Sport Package

[drrosnrosn]

Anyone compared X6 with the sport package vs. without? Wondering if the extra 3k is noticeably worthwhile.

[PLAYON]

Basing my answer on the sport vs. non-sport package in the 3-series and 5 series sedans. . .the sport package is an absolute must. . .it adds a fair amount to the car. For the X6 its mostly cosmetic (Shadowline trim, Anthracite headliner, 19" Rims) but it also adds "Adaptive drive" which seems to be money well spent. Go for it.

[chuck92103]

Originally Posted by drrosnrosn

Anyone compared X6 with the sport package vs. without? Wondering if the extra 3k is noticeably worthwhile.

Yes it is. Refer to the BMW web site for details.

Note that ALL BMWs are designed with the sport package.

The option for the customer is to strip the car down to something more comfortable, with less performance. i.e. Not order the Sport Package. but then again, a BMW without a Sport Pack is a Mercedes Benz.

[dmlgc]

Originally Posted by chuck92103

but then again, a BMW without a Sport Pack is a Mercedes Benz.

+1

[PeTo_H]

Originally Posted by chuck92103

but then again, a BMW without a Sport Pack is a Mercedes Benz.

very nice

[Suzie's Dad]

Originally Posted by chuck92103

but then again, a BMW without a Sport Pack is a Mercedes Benz.

Maybe so a few years ago.

This past weekend I drove an X6 35i, a fully-optioned X5 4.8 with sport package and adaptive drive (and it was Vermilion Red!), a loaded 535i, an ML63 AMG, and an ML550. I drove them back-to-back on the same 16-km course that I drove first in my 2002 X5. It had smooth roads, twisties, railroad crossings, and freeway some of which had horrible transverse ridges. The X6 was better and more confidence-inspiring in the twisties than anything else but was probably the least comfortable on RRX crossings and bad freeway surfaces except possibly for the X5. The ML63 was a very close second for roadholding and was noticeably more comfortable than the X6 on bad roads. It was the fastest and baddest of the lot and had a swe-e-et leather dash. The 535 was, well, a 535 -- lots of gizmos and gimmicks like adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning, and generally a nice car that did nothing for me. But in the real direct comparison -- X5 4.8 against ML550 -- it was no comparison. The Mercedes was faster, much smoother and less choppy on bad surfaces but with equal or better roadholding and no more body lean than the BMW.

I'm still a big fan of the X6, but I am very impressed with how much Mercedes have become like BMWs in their driveability in just the last couple of years.

[drrosnrosn]

Thanks for the opinions guys. Haven't had a chance to try any BMW with adaptive drive so I can't personally gauge whether it makes a significant difference. Almost all of the reviews I've read have been on cars equipped with sport package so again, hard to make a call. Personally, this is my first performance vehicle so the standard model feels and drives awesome to me. Based on your responses, though, (and the fact it's only a 5% bump in price) I'm gonna spring for the package. Now if only I could get a production date....

[Kojak]

re The ML63 was a very close second for roadholding and was noticeably more comfortable than the X6 on bad roads.


But the ML63 AMG just STARTS at $90K and has a 500 hp engine. That is hardly a fair comparison unless cost doesn't matter.

[Deda]

sport package? go for it man!!

[Deda]

adaptive drive? +100!

[Daniel B]

Originally Posted by Deda

adaptive drive? +100!

+1
The adaptive drive makes the X6!

[dmlgc]

Originally Posted by Suzie's Dad

Maybe so a few years ago.

This past weekend I drove an X6 35i, a fully-optioned X5 4.8 with sport package and adaptive drive (and it was Vermilion Red!), a loaded 535i, an ML63 AMG, and an ML550. I drove them back-to-back on the same 16-km course that I drove first in my 2002 X5. It had smooth roads, twisties, railroad crossings, and freeway some of which had horrible transverse ridges. The X6 was better and more confidence-inspiring in the twisties than anything else but was probably the least comfortable on RRX crossings and bad freeway surfaces except possibly for the X5. The ML63 was a very close second for roadholding and was noticeably more comfortable than the X6 on bad roads. It was the fastest and baddest of the lot and had a swe-e-et leather dash. The 535 was, well, a 535 -- lots of gizmos and gimmicks like adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning, and generally a nice car that did nothing for me. But in the real direct comparison -- X5 4.8 against ML550 -- it was no comparison. The Mercedes was faster, much smoother and less choppy on bad surfaces but with equal or better roadholding and no more body lean than the BMW.

