X5 M or X6 M?

[lupingranturismo]

Hi all, I'm going to buy an X6 M, but before doing so I would ask the differences with the X5 M.. can you tell me which are?

Is the X5 M more comfortable than X6 M?

Thanks.

[exfyvem]

I have an X5M and love it. It has an extra back seat, lots of extra storage room and extra head room. I'm 6'4, so the extra head room was nice. It also has a massive sunroof, and in my opinion looks much better. But honestly, you can't go wrong with the X6M, i almost got one myself. In my opinion, the X5M plays the role of sports car just as well as the X6M, as there isn't any noticeable difference in performance, and it plays the role of an SUV perfectly, which the X6 doesn't. i would go X5M, but thats just my opinion.

[AndreyATC]

X6M vs X5M:
1. Comfort = same
2. Number of Seats = same (^^ previous poster got it wrong) it also has 5 seats
3. Cargo -> X5 has more, but 6X is sufficient (I have 2 kids, 3yo and infant)
4. Handling -> X6 is better, due to much lower center of gravity
5. Looks -> X6, hands down (at least IMO, or the rest of the ppl i know will vouch for that)
6. X6 is newer model

[lupingranturismo]

Thanks for the answers.

So you confirm that for long trips are both comfortable at the same level? I tried a few days ago a X6 M and I found it very comfortable, also at high speed (on highway)..

My desire is a car that is fast and comfortable, because I would do several trips.. and SUV that I like best are X5 and X6.. so I thinked about the M version..

another reason that leads me to X6 M is that I've already seen some spyphotos of new X5, of X6 instead still nothing.. so I think that 2013 X6 will remain for longer that 2013 X5..

[doug_999]

Honestly it is about cargo, back seat space, rear view vision, and finally looks. The X5 wins on the first three and the fourth is personal preference.

1. When I put 3 full size adults in the back seat of my X6, they are NOT happy (especially since their heads are really close to the ceiling). The X6 is also a "touch" narrower.
2. The X5 is obviously going to have more here as well. That rear hatch robs you of a LOT of space.
3. Very difficult to see out the rear window of the X6. Use the camera however and you are fine.
4. While test driving the X5, my daughter said to me "Dad, this is a nice car. But you normally buy something unique and these things are all over the place. Does BMW make something like this that is a little more unique?" My daughter was 10 at the time. Ordered the X6.

[dmlgc]

either will be comfortable, you can haul more in an X5 ( definitely taller items).

[m 135]

Originally Posted by doug_999

Honestly it is about cargo, back seat space, rear view vision, and finally looks. The X5 wins on the first three and the fourth is personal preference.

1. When I put 3 full size adults in the back seat of my X6, they are NOT happy (especially since their heads are really close to the ceiling). The X6 is also a "touch" narrower.
2. The X5 is obviously going to have more here as well. That rear hatch robs you of a LOT of space.
3. Very difficult to see out the rear window of the X6. Use the camera however and you are fine.
4. While test driving the X5, my daughter said to me "Dad, this is a nice car. But you normally buy something unique and these things are all over the place. Does BMW make something like this that is a little more unique?" My daughter was 10 at the time. Ordered the X6.

Smart kid

[jlee]

i personally don't understand the point of the X6. I would just buy a high powered wagon like the AMG Wagon or something..

i drove it and its the practicality of a sedan / wagon but without the handling characteristics.

my X5m is perfect, I can take shuttles kids and their sports gear around with plenty of room to spare, or take road trips and take luggage for the whole family. it just works...

jeff

[doug_999]

Originally Posted by jlee

i personally don't understand the point of the X6. I would just buy a high powered wagon like the AMG Wagon or something..

i drove it and its the practicality of a sedan / wagon but without the handling characteristics.

my X5m is perfect, I can take shuttles kids and their sports gear around with plenty of room to spare, or take road trips and take luggage for the whole family. it just works...

jeff

Unless you want the AWD coupled with ground clearance for winter. The AMG Wagon (or something) does not cover this. I guess for me, I wanted those two features sans a boxy sport utility. There really is nothing else out there like it.

[Jess///M]

Originally Posted by jlee

i personally don't understand the point of the X6. I would just buy a high powered wagon like the AMG Wagon or something..

i drove it and its the practicality of a sedan / wagon but without the handling characteristics.

my X5m is perfect, I can take shuttles kids and their sports gear around with plenty of room to spare, or take road trips and take luggage for the whole family. it just works...

jeff

The X6M handles and looks so much better than the X5M, having driven, both. Unless you really need to haul an extra 1/2 adult and a couple more grocery bags, go for the X6. It's more fun and different from anything else out there.

[LANDLORD]

The X5M does not have the presense of uniqueness that the X6M has. As someone said, the X5 has been out for many years, and they all look similar.

