[Cubicinches]

Hey, everyone. I've previously owned an E60 M5 and an F10 M5 and am considering rejoining the BMW fold with an X5. I currently own a C7 Z06 and previously owned a C6 Z06 and C5 Z06. I've got several questions about the X5 M60i that I didn't see answered when I searched the forum. Thank you in advance.

1. Acceleration: I've test driven a 2024 X5 M60i and a 2024 X7 M60i. Both were the typical dealership around-the-block short test drives. Both vehicles fairly quick when accelerating on city streets but were far less impressive closer to highway speeds (I realize the X7 is much heavier than the X5). I read on the forum that there is a break-in period with "reduced engine power" but I couldn't find any mention of this in an online owner's manual. Is this true? If so, is it possible I didn't experience the full acceleration? My assumption is that I'm just used to my Vette and so the X5 M60i--with far less power and far more weight--just feels really slow in comparison.

2. Exhaust: I was really underwhelmed by the exhaust sound from both the X5 M60i and X7 M60i. You can barely hear anything, even from the synthetic sound, when accelerating in sport or comfort. Is this just life with it? I read that the 2024s sounds a lot quieter than the 2023s. Is that also true? Does an X5M sound a lot better? I test drove an Audi SQ8 today and the engine sound was much better (not ideal, but better).

3. Seats: BMW M vehicles have amazing standard seats. The X5 M60i and X7 M60i had seats--the multicontour ones--that were more like standard BMW seats, not M seats. I assume this is another instance of the M60i not being a true M car and there being nothing you can do about it? I'd like more thigh and side bolster support. Adjusting the side bolster bladders didn't do enough and the lack of thigh bolster adjustments was frustrating. The SQ8 had superior seats.

The SQ8 felt like an RSQ8 without a few things. The M60i, by comparison, feels much more like an s40i with a few things than an X5M without some stuff. In other words, based on what I saw from the interior and experienced in my test drives, the M60i didn't seem to warrant the M badge, IMO.

[ddavtian]

Your years look wrong. You talk about 2013 and 2014 models. It's 2023 now.

X7 was released in 2018, I think.

[Cubicinches]

Doh. Corrected. Thanks.

Originally Posted by ddavtian

Your years look wrong. You talk about 2013 and 2014 models. It's 2023 now.

X7 was released in 2018, I think.

[beibei650]

Do you want a sports car or a sporty family SUV? Even the sportist SUV won't drive anything like a dedicated sports car.

[mobilejo]

Re: the seats - I think you can still get multifunction seats as an option. They are a sort of M seat replica: https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1837190

[Blue87]

So what you're saying is that Audi's fake engine noise sounds better than BMW's? (Haha) Had a Q7 (V6) that did actually sound pretty sporty in the interior but was completely silent at the actual exhaust. Pretty sure every video of a RSQ8 that I've heard had no actual exhaust sound. I wish these SAVs were lighter so that they did handle and accelerate better...test drove a 20 X7 that wasn't equipped with the Dynamic handling package and had a ton of body roll, although not sure how much the handling package would have actually helped that hippo. I don't think the M60i is going to accelerate like those modded 1000 horsepower trackhawks and for sure not going to accelerate like an actual sports car. I think you're on the right track - test drive the X5M, then see which of the vehicles you like the best. Coming from a Q7, I was naturally gravitating towards the SQ-8 or RSQ-8 but the issue was getting one in under a year. It took about 45 days to get the X5.

I think the limp mode thing is a myth. I believe BMW allows you to abuse your engine as much as you'd like.

[TXPearl]

1. There is a engine break-in period of 310 miles (I assume this is a rounded conversion of 500km) where RPMs are limited to 4800 or so, but engine power is unaffected up to that point. Don't go by the seat-of-the-pants dyno....it's a sub-4 sec SUV. If that's not fast enough for you, you'll have to go to something much more expensive/exotic, or a Tesla Plaid something.

2. Compared to my 2020 M50i, I don't see a significant difference in sound in my 2024 M60i. I believe if they made it louder, they would turn off a large segment of the base market for the vehicle. You can always go aftermarket.

3. Seats are expensive to swap out. If the M60i seats don't suit you, you're better off getting a different vehicle. Sounds like you've already found it.

[Alan l.]

