thoughts?

Congratulation. The G05 M50i is an amazing choice.

I've read the posts so far and I'm not surprised at all and neither are you.

You asked for thoughts. Here's mine:

What you say or what we say your car is or isn't doesn't really matter. Your car is what it is as designed and built by built by BMW; an 50i replacement with some added features and capabilities and an M added to the front of the model name. Regardless of how amazing it is, and it is, the M50i is the entry level X5 v8 offering. The M car is the X5M.

What you want to call it is entirely up to you.

[skyline408]

Originally Posted by ToddMac

I'll never understand why people are happy with that they buy and want to think it's something it's not. I find the same on other forums - "my Challenger 392 is really the same as an SRT". I liked the M Sport package for my X5 but I didn't go out and buy an ///M license plate surround. The M50 is awesome but if it were an M car, it would have the M after. Just my $0.02

100% the OP has an 'M' license plate frame

Add me into the camp of M50i is not an M car. I was in the market for one and knew what it is and appreciated it for what it is.

[Al Pinã]

Originally Posted by Cheesy Myneezy

I've driven both. I didn't think the M competition was worth the money for 90+ horsepower, different seats, and slightly better handling (my M50i pretty much has every option) nor did it blow me away vs M50i. I did like the seats, wheels, exhaust and subtle styling differences. Also my argument isn't that an M50i is an M car, I just think it is a gray area. I think all arguments probably lean towards it not being an M car, but that also has a lot to do with how the badging is deemed by bmw, and IMO how over the last few years BMW has water down the M brand, making so many options available to the masses. I also think if the M50i was just called like a base model x5M and had the exact everything it does currently, most would think it was then a true M car. Only thing I disagree with is that there isn't a debate at all to begin, that it's 100% clearly not an M car. Again, check their website and how it's grouped with an X5M competition. Agree to disagree.

You're still reaching pretty hard with your assessment and reasoning.

Prior to the M50i your version was just called the 50i. It's been that way for generations. It denotes a V8 motor, nothing more. In prior generations you were able to get the V8 with the X-Line trim instead of defaulting to MSport.

If you really drove a current X5M and think it was comparable to your 50i in terms of acceleration, handling etc then I gotta say you're either misremembering or delusional.

I'm absolutely not taking anything away from the 50i either. It's a fine vehicle capable of feats thought impossible by an SUV a several years ago.

[skyline408]

Also, BMW has a specific page for their full blown M models.

https://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/m-models.html

[Russ103]

M50i guy here, and I most certainly do NOT consider it an M car in any way. The closest thing it shares with the X5M/C is the 553 torque.

[CGG]

I used to be in the camp that the M50i was not an true M car. However, it would seem to me that in 2021 BMW changed their approach to what BMW consider an M car. In 2021 BMW dropped the X5 50i and moved the M50i into the M model category.

There are five X5 Core models in NA: sdrive40i/xdrive 40i Electrified models: xdrive 45e and M models: M50i and X5M.

There are now two M models - the M50i and the x5M.

https://www.bmwusa.com/build-your-ow...le#core-models

As well, if you search the BMW M model site, BMW shows the X5 M50i as a M model:

https://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/m-models.html

BMW made the same changes with the 5 Series. There are two versions of the M series.

[TurtleBoy]

M Performance vehicles are not "true" M vehicles and they are not intended to be, M Performance is mainly a marketing strategy. M Performance vehicles are considered to be the same model as the base model but with enhanced performance, ex. the 40i and M50i are G05, while M Vehicles are a different model ex, the X5 M is an F95. If the M50i was considered an M vehicle it would be an F95 not G05.

Here is a blog from a dealer on the topic:

https://www.bmwmarkham.com/2020/06/0...m-performance/

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by skyline408

Also, BMW has a specific page for their full blown M models.

https://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/m-models.html

I never noticed this page before. So, BMW shows us "The range of BMW M" and it shows the following models:

M3 sedan
M4 coupe and convertible
M5 sedan
M8 coupe, convertible, and gran coupe
X3 M
X4 M
X5 M
X6 M

These are the M cars. If it's not on this list, it's not an M car.

[Melbourne_X5M]

Originally Posted by CGG

I used to be in the camp that the M50i was not an true M car. However, it would seem to me that in 2021 BMW changed their approach to what BMW consider an M car. In 2021 BMW dropped the X5 50i and moved the M50i into the M model category.

There are five X5 Core models in NA: sdrive40i/xdrive 40i Electrified models: xdrive 45e and M models: M50i and X5M.

There are now two M models - the M50i and the x5M.

https://www.bmwusa.com/build-your-ow...le#core-models

As well, if you search the BMW M model site, BMW shows the X5 M50i as a M model:

https://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/m-models.html

BMW made the same changes with the 5 Series. There are two versions of the M series.