The other thing I like visually, is the front fenders and the M badging is totally different between the two, and the X6M is superior in my opinion.

There is no denying the X6M does handle better when pushed to the extremes because of the lower center of gravity.

[djosephs]

I currently have a 2012 X6M with the big 215 wheels. My previous vehicle was a 2007 X5 (not an M). I have driven X5Ms also. What everyone have said about storage, practicality, handling is all true. I'll sum my feelings. The X6M is a bad ass, aggressive looking head turner. The X5M is an SUV rocket ship but lacks the "X-factor" the X6M has.

[lupingranturismo]

Ok.. thanks for the answers..

but I have a pair of question..

1) Aside space in the rear, lower visibility etc, the X6 is also stiffer as ride comfort or are at the same level X5 and X6? Because if the X5 is more comfortable in terms of stiffness, I go for her. Esthetically I prefer X6, but I want a comfortable car, and if the X5 is more than X6, the choice is made!
2) The lack of rear wiper is never a problem for you?

[x5lover7777]

when you compare normal x5 to x6, x6 win. x5m to x6m, x6m has better looking rim and side view, i think x5m has better looking rear view, i love my x5m fat ass looking rear view.

[Biff Grissel]

I can't believe people really think the x6 in any trim is a good looking vehicle,I think it's so ugly and useless. Get a car or an suv not a useless ugly half-suv. That's just my opinion.

[doug_999]

Originally Posted by Biff Grissel

I can't believe people really think the x6 in any trim is a good looking vehicle,I think it's so ugly and useless. Get a car or an suv not a useless ugly half-suv. That's just my opinion.

Yep, a polarizing vehicle*. Alas, BMW has moved over 150,000 of them the last 3 years alone...

*You would never find me in a Ford Explorer - everyone and their mother has one. I want something unique that I personally like. That's the X6 for me

[doug_999]

Originally Posted by lupingranturismo

Ok.. thanks for the answers..

but I have a pair of question..

1) Aside space in the rear, lower visibility etc, the X6 is also stiffer as ride comfort or are at the same level X5 and X6? Because if the X5 is more comfortable in terms of stiffness, I go for her. Esthetically I prefer X6, but I want a comfortable car, and if the X5 is more than X6, the choice is made!
2) The lack of rear wiper is never a problem for you?

I have no actual proof and the fact is the X5/X6 are basically the same vehicle..but......
In driving the non-active steering versions of both vehicles back to back, the steering felt MUCH better on the X6. The X5 felt almost disconnected (to me).

There are plenty of people here who claim the X6 rides BETTER than the X5 (and they have both). I have the Adaptive Drive option and there are people who say the X5 with adaptive drive rides much worse than the X6. Search the forum for X5 X6 ride.

[MadJay8]

The X5 M looks like a great looking X3 -- I wouldn't buy. I'd rather by the X5 50 and mod the crap out of that. The X 6M is simple there's no comparison.

Leave out the 3 rd seat unless you want room for your mother in-law!

[1230vani]

Originally Posted by AndreyATC

X6M vs X5M:
1. Comfort = same
2. Number of Seats = same (^^ previous poster got it wrong) it also has 5 seats
3. Cargo -> X5 has more, but 6X is sufficient (I have 2 kids, 3yo and infant)
4. Handling -> X6 is better, due to much lower center of gravity
5. Looks -> X6, hands down (at least IMO, or the rest of the ppl i know will vouch for that)
6. X6 is newer model

My opinion on above (well summed up comments).

1. Comfort = same, but seating in the back is not as comfortable as in the X5 as it is feels more closed in. You do not see that much from the back as there are smaller windows and it can make you feel sick a bit in twisty turns, breaking, etc.
2. Number of Seats = Same, the most important change for me buying this car
3. Cargo -> X5 has more, X6 is sufficient, but X5 far more practical, for example, if you have a big chair for the kids, you just dump it in the X5, with the X6 you might need to work harder at it
4. X6 is a far better ride, drove almost all xdrive models at a BMW event on track and X6 is definitely a far better drive
5. Looks, X6 is in my opinion one the best looking cars out there, always interesting to look at
6. Newer model = better residuals

I love this car

[Biff Grissel]

Originally Posted by MadJay8

The X5 M looks like a great looking X3 -- I wouldn't buy. I'd rather by the X5 50 and mod the crap out of that. The X 6M is simple there's no comparison.

Leave out the 3 rd seat unless you want room for your mother in-law!

3rd seat?

[djosephs]

The X6 has a third seat option. It's only a few hundred dollars and well worth it in my opinion. I got it and has come in handy many times already.

[doug_999]

Originally Posted by Biff Grissel

3rd seat?

Its really a 5th seat