[2005x]

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Tested: 2023 BMW XM Challenges Your Expectations
BMW takes its storied subbrand into uncharted territory with a 644-hp, three-ton plug-in-hybrid SUV.

Full review article: https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...y-the-numbers/


Tested numbers:

[DocWeatherington]

Going to be interesting when they toss the higher performance versions out. These numbers will only improve and with that hopefully the dynamic issues and feel will also. The design is one you either like or hate. I've warmed up to it.


Now drop the full hi powered powertrain in the M5 please and give it steering feel... Waiter check please

[BigEvan1923]

at my local dealership there were 12 pre-orders, and only 1 decided to go through with it. 2 are sitting on the lot and haven't moved in months. Maybe the power bump/exclusivity of the label red will fare better in the court of public opinion but I doubt it.

[shawnhayes]

Originally Posted by BigEvan1923

at my local dealership there were 12 pre-orders, and only 1 decided to go through with it. 2 are sitting on the lot and haven't moved in months. Maybe the power bump/exclusivity of the label red will fare better in the court of public opinion but I doubt it.

Too expensive and too heavy, and the MPG is MUCH worse than my M5. My local dealership tried to sell me theirs. Great car, but $162,000? And I can't get the tax credit.

I hope they sell a ton. But not to me.

Shawn

[hufington]

Not an M car by any means. Just putting in a powerful engine does not make it a great driving machine. Would you buy a Tesla Plaid that has horrible brakes and mediocre suspension just for its high power alone?

[larryc]

Originally Posted by hufington

Not an M car by any means. Just putting in a powerful engine does not make it a great driving machine. Would you buy a Tesla Plaid that has horrible brakes and mediocre suspension just for its high power alone?

XM has better braking power than an M2. And the suspension is great, I would've never expected such a big and heavy car to be so agile when you push it. It definitely feels more M than my 2020 M850i.

[orkinos]

Originally Posted by larryc

XM has better braking power than an M2. And the suspension is great, I would've never expected such a big and heavy car to be so agile when you push it. It definitely feels more M than my 2020 M850i.

Your car is not a real M car as the BMW claims the XM to be. If you compare the braking with the M8, the XM takes almost 10 feet longer at 70mph. That's like going through a Mini Cooper all the way!
Also, the M2 stops 4 ft shorter than the XM according to the same Car and Driver.

[larryc]

Originally Posted by orkinos

Your car is not a real M car as the BMW claims the XM to be. If you compare the braking with the M8, the XM takes almost 10 feet longer at 70mph. That's like going through a Mini Cooper all the way!
Also, the M2 stops 4 ft shorter than the XM according to the same Car and Driver.

Well, not according to Carwow (time 8:40)

[hufington]

Originally Posted by larryc

Well, not according to Carwow

Even those clowns don't take themselves serious. Nothing scientific about their laughable so called tests. Anyways, if it's apples to apples, then you need to compare results from the same resource.

[orkinos]

Originally Posted by hufington

Even those clowns don't take themselves serious. Nothing scientific about their laughable so called tests. Anyways, if it's apples to apples, then you need to compare results from the same resource.

Exactly! None of their results are consistent. That's why in some cases they mention other times that the same vehicle ran faster.

[nicosusername]

Originally Posted by hufington

Not an M car by any means. Just putting in a powerful engine does not make it a great driving machine. Would you buy a Tesla Plaid that has horrible brakes and mediocre suspension just for its high power alone?

The M badge is nothing more than a marketing gimmick at this point sadly. Although I would argue that the XM is still more of a M car than a X5 M50i is. By throwing the letter on this car, BMW was probably banking on having some hype built up for it. I also feel like they needed a platform to throw this powertrain on to iron out all the kinks for the upcoming M5.

Funny enough -- and not to get too off-topic -- everyone who bought the Plaid before the recently introduced Track Package, did actually buy a car with horrible brakes - and did buy it for its acceleration alone. I would never track a Plaid (capable doesn't mean necessary). As mind blowing as the car was, it's just too boring for me.

[hufington]

Originally Posted by nicosusername

Funny enough — and not to get too off-topic — everyone who bought the Plaid before the recently introduced Track Package, did actually buy a car with horrible brakes - and did buy it for its acceleration alone. I would never track a Plaid (capable doesn't mean necessary). As mind blowing as the car was, it's just too boring for me.

I did a lot of circuit racing and rallying in Europe and a vehicle that has really good brakes is almost always faster throughout the race than a car with more powerful engine in the same category.
On the road, I would not trust a car that has shitty brakes like Plaid to drive fast.

[TargaM2]

If I wanted to drive a tank I’d join the army…this thing has no business being labeled an M car, but we all know the M badge has been bastardised & diluted plenty recently for marketing reasons.

