X6M Vs. X6 5.0i

[doug_999]

Originally Posted by x6er

Thanks to all for their contributions...I don't want to stop any body from presenting their opinions, but I would greatly appreciate it if in addittion to the price/cost talk, you guys can answer some of the questions in the original post.
So far, the chat is very informative...keep it going and thanks again.

Which question are you looking for an answer to? The two cars ride similar (assuming you go with the sport package on the 50i), the seats are about the same if (assuming you go with the ventilated/comfort seats on both). Ultimately, as a DD, they are going to be very similar. The only way to really find out if you agree is to drive them back to back.

[sean_b]

I know my questions were answered. Thanks a bunch for the input. I want to go for the M.

So this facelift will be at dealerships maybe Q3 next year?

[x6er]

Originally Posted by doug_999

Which question are you looking for an answer to? The two cars ride similar (assuming you go with the sport package on the 50i), the seats are about the same if (assuming you go with the ventilated/comfort seats on both). Ultimately, as a DD, they are going to be very similar. The only way to really find out if you agree is to drive them back to back.

you are right about test driving both back to back...I was hoping that someone who had driven both for more than just few minutes, could share their impression.
how about sound... my m3 is pretty loud for a DD, so compared to the 35i or the 50i, how would you describe the M's tone: much louder - little louder or same?

[doug_999]

2012 Production officially ends 07/2012. Not sure if they will close down at all but the 2013s will be in dealerships in Sept the latest. Personally, I'd give them a month or two to knock out the kinks.
Also, as you probably know, the M is a rare vehicle so you are probably going to need to order it and your dealer will either need to have a slot or trade for one. Make SURE the options are officially announced before ordering or you could miss out on something cool like BMW apps (happened to my friend with his M3).

In terms of loudness, as noted, unfortunately or fortunately (depending in how you look at it), the M is pretty tame in the sound dept at least compared to the m3. It does however start with a nice roar (as does the 50i) and from the inside sounds great when you get on it.

[Samurai of 2day]

Originally Posted by GameTheory

You just convinced me. Assuming I still like the car after the facelift, my next X6 will be the M...

Agreed. I am hoping that the face lift will come in for the year 2013 because I would like to upgrade to an ///M myself, but if I do it now, and two years later I see an X6 with a whole new look, I may get disappointed with myself for not being patient.

As for the OP, I think that if youare going to trade up right away, and your choices are between the ///M and the 50i with the prospect of upgrading the entire drive drain to enhance the performance, I would just go for the ///M IMHO.

Quite a few different perspectives from responders on this thread, but you can see they all seem to fall in the $8000 difference between the two models after the mods you plan on doing are all said and done. I belive that if you are prepared to spend 100k on your next car, 8k is not a big stretch, lol

[doug_999]

I think there is some confusion about the "new" X6 due in Aug 2012. It will be a LCI - Life Cycle Impulse. Which means a slightly revised front and rear fascia. You can Google X6 LCI and see pictures of what is coming*.

I'm sure there will be some tweaks to the options and colors, but ultimately, unless you know BMWs, you won't be able to tell the difference (how many of us can tell a 2011 from a 2012 1 series?).

*There is rumor of a diesel X5/X6M coming....which of course could possibly lead to 2012 being the last of the current X6M gas engine variants...now wouldn't that be interesting..

[Samurai of 2day]

Originally Posted by doug_999

I think there is some confusion about the "new" X6 due in Aug 2012. It will be a LCI - Life Cycle Impulse. Which means a slightly revised front and rear fascia. You can Google X6 LCI and see pictures of what is coming*.

I'm sure there will be some tweaks to the options and colors, but ultimately, unless you know BMWs, you won't be able to tell the difference (how many of us can tell a 2011 from a 2012 1 series?).

*There is rumor of a diesel X5/X6M coming....which of course could possibly lead to 2012 being the last of the current X6M gas engine variants...now wouldn't that be interesting..

I believe that. I'm sure the X6s being produced after August 2012 will only have minor changes like the halo and tail lights being LEDs and maybe a few more color options, but the X6 will have been out for 4 years and most car models go through a major facelift about every 4-5 years... is that not true for BMW?

I am curious about that because that is what I'm holding out for. A major overhaul. Do we not expect this change to happen til maybe 2015...? Any info on this will be highly appreciated.

[doug_999]

Originally Posted by Samurai of 2day

I believe that. I'm sure the X6s being produced after August 2012 will only have minor changes like the halo and tail lights being LEDs and maybe a few more color options, but the X6 will have been out for 4 years and most car models go through a major facelift about every 4-5 years... is that not true for BMW?

I am curious about that because that is what I'm holding out for. A major overhaul. Do we not expect this change to happen til maybe 2015...? Any info on this will be highly appreciated.

