[spinnakerflying]

I'm looking to order an X5 later this year and can't decide on the 40i vs M50i. I currently have a low-miles 2010 N54 6MT 135i. It's been a best-of-both worlds for several years, but now there's a kiddo in the picture and an X5 makes a lot of sense. I've set an ~80k budget for the X5, so I can either get a nicely optioned 40i or I can sell the 135i and get an M50i. I'm not sure how much I will miss the manual transmission and tossability of the 135i vs the every-day crazy power of the M50i.

I know both are good choices - but what would you do?

BTW - there aren't any options or features on the M50i vs the 40i that would sway me (other than perhaps Tanzanite Blue color on the M50i!) so it comes down mostly to B58 vs N63.

[FCX5]

Originally Posted by spinnakerflying

I'm looking to order an X5 later this year and can't decide on the 40i vs M50i. I currently have a low-miles 2010 N54 6MT 135i. It's been a best-of-both worlds for several years, but now there's a kiddo in the picture and an X5 makes a lot of sense. I've set an ~80k budget for the X5, so I can either get a nicely optioned 40i or I can sell the 135i and get an M50i. I'm not sure how much I will miss the manual transmission and tossability of the 135i vs the every-day crazy power of the M50i.

I know both are good choices - but what would you do?

For 80K you can get a well optioned 40i. The starting price of the M50i is higher than that.

[Frenetic]

Get the 50i. These V8s might not be around for much longer; get one while you can. It puts a smile on my face every time I start mine up and hear that rumble.

[Jetrik]

Originally Posted by spinnakerflying

I'm looking to order an X5 later this year and can't decide on the 40i vs M50i. I currently have a low-miles 2010 N54 6MT 135i. It's been a best-of-both worlds for several years, but now there's a kiddo in the picture and an X5 makes a lot of sense. I've set an ~80k budget for the X5, so I can either get a nicely optioned 40i or I can sell the 135i and get an M50i. I'm not sure how much I will miss the manual transmission and tossability of the 135i vs the every-day crazy power of the M50i.

I know both are good choices - but what would you do?

BTW - there aren't any options or features on the M50i vs the 40i that would sway me (other than perhaps Tanzanite Blue color on the M50i!) so it comes down mostly to B58 vs N63.

The TB metallic is fantastic. I'm sure you know how I voted.

[-Vanguard-]

Originally Posted by Frenetic

Get the 50i. These V8s might not be around for much longer; get one while you can. It puts a smile on my face every time I start mine up and hear that rumble.

If v8's are going so are v6's...lol

[spinnakerflying]

Originally Posted by FCX5

For 80K you can get a well optioned 40i. The starting price of the M50i is higher than that.

True! Selling my 135i increases my self-imposed budget to M50i territory.

[notanaudi]

I have a 2019 40i and plan on getting the 50m later this fall when they offer the model refresh

[FCX5]

Originally Posted by spinnakerflying

True! Selling my 135i increases my self-imposed budget to M50i territory.

For the longest time I used two cars - fun one for commuting and another for family. I switched to a Cayenne S for both and now to an X5 50i for both. However, we also have a Tesla Model Y, mainly because the X5 50i is gas mileage challenged - but the 50i a lot of fun and very comfortable and my preferred car, but the MY tends to get used more now because of the much lower cost of operating.

I feel poor on this forum. LOL.

[Russ103]

A base M50i is way more fun then a X40i with every single option. I don't care about any of the tech in this car personally and just enjoy the power.

The dealer knocked $10k off the $89k sticker on my wife's M50i so it would be in your $80k budget and you'll be able to keep the 135i, which I predict you would sell later on anyway since the M50i's TT V8 is more satisfying then you could imagine.

[zhangyi17]

no replacement for displacement. Go with the V8

[Chapel Hill]

Originally Posted by zhangyi17

no replacement for displacement. Go with the V8

The M50i is so much fun. I would go for that for sure.

[wifesbimmer]

Believe me. The M50i will serve you as a best of both worlds for many years to come. Pull the trigger.

[FCX5]

Originally Posted by Russ103

A base M50i is way more fun then a X40i with every single option. I don't care about any of the tech in this car personally and just enjoy the power.

The dealer knocked $10k off the $89k sticker on my wife's M50i so it would be in your $80k budget and you'll be able to keep the 135i, which I predict you would sell later on anyway since the M50i's TT V8 is more satisfying then you could imagine.

I would go for this!

[spinnakerflying]

Originally Posted by Frenetic

Get the 50i. These V8s might not be around for much longer; get one while you can. It puts a smile on my face every time I start mine up and hear that rumble.

This was my thinking as well. V8s don't seem like they will be around too much longer.

On the flip side, manual transmissions are also a dying breed!

[notanaudi]

Originally Posted by notanaudi

I have a 2019 40i and plan on getting the 50m later this fall when they offer the model refresh

Same here

[omasou]

I had an E70 V8 NA. It was nice. For as nice, fast and fun as it was it isn't a car.

The maintenance of a V8 is 2X. Two air filters, two valve cover gaskets, two timing change gaskets, the dreaded valley pan, etc.

The only thing that made it fun was not the engine but the front active roll bar and you won't be taking full advantage of the flat corning with the wife and a newborn.

I'm back to the an I6 and staying there.

Keep the car, get the 40i and save the rest of the money. Kids are expensive.

[Melbourne_X5M]

We have both, a 2022 X5 40i and a 2019 X5 50i. I went from a 2017 X5M to a 2018 750i xDrive and then into the 2019 X5 50i. My advice is that the 40i is plenty in every way.

[taek]

A 2010 1 series looks like it's worth about $8k. So $88k for a M50 with tax is a pretty tight budget. Are you going to be able to do fun stuff like 21" or 22" wheels, Merino Leather, Dynamic Handling, Executive Package, aftermarket audio, etc..

If your budget is just ballpark and you can go higher to get a M50 with everything you want, I would do that. But if the budget is more of a hard line then I would get a fully optioned 40.

Just my $0.02.

[wifesbimmer]

The M50i will outperform your 135i in every way. Just go with the V8. You won't regret it. If your budget allows, I would even recommend the X5M.

[Protocol_10]

Get the M50i with the Dynamic Handling Package. It will put a giant grin on your face, and you will have zero regrets.

[Madjackdog]

You’re going to miss that manual transmission. Keep the car, and get a well optioned 40i, which, by the way, is just a terrific car. However, if you’ll be satisfied with the 50i with no options, and won’t miss the manual, well, get that.
FWIW, don’t for a moment think the 6 is underpowered - it’s not. If BMW offered a 12 cylinder, there’d be lots of advice disparaging the 8 cylinder as anemic. Some people value pure power in lieu of pretty much everything else, and that’s fine, I suppose. You just have to decide which group you’re in.

[wifesbimmer]

Originally Posted by jtrock97

Get the M50i with the Dynamic Handling Package. It will put a giant grin on your face, and you will have zero regrets.

With DHP, it feels like it handles better than my M3 sometimes.