I'm still a big fan of the X6, but I am very impressed with how much Mercedes have become like BMWs in their driveability in just the last couple of years.

Wait a minute if your throwing in a ML63 AMG then you should throw in a M1 also, after all it seems you get to drive any cars you want.

[dmlgc]

Originally Posted by Kojak

re The ML63 was a very close second for roadholding and was noticeably more comfortable than the X6 on bad roads.


But the ML63 AMG just STARTS at $90K and has a 500 hp engine. That is hardly a fair comparison unless cost doesn't matter.

yes , if we're not counting cost then I am sure A Bentley GT 6.0 would outshine them all.

[Implanted]

Originally Posted by chuck92103

.... a BMW without a Sport Pack is a Mercedes Benz.

[chuck92103]

Originally Posted by Kojak

re The ML63 was a very close second for roadholding and was noticeably more comfortable than the X6 on bad roads.


But the ML63 AMG just STARTS at $90K and has a 500 hp engine. That is hardly a fair comparison unless cost doesn't matter.

It looks like a shoe too.

[Suzie's Dad]

Originally Posted by chuck92103

It looks like a shoe too.

There's one way to improve its looks...

[xDrive50i]

Originally Posted by Suzie's Dad

There's one way to improve its looks...

[Deda]

wow,now looks much better!

[x5mmm]

Is that the face lifted ML ?? IT IS VERY NICE but with out the BMW Logo hahahaha

[Suzie's Dad]

Originally Posted by AUU 555

Is that the face lifted ML ?? IT IS VERY NICE but with out the BMW Logo hahahaha

It is the '09 ML550 with AMG body kit, exactly what I... ahem ... just ordered. Try as I might I can't find justification in my mind (or wallet) for paying another $15K or so for the X6 50i I had my heart set on, when the ML rides nicer, is only half a second slower to 60, has outstanding (but not X6-level) roadholding with its new-for-09 adjustable suspension, and has, IMHO, killer good looks. I guess if I spent all day every day carving the twisty canyon roads, I might still opt for the BMW, but I'm really not planning to take it to the Nurburgring, so ultimate roadholding is just a nice-to-have.

But don't lose your desire for an X6. I don't want to see the same ML every place I go...

[Deda]

Originally Posted by Suzie's Dad

It is the '09 ML550 with AMG body kit, exactly what I... ahem ... just ordered. Try as I might I can't find justification in my mind (or wallet) for paying another $15K or so for the X6 50i I had my heart set on, when the ML rides nicer, is only half a second slower to 60, has outstanding (but not X6-level) roadholding with its new-for-09 adjustable suspension, and has, IMHO, killer good looks. I guess if I spent all day every day carving the twisty canyon roads, I might still opt for the BMW, but I'm really not planning to take it to the Nurburgring, so ultimate roadholding is just a nice-to-have.

But don't lose your desire for an X6. I don't want to see the same ML every place I go...

Good luck with your MB choice,i know that you will be sorry and dissapionted about it,but life gives new oportunity every single day,so you will come back to BMW sooner then you think.
However i am happy for you,because you are going to buy 2 new cars in less than 12 moths,MB ML and after that new BMW X6

[xDrive50i]

Originally Posted by Suzie's Dad

It is the '09 ML550 with AMG body kit, exactly what I... ahem ... just ordered. Try as I might I can't find justification in my mind (or wallet) for paying another $15K or so for the X6 50i I had my heart set on, when the ML rides nicer, is only half a second slower to 60, has outstanding (but not X6-level) roadholding with its new-for-09 adjustable suspension, and has, IMHO, killer good looks. I guess if I spent all day every day carving the twisty canyon roads, I might still opt for the BMW, but I'm really not planning to take it to the Nurburgring, so ultimate roadholding is just a nice-to-have.

But don't lose your desire for an X6. I don't want to see the same ML every place I go...

Interesting. good luck with your new car

I actually went to the MB dealership yesterday and had a look at the ML63 AMG, it was ok, but I can't say that it got me as exited as the X6 did the 1st time I saw the X6 (and every single time I've seen it since!). Right after, I went back to the BMW dealership and went over all the details of my 50i order. Just waiting on a production slot now... Production of the 09 should start beginning of November.

Granted, the ML63 AMG is probably a bit faster (but shouldn't be by much) than the 50i, but I just can't stand the looks of the front bumper of the AMG version of the ML series. I have to agree with chuck, it looks like an over sized shoe.