Caradvice Drives (and Loves) The BMW X5 M

[Jason]

Caradvice.com recently had the opportunity to test and review the BMW X5 M and they came away nearly giving the SUV full marks across the board. They even compared its handling back-to-back with a 370z, which it easily outhandled. Click on through for their glowing review.

Model Tested:

2010 BMW X5 M; 4.4 litre twin-turbo V8 petrol; six-speed automatic; five-door SUV: $172,900

Options:

• Sunblind for rear doors – $476

Mind-blowing acceleration, transmission, sound, steering feel, handling, braking, space, seats, HUD
Stupendous fuel consumption…and that’s it, really.

CarAdvice Overall Rating:
How does it Drive:
How does it Look:
How does it Go:


There’s something deliciously inglorious about a 2.3 tonne car that covers the quarter mile quicker than an HSV GTS. There’s something positively decadent about an SUV that will outhandle a Nissan 370Z. And there’s something completely self-indulgent about hauling your family across the countryside at warp speed, all while sitting in complete luxury. Meet the latest addition to the M stable: BMW’s X5 M.

When the big blue beast fills your rear-vision mirror, there will be no mistaking it for a garden-variety BMW X5. Two huge openings in the outsides of the front bar reveal intercoolers behind them, hinting at the X5 M’s potential. Below them sits a jawline that wouldn’t be out of place on a champion boxer, with aggressive prongs jutting out on each side – in fact, the entire bumper is shared with BMW’s other ICBM, the X6 M.

It doesn’t stop at the front, either. Flared wheel arches house massive 20-inch wheels, with 275mm tyres up front and a colossal 315mm set on the rear. The rear bar is also lowered and scalloped, cutting away at the bottom to reveal the four exhaust pipes which convey so much of the X5 M’s character. Yes, it’s the sound that really impresses.

This M has a deep bellowing growl that sounds nothing like its naturally aspirated V8 brethren. The M3 has a crisp, wailing roar, sounding exactly like a V8 should at lower RPM, while it gets better and more trumpet-like as it spins to over 8000rpm. The X5 M’s is completely different, due in part to its two turbochargers which alter its acoustics. It’s more of a warbly, horizontally-opposed-style sound, with a distinctive thumping beat that ascends very quickly as you flex your right foot.
With 4.4-litres of capacity and two, twin-scroll turbochargers, the X5 M will crank out 408kW and a massive 680Nm from just 1500rpm. You can feel it, too. This SUV will haul from 0-100km/h in just 4.7 seconds – that makes it the equal quickest SUV on sale in Australia today, a title it shares with Porsche’s much more expensive (and smaller) Cayenne Turbo. Because peak torque is delivered from such a low rpm, the X5 M is fantastically tractable, pulling in sixth gear by just breathing on the accelerator. In fact on part throttle, its drivability is brilliant, as it’s a sinch to thread through gaps in the traffic with its near instant response.

We say “near instant” because there’s a hint of softness as the turbos spool up – we’re talking milliseconds here – but for the size of the engine and for having two snails hanging off it, it’s effectively lag-free. As you paddle through the ratios there’s a fantastic, deep “whump!” from the exhaust and a hefty shove as the car whacks in the next gear behind the engine. Alternatively, you can just leave it in Sport mode. The beauty is Sport mode downshifts as you brake, setting the car up for the next corner with a lower ratio ready to go. It’s so intelligent that after using it for a while, we left the paddles alone, and just let the automatic think for us. Sport mode also keeps the revs up, always maintaining boost for the two turbochargers nestled in the banks of the V-configuration.
But the automatic is has a split personality. Sport will whack each gear in, making for very quick changes, yet in normal mode, it’s as smooth and seamless as any six-speed should be. Driving it normally, you’d be forgiven if you couldn’t feel the changes, nor detect what kind of engine lurks under the bonnet. Perfect for keeping the drive smooth and the family happy.

Although it launches harder than any other SUV you would have ever felt (and will have you giggling like a four-year-old) it piles on speed in such a linear fashion that it’s hard to keep track of how quick it actually is. And it’s the top end where your eyes will be wide open. It does not let up. Ever.


.... rest of REVIEW HERE

[the infamous...]

great review.

[roadkillrob]

Wow $173k there, I can even afford it at 90k here!

[Kiemyster]

IMHO, there never was a car that oozed as much testosterone as the X5M. It is a man machine, a beast in all respects. As much as many people here still think its a joke (along with the X6M), it certainly is no car to be messed with. I have never seen such an epic, awesome, and monstrously perfect vehicle. It really is perfect. But dont take my words for it too seriously, im quite biased.

But fact is fact, it is the worlds greatest SAV. Range aint got SHIT on this. No competition here as far as im concerned. M FTW!

[needspeed]

I trade my M3 a few months ago for one. It does not make sense, but I do not miss the M3 and really love this stupid SAV..........Steve

[BobsM3Coupe]

So far, the few X5M's that I have seen were being driven by women.

[yamazaho]

Originally Posted by BobsM3Coupe

So far, the few X5M's that I have seen were being driven by women.

Actually, I have to agree with you.....

Man I wish I can afford a X5M!!!

[Oulixes]

How could anyone not like the king of trucks?

[Trojan4evr]

Good read. Love the X5M/X6M. great engineering marvels.

[WyattHerb]

Does it go in the dirt? How does it handle off-raod?

[Argent60]

Originally Posted by BobsM3Coupe

So far, the few X5M's that I have seen were being driven by women.

True in my case - the wife has one. lol

(BTW - I can attest to the bad gas mileage. Even when we try, we can't get more than 20 mpg on the highway.)

cheers,

[Green///Hell]

Kudos to the review. I love this SUV. Although it comes short of a true SUV it really does deserve to be a sports car.
I love how pointless and awesome this car is. My M3 gets the same or worse MPG so I could live with it any day

[baby huey]

Originally Posted by BobsM3Coupe

So far, the few X5M's that I have seen were being driven by women.

Bob - you're in California.
You can't tell the difference.

[WAY]

Originally Posted by BobsM3Coupe

So far, the few X5M's that I have seen were being driven by women.

Well ours is for my wife. The reason most women drive them is because they have husbands like me! My wife couldn't care less if it was the X5 30d.

[needspeed]

Originally Posted by BobsM3Coupe

So far, the few X5M's that I have seen were being driven by women.

I aint no woman and I aint seen anyone else driving one here in Iowa or anywhere else I've been.....

[bavarian19]

[vladberca]

[Eccentric]

i love this car. And that confuses me.