2016/17 X6M or X6 M50d or X4 M40d
Discussion
The PCP on the wife’s 2016 X4 30d Msport is coming up in a few months so I’m looking for help and any owners experience of the following:
2016/17 X6M or X6 M50d or X4 M40d/M40i (ex-demo) - all around £35/36k
The X4 30d has been brilliant (despite my hate for diesel) as our main family run-around, and for 90% of journeys we do as a family I actually prefer it to my M3...
We do about 8-9k miles/yr given it’s used as the family bus.
My M3 will be staying because I only do 2k miles/yr but considering whether an X6M or M50d may be better for the family needs, and perhaps be (slightly) less affected by depreciation.
I have no problem with PCP and happy to spend £450-500/month, but wondering whether a 3-4 yr old X6 will be a better bet than a new (ex-demo) X4 M40d.
Appreciate any views from those who have had any/all of the above.
2016/17 X6M or X6 M50d or X4 M40d/M40i (ex-demo) - all around £35/36k
The X4 30d has been brilliant (despite my hate for diesel) as our main family run-around, and for 90% of journeys we do as a family I actually prefer it to my M3...
We do about 8-9k miles/yr given it’s used as the family bus.
My M3 will be staying because I only do 2k miles/yr but considering whether an X6M or M50d may be better for the family needs, and perhaps be (slightly) less affected by depreciation.
I have no problem with PCP and happy to spend £450-500/month, but wondering whether a 3-4 yr old X6 will be a better bet than a new (ex-demo) X4 M40d.
Appreciate any views from those who have had any/all of the above.
- Any X4/X6 (SAV) haters please don’t even bother responding and clogging up the thread.
Edited by stub101 on Monday 4th May 08:17
I am a big fan of the X6M. We had an X5M at work for a couple of years and it was absolutely brilliant. Unbelievably quick and handled relatively well. Just keep in mind they cost a fortune to run, the one we had averaged 11mpg but that was stop starting and never getting up to temp. They’re also very complicated with so many different M Modes etc, wouldn’t want to own one out of warranty!
DoubleD said:
Why dont you say what you need from a car, then people can suggest the best make/car for your needs.
Thanks, but just looking for views from owners on 2016/17 X6M OR X6 M50D OR ex-demo X4 M40D as stated in the title. Keen to hear views on the new M40i as an alternative to the M40d.
Edited by stub101 on Monday 4th May 08:18
I'd ask on Bimmerpost loads of X3/4 M40i/d owners on there, those two IMO are the more practical choices I have the X3M and for me it right sized in terms of foorprint/space for our roads I wouldn't want anything bigger myself.
The X6M will continue to fall of a cliff and will be expensive to run and service plus some say the S63 engine can have issues (I didn't with my M5 but I only had that a year from new)
The one in the middle the X6 50dM isn't any quicker than the X4 but it'll be thirstier and is more complex and I'm not sure how much more room the added bulk will give you.
My 2p.
I looked at a couple of 2016 X6M’s pre lockdown for £36k so expect they’ll be a few more around this mark when the dealers properly re-open.
I’m starting to think the X6M may be a bit compromised and ‘unnecessary’ for the family bus.
Also, having checked the interior dimensions of previous X6, the new X4 is actually more spacious.
Thinking the better choice may be the G02 X4 - especially if there are good deals on demos and ex-mgmnt cars at 9m old.
Will check on the forums for owner reviews of M40i vs M40d.
I’m starting to think the X6M may be a bit compromised and ‘unnecessary’ for the family bus.
Also, having checked the interior dimensions of previous X6, the new X4 is actually more spacious.
Thinking the better choice may be the G02 X4 - especially if there are good deals on demos and ex-mgmnt cars at 9m old.
Will check on the forums for owner reviews of M40i vs M40d.
stub101 said:
I looked at a couple of 2016 X6M’s pre lockdown for £36k so expect they’ll be a few more around this mark when the dealers properly re-open.
I’m starting to think the X6M may be a bit compromised and ‘unnecessary’ for the family bus.
Also, having checked the interior dimensions of previous X6, the new X4 is actually more spacious.
