X5 M - Reviews?

[Lightningman]

Anyone read any reviews of the 2010 X5M?

Putting aside the fast it isn't the ideal M car, would be interested to hear about some reviews.

The EVO review of the X6M was about as naff as you can get. Complaining that a road car becomes back-end light when slamming on the brakes at 140mph and entering a bend on a race track is pretty inane. How often are you going to be doing 140mph coming off a slip road of the M25.

The entire article stank of sour M-grapes and the whine about the purpose of the marmite X6. Don't like it, I can understand that, but at least try to give the car a fair on-road review.

[Fox-]

Lightningman said:

How often are you going to be doing 140mph coming off a slip road of the M25.

Quite. So why the need for an X5 M?

[Lightningman]

Using your logic, why do you need a car that does more than 70mph.

Now back on topic, has anyone seen any reviews of the X5 M or is it simply the X6 M that BMW are letting journalists look at.

[a_bloke]

Lightningman said:

Using your logic, why do you need a car that does more than 70mph.

Now back on topic, has anyone seen any reviews of the X5 M or is it simply the X6 M that BMW are letting journalists look at.

Maybe no one can be bothered reviewing it?

[-Z-]

Maybe there isn't a lot to review? It'll probably be a better drive than its contemporaries, but still heavy and probably a tad numb.

X5 will be exactly the same as the X6, I would have thought? IMO the main downer from the evo review was that it sounds rubbish (esp given that it competes with the ML63) and all the future implications that holds for the next M5.

[Lightningman]

Agree with the implication for the M5.

Despite the M badge being used, I don't consider the X5 or X6 a true M, more like the next generation of the previous X5 4.6/4.8 is

The current M5 doesn't sound great - I've owned one - so it is probably unfair to say the new engine is a step backward.

[-Z-]

Lightningman said:

The current M5 doesn't sound great - I've owned one.

ooooh, controversial!

I think it sounds great rung out, I had one with a modded exhaust alongside the other day, sounded absolutely bloody amazing.

[wilftwo]

I've got the X35D coming from an M3 and..... yes I do get the whole X5 thing.

I did look at the X5M but reckon the one to have will be the new x40d when they put that motor in the x5 from the new 7 series. 181 co2 40mpg combined and 0-60 in low sixes....

[Lightningman]

-Z- said:

Lightningman said:

The current M5 doesn't sound great - I've owned one.

ooooh, controversial!

I think it sounds great rung out, I had one with a modded exhaust alongside the other day, sounded absolutely bloody amazing.

Not controversial as much as personal opinion. After a year of ownership there was much I liked about it but the exhaust note and need to ring it's neck to make it actually feel quick were two detractions (the 70 litre petrol tank was another).

[Lightningman]

wilftwo said:

I've got the X35D coming from an M3 and..... yes I do get the whole X5 thing.

I did look at the X5M but reckon the one to have will be the new x40d when they put that motor in the x5 from the new 7 series. 181 co2 40mpg combined and 0-60 in low sixes....

Very much in agreement with you. A rapid diesel would suit both the X6 and X5. The current 35d is good but they could make it so much better.

[Zod]

-Z- said:

Lightningman said:

The current M5 doesn't sound great - I've owned one.

ooooh, controversial!

I think it sounds great rung out, I had one with a modded exhaust alongside the other day, sounded absolutely bloody amazing.

It does sound good actually (except at idle). I was driving mine around North Yorkshire last week and the sound of the engine in the 4k to 8k range was great, a total contrast to the sound of the Aston's engine. I just wish the M5 was a bit louder.

[Vixpy1]

Zod said:

-Z- said:

Lightningman said:

The current M5 doesn't sound great - I've owned one.

ooooh, controversial!

I think it sounds great rung out, I had one with a modded exhaust alongside the other day, sounded absolutely bloody amazing.

It does sound good actually (except at idle). I was driving mine around North Yorkshire last week and the sound of the engine in the 4k to 8k range was great, a total contrast to the sound of the Aston's engine. I just wish the M5 was a bit louder.

The E60 is far too muted for my liking, then you hear one with the Tubi and X pipes.. Epic!

ETA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rajknqXM33w

Edited by Vixpy1 on Monday 10th August 12:52

[Skrambles]

I also think that it would be interesting to see a review of the X5M; the focus on the X6 version which is an odd car in the first place has just made it easy to poke fun or beat one's chest about the demise of the "M" philosophy. Yet when Audi release a fugly V12 Q7, Autocar trip over themselves to set one against an M5 (in the wet!) and sing its praises. I'd be interested to see what the X5 does to its slightly more fugly rivals.

Edited by Skrambles on Saturday 22 August 19:42

[christer]

The only review I have read concerning anything similar was re the X6M. One of the things they said was that they were dismayed that BMW had gone the route of Turbocharging an "M" car......that at the very least they should have used an N/A engine. i guess the V10 powerplant is a bit weeedy in terms of torque for a car that size....ormaybe this is the way they are going? As a Porsche owner, I would be pretty pissed off if they started building any GT3 models with a Turbo......

The X6 and X5M are no more pointless than the SC RR or the Cayenne Turbo, which are pretty pointless for me anyyhow The mistake as I see it are calling them "M" cars. I would not be diluting that brand if I were BMW.

[3ftandclean]

christer said:

The only review I have read concerning anything similar was re the X6M. One of the things they said was that they were dismayed that BMW had gone the route of Turbocharging an "M" car......that at the very least they should have used an N/A engine. i guess the V10 powerplant is a bit weeedy in terms of torque for a car that size....ormaybe this is the way they are going? As a Porsche owner, I would be pretty pissed off if they started building any GT3 models with a Turbo......

The X6 and X5M are no more pointless than the SC RR or the Cayenne Turbo, which are pretty pointless for me anyyhow The mistake as I see it are calling them "M" cars. I would not be diluting that brand if I were BMW.

I agree, I think it's pretty easy to label a lot of performance cars as pointless these days but the real issue here is the dilution of the M brand and it's original aims. I guess all their cars have been getting heavier and more gadget laden over the years but I wonder how they felt about having to do the X5/ X6M. Maybe it's just inevitable and who knows, maybe they even enjoyed the challenge. It strikes me that they are approaching the Merc way of thinking who seem to AMG every vehicle in their range.
The most cynical move by BMW was introducing the M sport package which has only encouraged some people to stick erroneous M badges on their boot lids. The most heinous crime imaginable, in my opinion.