X6M - why so unpopular?

X6M - why so unpopular?

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Discussion

W12GT

Original Poster:

3,501 posts

220 months

Sunday 21st June 2015
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I have noticed how hated the X6M is on here (in fact in general the X6 seems to be disliked by most people). But why?

I know they are big and not the prettiest of cars; but this is of course subjective and everyone has different tastes as to what is or isn't good looking.

The reason I ask this because I drove one today. OMG what a car. It really does seem to defy the forces of nature. Unbelievable levels of grip. Unbelievable acceleration. Superb brakes. Suspension for me is spot on as the car felt taught and totally responsive to the inputs I gave it regardless of the road type.

I'm looking for a fun family car and have been looking at the Maserati GT- S, new Continental GT but now I'm thinking the X6M is exactly what I am looking for for our weekends away.

It is a damn big car though but then so are the others.

The fact it is such a stupidly powerful car somehow makes it über cool to me:- am I going through a mid life crisis?

Fats25

6,260 posts

228 months

Sunday 21st June 2015
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A mate of mine has just bought one and I followed him back yesterday. It was a lot quicker than I expected it to be, but my god they are small.

That being said I was in my Raptor and I am driving in Dubai where FFRR seem tiny. So I would not worry about the size, they seem big in UK due to smaller roads, and other small cars, but honestly they are no size at all.

If/when I head back to UK this would be near the top of my list.


bigfish

418 posts

186 months

Sunday 21st June 2015
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I just think they are a lot on £££ for the car it is.

W12GT

Original Poster:

3,501 posts

220 months

Sunday 21st June 2015
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bigfish said:
I just think they are a lot on £££ for the car it is.
I would agree for a new one. But lookin on the BMW website the used ones can be had from around £35k - where else can you get 555bhp for that money and have a decent warranty??? Nothing from Porsche or Audi comes close. Wish I could get a newer Cayenne turbo or Panamera a turbo for that money....

StuH

2,557 posts

272 months

Sunday 21st June 2015
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The problem I have with the X6M is why bother when you can have an X5M - same drivetrain, but much more interior space........

Kawasicki

13,041 posts

234 months

Sunday 21st June 2015
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I just don't get the whole concept. Same interior space as a 3 series, with X hundred more kg and a way higher C of G.

W12GT

Original Poster:

3,501 posts

220 months

Sunday 21st June 2015
quotequote all
StuH said:
The problem I have with the X6M is why bother when you can have an X5M - same drivetrain, but much more interior space........
I suppose it's a bit like the Z3m Coupes - I could have had an M3 that was much more practical - but then I saw the fact it was more practical meant more ordinary and thus less individual

Kawasicki

13,041 posts

234 months

Sunday 21st June 2015
quotequote all
W12GT said:
StuH said:
The problem I have with the X6M is why bother when you can have an X5M - same drivetrain, but much more interior space........
I suppose it's a bit like the Z3m Coupes - I could have had an M3 that was much more practical - but then I saw the fact it was more practical meant more ordinary and thus less individual
But the Z3m was a 2 seater sports car. The M3 is a heavier 5 seat coupe. Both have objective advantages over each other. What's the objective advantage of a X6m over a X5m?

Billy_Whizzzz

1,989 posts

142 months

Monday 22nd June 2015
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Kawasicki said:
W12GT said:
StuH said:
The problem I have with the X6M is why bother when you can have an X5M - same drivetrain, but much more interior space........
I suppose it's a bit like the Z3m Coupes - I could have had an M3 that was much more practical - but then I saw the fact it was more practical meant more ordinary and thus less individual
But the Z3m was a 2 seater sports car. The M3 is a heavier 5 seat coupe. Both have objective advantages over each other. What's the objective advantage of a X6m over a X5m?
Yes but what's the objective advantage of any coupe over its 4 door brethren? Or over an estate? Why on earth do people buy M4s not M3s? Or RS4s over Avants?*







  • PS - I know why - because those people think they look better. As it happens I don't but that's irrelevant. And I suspect the OP thinks the X6 looks better than the X5. Objective advantages have nothing to do with buying cars...
Edited by Billy_Whizzzz on Monday 22 June 08:57

rb5er

11,657 posts

171 months

Monday 22nd June 2015
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Pointlessly large cars. An M5 does everything better.

cosworth330

1,299 posts

236 months

Monday 22nd June 2015
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The X6M is one ugly vehicle.

