From the M5 to the X6...

[doug_999]

Dropped the M5 off at a dealer on Tuesday, cabbed to Midway and flew to Spartanburg to pick up the new ride. Upon walking into the Performance Center on Wednesday, saw a really nice X6 in the lobby (see pic). Friend said "That is just like your car" I said "Actually, THAT IS MY CAR!".

For those of you who have not done it, the performance center delivery is great. Highly recommended - even if you have to drive home from there (and you don't have to from what I've been told). We took the X6 to through Tail of the Dragon (http://www.tailofthedragon.com/) and it performed great.

Amazingly comfortable car (even though the delivery specialist forgot to tell me about the active seat, which might have helped on the long drive home). Very different from what I had, but I'm loving the torque.

For those interested, I highly recommend Brett Midgley from Autohaus BMW in St. Louis. I leased my M5 from him back in 2008 and he has been great to deal with ever since. Made re-leasing so easy and offered up a fair price from the start. Highly recommended.

Re the car...
Cons
Rear window has distortion in it - about 2/3rds up. Not sure if this is normal.
Brake Energy Regeneration is going to take some getting used to (feels like the car is dragging a bit as you slow - and yes, they have this on the non-hybrids too)
The new iDrive is not as easy to use as the old one (yes, I swear). Love how an incoming call has the incoming call message right over the name of the person calling (so you can't see who is calling)
Shifter - wow, could they make it any less intuitive?
Pros
As mentioned, very very comfortable
Very unique - have had two people ask me if it was a new car BMW just came out with. Love it or hate it, it is unique!
Torque - wow, serious torque.
Active Steering - glad to have you back - had in my 550 and missed terribly. Drove an X5 without it during the performance delivery and was shocked at how sloppy and slow the steering was. AS should be standard on this car.

That's about it - so far, I'm really REALLY liking this car. Of course I've only had it 2.5 days...

[AndreyATC]

Nice car, congrats!
I miss active steering, such a great option

[KANdaddy]

Turned in my 08 M3 in for the X6 recently as well. Although I like the X6, now that the honeymoon period is over, I just do not love or look forward to driving it at all. Exact opposite feeling I had about the M3. Over the past 10 years, this is the first BMW I have ever had out of 9 that I kinda regret getting. I like the looks and the versatility and the fact that it is super rare. But I just don't love it Hoping it will grow on me. Hope you will still love yours after a month.

[doug_999]

Originally Posted by KANdaddy

Turned in my 08 M3 in for the X6 recently as well. Although I like the X6, now that the honeymoon period is over, I just do not love or look forward to driving it at all. Exact opposite feeling I had about the M3. Over the past 10 years, this is the first BMW I have ever had out of 9 that I kinda regret getting. I like the looks and the versatility and the fact that it is super rare. But I just don't love it Hoping it will grow on me. Hope you will still love yours after a month.

It is so different! People ask what I think and I tell them, I just got the car! This is my first sport ute (or is it SAV?) and while I'm not used to being up high, the darn thing seems to handle.

In short, what I told people before I picked it up was that I was trading a car that I hated during the winter and loved during the summer for a car I would love during the winter and hated during the summer. But I'm not sure - it is so darn comfortable and the torque, WOW, I missed that with the M5.... So we shall see.

[Mike van D]

Congrats on the new ride. Wasn't sure about the X6 when operated mine, but after the 2 months I've had her...liken it more and more. Hopefully you'll enjoy it.

[needspeed]

Originally Posted by KANdaddy

Turned in my 08 M3 in for the X6 recently as well. Although I like the X6, now that the honeymoon period is over, I just do not love or look forward to driving it at all. Exact opposite feeling I had about the M3. Over the past 10 years, this is the first BMW I have ever had out of 9 that I kinda regret getting. I like the looks and the versatility and the fact that it is super rare. But I just don't love it Hoping it will grow on me. Hope you will still love yours after a month.

Had you gotten the X6M I do not think you would feel the same way since I was board after 1 year of the M3 and love the X5M........Steve