Just based on your thread you want the Full M. Your assessment that the m60 is more of a regular X5 but with more power is spot on because that’s what it is. Not a knock but just the reality of it and it suits 90% of the buyers out there. You sound like the other 10%

Alan

[swainbmw]

Originally Posted by Alan l.

Just based on your thread you want the Full M. Your assessment that the m60 is more of a regular X5 but with more power is spot on because that’s what it is. Not a knock but just the reality of it and it suits 90% of the buyers out there. You sound like the other 10%

Alan

I’m probably the other 10% out there. Also I fill the X5 and the X7 Has Way too much body roll and also not enough sound deadening material on the road. They’re too loud too much outside noise from tires and road. I’m about ready to get rid of mine because of this .

[BMPHIL]

I would say the OP has no intention of buying an X5

[roamio]

Originally Posted by BMPHIL

I would say the OP has no intention of buying an X5

I think you are 100% right.

[Cubicinches]

You're possibly wrong because I'm now more seriously considering it. I drove a used X5 M50i today and it felt quicker than the new M60i. So maybe some of the restrictions on the new vehicle were holding it back. I also realized that the X5 has a more spacious feeling interior and better view forward than the GLE and Q8. The GLE 63 AMG still sounds way better than the M60i (and costs more). It also sounds much better than the X5M. I test drove one of those, too, and was disappointed in the exhaust note, though that made my buying decision easier because I was able to eliminate it based on that and some other items.

Originally Posted by BMPHIL

I would say the OP has no intention of buying an X5

[eelnoraa]

Originally Posted by TXPearl

1. There is a engine break-in period of 310 miles (I assume this is a rounded conversion of 500km) where RPMs are limited to 4800 or so, but engine power is unaffected up to that point. Don't go by the seat-of-the-pants dyno....it's a sub-4 sec SUV. If that's not fast enough for you, you'll have to go to something much more expensive/exotic, or a Tesla Plaid something.

2. Compared to my 2020 M50i, I don't see a significant difference in sound in my 2024 M60i. I believe if they made it louder, they would turn off a large segment of the base market for the vehicle. You can always go aftermarket.

3. Seats are expensive to swap out. If the M60i seats don't suit you, you're better off getting a different vehicle. Sounds like you've already found it.

If RPM is limited, power is reduced, right? As for exhaust note, I actually think M60i is quieter than M50i, noticeably.

Originally Posted by swainbmw

I’m probably the other 10% out there. Also I fill the X5 and the X7 Has Way too much body roll and also not enough sound deadening material on the road. They’re too loud too much outside noise from tires and road. I’m about ready to get rid of mine because of this .

I am with you on this. Maybe it is the weight of 45e, body roll is not well controlled in my experience for a SUV.

[BMPHIL]

Originally Posted by Cubicinches

You're possibly wrong because I'm now more seriously considering it. I drove a used X5 M50i today and it felt quicker than the new M60i. So maybe some of the restrictions on the new vehicle were holding it back. I also realized that the X5 has a more spacious feeling interior and better view forward than the GLE and Q8. The GLE 63 AMG still sounds way better than the M60i (and costs more). It also sounds much better than the X5M. I test drove one of those, too, and was disappointed in the exhaust note, though that made my buying decision easier because I was able to eliminate it based on that and some other items.

I have owned the X5 and the GLE and the GLE has a far more spacious interior than the X5, have never seen anyone post the opposite.

[njdangelo]

If the engine was cold it limits boost and power as well. At least that’s what I was told.

[TXPearl]

Originally Posted by eelnoraa

If RPM is limited, power is reduced, right?

I'd have to see the HP/Torque curves, but yes there is probably some additional HP above the RPM limit. My point is that you have full power up to that limit...it's not in some sort of partial power or limp mode. Unless you do 0-60 or 1/4 mile runs as part of your test drive, you can still drive it aggressively without the limit coming into play. The OP said he was basing his observation on an "around the block" test drive.

Originally Posted by njdangelo

If the engine was cold it limits boost and power as well. At least that’s what I was told.

Of course. I would assume he drove it long enough to let it warm up.

On the question of body roll, you'd have to drive an M50/60i equipped with the DHP/Pro suspension to get the best performance.

