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      11-18-2010, 11:52 AM   #1
hifiguy
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Drives: e46 m3
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: L.A.

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2010 X5 35d  [0.00]
2004 E46 M3  [0.00]
Cool X6M vs E46 M3​ - M Power Tour Experience



[I don't usually contribute here on Bimmerpost but thought I'd share my recent experience with an X6M.]


I'm sure you guys have heard of the M Power Tour going around the country and allowing people to test drive their M vehicles in a no-strings-attached, enjoy-and-drive type event. These events have been held for a few years and, even though I've had my E46 M3 since 2004, this year was the first time I got invited.

BMW NA sent a postcard invitation​ that listed three possible vehicles for the test drive: the E92 M3, X5M, and X6M. Since the X6 styling was the most badass, that's the one I RSVP'd for. I know, I know, what's the point of slapping an M badge on a SUV? Well, one of the M-brand managers said the target demographic were M drivers who had to settle for boring SUVs in their garages. Since one of my daily drivers is a 5MT 4Runner, which I use to plow through the dilapidated streets of downtown LA, I had a feeling the X6M might be up my pothole-ridden alley.





ROUND 1: EXTERIOR

So on a sunny Saturday morning, my wife and I drove out to the Marconi Auto Museum in Tustin, CA. While I was hoping the air strip​ next door would be the venue for the test drive, we were informed that city streets would have to suffice. There were a few race cars on display, along with pristine examples of an E93 M3 and X5M. Both cars must have been polished recently because the Melbourne red and Monte Carlo blue were simply stunning in the bright sunlight, even my wife said she wouldn't mind driving the MC blue. Moving onto the X6M, it is one of those cars that simply must be seen in person to appreciate; they truly have a larger-than-life presence. The front fascia was menacing with its bulging hood, wide flared kidneys, and three monstrous air ducts below. Although the wheel arches were cavernous, their flat profiles paled in comparison to the ones found on the E46 M3. The rugged side view mirrors complimented the aggressive front bumper but the side markers appeared like an afterthought since they were not molded into place. Gawking at the towering rear hatch, one word came to mind: ostentatious. It seemed like a mashup between The Wall from American Gladiators and Akira's bike on steroids. This vehicle is insanely huge but, somehow, BMW's designers have managed to dress it up as the cooler younger brother of the AMC Eagle. Being that I consider the E46 M3 design the last bastion of classic BMW styling, what with the offset bumpers, integrated splitters, and bulging cowl and wheel arches, the X6M does its best to pay homage to the boxy design of earlier bimmers.

WINNER: TIE





ROUND 2: INTERIOR

After registering and listening to a presentation on the current M vehicles, we were led to the test area and eagerly awaited our turn. We compared the interiors of the X5M and X6M and the only discernible differences were the reduced rear seating and shorter trunk space on the X6M. Although the cabin appeared small from outside, once we sat inside it was actually quite spacious, with the perforated leather seats providing firm yet comfortable support; certainly much more plush then the M3 seats. The M steering wheel was huge, almost school bus sized, and the center console was filled with a dizzying array of buttons; although the his & her A/C controls finally allowed me to remain chilly while my wife enjoyed a warmer setting. Due to the absence of an e-brake handle, there was enough elbow room for a game of Battleship along with Texas-sized cup holders placed side-by-side. The leather-padded gauge housing actually appeared smaller than the M3's, but that might have been due to the heads-up display electronics. Adjusting the side view mirrors really demonstrated how much area was captured by them; they were HUGE and could have rival​ed the capabilities of the Hubble telescope. But as for the rear-view mirror, imagine masking off the top and bottom thirds, all you are left with is watching Lawrence of Arabia. While it got the job done in street traffic, backing up required neck stretching in two directions since I was not used to the backup camera. Also, good luck spotting the popo while on the highway; I doubt the rear-view mirror would provide much assistance. As much as I enjoyed the plush captain's chairs and exterior vanity mirrors, the driver-centric cabin of the M3 takes the lead.