Thinking the better choice may be the G02 X4 - especially if there are good deals on demos and ex-mgmnt cars at 9m old.
Will check on the forums for owner reviews of M40i vs M40d.
I assume those X6's weren't official BMW used though?I’m starting to think the X6M may be a bit compromised and ‘unnecessary’ for the family bus.
Also, having checked the interior dimensions of previous X6, the new X4 is actually more spacious.
Thinking the better choice may be the G02 X4 - especially if there are good deals on demos and ex-mgmnt cars at 9m old.
Will check on the forums for owner reviews of M40i vs M40d.
The 2017 X6 is a bigger car inside than the 2020 X4. Bit wider front and rear, more rear leg room, larger boot. Also a nicer place to spend time as feels a more high quality item IME.
Much like comparing a 5 series to a 3 series.
Yeah both AUC’s through - one Halliwell Jones and the other Sytner.
Only downside to the 2016 X6’s is the tech is the same as her current X4 - ie good but not the latest iteration with CarPlay and somewhat clunky.
Just checked dimensions and whilst the X6 is externally bigger all round, the X4 is more spacious inside on everything apart from shoulder room and boot space.
Only downside to the 2016 X6’s is the tech is the same as her current X4 - ie good but not the latest iteration with CarPlay and somewhat clunky.
Just checked dimensions and whilst the X6 is externally bigger all round, the X4 is more spacious inside on everything apart from shoulder room and boot space.
stub101 said:
Just checked dimensions and whilst the X6 is externally bigger all round, the X4 is more spacious inside on everything apart from shoulder room and boot space.
It's BMWs reverse Tardis 
Cousin's husband had an X6 and I was shocked just how cramped it felt inside.
IMO an X4 will be better suited as a family bus.
Hi,
I can offer you some insight into M40i v 40d - but from an X3 perspective. The M40i I had was one of the very first into the country and before the revisions for WLTP removed some of the pops, bangs and crackles from the exhaust. It was a great engine with a great noise and worked well in the car. Economy was mid 20's on average.
I now have an M40d and although it sounds nowhere near as nice, I actually think it suits the car better. Economy is 50% better and the mid range power feels stronger. If it were a 3 Series Touring, I think I'd have the petrol but I do think a diesel suits this type of car better.
Some nice choices for you regardless of what you choose. My personal view is that an X3 is a better family car than an X4 - more usable space but think the X4 probably handles better.
Good luck!
I can offer you some insight into M40i v 40d - but from an X3 perspective. The M40i I had was one of the very first into the country and before the revisions for WLTP removed some of the pops, bangs and crackles from the exhaust. It was a great engine with a great noise and worked well in the car. Economy was mid 20's on average.
I now have an M40d and although it sounds nowhere near as nice, I actually think it suits the car better. Economy is 50% better and the mid range power feels stronger. If it were a 3 Series Touring, I think I'd have the petrol but I do think a diesel suits this type of car better.
Some nice choices for you regardless of what you choose. My personal view is that an X3 is a better family car than an X4 - more usable space but think the X4 probably handles better.
Good luck!
That is really useful insight into 40i vs 40d.
M40i seems the natural choice for me and i dont particularly like diesel, but I agree that the characteristics of the high capacity diesels seem to suit the bigger SAV/SUV's.
The current X4 30d has been great to be fair. It's quick enough and frugal but just doesn't sound good.
We do 8-10k miles/yr with a real mix of <5 mile commute/nursery drop-offs, and then 50-150 mile trips 2-3 weekends a month. We'd be the perfect use case for a plug-in-hybrid X4, but its not out yet and to be honest the mrs would 'forget' to plug it in most nights anyway.
Completely understand your comments re X3 practicality but neither the wife or I particularly like how they look and we both prefer the uniqueness (ugliness to some) of the X4. Also never struggled for space in the current X4.
M40i seems the natural choice for me and i dont particularly like diesel, but I agree that the characteristics of the high capacity diesels seem to suit the bigger SAV/SUV's.
The current X4 30d has been great to be fair. It's quick enough and frugal but just doesn't sound good.
