More or less comfortable than X5???

[Steved]

Originally Posted by amh

Steved,

Did you find the Jag to be small? I loved the ride but my wife picked the 535 because the XF was so small in the rear seat.

I agree that the XF is a little smaller than the 5-series, but not by enough to make it factor. I am surprised that was your wife's reason. The XF was a very sweet handling car, particularly with the CATS suspension system.

[Steved]

Originally Posted by amh

Agree with Lemans. (Picking up AW/saddle X6 this afternoon)

The biggest hurdle for me to overcome was the visibility issue. However since this is a for fun "travel wagon" and we have other vehicles, I decided to go for the sportier and better handling X.

I owned a Z4 MCoupe up until last year, now THAT had a rear visibility issue, although It didn't stop me enjoying owning it. The X6 is nothing like the Z4M Coupe, I was driving it today and had no problems seeing behind. Then when I arrived back at the staging area and needed to reverse it between other cars and it was fine. That was without a rear-camera.

I have another one being delivered tomorrow, so I will see how it feels in day-to-day use.

[autoque]

Originally Posted by Steved

I have another one being delivered tomorrow, so I will see how it feels in day-to-day use.

Huh? Do you work in a BMW dealership? Or are you buying two X6s?

[amh]

While I will post more detailed ride review after more miles, initial impressions are below. Had to say I had great trepidation when signing the check-really was worried about this choice for some reason. It felt risky for some reason-maybe it was reading the mixed reviews or just the dollars involved.

The fifty mile ride home soothed me immensely. The rear visibility wasn't a big deal- a little extra caution and a second look was all that was needed. (no backing yet) Ride was surprisingly smooth-even more so than I remembered from the test drives. Even with the 20's, my immediate thought was how firm my 335 coupe rides in comparison. I have been resisting giving up the coupe but the X6 was good enough to make me start giving it consideration.

Back to the OP's question, I would not worry about the ride being a deciding factor between the X5 and X6. The X6 is definitely more car like to me, say 10-20% depending on ones personal preferences. However, they are both so competent in this regard, I would look to other criteria for my decision points.

[autoque]

Ah, thanks amh!

Actually, I've decided that it's gonna be the X5. I've visited the dealership yesterday, and checked out the X6 in detail. The deal-breaker for me was the rear seats... They were less comfortable than the rear seats of X5-being smaller in width and the back support being more perpendicular. Most of all, the rear seats felt claustrophobic. Maybe it's not that big a deal for drivers without a family, but X6 clearly was a coupe inspired vehicle.

Besides, X5 is already a fantastic driving machine and I'm sure most people won't be able to fully utilize the driving dynamics of the vehicle.

I'm sure X6 fills the niche for young unmarried drivers with money to spend.

[Boston X5 4.4]

Originally Posted by autoque

I'm sure X6 fills the niche for young unmarried drivers with money to spend.

You nailed it

[Steved]

Originally Posted by autoque

Huh? Do you work in a BMW dealership? Or are you buying two X6s?

I own an auto publication (Drivers Republic), so the car is being loaned to me by BMW's Press fleet, but I had already bought one for myself, which I am collecting next week.

P.s. here's a phone pic I took this evening of the X6 next to the more traditional style of a Range Rover Sport.

[Boston X5 4.4]

Originally Posted by Steved

I own an auto publication (Drivers Republic), so the car is being loaned to me by BMW's Press fleet, but I had already bought one for myself, which I am collecting next week.

P.s. here's a phone pic I took this evening of the X6 next to the more traditional style of a Range Rover Sport.

Range rover looks very dated next to the X6....and I have always been a fan of the RR look/presence

[ekelly]

"Range rover looks very dated next to the X6....and I have always been a fan of the RR look/presence"

There is a facelift RR Sport coming 09/10. It is taking some of its styling form the LRX Concept which should help its now aging profile.

[Boston X5 4.4]

Originally Posted by ekelly

"Range rover looks very dated next to the X6....and I have always been a fan of the RR look/presence"

There is a facelift RR Sport coming 09/10. It is taking some of its styling form the LRX Concept which should help its now aging profile.

Hey Donegal....how's the weather over there? I'm going to be in Ireland next week (Dublin only, not Donegal) followed by pitstops in Finland and Germany.
All for work but I'm hoping to squeeze in time for a few pints of Arthur's finest in Dublin.

...sorry for the hijack