WINNER: E46 M3

ROUND 3: TRANSMISSION

The X6M uses a 6-speed automatic transmission that supports manual shifting via true M paddle shifters, not the push-pull kind found on other models. In order to shift out of Park and into Reverse or Drive, you must simultaneously push-and-hold an Unlock button, similar to generic automatics but a departure from SMG and DCT. Once you are in Drive, you have to move the shifter to the left in order to toggle into manual mode; again, it was counter intuitive coming from an SMG or DCT system. One last thing, when shifting via the paddles there was a distinct tactile click at the end of each movement; e.g. shift-up, click, shift-down, click. I found these especially distracting and they ended up interrupting my otherwise pleasant driving experience. In contrast, the SMG paddles are smooth and silent in their actuation, with the only tactile feedback being the occasional clutch engagement thump. The one redeeming quality was the butterly smooth gear changes in either auto or manual mode; I had almost forgotten it was an automatic box.

WINNER: TIE



ROUND 4: THE DRIVE

After a pep talk from a BMW rep, I stepped on the brake and held down the Start button. A moderate but forceful growl emerged from the engine bay. "Try it out on automatic, then manual, and then use the M button," we were told. As I shifted into reverse and ignored the green projection paths from the backup cam, I was surprised at how smoothly the X6M turned and moved; there were no sudden movements or jerkiness. Pulling out of the parking lot and down a local street, my wife and I were both bemused: the ride quality was extremely smooth and comfortable, almost like riding on air, yet the flow of power was consistent and predictable. Turning onto a wider road, I slowly pressed the gas and the X6M steadily accelerated. The gear shifts were seamless, we were not thrown around the seats, and, most importantly, there was ZERO turbo lag! Having driven a 135i, I could easily feel the lag on that one, but here there was absolutely none...at any...point...in time. (If the 5th generation M3 behaves similarly, BMW is on the right road.) As we took another side street, this time I gave it more gas and the X6M reacted briskly but composed and the steering was smooth and responsive, although not as sensitive as the M3. However, there was no weight transfer, or weight at all for that matter, that was felt while maneuvering the X6M between lanes and through corners; no doubt attributed to the torque vectoring and air suspension. Switching into manual mode, I would have sworn the gearbox had dual clutches as rowing up and down the gears produced no bucking at all, except for the occasional lunge when I inappropriately downshifted into second gear. Even with a 7K redline, I never ran out of room when accelerating through the local streets. An unexpected bonus was the heads-up display, which was moderately visible under the high noon sunlight. The display showed the tachometer along with the current gear, but I could not get acclimated to the display because it forced me to stare below the center line of the windshield, not to mention the depth of field was a few feet beyond the hood of the car. I am sure a properly adjusted seat would have helped but I wonder if the HUD includes some positioning options as well. Having gotten acquainted with the pace of the car, I was ready to experience the full 555 HP. After pressing the M button and seeing a green M icon appear on the dash, I mashed the pedal to about 70% WOT while in second gear...WOAH! We were quickly thrust into the back of our seats as the X6M whooshed forward with plenty of power still on reserve. Weighing in at over 5,000 pounds, this behemoth sure moved like a Kraken at a human smorgasbord. Quick lane changes did not throw off its composure and last minute right-turns transpired without tire squeal or body roll. Somehow, you forgot that you were driving a Canyonero and focused on avoiding the traffic below you. As for braking, I attempted to overshoot the crosswalks but the 15" discs provided short stopping distances and at no time was the vehicle's balance unsettled. With city mileage listed in the low teens, I'm guessing the 22-gallon tank would last about a week with the M button on. Lastly, I must add that throughout the entire test drive, the X6M remained as calm as Steve McQueen during a roadside smack down. Achieving such performance in an E46 M3 would take significant modification and although the drive itself was a bit too effortless​, the thrill remained there nonetheless.

WINNER: X6M

CONCLUSION​

Before deciding the tiebreaker, the purpose of the X6M must be understood, and it was only after driving this thing that my initial suspicions were confirmed. Yes, there are only two rear seats and, yes, the trunk space only fits the contortionist from Ocean's Eleven. Dubious to traveling families at the Palazzo, the X6M is not the choice to accommodate weekend trips for the twins, their pet turtle, and tandem stroller. The target driver hauls only a few items, with a maximum of one or two passengers, and needs to survive the urban jungle by muscling through a thicket of Hans Molemans and post-apocalyptic asphalt. Superb handling and acceleration are high priorities, all while basking in the fine luxuries afforded from a majestic throne, such as room for two Big Gulps and​ a George Foreman rotisserie​. W​hile the M3 is an impractical but rewarding daily driver, ​the X6M is excessiveness incarnate, and if I had the scratch to afford one, I'd be throwing drumsticks at Gremlins on the way to work each morning.
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