Saw the X6 in person

[JGQ]

Originally Posted by amh

one other point, the rep driving the X6 (TT) said he averaged 18.5-19 mpg over the 2,000 miles he had driven.

18.5-19MPG is really good. I would take that over the 13 MPG for the X54.8 and my 14 MPG FX35. However, on the BMW.com website (I think it’s the European site, they mention that the Fuel consumption for the X6 50i is 8.2-12.5 l/100 km that converts to 18.8-28.7 MPG. If I did not screw up the conversion, this sound Awesome That alone would be a selling point.

I would imagine the X6 35i would be even better... Any one else heard or seen any mention of the X6 35i MPG?

[amh]

Yes, I thought it might hit 20 mpg average after break in (given my highway ratio) and that made it somehow easier to mentally justify. I have tried to draw the line in the sand at 20 mpg which is why I am waiting for the X5 diesel.

I haven't seen any official mpg figures from BMW on US spec. The mileage you mention sounds a little high, do you need to adjust for the Imperial gallon?

[AVB-AMG]

FYI - I did a "cut and paste" of a response of mine in the X5 (E70) Forum thread titled "ML63 AMG drive vs. E70" into this forum and this thread to add my impression on the BMW X6 that I saw up close recently, and comparing it to my '07 M-B ML63 AMG, that some of you may find interesting, (or not...)

AVB-AMG

Originally Posted by cue03

With the X6 available soon, the Porsche GTS, Porsche Turbo, and the face lifted ML63.... which would you choose and why if you were buying today (assuming the X6 was available fully)?

Thats a good question cue03....

I will not seriously consider any Porsche or Range Rover models for the foreseeable future for all of the reasons mentioned in my earlier posts.

I think the 2007 M-B ML63 was, and after seeing the minor face-lift changes to the '09 model at this years NY Auto Show several weeks ago, is still is the best looking performance SUV, compared to the BMW, Porsche, Range Rover and Jeep.

At the New York Inter'l. Auto Show, I was most disappointed with the new exterior front and rear bright chrome under panels on the face-lifted 2009 ML63 AMG. IMO, they create a most unfortunate "bling" or factor that the vehicle does not need and detracts from the cleaner lines and monochromatic appearance of the previous body-colored front and rear under panels.
Also, in the front they made the previously body-colored "belt" bar where the license plate would be located, a matte black color that begins to give the front end a very "Audi style/appearance" that I personally do not care for.

The minor modifications that I do like and are a real improvement include:
- LED tail lights (much better design and brings the ML up to current industry standards in tail lamp lighting)
- Red Reflectors in rear bumper (a practical safety feature that looks good as well. Similar to what the BMW X5 has)
- Larger exterior rear view mirrors (an improvement for rear visibility with larger turn signal lights embedded in the casing)

The other minor modifications that don't really impact the vehicle's appearance, practicality, function and therefore seem to deserve the "why bother...." question, include:
- Minor wheel style changes (I prefer the original design better)
- Headlights silhouette (no big deal)
- Steering wheel (spokes changed; I wonder if the wood wheel is still available as an option?)
- Rear seat entertainment option (no longer integrated into the back of the headrests, but separate LED screens that are attached to the back of the headrests and IMO look very much like an after-market addition, most unfortunate...).

I strongly suggest people see the vehicles themselves, if possible, and not just rely on the posted photographs, before making your final judgment. For example, the chrome front and rear under panels on the face-lifted ML63 are much more pronounced and "louder" in reality than any of the photos I have seen since the show.

I still think the ML63 AMG is an excellent vehicle and a hard one to beat for anyone who needs to comfortably accommodate four people and their stuff, while not wanting to sacrifice smile-inducing acceleration, performance, engine sound and fun of driving, along with all of the advantages of owning a Mercedes-Benz and can afford and don't mind spending the premium cost for one.

So what about the BMW X6.....?

I have been waiting with baited breath for the BMW X6 which as a concept I felt would appeal to a small, niche segment of the motoring population, of which I am certainly a solid member. Since my wife and I are the only ones that would use it, we can justify it more so than families with children. But when I first saw the photos of the two X6 models I had very mixed feelings.

Also at the NY Auto Show I saw the X6 up close, since they had 3 of them there. On the lower level where 2 were located the public was able to sit in the V-8 version, which is the one that interests me. The driver's seat position, comfort level and instrumentation is excellent, very similar to that of the X5. The view out the front is great but really poor and limited to the rear via the rear view mirror. As a 200 lb / 6ft male, I was curious just how much room I would have in the rear seat. The legroom was not too bad, but I could barely fit one finger's thickness between the top of my head and the roof headliner, making me realize that the back seat is no place for average height adults. The cargo space was the most disappointing to me. It is very small with a hard "tri-fold" cover over the space that can limit actual storage space even more. It would not be very accommodating for our carrying needs for any extended vacation trip with our luggage requirements, (see my earlier post....).

Like many of the posts on the X6 forum in xoutpost.com I share some basic first impressions:

• I basically like the design of the front end of the vehicle, very masculine, strong, etc. with the big wheels and tires.
• The "fast back" roof line is not as successful and results in a hatchback style that really does remind me and many others of the ill-fated and ugly Pontiac Aztec, GM's first mid-sized, cross-over SUV produced btwn. '01 - '05.
• The rear end looks pretty good, but the wedge shaped "belt line" makes the rear window very small really limiting the rear visibility from the driver's seat through the rear view mirror.

I will reserve my final judgment until I can finally test drive one at my local BMW Dealer sometime this summer to see how it performs and handles vs. the X5, (and obviously my ML63).

I am always thinking what I may want to do for my next vehicle when the lease on my M-B ML63 ends in mid-2010. The BMW X6 was and may possibly still be a contender for me. But as has been speculated in this forum, if BMW finally does offer an X5 with a significantly more powerful engine and with suspension and break tweaks to match, then that would be far more appealing to me and would meet our practical needs and my lust for fast acceleration, better than the X6. So to finally answer your question, I hope that I can say that a 2010 BMW X5 will meet all of my requirements. But of course we will just have to wait and see and until then enjoy driving our respective vehicles.

What do you any of you think about the X6? Is it a possibly option for you for your next vehicle to replace your current X5? Why or why not?

Anybody else have an opinion on these comparisons?

(Feel free to be brief, something that I seem not to be able to do in this forum....)

AVB-AMG

[jakeis]

I love or should I say loved the design of the ML AMG. To me the new facelifted front is a disaster, the rear looks better than pre FL. Anyway, what real life mileage are you getting from your ML63 as a daily driver?

[AVB-AMG]

jakeis:

Since getting my '07 ML63 AMG in June '07, I have driven approx. 12,300 miles as my daily driver commuting from NJ into Manhattan. My route involves both highway and congested, bumper-to-bumper and stop & go traffic. I am averaging about a total of 12 mpg, based on my observed 8-9 mpg in city driving and around 15 on the highway. On longer trips involving mostly highway driving I average up to a maximum of 18 mpg.

Other than the pathetic gas mileage that did not really surprise me, I really do enjoy the vehicle in all aspects: aesthetic, performance, quality and all round operation with the vehicle having met or exceeded my expectations. The unintended added benefit is that I am now on a first name basis with several gasoline station attendants along my commuting route....

AVB-AMG

[alexz]

PS. For whatever its worth: The cars main demographics, based on the small sample I observed, are guys in their 30’s/40’s or empty nesters. No soccer moms!![/quote]


Hey! What about baseball moms???