Massive Marmite - BMW X6 40d
Discussion
Possibly one of the biggest marmite cars on the road? - today I picked up our latest addition to the fleet, a 2014 E71 BMW X6 40d.
The wife's Tiguan lease is due and as there are currently no decent deals around for anything interesting, we started to look for something used that we could run for a couple of years and wait for the good deals to come back again.
I'd been discussing the lack of decent lease deals with a friend who was also looking for a new car. Out of the blue, I received a text to say he'd found a car and did I want his before he px'd it. A quick deal was done and today we became the owner of this beast.

I've had a few BMW's in the past, my E63 645 cab has been one of my favourites, and like the X6, was not a design I particularly liked when it first came out, but seemed to get better over time. I do like the fact that you don't see many on the roads - its nice to be a little different.
I'm still trying to figure out all the options, it has Dynamic and Media packs, 5th seat, detachable tow bar and a few other bits - the overhead cameras are novel!
I like the combination of the Metallic Black Sapphire paint and Oyster Nevada leather although I may change the wheels back to silver at some point as they look smaller than the 20" size they are. Being a 1 owner car, its in really nice condition and has full BMW service history with warranty until the end of May.
It needs a couple of bits doing; an oil service, new front tyres and MOT is due end of May, but the price reflected this so not an issue.
First impressions behind the wheel are that's its WIDE - this is not a car for hacking around country lanes. The twin turbo has a lot of grunt and the ride is firm - it really does handle a lot better than it should and gets down the road pretty quickly if you ask it.
I was able to give it a quick layer of Poorboys BlackHole glaze today and a coat of Nattys Black Wax which has given it a nice shine - it probably needs more attention with the DA and there are a few small chips to touch in. The centre caps need replacing at some point as the edges are starting to lift but nothing major or urgent.

The interior is in really good condition, nothing to do there which is nice - everything works as it should and it is very comfortable.
My next job is to try and clean up the side steps - I've given them a quick go over with Brasso and pink stuff which has lifted a lot of the dirt, but still needs more work to get clean - any recommendations?
Before

After

The wife's Tiguan lease is due and as there are currently no decent deals around for anything interesting, we started to look for something used that we could run for a couple of years and wait for the good deals to come back again.
I'd been discussing the lack of decent lease deals with a friend who was also looking for a new car. Out of the blue, I received a text to say he'd found a car and did I want his before he px'd it. A quick deal was done and today we became the owner of this beast.

I've had a few BMW's in the past, my E63 645 cab has been one of my favourites, and like the X6, was not a design I particularly liked when it first came out, but seemed to get better over time. I do like the fact that you don't see many on the roads - its nice to be a little different.
I'm still trying to figure out all the options, it has Dynamic and Media packs, 5th seat, detachable tow bar and a few other bits - the overhead cameras are novel!
I like the combination of the Metallic Black Sapphire paint and Oyster Nevada leather although I may change the wheels back to silver at some point as they look smaller than the 20" size they are. Being a 1 owner car, its in really nice condition and has full BMW service history with warranty until the end of May.
It needs a couple of bits doing; an oil service, new front tyres and MOT is due end of May, but the price reflected this so not an issue.
First impressions behind the wheel are that's its WIDE - this is not a car for hacking around country lanes. The twin turbo has a lot of grunt and the ride is firm - it really does handle a lot better than it should and gets down the road pretty quickly if you ask it.
I was able to give it a quick layer of Poorboys BlackHole glaze today and a coat of Nattys Black Wax which has given it a nice shine - it probably needs more attention with the DA and there are a few small chips to touch in. The centre caps need replacing at some point as the edges are starting to lift but nothing major or urgent.

The interior is in really good condition, nothing to do there which is nice - everything works as it should and it is very comfortable.
My next job is to try and clean up the side steps - I've given them a quick go over with Brasso and pink stuff which has lifted a lot of the dirt, but still needs more work to get clean - any recommendations?
Before

