[TheGuac]

I'm debating whether to exchange my X3 M40i for the new X5 50i. I've spec'd it out pretty well but I really don't know whether I should wait until April to add the alcantara headliner. For a $102k car, the black cloth headliner seems cheap. On my E63S, the alcantara gives a way more luxurious look and feels so soft. Similar feeling on the M5 I test drove. What do you guys think?

As an added bonus, the Sky Lounge might also be available in the USA by then.

[Wing Co]

I'm swapping out my X6 for a 8 shortly and the 8 has the alcantara. I can't say it blew my socks off. Conversely, the leather dash on the 8 is far superior to the fake leather one on my X6.

[adr1974]

Originally Posted by TheGuac

I'm debating whether to exchange my X3 M40i for the new X5 50i. I've spec'd it out pretty well but I really don't know whether I should wait until April to add the alcantara headliner. For a $102k car, the black cloth headliner seems cheap. On my E63S, the alcantara gives a way more luxurious look and feels so soft. Similar feeling on the M5 I test drove. What do you guys think?

As an added bonus, the Sky Lounge might also be available in the USA by then.

One thing to keep in mind — which may or may not matter to you — is that the alcantara matches the color of the leather.

[jra0113]

Originally Posted by TheGuac

I'm debating whether to exchange my X3 M40i for the new X5 50i. I've spec'd it out pretty well but I really don't know whether I should wait until April to add the alcantara headliner. For a $102k car, the black cloth headliner seems cheap. On my E63S, the alcantara gives a way more luxurious look and feels so soft. Similar feeling on the M5 I test drove. What do you guys think?

As an added bonus, the Sky Lounge might also be available in the USA by then.

Might as well wait if you have time on your side. I don't care about the alcantra on my 50i but I do wish I had sky lounge. I just didn't have the patience to wait.

[MystroX5]

Originally Posted by adr1974

One thing to keep in mind — which may or may not matter to you — is that the alcantara matches the color of the leather.

On every color leather that wouldn’t be good IMO. I have Alcantara on a lot of my cars but they are either black or gray. Black or gray Alcantara would be the only color that wouldn’t take away from the rest of the design. I am getting coffee Merino and I wouldn’t want a coffee headliner. The genuine leather dash is a must.
I was surprised at $98k my X50MSpt didn’t have Alcantara as standard but it wasn’t that big a deal as there are advantages for what materials BMW is currently using for the headliner. It’s a good quality material on the headliner and probably just as much money in material cost as the Alcantara fabric.
I would have wanted sky lounge but will it ever be a option for the X5 or have they pulled it for just the X7??

[NoCompromise]

Sorry to hijack, but what did you think of the 8 Wing? Saw one recently and was underwhelmed in every respect. £100k+? Not in my view but might be missing something.

[AndroidRobot]

If you have nothing else to lose then wait for it. I thought about waiting but decided it's not worth my time because by then you're better off waiting for the 2020MY

[TheGuac]

I only hope the winter isn't bad because I don't want to buy winter tires for the X3 if I'll be trading it in this spring! X5 definitely makes the interior of the M40i look super cheap.

[swedesc]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

On every color leather that wouldn’t be good IMO. I have Alcantara on a lot of my cars but they are either black or gray. Black or gray Alcantara would be the only color that wouldn’t take away from the rest of the design. I am getting coffee Merino and I wouldn’t want a coffee headliner. The genuine leather dash is a must.
I was surprised at $98k my X50MSpt didn’t have Alcantara as standard but it wasn’t that big a deal as there are advantages for what materials BMW is currently using for the headliner. It’s a good quality material on the headliner and probably just as much money in material cost as the Alcantara fabric.
I would have wanted sky lounge but will it ever be a option for the X5 or have they pulled it for just the X7??

I've been told that Alcantara is not much more to manufacture than regular headliners, especially since the material is synthetic. The first cars to use the material were cheap economy cars.

