How does an M sport X5 handle?
 

I wanted an X6 so bad b/c I like the look and loved the drive. So car like. But the wife insisted on room, so we got a 4.8 sport with the 20in. Car is great, but gas drunk and a little harsh on the run flats at time.

So the lease is up in a few months. I'm pushing for an X6 with the new 8 speed. Probably won't be that much better on gas? Primary advantage is the drive. The X6 with the active diff. is so much more car like.

But I saw a 3.5i M sport X5 on the lot today in blk/blk. Looks fantastic. It sits lower than other X5s, so I'm presuming the suspension is a little different?

Has anyone driven an LCI M sport either 3.5 or 5.0? I'd like to hear opinions on the ride/handling. My wife and I love the "old" M sport feel. From the E38 and E60...where the suspension became firmer, but with nice dampening. The runflats on the X5 crash a bit even though the springs aren't that firm. Maybe the Msport is firmer with less crashing - which would be perfect.

Anyone driven one? Can you compare with the X6?

Thanks,
DRP

I have the 50i MSport with 19s. They are a great combination of ride and handling. The ride is firm but not harsh. Bumps are felt but never a shock back into the car. Handling is quite impressive for any vehicle, not just an SUV.

The 50i MSport 19s are Bridgestone Dueller max performance summer RFTs. I don't know if the 19s are available on the 35i MSport.

The M sport doesn't have any special suspension that you can't otherwise order. In the US, it features Adaptive Drive but you can order that stand-alone anyway. The M Sportpaket is mostly a visual item: seats, bodykit, M badges on the steering wheel, and special wheels.

I would strongly advise against 20" wheels on the X5 and stick with the 19" if you live in the Northeast. The roads there will mean a lot of crashing and potential damage. If you lived in the Southeast like Richard NC and I, then it would be less of an issue.

I have a 5.0i m-sport. Adaptive Drive is standard in the m-sport package, otherwise available as an option on non-m-sport configurations. I think the X6 drive, suspension and chassis components are basically identical to the X5, so I wouldn't expect any notable differences between the ride and handling of the two models (assuming they were configured with the same options).

Having driven a 5.0i w/out the Adaptive Drive package, I wouldn't get one without it, whether X6 or X5. Just my preference though.

"I think the X6 drive, suspension and chassis components are basically identical to the X5, so I wouldn't expect any notable differences between the ride and handling of the two models (assuming they were configured with the same options)."

There is a noticeable difference in handling because the two chassis are not identical. Although they are almost identical, the X6 has always featured the active rear differential, which sends more engine torque to the outside rear wheel to literally push the car into a corner. Acura offered it first as "Super Handling All Wheel Drive". Audi now offers it, as do Porsche on almost all models including the 911.

The only X5 which has it is the X5M. Its avail. on the new X3, so I'm sure it will be on the next X5.

But make no mistake the X5 drives like a really nice truck, while the X6 drives like a trucky car.

Ahh yes, forgot about the active rear diff. You wouldn't notice it however driving around town, unless you're driving at 9/10ths everywhere. I've driven an Audi S4 (B8) with it and without it, and the difference is noticeable in aggressive cornering under power. Otherwise you wouldn't be able to tell the difference.


The X5 and X6 have an identical wheelbase, and identical width from tire-center to tire-center. The chassis components and Adaptive drive system are shared between vehicles as well.


The X5 weighs 150lbs more than the X6. Between that, a higher center of gravity because of the weight and it being taller and the active diff on the X6, you'd notice some handling differences when cornering.


Any differences would be subtle in average driving however.