BMW X6M As High-Speed, Highway Missile (pics and article)

[ronald_adi]

http://www.windingroad.com/articles/...src=Nextscreen

I just spotted this article and it is an interesting read. It states that the X6M covers huge distances very easily.

Is anyone able to compare it to a 5 series as to whether it does long distances quieter than a 5 series?

Third Look: BMW X6M As High-Speed, Highway Missile

When Tom Martin reviewed the BMW X6M for the first time last summer, he came away somewhat less than impressed with the vehicle in terms of at-the-limit ability, despite its demonstrated competence everywhere else. Our recent week in the crossover was spent exclusively on public roads and highways, meaning we had a better chance to test the top-end X6’s ability in the real world, instead of at the track. The results were mixed.

Unquestionably, the M-powered X6 has got massive cojones. The 555-horsepower, 500 pound-feet of torque V-8 is happy to catapult driver and passengers to unreasonable speeds in no time at all, offering the kind of guts-churning acceleration that one rarely finds in 5000+ pound crossovers.

Better still is the way the X6M is able to dispatch highway miles with silky pace. BMW offers a speed-warning feature in the car, whereby a driver may set an alarm that goes off when a set speed has been reached. We’ve found similar warning bells in other cars, but never have they seemed as needed as in this application. Without the initial, motherly “ding” to warn us at triple digit speeds, and the attendant warning symbol on the cool heads-up display, we would have had no trouble cruising down the freeway at license-revoking speed. This combination of a supple ride and near-endless power will render inattentive drivers “speed drunk” in short order. Cops, at least in our neck of the woods, tend to not care for that excuse (especially coming from the guy driving the $90,000 BMW).

The catch is this: you don’t need to opt all the way up to the M version of the X6 to have a great, mile-crunching premium CUV. The X6 xDrive50i, with a relatively puny 400-horsepower V-8, will do just fine as an autobahn assassin, should that be what you’re looking for. Sure, you’ll lose a little in the way of that “scary” kind of speed, and a lot of true dynamic ability, but the tradeoff is a healthy twenty-grand in your bank account. Let’s be honest—you weren’t really going to be the only guy in a Sports Activity Vehicle at the next track day, were you?

We like the X6, we really do. It’s a well-mannered and stylish means of transportation for a niche group of customers looking for a combination of ability, fashion, and luxury. The X6M makes a bit less sense to us in this brief, but for those looking for the aforementioned qualities and the ability to crush half-continents in a day, we think it might be perfect.

[dmlgc]

We travel from NorCal to Nevada and Arizona (via SoCal) all the time and the "puny" 50i performs and rides very well. Since we go to warm climates I opted for comfort seats/perforated Nevada leather with front ventilated seats (cool air on your back feels good).

I don't know if it's noisier or quieter than a 5 series, there is a lot of wind noise at high speeds.

[ronald_adi]

Thanks for the info.

What do you consider high speeds? With reference, I travel often across germany on the autobahn, and so averaging 200km\h is quite a normal thing for me.

but i guess i will find out soon enough. Any other cruisers?

[archwerks]

Don't think we have Unlimited speed freeways on this side of the pond in NAm. like the autobahn !

If u fold the side mirrors in, I'm sure wind noise would be reduced dramatically at 200kph. A clean car would probably have slightly less air turbulence, which maybe marginally audible to those who are aural sensitive.

[ZKA]

I took my X6M form Nor Cal down to San Diego, and it was very good. Road noise was fine, but the best part was the ride. When i had my M3 my back used to hurt when i arrived, Not with the X6M.

Also, make sure the sun protector on the sunroof is closed. That also reduces wind noise

[M3 vert]

The X6M is an epic SUV for long distance cruising with absolutely no evident windnoise, I cruised along in it for 100+mph and it was effortless and relaxing

On the autobahn it should feel amazing!

The ride quality is in one big word WOW!

On a sidenote I am driving a 535i these days and the ride quality on the X6M is as good if not better!

[chuck92103]

My X6 was in for service for a few days.

I had a 328i loaner. Nice car overall.

But man the comfort/driving factor of the X6 is worlds apart.

Roomy, smooth, and comfy.

I think the X5/6 are both long distance cruisers regardless of power plant.

[ronald_adi]

great info! good to hear. Every 2-3 months I do a 1550km (960miles) trip from the Netherlands to Poland. So this includes a 700km (437miles) cruise across germany which has mostly no speed limits. In my 535d, i usually set the cruise control to 220km\h (138mph) and then enjoy the ride.

So i am looking forward to seeing how this is in the X6. Also how the X6 handles the polish bad roads with adaptive drive.

[aas5]

I envy you, would love to be able to put a crusie control at 138 mph for a couple of hours on decent roads.

[ronald_adi]

Originally Posted by aas5

I envy you, would love to be able to put a crusie control at 138 mph for a couple of hours on decent roads.

mind you such autobahn cruising at high speed is less fun with a petrol engine because you will have to tank every 300kms! With a diesel it will do 700kms easy at that speed. Power to the Diesel!

[aas5]

Originally Posted by ronald_adi

mind you such autobahn cruising at high speed is less fun with a petrol engine because you will have to tank every 300kms! With a diesel it will do 700kms easy at that speed. Power to the Diesel!

I think most of us would be glad to have this problem in the US

[Robert]

More like a battling ram

[archwerks]

u mean battering ram, an ancient siege machine?

[Oulixes]

An M- powered X6 is not a car designed for countries where there is much concern for the enforcement of speed limits.

[dmlgc]

Originally Posted by Oulixes

An M- powered X6 is not a car designed for countries where there is much concern for the enforcement of speed limits.

The USA is becoming the nanny society in this regard but you can always find technology to defeat whatever technology the government is using.

[kk1000]

I took the X6M to Vermont for three days and returned yesterday. Wind noise was not noticeable until about 90mph - long straightaways only, with my cousin's Escort laser/radar (and even then sparingly as the highway patrols can't wait to take this baby down. Maybe red wasn't the best choice).

As for comfort, that really depends on how you prefer your suspension settings. If I drive in 'normal' mode the car is as tame as a domestic cat but I can swear I hear her swearing at me from deep within. Punch the 'M' button however and the change in her dynamics are dramatic and immediately noticeable. You actually feel her hunker down as she downshifts and the engine literally growls. At that point you WILL feel every bump and pebble on the road and if you hit a bump on a curve, she will slide out a bit from under you.
Here's the problem though. You can either push her - which every fiber of your being is screaming at you to do, or you can remember what country you're in (excepting the Wyoming/Montana parts), slow the %€#¥ down, and wonder why you plunked down an extra $20 large for that little button.

Your rational side seldom loses these arguments and alas, you live to go through this frustration another day. Who was the Greek guy who pushed the rock up a hill for eternity, only to see it roll over him back to the bottom every time? He owned a car like this in the NorthEastern US.
Best to all. I love this forum

[GoonerM3]

This car is SCARY fast....A car this heavy should NOT be aloud to do what it does...I can't wait to drive it again just to feel that neck-snapping acceleration.