[r0wr]

Originally Posted by larryc

XM has better braking power than an M2. And the suspension is great, I would've never expected such a big and heavy car to be so agile when you push it. It definitely feels more M than my 2020 M850i.

I’d hope so. M850 isn’t a real M car.

[BeachsideF30]

The only thing it challenges is my vision…

[DS_BMW]

6,000 pounds!!

[nicosusername]

Originally Posted by hufington

I did a lot of circuit racing and rallying in Europe and a vehicle that has really good brakes is almost always faster throughout the race than a car with more powerful engine in the same category.
On the road, I would not trust a car that has shitty brakes like Plaid to drive fast.

Absolutely.

[quad_drive]

I saw one on the road the other day. Looks quite different and imposing. I don’t think people that buy these kind of car wants to race them. I think it fits the bill for the clientele BMW is going after. Fancy and expensive! With that said, BMW don’t usually do so well at that price point. People tends to gravitate towards RR/MB AMG/Porsche/Bentley at these price ranges. Most of them are lease anyways, no one with the right mind will buy. The resale values in 3 years will probably sucked. It’s heavy enough, so it qualifies for business vehicle for tax write off!

[Ugly Kar]

Originally Posted by BigEvan1923

at my local dealership there were 12 pre-orders, and only 1 decided to go through with it. 2 are sitting on the lot and haven't moved in months. Maybe the power bump/exclusivity of the label red will fare better in the court of public opinion but I doubt it.

Probably because once they saw it in person they .

At least that's what happened to me. I almost threw up just looking at the pictures. I don't care if it has 2000 hp and does the 1/4 in 5 sec, I'm not buying anything that ugly.

And, as quad mentioned. If anyone is going to pay that much for a car they're going to go to an exclusive label. If you're going to spend nearly $200k why not just spend $400k on a Ferrari Purosengue?? At least it's an awesome looking SUV.

[Germanauto]

As a BMW purist I'm supposed to hate this

But I've seen a couple on the road now and they really have an attitude and road presence you have to see to believe. I've developed an irrational attraction toward this. Would love to cruise around Beverly Hills and terrorize plebs in it.

[Jagu]

There are some pretty good discounts on these suvs now. I saw about $15k off an in stock vehicle today.

[dv8pdx]

So many BMW fanboys want to proclaim the XM isn’t a true M car all while comparing it to the M2, M5, M8 etc. It is an M car inside and out, when you compare it to the X3M and X5M in an actual SUV category and not performance cars. I traded in my X5MC for the XM and have zero regrets. Polarizing looks, for sure, that’s its intent. But it wasn’t until I saw it on the show room floor that I truly admired it. BMW’s marketing photos and review videos didn’t do it justice. I never tracked my X5MC so I dont have plans to track the XM eiither, but performance wise it’s equal to or greater than the X5M. It has the power, its quick, equally quick for an SUV as the X5M, but has some benefits over the X5M, while its heavy, the added weight and lower center of gravity make it more planted, flatter around corners, curves or general freeway/street driving. The 48v active anti-roll bars definitely feel better in general driving. The one thing I disliked about the X5M, or any X5 in general was the “wobble” of driving, it was too top heavy and never felt stable or confident. It was the same on the previous gen F15/F85’s as well. The XM fixes that. The comfort on the interior is also a plus, with huge leg room in the rear seats, more comfortable front M seats. Not sure what they changed on them but the design and softness is a plus while still extremely supportive. The dash design of the giant screen is done much better in the XM vs the 2024 X5M LCI, the XM dash is just more M inspired sportier. The large 6-piston M Sport brakes for a 6000lb SUV are totally capable. Not a big deal ceramics weren’t offered since I see this being tracked as much as the X5M’s which also didn’t get them. MPG is also a huge boost over the X5M with the hybrid option. Can commute daily on just electric juice every day, but a flick on the M1 button and the V8 fires up and ready to race. BMW fanboys will probably never love or understand the XM which is ok - its the same ones that hated the 4 series and M3/M4 design, yet here we are with the 4 gran coupe an i4 selling more than the 3 series , and I am 100% fanboy and totally love the XM. My X5MC was Fire Orange, and the XM is vivid orange as well, I get more thumbs up, smiles and conversations at the gas station than I ever did with the X5M just because it blended in what every other X5 soccer mom design and the XM’s sloped roof is a nice middle spot between the X5 and X6 design. So if its polarizing and controversial, all the better. Love it or hate it, the illuminated grille and tall nose is definitely beastly in your review mirror.
As for the “crazy” price tag, its not all that crazy now with BMW price increases with the 2024 X5MC fully loaded at $140k+ the XM is already loaded minus B&O so its only $20K more that the X5MC, a smaller dollar jump going from an X5M to the XM than going from an X5 M60i to the X5MC.