Autoblog.com reviews it: "2010 BMW X5 M is illogically sound"

[Mark]

Another new and well done BMW X5M review has made its way onto the internet, this time by way of the guys over @ Autoblog.com. And reading this really well done review, it becomes obvious they had a hell of a time behind the wheel of this beautiful Monte Carlo Blue Metallic example.

Here are a few select quotes, but as always make sure to follow the link and read the entire article and see all the photos

No one ever said that evolution is pretty. Take the best-of-breed BMW M Division product: the E30 M3. Little more than a homologated race car, the first generation M3 was potent, nimble, and with its small displacement 2.3-liter inline-four fed by a retweaked M1 intake, it was light, too. Long story short, the OG M3 remains an ideal performance car.

Today, we have the X5 M. Looking at the bright blue truckish thing parked in the driveway, it's difficult – if not impossible – to see any sort of relation to BMW's vaunted and aforementioned M3 beyond its badges. You can't imagine what the missing link between the two might be. However, perhaps even mentioning the E30 M3 is being too puritanical. After all, very few vehicles could compare – let alone compete – with the street version of history's most winning road-race car. And you can bet your Roundel subscription that BMW will never competitively race an X5 M.

...

All that said, I have to admit I'm a bit torn. If a car is – taken as a whole – the most complex consumer product you can buy, the X5 M then represents an engineering triumph, as its combination of mechanical supremacy and computational wizardry is second to none. It's upsettingly fast, brutally athletic and the glorious brakes are most likely banned F1 technology. Swathed in many gallons of Monte Carlo Blue Metallic paint, its bulgy looks have even grown on me. Moreover, it delivers a mule-kick upside the head of Newtonian physics. The M might as well stand for Magic. And therein lies the conflict. As in so what? Who cares? Does the man that has everything really need a $90,000 SUV that can upstage and outperform all but top shelf sports cars? Probably not. Actually, most definitely not. Though, of course, the last time we checked, the market place is still open to most ideas, no matter how unhinged. Besides, while obnoxious on multiple levels (both us and the car), we had an absolute blast during our seven reality-defying days with the BMW X5 M. In the end, laughter may prove to not only be the best medicine, but the best sales tool as well.

Full Article: Autoblog.com -- http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/28/2...w-x5-m-review/

[bavarian19]

I really like it!

[OBI_agent]

Nice...I'm impressed by the X5M. I wish I could afford one with all the oil oney you guys keep talking about

[330ZHP]

Hands down the sweetest truck out...another great job done by BMW

[ACZakka325i]

The more I think about it, the less sense an ///M truck makes.

And its unfortunate for all the race-heritage that came before it.

///M truly does stand for Marketing and not Motorsport.

[mtechnik3]

Love this truck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Park2670]

This is truly one of the most fun cars I have ever driven.

[Kiemyster]

Originally Posted by ACZakka325i

The more I think about it, the less sense an ///M truck makes.

And its unfortunate for all the race-heritage that came before it.

///M truly does stand for Marketing and not Motorsport.

I cant see this. M division initially didnt even want to do it, BMW forced it upon them (so dont blame M). The X5M is like a rape baby, that turned out to be the hottest thing to hit the road.

However you want to think about it go ahead. I dont think ANY car is as much a testiment to the M divisions abilities than the X5M. All the reviews say its something short of an M5, well thats pretty damn good. Driving the car, its dynamics are unreal. Aside from the tall ride height, you'd fail to realize its an SAV.

If your going to bitch about the X5M, bitch about its mediocre interior. Because thats the only thing i can really find a valid arguement not in favor of the vehicle. (that arguement being im not impressed by the seats, or interior for an M car).

Hats off to the boys in germany for making a such a beast come to life The X5M is just so beastly, i love the exhaust note. Having full power in action after 1500 RPM is sensational - these twin scroll turbos are epic.

Heres a question, whats the difference between the M3 DCT and the X5M DCT? is it the piston disengage thing only? I know that the M3 DCT is better but i want to know specifically how.

[ALPINE6SPD]

Originally Posted by Kiemyster

I cant see this. M division initially didnt even want to do it, BMW forced it upon them (so dont blame M). The X5M is like a rape baby, that turned out to be the hottest thing to hit the road.

However you want to think about it go ahead. I dont think ANY car is as much a testiment to the M divisions abilities than the X5M. All the reviews say its something short of an M5, well thats pretty damn good. Driving the car, its dynamics are unreal. Aside from the tall ride height, you'd fail to realize its an SAV.

If your going to bitch about the X5M, bitch about its mediocre interior. Because thats the only thing i can really find a valid arguement not in favor of the vehicle. (that arguement being im not impressed by the seats, or interior for an M car).

Hats off to the boys in germany for making a such a beast come to life The X5M is just so beastly, i love the exhaust note. Having full power in action after 1500 RPM is sensational - these twin scroll turbos are epic.

Heres a question, whats the difference between the M3 DCT and the X5M DCT? is it the piston disengage thing only? I know that the M3 DCT is better but i want to know specifically how.

The X5M has a regular automatic transmission not a DCT. There is your difference

[Kiemyster]

Originally Posted by ALPINE6SPD

The X5M has a regular automatic transmission not a DCT. There is your difference

the other article confused me.... its a 6-speed M Sport Automatic transmission with Adaptive Transmission Control (ATC). Word.

[ACZakka325i]

Originally Posted by Kiemyster

I cant see this. M division initially didnt even want to do it, BMW forced it upon them (so dont blame M). The X5M is like a rape baby, that turned out to be the hottest thing to hit the road.

However you want to think about it go ahead. I dont think ANY car is as much a testiment to the M divisions abilities than the X5M. All the reviews say its something short of an M5, well thats pretty damn good. Driving the car, its dynamics are unreal. Aside from the tall ride height, you'd fail to realize its an SAV.

If your going to bitch about the X5M, bitch about its mediocre interior. Because thats the only thing i can really find a valid arguement not in favor of the vehicle. (that arguement being im not impressed by the seats, or interior for an M car).

Hats off to the boys in germany for making a such a beast come to life The X5M is just so beastly, i love the exhaust note. Having full power in action after 1500 RPM is sensational - these twin scroll turbos are epic.

Heres a question, whats the difference between the M3 DCT and the X5M DCT? is it the piston disengage thing only? I know that the M3 DCT is better but i want to know specifically how.

I understand where you are saying. But, there should be some more hardcore cars to offset this "softening" of the ///M division a la lightweight M3's and others. And I'm talking about ones that are accessible and not one of 150 built.

My friend has the X5M althought I have not driven it. Its quite something to look at and the interior is OK, I suppose. But why not continue with the lineage of the X5 4.6is and 4.8is and just call this one TT or something.

There isn't really any reason for the ///M badge to be on this car. No hardcore transmission, no cross-drilled rotors, not any lighter than the lesser models, no real fender flares. I have trouble really finding distinguishing visual characteristics.

[giants84]

When the cars stand side by side you can see how much different they look.

[crackberry]

def not a fan of this car