How similar is the X5M in feel to the M5?

[rondocap]

Primarily the engine, because I know The m5 is lighter than the X5m, which most likely is what helps the better handling and better acceleration of the m5.

Aside from that, how similar did they feel for those who've driven both? How was the sound in both? Throttle response?

[ucla95]

I've only driven the X5M for about 30 minutes - but fwiw- I loved the adjustable side bolsters! I felt like it was about 85% of the perf and handling of the M5. I'm sure others will have a different opinion.

[wrsbmw]

Well I don't have the X5M but I have the closest thing. I have a X5 5.0 M Sport. It has 440hp, with some additional tune they let the SUV have but not the 550. One thing about it that I noticed is that it rides smoother. The bigger tires make for a smoother ride. I don't know for sure if that is the case for the X5M but I bet it is. The acceleration is great and the sound is too. In fact, here is a cold start video for you. This car was faster than my 535i until I got a Dinan Stage 2 tune for it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=bltElfPDMZo

[stealth.pilot]

Not at all. It may surprise you, but center of gravity and weight make a huge impact on the driving experience.

[B-1Pilot]

It's faster than an M3 and it can off road: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=Ldr1z2Rav98

But it appears that even with a bad launch, the M5 will crush the x5M: [u2b]

[/u2b]

These videos just make me chuckle.

[krisnetaji]

They Don't feel that similar to me. Having owned one for about 1,000 Miles it had great acceleration/handling but my beef with the car was it was the build quality to me was not up to par with the 100K i paid. Cheap feeling sun visors,
No option for a alcantara headliner, Inside feels outdated (i.e., Dash, Guages,etc), numerous squeaks and rattles. I test drove a '13 M5 for about 25 miles and was very happy with it. Quality wise the M5 is superior. I guess its because the X5M is built in the US. Something also to keep in mind my M5 is $20K more expensive than my former X5M.

[itsme123]

It's very similar but worlds apart. I had the X6M before I moved into the M5. The X6M's performance overall is about 68% of what the M5 is. X6M is a low end monster.

The 4WD launch is a no brainer. It can toast most cars out there on the street and hang with the fastest cars.....till about 70-80 mph. Then the M5 (and most high end sports cars) will toast it. The 7 speed DCT on the M5 also makes the power deliver way more fun and faster in every respect (obviously).

Then the engine. although similar, the M5 is much revier then the X6M. The X6M does not really rev, while the M5 revs and loves to rev to the top. The exhaust note on the X6M is pretty much none existent on X6M while the M5 is one of the better sounding stock vehicles from BMW.

Now on to chassis. There is really no comparison there in terms of performance. M5 is a lighter sedan with a much lower center of gravity while the X6M is an SUV. But the X6M feel more planted and stable due to the weight and the much larger tire section.

All that said, I have to give BMW a lot of credit in creating a monster of an SUV that can perform. The thing can do the ring in the same time as the old E46 M3! Now that is pretty cool! I do miss my X6M but I love my M5 a lot more.

[uhn2000]

Good post, always wondered the same thing.

[ice7]

I own both. Although they have the same engines both drive differently due to its transmission, platform, and one being RWD and the other being AWD. IMO the M5 feels significantly faster and it's not just due to its weight. For both being priced at about 100k brand new, I honestly feel you get more from the m5. Little things like the better HUD, perforated leather seats, bigger iDrive screen and just the materials used on the M5 feels/looks better. The X5m offers the panoramic moon roof which is standard. It also sounds/feels louder to me in cabin and also drive it more due to its space, comfort, and AWD. Being AWD it is hella easy to drive faster comfortably. I do notice turbo lag on the X5m and not on the m5. I also wish they used a DCT trans on the X5m.

[h4nh]

F10 m5 is more up to date. They haven't really revised the current X5M besides cosmetics. I don't like filling up gas so quick on the x5m. The brake dust is terrible. It drives nice sitting up high and has awd. I definitely prefer the M5.

[Northern X5M]

I owned an X5M for about 20,000km/2.5 years.
I loved the roomy-ness of the X5M.
It dead hooked and at the track I was cutting high 1.7's low 1.8's 60 foot times. Stop light terror on the street. Would be hard to loose a race on the street light to light.
With the AWD I did feel more confident 'playing' with the X5M than with the M5. And it surprisingly hunkers down when thrown into the corners.
Compared to the M5, there is alot more lag (relatively speaking).
My X5M did not have the multi contour seats, stiff seats coupled with the suspension made for a uncomfortable ride over long distances, which was one of the reasons I got rid of it.

[crowgwu]

This car was faster than my 535i until I got a Dinan Stage 2 tune for it.

[avi8tir]

I have both..... Apples and oranges. The feel is totally different. I'd take the M5 over the X5M every day. Hence, why my fiancé drives the X5

[Phatcat]

Bad aerodynamics, high center of gravity, and heavy weight doomed the X5M. Even if the X5M has the updated M5 engine + 100 more HP, M5 will still out accelerate it, especially over 100 mph.