Getting Ready for X5 - X5 M and 5.0 Thoughts

[sarends]

Does anyone have experience with differences in handling between:

X5 Xdrive50i with Adaptive Drive & M Sport Package

vs

X5 M


Note:
I have driven a 2011 X5 Xdrive35i w/Adaptive Drive and M Sport package and I am totally smitten by that car's handling. I have not driven an X5 M. I have driven 50i without AD so I have a pretty good idea of what the extra power of the 50i is like.

Thanks!

[M3 n X5M]

The X5M is a package deal: power, brakes, torque, tranny, suspension, programming. The X5M can truly out perform the other X5 variants when pushed 8/10 and higher. If you know how to drift, the X5m is for you. If you do not care to drift, drive at 120 mph and brake at an impossibly late moment before a turn then you will not miss the X5M.

At average driving, the x5 all feel similar, especially on the highway with cruise control on. The X5 with adaptive drive is well paired with the sport package to ride very well. But it will feel like a normal car. The X5m is just angry and ready to bite.

I test drove all three variants with all engine options before I got the X5M. The X5M was just faster, and better at every task.

[Biff Grissel]

u drift ur x5m? i have pushed my truck to the limits with tc off and have barely even broken traction at full throttle. and as for drifting this thing? its is glued to the pavement on turns, so it doesnt seem possible, and even if it was you wouldnt want 2 the body roll is present and the center of gravity is way to high to "drift".

[osxcode]

X5M will not disappoint - and can not really be compared to the normal M-Sport X5 4.4, they're totally different beasts, I know because I have both of them. X5M is just a freakin blast to drive and the exhaust note even at idle sends good vibrations through your body.

[TahoeM3]

There have been a lot of posts comparing them. The handling of the X5M is incrementally better than a 50i with AD and the air suspension. The biggest difference, to me, has been the wheel/tire package. The 20" wheels/tires make a big difference in handling over the 19s. You will not notice a huge difference in handling between the two you listed unless you are really pushing them.

The M is definitely sharper in all aspects, though. Probably the biggest difference between the M and the 50i is in the tuning. With a Dinan or other chip to increase boost and sharpen throttle response (and add 100 hp in the process), the difference narrows considerably.

Regarding the exhaust which was mentioned, the 50i has about the same exhaust setup...both have a nice burble. The 550i has a much quieter exhaust than the X5 50i.

[mrmomo313]

you cant go wrong with the x5m, i absolutely love this truck. if youre not that crazy about performance then go with the 50i otherwise the M is the one to get

[Phipsibear42]

X5M

[But Officer...]

Go X5M only if you are able to continue purchasing cars with increasing performance versus the X5M... This freak of nature will set the bar high... And once you step in, there is no going back... You will get an M3 or M5 or M6... Or dare I say Alpina B7?!?!?