[beammeupscottie]

Hold up.....I can't get over $102k for an X5 5.0i??? Wow! I paid that for my '17 X5M fully loaded and yes with the alacatara headliner. The cost of these vehicles have skyrocketed.

[AndroidRobot]

Originally Posted by beammeupscottie

Hold up.....I can't get over $102k for an X5 5.0i??? Wow! I paid that for my '17 X5M fully loaded and yes with the alacatara headliner. The cost of these vehicles have skyrocketed.

Why does everyone keep saying 5.0 it's not a mustang! 50i would be the correct way of typing it out. You can spec one you to $105k on the BMW USA website and even higher if you use induvidual paint + the induvidual interior offered in April.

[MystroX5]

Originally Posted by swedesc

I've been told that Alcantara is not much more to manufacture than regular headliners, especially since the material is synthetic. The first cars to use the material were cheap economy cars.

This is why I don’t care that much. I have had it on so many cars and still have it on my C4S headliner. It’s just fabric and not suede nor a exclusive option anymore like it use to be. Kinda been there, done that, with the fuzzy fabric.

[beammeupscottie]

Originally Posted by AndroidRobot

Why does everyone keep saying 5.0 it's not a mustang! 50i would be the correct way of typing it out. You can spec one you to $105k on the BMW USA website and even higher if you use induvidual paint + the induvidual interior offered in April.

Whatever you call it that is way overpriced @$102k. Had one (F15 50) in 2015 fully loaded it came to $77k. I'd rather have the GLC 63 AMG in comparison to the 50 at that price point.....tested the GLC 63 AMG last Friday MSRP before discounts was $84k and it just hit the lot...to each his or her own.

[AndroidRobot]

Originally Posted by beammeupscottie

Whatever you call it that is way overpriced @$102k. Had one (F15 50) in 2015 fully loaded it came to $77k. I'd rather have the GLC 63 AMG in comparison to the 50 at that price point.....tested the GLC 63 AMG last Friday MSRP before discounts was $84k and it just hit the lot...to each his or her own.

GLC 63AMG competes with the X3M not the X5 so you can't compare the two. The X5 goes against a GLE which has the refresh out early next year. Yes while the price did go up, standard features, tech etc also did. This doesn't fully equate for the big leap in pricing but BMW isn't alone here. Speaking of the GLC 63AMG, it's a very dated car inside and hasn't been refreshed yet. You might as well compare it directly to the older X3 because that's where it stands. Yes, there is a nice V8 under the hood which makes a difference, even that doesn't make it 'good'. I'm not partial to any one brand, I chose the X5 over Mercedes, Audi. Land Rover etc because it's the best vehicle for what I want/need. I respect your favoring of the GLC, it's an okay vehicle, suspension is overly firm imo. If you aren't in the market for an X5, then why post?

[beammeupscottie]

Originally Posted by AndroidRobot

GLC 63AMG competes with the X3M not the X5 so you can't compare the two. The X5 goes against a GLE which has the refresh out early next year. Yes while the price did go up, standard features, tech etc also did. This doesn't fully equate for the big leap in pricing but BMW isn't alone here. Speaking of the GLC 63AMG, it's a very dated car inside and hasn't been refreshed yet. You might as well compare it directly to the older X3 because that's where it stands. Yes, there is a nice V8 under the hood which makes a difference, even that doesn't make it 'good'. I'm not partial to any one brand, I chose the X5 over Mercedes, Audi. Land Rover etc because it's the best vehicle for what I want/need. I respect your favoring of the GLC, it's an okay vehicle, suspension is overly firm imo. If you aren't in the market for an X5, then why post?