We do 8-10k miles/yr with a real mix of <5 mile commute/nursery drop-offs, and then 50-150 mile trips 2-3 weekends a month. We'd be the perfect use case for a plug-in-hybrid X4, but its not out yet and to be honest the mrs would 'forget' to plug it in most nights anyway.
Completely understand your comments re X3 practicality but neither the wife or I particularly like how they look and we both prefer the uniqueness (ugliness to some) of the X4. Also never struggled for space in the current X4.
stub101 said:
That is really useful insight into 40i vs 40d.
M40i seems the natural choice for me and i dont particularly like diesel, but I agree that the characteristics of the high capacity diesels seem to suit the bigger SAV/SUV's.
The current X4 30d has been great to be fair. It's quick enough and frugal but just doesn't sound good.
We do 8-10k miles/yr with a real mix of <5 mile commute/nursery drop-offs, and then 50-150 mile trips 2-3 weekends a month. We'd be the perfect use case for a plug-in-hybrid X4, but its not out yet and to be honest the mrs would 'forget' to plug it in most nights anyway.
Completely understand your comments re X3 practicality but neither the wife or I particularly like how they look and we both prefer the uniqueness (ugliness to some) of the X4. Also never struggled for space in the current X4.
No problem. With that mileage profile I'd be going petrol as well. I'm more lke 25-30k a year and even just filling up more regulalry becomes a pain (first world issues, eh?!). M40i seems the natural choice for me and i dont particularly like diesel, but I agree that the characteristics of the high capacity diesels seem to suit the bigger SAV/SUV's.
The current X4 30d has been great to be fair. It's quick enough and frugal but just doesn't sound good.
We do 8-10k miles/yr with a real mix of <5 mile commute/nursery drop-offs, and then 50-150 mile trips 2-3 weekends a month. We'd be the perfect use case for a plug-in-hybrid X4, but its not out yet and to be honest the mrs would 'forget' to plug it in most nights anyway.
Completely understand your comments re X3 practicality but neither the wife or I particularly like how they look and we both prefer the uniqueness (ugliness to some) of the X4. Also never struggled for space in the current X4.
stub101 said:
The PCP on the wife’s 2016 X4 30d Msport is coming up in a few months so I’m looking for help and any owners experience of the following:
2016/17 X6M or X6 M50d or X4 M40d/M40i (ex-demo) - all around £35/36k
The X4 30d has been brilliant (despite my hate for diesel) as our main family run-around, and for 90% of journeys we do as a family I actually prefer it to my M3...
We do about 8-9k miles/yr given it’s used as the family bus.
My M3 will be staying because I only do 2k miles/yr but considering whether an X6M or M50d may be better for the family needs, and perhaps be (slightly) less affected by depreciation.
I have no problem with PCP and happy to spend £450-500/month, but wondering whether a 3-4 yr old X6 will be a better bet than a new (ex-demo) X4 M40d.
Appreciate any views from those who have had any/all of the above.
Why the hate for diesel in that case?2016/17 X6M or X6 M50d or X4 M40d/M40i (ex-demo) - all around £35/36k
The X4 30d has been brilliant (despite my hate for diesel) as our main family run-around, and for 90% of journeys we do as a family I actually prefer it to my M3...
We do about 8-9k miles/yr given it’s used as the family bus.
My M3 will be staying because I only do 2k miles/yr but considering whether an X6M or M50d may be better for the family needs, and perhaps be (slightly) less affected by depreciation.
I have no problem with PCP and happy to spend £450-500/month, but wondering whether a 3-4 yr old X6 will be a better bet than a new (ex-demo) X4 M40d.
Appreciate any views from those who have had any/all of the above.
- Any X4/X6 (SAV) haters please don’t even bother responding and clogging up the thread.
Edited by stub101 on Monday 4th May 08:17
Jag_NE said:
Why the hate for diesel in that case?
I've never liked diesel and still dont really, but the old X4 (what we have now) was only available in diesel.We only do 8-10k miles/yr so not really enough to justify the main benefits of diesel, however the big petrols do suffer from very bad economy in 2-tonne 4x4's.
I have a V8 M3 so 10-15mpg doesnt bother me, but dont want the same for the family bus.
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