Sorry, but no. This is marketing, nothing more. The M50i is nothing more than an X5 50i with M-Sport Package. Beginning in 2020, you can’t order an X5 50i without M-Sport. Instant extra profit.

[Alan l.]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

I never noticed this page before. So, BMW shows us "The range of BMW M" and it shows the following models:

M3 sedan
M4 coupe and convertible
M5 sedan
M8 coupe, convertible, and gran coupe
X3 M
X4 M
X5 M
X6 M

These are the M cars. If it's not on this list, it's not an M car.

That is until BMW Marketing team decides to change that realizing that slapping ///M on everything helps them sell more cars even though it waters down their true M products.

Nothing against the M50i as its a fabulous machine for it was meant to do. Beast of a engine and excellent daily driver but its not going to feel like a M car. I've had both non M's and M's in the past and its the overall experience you get with the M that makes it a M.

Alan

[PNWM50I]

Originally Posted by goobies818

As an owner of a m50i….no. But it’s still one hellava ride.

On that same tone…would we consider a MB GLE53 a true AMG car or just the GLE63s?

GLE63. This is why I passed up on the GLE53
Coupe. Looks fancy as hell but it was just under $90k ( + dealer wanted $5k mark up back in May 2021) and still slower than a 40i. Not a true AMG in my opinion.

[IrishSpuds]

I have an M50i and couldn't care one way or the other what it is referred to. That said, I tell my friends it's an X5M because none of them would know the difference and saying it's an X5 M50i is just too much of a mouthful! Basically for the one or two that asked I have said it's the SUV with a bigger engine called the M. Most of my friends aren't car folks so it makes no difference.

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by IrishSpuds

I tell my friends it's an X5M because none of them would know the difference and saying it's an X5 M50i is just too much of a mouthful!

oh, that's gonna eat some folks something raw

mouthful or not, oblivious or not, the M50i is not an X5M. saying it is out of 'convenience' is just taking advantage of the situation. it's a plain lie TBH.

it's the M50i. there'll be a time you get called out in front of your friends, then it'll be your foot in your mouth. best to be honest.

[-Vanguard-]

No, end of story.

[IrishSpuds]

Originally Posted by nZtiZia

oh, that's gonna eat some folks something raw

mouthful or not, oblivious or not, the M50i is not an X5M. saying it is out of 'convenience' is just taking advantage of the situation. it's a plain lie TBH.

it's the M50i. there'll be a time you get called out in front of your friends, then it'll be your foot in your mouth. best to be honest.

Nah, people that get that bent out of shape over a car name are a little too self absorbed or priorities are a little out of line. My wife couldn't even be bothered about the distinction regarding model (probably representative of most car owners). I have it 5 months and I think the most descriptive she would get is 'he has a BMW SUV!' . Absolutely not pretending it's something it's not, the badges on it make it clear what it is. Perhaps the way I phrased my original did appear disingenuous- my intent was abbreviating the name rather than the whole 5 digits. My wife has a 'xxx', my kid has a 'xxx'. I have a BMW. No friend would call me out on it, either they see it and know what it is or they don't care. And it is not a lie….

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by IrishSpuds

I have an M50i and couldn't care one way or the other what it is referred to. That said, I tell my friends it's an X5M because none of them would know the difference and saying it's an X5 M50i is just too much of a mouthful! Basically for the one or two that asked I have said it's the SUV with a bigger engine called the M. Most of my friends aren't car folks so it makes no difference.

So, if none of them knows the difference, are essentially fibbing to yourself?

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by IrishSpuds

I have an M50i and couldn't care one way or the other what it is referred to. That said, I tell my friends it's an X5M because none of them would know the difference and saying it's an X5 M50i is just too much of a mouthful! Basically for the one or two that asked I have said it's the SUV with a bigger engine called the M. Most of my friends aren't car folks so it makes no difference.

If mouthfuls are your concern, why not just call it an X5?

[IrishSpuds]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

So, if none of them knows the difference, are essentially fibbing to yourself?

Nope. I bought the m50, that's what the myriad of badges say. I couldn't care less nor could my maybe two friends that have asked man people DO get wound up so tightly about something so minuscule - it's either sad or funny.

[IrishSpuds]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

If mouthfuls are your concern, why not just call it an X5?

I call it a BMW. I think I may have been asked twice in five months and expect maybe the same number before the lease is up. It's not important to me.

[sjcba]

Originally Posted by Cheesy Myneezy

All good info, but argument also wasn't they are the same lol. Also no matter what you go with/prefer, both vehicles are beasts

Daily drive, almost the same. On track, totally different.