After

Edited by mattman on Friday 30th April 18:42
Although I like Marmite, I hate the X6 and similar cars with a passion....
That one is made worse by the 'murdered out' look of black wheels with the black body.
It's large for the sake of it (without the practicality), thirsty, ugly and 90% of the time driven by morons. You couldn't pay me to drive it.
The best you could do would be to burn it down to the ground and claim back in insurance.
The second best thing would be to respray the wheels in silver.
Sorry.
That one is made worse by the 'murdered out' look of black wheels with the black body.
It's large for the sake of it (without the practicality), thirsty, ugly and 90% of the time driven by morons. You couldn't pay me to drive it.
The best you could do would be to burn it down to the ground and claim back in insurance.
The second best thing would be to respray the wheels in silver.
Sorry.
ChrisCh86 said:
Although I like Marmite, I hate the X6 and similar cars with a passion....
That one is made worse by the 'murdered out' look of black wheels with the black body.
It's large for the sake of it (without the practicality), thirsty, ugly and 90% of the time driven by morons. You couldn't pay me to drive it.
The best you could do would be to burn it down to the ground and claim back in insurance.
The second best thing would be to respray the wheels in silver.
Sorry.
Lol - don't beat about the bush That one is made worse by the 'murdered out' look of black wheels with the black body.
It's large for the sake of it (without the practicality), thirsty, ugly and 90% of the time driven by morons. You couldn't pay me to drive it.
The best you could do would be to burn it down to the ground and claim back in insurance.
The second best thing would be to respray the wheels in silver.
Sorry.

Good job we don't all like the same thing or it would be really dull
I offset the X6 by also owning the tiny mk1 MX5 - although thats black too - but does have silver wheels!
I don't really dislike these, I don't really like them either, I do however find them somewhat pointless. With regard to rear headroom am i right in thinking anyone on the taller side will find their head rubbing the roof?
As said we all have different tastes and if this is to yours then all I can say is enjoy it.
PS I'm in the lose the black wheels group.
As said we all have different tastes and if this is to yours then all I can say is enjoy it.
PS I'm in the lose the black wheels group.
DevonLad said:
I don't really dislike these, I don't really like them either, I do however find them somewhat pointless. With regard to rear headroom am i right in thinking anyone on the taller side will find their head rubbing the roof?
As said we all have different tastes and if this is to yours then all I can say is enjoy it.
PS I'm in the lose the black wheels group.
I’m 6ft and can sit quite comfortable in the back. Doesn’t have the rear headroom of an X5 and seems to be on par with many of the coupe style suvs around.As said we all have different tastes and if this is to yours then all I can say is enjoy it.
PS I'm in the lose the black wheels group.

I purchased this today for similar reasons to you. Lease V90 for wife coming to an end and no deals about plus a 30yr itch to own a RR. Wife wanted a black one as I think she has an unhealthy interest in Vampires. X6 not my thing but it looks cool and a left field choice. I hope you enjoy it I’m off to make a garlic necklace and sharpen a stake.
Mikebentley said:

I purchased this today for similar reasons to you. Lease V90 for wife coming to an end and no deals about plus a 30yr itch to own a RR. Wife wanted a black one as I think she has an unhealthy interest in Vampires. X6 not my thing but it looks cool and a left field choice. I hope you enjoy it I’m off to make a garlic necklace and sharpen a stake.

Like most I hated them at launch but they've grown on me. No logic behind it as I'm sure a 5 series estate is a better car in every way, but I definitely wouldn't say no if I had the opportunity to own one for a while. I've become rather fond of the E63 recently too. Good combo with the MX-5.
mattman said:
Mikebentley said:

I purchased this today for similar reasons to you. Lease V90 for wife coming to an end and no deals about plus a 30yr itch to own a RR. Wife wanted a black one as I think she has an unhealthy interest in Vampires. X6 not my thing but it looks cool and a left field choice. I hope you enjoy it I’m off to make a garlic necklace and sharpen a stake.

mattman said:
My next job is to try and clean up the side steps - I've given them a quick go over with Brasso and pink stuff which has lifted a lot of the dirt, but still needs more work to get clean - any recommendations?
Before

After

Due to the same issue, I removed mine on the X5 and had them powder coated stain black. Looked great the 4 years I had the car, very durable. Before

After

Edited by mattman on Friday 30th April 18:42

ChrisCh86 said:
I hate the X6 and similar cars with a passion....
That one is made worse by the 'murdered out' look of black wheels with the black body.
It's large for the sake of it (without the practicality), thirsty, ugly and 90% of the time driven by morons. You couldn't pay me to drive it.
The best you could do would be to burn it down to the ground and claim back in insurance.
The second best thing would be to respray the wheels in silver.
Anyone who is this critical of another members vehicle, who doesn't have any cars in their profile, can do one as far as I'm concerned.That one is made worse by the 'murdered out' look of black wheels with the black body.
It's large for the sake of it (without the practicality), thirsty, ugly and 90% of the time driven by morons. You couldn't pay me to drive it.
The best you could do would be to burn it down to the ground and claim back in insurance.
The second best thing would be to respray the wheels in silver.
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