It is about 6-7 years for BMWs with a minor refresh/update every two or so years*. So 2011 brought about the first set of changes (updated engine, new trans, etc), 2013 will bring about the 2nd set and that will probably go for at least two years. So yes, 2015 or maybe 2016 would be the next version.

*
E60 2003-2010 (2003 for Europe, we didn't get it until 2004)
E65 2002-2008
E53 1999-2006

[Samurai of 2day]

Originally Posted by doug_999

It is about 6-7 years for BMWs with a minor refresh/update every two or so years*. So 2011 brought about the first set of changes (updated engine, new trans, etc), 2013 will bring about the 2nd set and that will probably go for at least two years. So yes, 2015 or maybe 2016 would be the next version.

*
E60 2003-2010 (2003 for Europe, we didn't get it until 2004)
E65 2002-2008
E53 1999-2006

Got it. Thanks for the info. I does make sense... after all, i remember when the X5 made its first appearance on the streets back in 1999/2000 except for a few changes of options and minor features like changed headlights and tail lights, it didn't get a full make over untill 2007!

So since the X6 appeared for the first time in 2008, looks like 2015 will in fact be the approximate time we can expect a revamped model. OP... go for the ///M since you are ready to upgrade now.

OP Im curious though, why upgrade so soon? We both have had our cars for 3 years and although i wouldn't mind trading up, I am still very happy with my car... am I missing out on special deals or promotions that should be taken advantage of now? let me know...

[doug_999]

Originally Posted by Samurai of 2day

OP Im curious though, why upgrade so soon? We both have had our cars for 3 years and although i wouldn't mind trading up, I am still very happy with my car... am I missing out on special deals or promotions that should be taken advantage of now? let me know...

My neighbor has a 2009/2010 X6 (not sure which one) and his dealer offered to take him out of his lease and put him in a brand new one for zero cost. So for him, he could have traded up 2-3 years with a simple extension of his lease (he did not however).

Now, you didn't ask me, but...if you own your car, the reasons for trading up would be
Better rear view camera
Top view camera
New chotchkies (BMW apps is so cool, the new iDrive however is not)
8-speed auto (personally I hate it)
Slightly more low end torque with the N55
Faster with the 8-speed auto

Of course it will still cost you a boatload of money for those little things.

PS - you have no clue how upset I was to find out that a guy two blocks away had an X6. I thought these things were rare...

[Samurai of 2day]

Originally Posted by doug_999

My neighbor has a 2009/2010 X6 (not sure which one) and his dealer offered to take him out of his lease and put him in a brand new one for zero cost. So for him, he could have traded up 2-3 years with a simple extension of his lease (he did not however).

Now, you didn't ask me, but...if you own your car, the reasons for trading up would be
Better rear view camera
Top view camera
New chotchkies (BMW apps is so cool, the new iDrive however is not)
8-speed auto (personally I hate it)
Slightly more low end torque with the N55
Faster with the 8-speed auto

Of course it will still cost you a boatload of money for those little things.

PS - you have no clue how upset I was to find out that a guy two blocks away had an X6. I thought these things were rare...

LOL, I know how you feel about the car not beinfg as rear as we would have liked. I bought my 2009 X6 back in 2008, and i put 22inch wheels on it after the first month, so i still fondly remember the days when i used to get the " what the heel is that?!" and the "i never seen one of those before" not to mention the thums up from the fellas who were not hating at least... and the smiles from the ladies was a great experience as well.

Now i see 'em all over the place living in NY, so even though i am still happy in the drivers seat or when I'm walking up to her in the parking lot, the wow factor i used to get has gone away.

I did buy mine, so i wont be offered the same options on upgrading like those who have leased, but i do get offers from random dealerships to bring it in for an upgrade. this is why i'm tempted to jump in, but I really wanna wait for the full facelift in a few more years... decisions, decisions...

i'm wondering if the OP did a lease as well....? i will go back and see if that is the case.

[CIWS]

For the most part still fairly rare here. Some days I might see two of them, but then go a week or two before seeing another.

I'm waiting to see the numbers from the TriTurbo diesel X6M.

[GameTheory]

Not to be off topic, but I was referring to the reboot of the design, since I just got mine this year, I probably wouldn't be in the market for an X6M until 2015 model-year.

Personally I hope the X6M stock front bumper gets a redesign to look more like the aero kit...

[sean_b]

Originally Posted by Samurai of 2day

Got it. Thanks for the info. I does make sense... after all, i remember when the X5 made its first appearance on the streets back in 1999/2000 except for a few changes of options and minor features like changed headlights and tail lights, it didn't get a full make over untill 2007!

So since the X6 appeared for the first time in 2008, looks like 2015 will in fact be the approximate time we can expect a revamped model. OP... go for the ///M since you are ready to upgrade now.

OP Im curious though, why upgrade so soon? We both have had our cars for 3 years and although i wouldn't mind trading up, I am still very happy with my car... am I missing out on special deals or promotions that should be taken advantage of now? let me know...

