FYI...None of what i mentioned are forecast nor analytics but fact. It exceeded expectations and in a recession at that. If there's no future in the X6, why release an ///M variant...why even develop a hybrid option?! IMO, it's market responded well, and i also believe the X6 will continue to draw Infiniti FX et al consumers.

My point is that you're negatively debating the purpose and future of a vehicle that wasn't designed for you. And on what basis? Because you feel it's fugly and you don't see many in SoCal? Regardless of how you or I may personally feel...at the end of the day, it doesn't matter...we aren't the demo...I'm sure members: chonko; dmlgc; and countless others on this board can better explain why their wallets voted for the X6.

And you cannot compare public companies who made greedy and horrible bets to a privately run company like BMW. Obviously, they aren't infallible...They may not have the resources of, for example Mercedes, during tough times, but they've made smarter decisions and that is the obvious fact...so i guess we agree to disagree.

I'm sure if the X5s came with the TT engines, they would be priced comparably to the X6s, just like the X5 M to the X6 M. They're just different engines. And according to the website, the X6 has more cargo capacity, but I'm not sure if that includes the 3rd row seats in the X5. The performance numbers of the X6 35i are similar to the numbers of the X5 4.8i, so they should have similar pricing.

If I may jump in...
 

Don't forget the price difference between X5/X6 has to account for the status and demographics of the 'intended customer'. Example: I drive a 550 sport. A 650 sport is a solid $10,000.00 more but really isn't a more expensive car to make, nor does it have any appreciable performance difference. But the 650 driver is older and wealthier. Same with X5 vs. X6. The X6 is the SUV for the 6 series guy. I have an 09' 4.8 I just got for my wife. I offered her the X6 3.0 and she declined. She said "It drives too aggressively". She didn't mean the engine. Its cockpit is tailored whereas the X5 interior is sprawling, the seating position reclined and coupe-like to the X5's chair like upright seating. You'll find yourself driving the X6 faster. So, that said, it's not relevant to compare engines and MSRPs. They are different vehicles for very different customers. I was going to do an X6 5.0 when my 550 is up if my wife didn't get the X5, but I would never have considered an X5 for myself because I drive too aggressively for it (*I've never driven X5 M or M sport). I hope the X6 does well. Its a groundbreaking concept.

^^Important to remember that the X6 5.0 was built 'to exceed' the performance threshold, eg 'be sportier' than the X5 4.8i that preceeded it.

This will not be the case with the ///X5M and ///X6M as they will have virtually identical performance (analogous to the M6 and the M5).

If you would drive an X6M faster than an X5M, it's the man, not the machine making that decision.

Basically it's going to come down to how much space you want, and which one you prefer the looks of.

Edit: IMO, if one can swing $80k'ish for an X5M, one can swing $90+k'ish (based on the speculation above about a $10K delta) for an X6M - aka, they're aimed at the same fiscal demographic.

My $.02

Just for comparison, lets remember that the E53 4.8is was a monster. It was fast, handled great and had 360hp.

So this new variation of X5 performance edition will have 190hp more than the last performance edition.... I hope those brakes are damned good :) :) :)

Are we sure about the $80k base price? That's lower than I expected.. Lower than the current M5's... Isn't it?

If what you say is the case, why is the X5 M and X6 M pricing expected to be very close to each other? Coupes in general are more expensive than their sedan counterparts. While the X6 is marketed by BMW as a sports activity coupe, it's still a 4-door SUV. You're right that demographics play a role; the X5 30i is for those who want the utility, but who might not care for the power of the TT engine (or a bigger engine for that matter). Someone buying an X6 is probably more interested in the sport than the utility, hence the more powerful engines. I think StanF18 was wondering why there is such a big difference in price since the X5 30i and X6 35i are entry level in their respective models. What I'm saying is that if the TT engines are put into the X5, the pricing would be similar to the X6. I can't comment how the interior feels as I haven't test driven a X6, but based on the dimensions, there appears to be very little difference between the two in front; the X5 has 1" more in front headroom. And the dashes appear identical to me.

EDIT: and I agree with HIRISC, if you can afford an X5 M, you can afford the X6 M, so the economic demographic shouldn't be a factor.

How many 6-series did you see in same period or to be specific 2008 6-series for a more accurate comparison? (keep in mind 6-series was released several years ago and its also a low prod model)

Yeah...so far, indicators suggest an $80k base but temptation will be so high for buyers to add-on packages that it will end up around $95-$100k.

Yeah, the Options! You can estimate based on price of these options on other M models.

http://www.xoutpost.com/attachments/x...dowsticker.jpg

1) Cold weather package - Is this heated front seats? Rear seats and steering wheel?
2) Rear Climate Package - Is that sun shades or heated rear seats?
3) Premium Sound - how decent will be the standard sound? how much is this upgrade?
4) Active Ventilated Seat - Nice - I like it.
5) Driver Assistance Package - What is that? Laser cruise control?
6) Space Saver Spare - What is that? That's an option?
7) Satellite Radio - Yes please
8) Comfort Access - Not only useless, but annoying. I have on 7 Series..pass.
9) Soft Close Doors - Waste of money.. I don't mind the thunk..
10) Rear Seat Ent - Probably not..
11) Merino leather - NOT.
12) Perforated Merino - NOT.
13) Carbon Leather int.. - ?
14) Red Brown Grained? - ?
15) Piano black gloss - ?