[mmm50i]

Originally Posted by Cubicinches

You're possibly wrong because I'm now more seriously considering it. I drove a used X5 M50i today and it felt quicker than the new M60i. So maybe some of the restrictions on the new vehicle were holding it back. I also realized that the X5 has a more spacious feeling interior and better view forward than the GLE and Q8. The GLE 63 AMG still sounds way better than the M60i (and costs more). It also sounds much better than the X5M. I test drove one of those, too, and was disappointed in the exhaust note, though that made my buying decision easier because I was able to eliminate it based on that and some other items.

It's worth to note that the rear seating space is tighter in the X5 compared to a GLE (I'm not sure about the Q8 though).

If you plan to have adults or kids sit in the rear, it's something to consider. I have 2 kids but still went with the X5 over GLE. Q8 is out of the question because of the reduced cargo capacity.

[Cubicinches]

Based on specs I've seen I believe the X5 and GLE are almost identical in terms of head room, shoulder room, and cargo capacity.

What I meant was a feeling of spaciousness. The BMW felt more open and more like the stereotypical Range Rover seating position. I think it's because the X5 has a more vertical windshield than the Q8 and GLE and the dash and center console sit a bit lower. But maybe it was just my imagination.

Originally Posted by BMPHIL

I have owned the X5 and the GLE and the GLE has a far more spacious interior than the X5, have never seen anyone post the opposite.

[tooloud10]

Aren’t the multicontour seats the best that BMW offers? Do they have something different in the M cars?

My E93 M3 seats are OK, but they’re nowhere near as good as the multicontour seats in my E70 and G05 cars, and the multicontour has been called one of the best in the business more than once.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by tooloud10

Aren’t the multicontour seats the best that BMW offers? Do they have something different in the M cars?

My E93 M3 seats are OK, but they’re nowhere near as good as the multicontour seats in my E70 and G05 cars, and the multicontour has been called one of the best in the business more than once.

I would think most would say that comfort-wise they are the best that is offered. The M's do have the M Seats which to me look uncomfortable but likely are not.

[0624ts]

Originally Posted by Cubicinches

Hey, everyone. I've previously owned an E60 M5 and an F10 M5 and am considering rejoining the BMW fold with an X5. I currently own a C7 Z06 and previously owned a C6 Z06 and C5 Z06. I've got several questions about the X5 M60i that I didn't see answered when I searched the forum. Thank you in advance.

1. Acceleration: I've test driven a 2024 X5 M60i and a 2024 X7 M60i. Both were the typical dealership around-the-block short test drives. Both vehicles fairly quick when accelerating on city streets but were far less impressive closer to highway speeds (I realize the X7 is much heavier than the X5). I read on the forum that there is a break-in period with "reduced engine power" but I couldn't find any mention of this in an online owner's manual. Is this true? If so, is it possible I didn't experience the full acceleration? My assumption is that I'm just used to my Vette and so the X5 M60i--with far less power and far more weight--just feels really slow in comparison.

2. Exhaust: I was really underwhelmed by the exhaust sound from both the X5 M60i and X7 M60i. You can barely hear anything, even from the synthetic sound, when accelerating in sport or comfort. Is this just life with it? I read that the 2024s sounds a lot quieter than the 2023s. Is that also true? Does an X5M sound a lot better? I test drove an Audi SQ8 today and the engine sound was much better (not ideal, but better).

3. Seats: BMW M vehicles have amazing standard seats. The X5 M60i and X7 M60i had seats--the multicontour ones--that were more like standard BMW seats, not M seats. I assume this is another instance of the M60i not being a true M car and there being nothing you can do about it? I'd like more thigh and side bolster support. Adjusting the side bolster bladders didn't do enough and the lack of thigh bolster adjustments was frustrating. The SQ8 had superior seats.

The SQ8 felt like an RSQ8 without a few things. The M60i, by comparison, feels much more like an s40i with a few things than an X5M without some stuff. In other words, based on what I saw from the interior and experienced in my test drives, the M60i didn't seem to warrant the M badge, IMO.

I have an X5 M60i and can give you some feedback.
1. the power is reduced for the first 500km. After that it goes very neatly. I come from the M5 F90.
2. yes, it is quiet. In Europe, even an M5 is quiet. That's because of the laws.
3. take the M seats I also did because I liked them in the M5.

For me one of the best cars I have ever driven. And don't forget the M Pro suspension, because of the lateral inclination.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by 0624ts

3. take the M seats I also did because I liked them in the M5..

Unfortunately for those that want them, the M Seats aren't available in the US for the M60i.