Hey guys FINALLY logged some serious road miles in an X6 today!!!
The local dealership coughed up a VR w/ Sport Package after selling what was supposed to be their "demo" VR w/ Sport Package the day it arrived?? Go figure.I was able to drive the car about 2 hrs around town and on a couple of decent switchbacks I know about around town.The interior was Black Nevada Leather.Very nice.I'm not a black interior person....to hot for me in the summer.The car had Premium Pckg,Premium Sound,Rear Climate,Techno Pckg,Rear View Camera,20'' Y Wheels.I won't belabor the interior since I've spent quite a bit of time sitting in an X6 prior to driving one and mentioned my thoughts in previous post.The car did have the 20 way Comfort Seats....very very nice. Once behind the wheel I drove mostly in city traffic first.Coming out of my X3 you definitely sense the higher ride height of the X6.Not a problem for me since that is something I'm looking for. Rear and side visibility is not smashing.Even with the large side view mirrors I found myself checking and rechecking several times before making lane changes.I guess the side visibility is not that much worst than most full size SUV's...er SAVs....er....SAC's..that's the one!The rear quarterpanel blind spot is a real issue.The ole fast glance over the shoulder just won't cut it in the X6!!! All the driver controls seemed well placed and easy to reach.The shift paddles seemed to work fine.Whether the shift paddles are quicker than the console mounted shifter is hard for me to say.I used both but just could not tell much difference in shifting speed or quality of the shifts given my limited driving time.The paddles are easier to use IMO. I know I will catch grief about this.....but ....I did notice turbo lag in the TTI6 engine.The lag is almost inperceptable,but it's there.It's a very,very slight hesitation when you hammer the gas,but I did feel the lag.Probably not a big problem to 95% of the people who will buy the X6.Speaking of the engine,I do love the exhaust note from inside the car.You can tell you are driving a sporty car,but it's not so loud that you can't carry on a conversation or hear the radio.It was very windy today and I did hear some wind noise around the side view mirrors.I think it was more the extreme wind today in town (40MPH gust) vs any design issue w/ the side mirrors. The brakes on this particular X6 seemed to have a longer brake petal than I was accustomed to based on my X3.The X6 stopped fine....I just had to push harder than w/ my X3.I know the X6 is heavier and maybe that was the difference that I felt.This X6 had the standard steering and not active steering.The steering felt fine to me.Weighted just right for the interstate and not to bad at low speed when you turn around in a parking lot or driveway. The TTI6 had plenty of power entering traffic from a side street or jumping on the interstate.The TTI6 IMO is plenty of power for the X6.I never felt like the car would bog or wallow (notwithstanding the slight turbo lag) i.e. the car is not underpowered for it's size and weight. The X6 is amazing on the switchbacks.We hit it hard enough to feel the the DPC kick in and Active Roll Stabilization do it's job.The DPC sensation is unlike anything I've felt in an Electronic Stability Control car when those systems engage.The ESC in most cars kills power and/or brakes certain wheels when its senses you are over or understeering.The DPC over rotates the outside rear wheel in a curve and causes the front of the car to point back into the curve.The first thing you notice about DPC is that you never really sense a slowdown in the curve.Because the DPC does not brake or kill power you don't sense a lost of speed in the corners. The feeling of not slowing down in a curve is a little scary until you get used to the sensation.The best way I can describe DPC is that it feels like a giant hand grabs the top of the X6 and rotates the car around its center axises.You stay in the gas and this giant hand rotates you right around the corner. Weird feeling,but it works. This post is long enough.My drive only reinforced my belief about this car becoming my next ride.It's a great vehicle for certain people who need some room,driving dynamics and sports car looks.I'm sure I forgot something but I'll make additional post if necessary.Thanks! PalBay
05-16-2008, 11:30 PM
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