I was considering trading up because I have a 35 now and I want something faster. So I was considering a 50 and adding Dinan upgrades or the M. With that said my dealer only has Ms in stock and seemed to imply I could get a deal since they are always left over at the end of the year.

[Samurai of 2day]

Originally Posted by tekomni

I was considering trading up because I have a 35 now and I want something faster. So I was considering a 50 and adding Dinan upgrades or the M. With that said my dealer only has Ms in stock and seemed to imply I could get a deal since they are always left over at the end of the year.

Sounds like a good deal to me. I hear you, I would like to get something faster even though I did install a tuner chip in my 35i. It moves pretty well with the chip, but still not as much go as an ///M or of course a full Dinan tuned 50i.

If you got a good deal going for you, then jump in my friend. I get emails and letters in the mail encouraging me to trade up as well because the miles are low on my 3 year old '09 and shes still in grat condition inside and out. Like I said earlier, I'm tempted to trade up now but I do think it would be best, at least for me and my situation to wait till the X6 gets a full makeover.

my thought process is simply this, if i upgrade now and two years later they introduce a brand new X6 and i can't get the same deals, I would be disappointed... lol... life is full of choices.

Whatever you decide, just be safe on the roads. If you get the ///M or the 50i with the Dinan upgrades, I'm sure you will enjoy the ride, but for the money being put on the table, I would get the ///M IMHO.

[sean_b]

Thanks dude, I'll certainly post here if I end up trading in!!

Originally Posted by Samurai of 2day

Sounds like a good deal to me. I hear you, I would like to get something faster even though I did install a tuner chip in my 35i. It moves pretty well with the chip, but still not as much go as an ///M or of course a full Dinan tuned 50i.

If you got a good deal going for you, then jump in my friend. I get emails and letters in the mail encouraging me to trade up as well because the miles are low on my 3 year old '09 and shes still in grat condition inside and out. Like I said earlier, I'm tempted to trade up now but I do think it would be best, at least for me and my situation to wait till the X6 gets a full makeover.

my thought process is simply this, if i upgrade now and two years later they introduce a brand new X6 and i can't get the same deals, I would be disappointed... lol... life is full of choices.

Whatever you decide, just be safe on the roads. If you get the ///M or the 50i with the Dinan upgrades, I'm sure you will enjoy the ride, but for the money being put on the table, I would get the ///M IMHO.

[BigBobDeuce]

Earlier this year I traded in my 2009 X6 50i for a 2012 X6M. I have no regrets (except the decrease in my bank account). The new car is faster, brakes better, and handles fantastic--I continually notice a clear difference, even though I drive mostly in the city. I get roughly the same gas mileage in the city, though my highway mileage is a little worse. My 50i had active steering, and the M active steering is leaps and bounds better--this has been one of the best parts about the car. The M also has the newer iDrive with Apps and Office, both of which I use frequently. Finally, one thing I intentionally deleted from the 50i that I got on the M was the heads-up display--seeing nav directions and the M tach in the windshield is, well, very cool. If you don't mind the extra price, I say go for it.

[AndreyATC]

Bob,
I know there is a difference in leather they use in M and non-M models
Like Nappa/Nevada vs Merino in M
Does it feel like different leather at all, or it's just marketing thing?
I really like the interior quality on X6M, but i thought it was the same for non-Ms
Just currious...

[doug_999]

Originally Posted by BigBobDeuce

....My 50i had active steering, and the M active steering is leaps and bounds better--this has been one of the best parts about the car.

That's an interesting comment. The AS was one of my reasons for going with the 50i. What do you like better about the M steering?

[CIWS]

Originally Posted by BigBobDeuce

Earlier this year I traded in my 2009 X6 50i for a 2012 X6M. My 50i had active steering, and the M active steering is leaps and bounds better--this has been one of the best parts about the car.

Now honestly I going to bet the active steering system is the same. But it could have been improved between the 2009 and 2012 year model vehicles, plus the ///M is going to have a better steering period. With active steering itself I'm going to bet they're pretty much the same. Also keep in mind between stock vehicles the M will have more torque to direct to one wheel or another.

[sean_b]

Does anyone know of the 2012 x6m would have the same white headlights and halos and the 2012 5 series?

My wife has a 535 and her lights are super white while my 2009 x6 headlights are much more yellow.

[Samurai of 2day]

Originally Posted by tekomni

Does anyone know of the 2012 x6m would have the same white headlights and halos and the 2012 5 series?

My wife has a 535 and her lights are super white while my 2009 x6 headlights are much more yellow.

keep in mind that the 2012 model X6 has already been in production for a few months. You have seen them on the road, and you can see them at the dealers... sorry my friend, you will have to wait for the 2013 models to go into production during next fall season if you want an X6M to com with those agel eys like you wife's car... or get a 2012 model and then get after market HID halos.