Just test drove an X5M

[chilliwilli]

Have you driven one yet...or the X6 ///M?

Originally Posted by C's Bimmer

A few faults with the X5M and why I won't be getting it...

1. No SMG/DCT transmission??? Booo! That's the best part about my M5. I love SMG. SAT is not even in the same league.
2. No Active Seats?? (I Love this on my M5. Even my wife loves the active side bolsters in the car)
3. Stock wheels are god awful. For this car, they should have made a set of 21's that were unique just to the M versions (I'm not talking about the 215's either).
4. Fenders should have been extended ever further with flare extensions on top of that. The stock flares don't look beefy enough.

Sure, it's fast and has a lot of TQ behind it. And sure, it will post more serious numbers after an ECU Remap is developed for it, but it's still missing some of the essential pieces that a M car comes with.

I'm sticking with my 4.8.

[jasonrhcastle]

C,

You got to test drive that transmission. Really impressive. Had serious doubts about it, however, really nice tranny overall.

Fast, quick changes, and takes away the jerkiness of the SMG at low speeds and shifts. I was very impressed. Still trying to decide whether I am getting one of these or a 750i M-Sport to tied me over till the F10 body M5 though.

J

[jasonrhcastle]

The tranny is every bit as fast and precise as M-DCT, IMHO...

[B-Line]

The tranny is great..

And it does have active seats... At least, so I thought...

[cmyX6go]

Originally Posted by B-Line

The tranny is great..

And it does have active seats... At least, so I thought...

What's the ETA on the beast?

[///MB]

Originally Posted by B-Line

The tranny is great..

And it does have active seats... At least, so I thought...

Looks like active seats for the driver only comes with the active ventilated seat package.

[LeMansX5]

Originally Posted by B-Line

The tranny is great..

I like it better than M5.

Its not a gas guzzler like an M5.

Wheels is a non-issue as there are tons of after-market choices.

There are 'several new ///M features' which the next M5 will also have and are available on X5 and X5 M.

I hope the top gear guys do a M5 vs X5 M comparo on the track.

[C's Bimmer]

I test drove it. I wasn't thrilled. To me, it's just not the same as SMG or DCT. It's a glorified SAT tranny with less throttle lag. The only thing I like about the truck itself, is the engine. I would love to have that engine in my M. Not a fan of the tranny or anything else on the car. I think BMW failed with this truck, except for the engine. Then again, I'm also one that believes the M division shouldn't have strayed into the SUV/SAV market.

[C's Bimmer]

Originally Posted by LeMansX5

Its not a gas guzzler like an M5.

If owning a gas guzzler is of concern, then the M5 is not for you. To me, that was not even an issue. I knew going in that I would be paying a price at the pump. However, the smile on my face far outweighs the few extra dollars I pay for gas. Then again, I bought the M5 as a fun car. I only drive it on the weekends, so unless I'm taking the beast on a long road trip, gas is a non-issue.

[4.6is Ryder]

Originally Posted by C's Bimmer

I think BMW failed with this truck, except for the engine. Then again, I'm also one that believes the M division shouldn't have strayed into the SUV/SAV market.

As you can tell by this forum, there is a nice market for this version of the ///M. At the price point that it will be offered, I'm sure BMW factored in that some "pepper" turbo drives will now become ///M owners. I too was of your mindset about the tranny until I had my X6///M test drive. This tranny is just what the doctor order for this vehicle segment. I would venture to guess that the DCT will replace the SMG on the next ///M5 and ///M6 platform. So I guess you're going to have to move over and share the left lane with a new member of the ///M family and it's super quick automatic transmission ...........Phil