Billy_Whizzzz

1,989 posts

142 months

Monday 22nd June 2015
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cosworth330 said:
The X6M is one ugly vehicle.
And so is the new X5M... That's not the point though. The point is that many on this forum get insensed when others choose a X6 over and X5 - but see no contradiction in buying an (uglier and less practical) 4 door saloon over an estate...

cerb4.5lee

30,169 posts

179 months

Monday 22nd June 2015
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I have always liked the X6M and yes they are pointless but I think that is one of the reasons I love them so much, I was reading the autocar review of the new X5M and the performance is astonishing given its size and weight.

Leins

9,410 posts

147 months

Monday 22nd June 2015
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Billy_Whizzzz said:
Kawasicki said:
W12GT said:
StuH said:
The problem I have with the X6M is why bother when you can have an X5M - same drivetrain, but much more interior space........
I suppose it's a bit like the Z3m Coupes - I could have had an M3 that was much more practical - but then I saw the fact it was more practical meant more ordinary and thus less individual
But the Z3m was a 2 seater sports car. The M3 is a heavier 5 seat coupe. Both have objective advantages over each other. What's the objective advantage of a X6m over a X5m?
Yes but what's the objective advantage of any coupe over its 4 door brethren? Or over an estate? Why on earth do people buy M4s not M3s? Or RS4s over Avants?*







  • PS - I know why - because those people think they look better. As it happens I don't but that's irrelevant. And I suspect the OP thinks the X6 looks better than the X5. Objective advantages have nothing to do with buying cars...
Edited by Billy_Whizzzz on Monday 22 June 08:57
Coupe vs Saloon: Longer doors, better access, more legroom, B-pillar further back so aids visibility

Although I'll admit that for most it's because they think they look better

theboss

6,878 posts

218 months

Monday 22nd June 2015
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cerb4.5lee said:
I have always liked the X6M and yes they are pointless but I think that is one of the reasons I love them so much, I was reading the autocar review of the new X5M and the performance is astonishing given its size and weight.
Astonishing indeed - the new X5M is quicker to 60 than the M5 - the traction advantage outweighs the weight disadvantage!

theboss

6,878 posts

218 months

Monday 22nd June 2015
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rb5er said:
Pointlessly large cars. An M5 does everything better.
An M5 is generally better but in every respect? I can think of real situations in which I'd prefer an X5M/X6M in winter months.

rb5er

11,657 posts

171 months

Monday 22nd June 2015
quotequote all
theboss said:
rb5er said:
Pointlessly large cars. An M5 does everything better.
An M5 is generally better but in every respect? I can think of real situations in which I'd prefer an X5M/X6M in winter months.
And there are loads of cars that are much better than the BMW in the winter. Most with winter tyres for a start.

The x6m is just a pointless vehicle. Not as wuick as an M5, doesn't handle as well as an M5. Not as roomy inside as an M5. Tyres cost more and tyres and brakes will wear faster too. All just for the sake of having a behemoth.

Edited by rb5er on Monday 22 June 10:26

StuH

2,557 posts

272 months

Monday 22nd June 2015
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theboss said:
An M5 is generally better but in every respect? I can think of real situations in which I'd prefer an X5M/X6M in winter months.
Or when you're carrying a dog, 5 adults and bikes across France wink

......and therein lies the X6 problem. It gives away it's one major advantage, load space, by having the stupid coupe style backend.

Plus, I must have seen at least 4 X6's in white with all sorts of tasteless bling, being driven by 'yoofs' driving through London last week. Which kind of tells me all I need to know about the market it attracts ;/


Edited by StuH on Monday 22 June 10:33

theboss

6,878 posts

218 months

Monday 22nd June 2015
quotequote all
rb5er said:
theboss said:
rb5er said:
Pointlessly large cars. An M5 does everything better.
An M5 is generally better but in every respect? I can think of real situations in which I'd prefer an X5M/X6M in winter months.
And there are loads of cars that are much better than the BMW in the winter. Most with winter tyres for a start.

The x6m is just a pointless vehicle. Not as wuick as an M5, doesn't handle as well as an M5. Not as roomy inside as an M5. Tyres cost more and tyres and brakes will wear faster too. All just for the sake of having a behemoth.

Edited by rb5er on Monday 22 June 10:26
I wouldn't swap my M5 for one either, but that isn't to say I can't see the appeal of the M5/M6 drivetrain and the larger AWD package combined. They are pointless in your mind but not others'.

Winter tyres can be fitted to BMWs too... I still have an E70 set in my barn.

Skrambles

1,309 posts

263 months

Monday 22nd June 2015
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The X6M isn't pointless; it just has a very narrow market. Some people really love the batmobile-style aesthetics of the x6m, only have need for 4 seats max and love the 4wd experience.

I'd never swap my m5 for one, but might be tempted to swap it for an x5m if it came with the 7 seat option, just because it would tick so many boxes.