X5M vs. M5

[eDubz]

Hey guys...just curious to get your thoughts and see if any of you drove an M5 before purchasing your X5M?

I love my X5M but am missing driving a manual...I'm "toying" with the idea of selling the X5 in favor of an M5, but haven't driven one so I'm curious to see if others had wrestled with the same decision.

I originally liked the idea of AWD and an SUV for winter driving in Wisconsin, but I drive the wife's X3 in winter and keep the M parked anyway. I baby the M, so won't really haul anything in it (besides golf clubs, groceries & a stroller for the new baby). Our '13 X3 MSport is the run-around-town 'beater'.

I will most likely keep the X5 and continue to enjoy the heck out of it, but would greatly appreciate any thoughts or experiences on topic.

P.S. The wifey is very thankful I have an auto and not a manual right now...

[boneca]

my friend has f10 m5 manual, tuned and all, one of the best car's I ever drove!
It's gonna be next to impossible to find f10 m5 with manual transmission in states, I believe there were only few hundred sold.
I never drove previous generation M5 so I can't say much there but I see plenty of them for sale!

As for comparison I don't even want to start, I love my X5M but f10 m5 manual is completely on another level!

[quick]

Bought 2 cars on an impulse, a 2001 E55 with 66,000 miles and the dang thing is so nice, decided to save it and buy a DD.

2 months ago bought a 2012 X5M with 40,000 miles and it is in such an immaculate shape that for the past 4 weeks been detailing it and have only driven it once

So I understand the feeling of not wanting to drive it.

[eDubz]

You gotta get out and drive that thing, quick!

Boneca, you made me realize how rare the manuals are. There are tons of listings that say 'manual', but are actually auto. Given the rarity of the manuals, and significant cost difference over my X5M, I'm gonna keep the X5M and be happy!

Might just have to get a manual 2nd car to play around with... :-)

[boneca]

Originally Posted by eDubz

You gotta get out and drive that thing, quick!

Boneca, you made me realize how rare the manuals are. There are tons of listings that say 'manual', but are actually auto. Given the rarity of the manuals, and significant cost difference over my X5M, I'm gonna keep the X5M and be happy!

Might just have to get a manual 2nd car to play around with... :-)

I'm shopping for manual GTI as we speak for daily, just a thought

[ckjarr]

We currently have an 08 E60 M5 6spd and a 2011 X5M. We have owned the M5 for almost 5yrs. The only reason we added the X5 was the addition of our third child. It’s still a little tight but it’s so much easier to haul everyone and still somewhat entertaing to drive. I can’t vouch for the F10 but it’s hard to compare a full sized manual sedan to an automatic SAV. With all of that said, for me, I would choose the M5 over the X5. The driving experience is so much more enjoyable when you can select your own gears and decide how aggressive the clutch engages all while hearing the sound the S85 produces at 8k RPM! I really don’t know what else to say....If only they had produced a 6spd X5M!!!! Lol

[pjfox23]

I see what others are saying from a driving experience view, but I went form an e60 to an e70, and I don't see that much more driving experience. I also like the idea of extra storage and space. Cars have the same fuel economy for me, and they seem the same speed. I don't miss the e60. I guess it depends on what you are looking for. I haven't driven the f10 yet.

[IN-FLT]

I test drove a really clean e60 M5. Upon comparing insurance, it was about 40/mo more with the X5M and a little over 200/mo more with the M5. Not wanting to be on the line for smg and bearing issues yet and the cheaper insurance price, I went for the X5M didn't even test drive one. I used to own a 4.8is so I Knew BMW had figured out the SAV We will most likely look for an e60 M5 or e90 M3/4/5 next.

[ckjarr]

I guess we’re all different and that’s a good thing. Honestly, I rarely drive the X5 unless we’re all traveling together. It’s a great vehicle that I really enjoy wrenching on and maintaining but I find myself sitting behind the wheel just driving along rarely activating M mode or switching the transmission into sport mode. The M5 just hits me differently and I suppose it’s mostly the manual gearbox that makes it much more engaging to operate. Yes, the X5M is a monster to launch and run up to 120mph or so, but your just sitting there with your foot pressing a pedal and your hands on the wheel. Deactivating the TC and getting sideways when shifting to 2nd gear, or down shifting into the “just right” gear and coming off a corner with the S85 making peak power is something so much more to me!

[yco]

well actually M5 is a real M car.. more likely proper is the word..

[Autobacs]

I honestly can not even begin to compare an SUV to a sports sedan. What I will say is given that I can only have one between the two, and if I really am into the sports driving experience, then it would have to be the M5. The X5M is a a novelty vehicle, a souped up SUV that is faster than most regular cars and some sports sedans, but it is not a sports car.

[windsailor]

I've got the x5m after a 5 series that still believe was missing some room in the back seats for your feet. That's well covered in the x5 but at the expense of a higher cabin and cg, I don't wit would be ever comparable, two different applications on a similar platform. As we're downsizing, the 5 is a big hitter in our list.