Perhaps it got lost; I own a 2017 BMW X5M loaded and paid what you're considering for a non M; previously owned 2015 X5 50i $77k loaded, before that 2011 X5 50i; so I follow any news regarding X5's in general. I'm contemplating my next vehicle after this one; my options do include GLC 63AMG (because of the V8 & aggressive stance and yes the firm ride) ; X3M because it's in the class (size) I'm considering and I'm a BMW loyalist to date; finally Porsche Macan because it's just a sweet ride; I would've considered another X5 50i but I'm going smaller this go' round...with the aggressive increase in prices for my favorite automaker (BMW) I'm am forced to consider the alternatives b/c it boils down to dollars and 'sense...' and just to reiterate $102k for a non M is ridiculous in my opinion and won't win my business. To each his / her own.

[1230vani]

Originally Posted by TheGuac

I'm debating whether to exchange my X3 M40i for the new X5 50i. I've spec'd it out pretty well but I really don't know whether I should wait until April to add the alcantara headliner. For a $102k car, the black cloth headliner seems cheap. On my E63S, the alcantara gives a way more luxurious look and feels so soft. Similar feeling on the M5 I test drove. What do you guys think?

As an added bonus, the Sky Lounge might also be available in the USA by then.

I would wait for the alcantara headliner. It is not the "richest" quality alcantara, but still gives an upscale look. I had my alcantara custom made by a shop later using better quality alcantara. Interesting fact (well not sure it is a fact, but my shop swears by it) is that the quality of alcantara in an F15 is different to that of a 7 series. Recently I sat in an all new 850i and can say that the texture/richness of the alcantara was noticeably less than on my F15.
I would get it next time straight from the factory as it is cheaper and far nicer than the black materials BMW use for the headliner (still nice but got bored of it, had black headliner since my E46....).

Good luck with your purchase.

[MystroX5]

It’s a completely different ball game now with the all new X5 and the other new Germany super SUV’s. The X5 50i M Sports is now reporting real world 4.3 second 0-60 times. (Lower times will happen) That is easily $100k+ SUV territory. The upcoming X5M will easily be $30k more than that. The reviews are out for the new GLE. Meh, it got even softer with a updated E class interior. A loaded Prestige Q8 is over $100k and it’s performance isn’t as good as a X5 40i. The Q8 and new GLE both have fake exhaust tips. That says it all. When you go up to the X5 50i, it’s on another level and will blow their doors off in performance and features.

[AndroidRobot]

I apologise, my comment was not intended to be rude. Thank you for explaining in more detail where you're coming from. I understand better now why you're so opposed to the pricing. I guess the same would apply for the new 8 series since it starts at $112K?

Since it seems the X5 is out of your running, have you considered waiting for the refreshed GLC? I believe it's due out next year sometime as will be the GLE 63AMG since you want a V8. If you haven't driven a Macan before they're quite fun but really lack any space. If you must have an SUV I wouldn't go down that road because a Porsche 718 would be more fun for less.

[akhter]

Wait for the new engine M50i

[TheGuac]

Interestingly, my mom has a Macan Turbo and wants to exchange it for a Honda SUV. I guess the buttons and sound scare her haha. The drive is amazing though.

I was looking at the GLC63S but I don't like the coupe and interior is dated.

[bavaria22]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

It’s a completely different ball game now with the all new X5 and the other new Germany super SUV’s. The X5 50i M Sports is now reporting real world 4.3 second 0-60 times. (Lower times will happen) That is easily $100k+ SUV territory. The upcoming X5M will easily be $30k more than that. The reviews are out for the new GLE. Meh, it got even softer with a updated E class interior. A loaded Prestige Q8 is over $100k and it’s performance isn’t as good as a X5 40i. The Q8 and new GLE both have fake exhaust tips. That says it all. When you go up to the X5 50i, it’s on another level and will blow their doors off in performance and features.

Why do you need a car with 400+ hp when the maximum legal speed in your country is -- lets say -- lame?

[Jrunr]

Originally Posted by bavaria22

Why do you need a car with 400+ hp when the maximum legal speed in your country is -- lets say -- lame?

Hey, When do you pick yours up? Mine is getting wrapped and ceramic coated right now! It's a beauty already so I can't wait to see it when its done