Steved:
Thanks for your comments. I have not driven the Porsche Cayenne GTS so can not speak from experience to compare it to the ML63. While the aesthetics of the Cayenne have never appealed to me, at least it can accommodate 4 normal/tall adults and their luggage, while also providing expected adequate rear vision and silly fun-inducing handling and speed, something that the X6 cannot do.
My 3 year lease on my ML63 expires in the summer of 2010 so whatever vehicle I end up getting may not even be available or announced yet, but it is fun to explore and speculate what my next vehicle will most likely be. I have a real preference for Mercedes-Benz and BMW vehicles, but will also consider Audi and maybe even Porsche.
Now, having said all of this, for the sake of full disclosure, I really do feel conflicted....
Having seen and sat in all four seats of the X6, but not yet having driven it, I have a real fear.....
That fear is that I will like it. Really, really like the way it drives.
Then I will be really screwed! How can I justify to myself and my wife that I want a new vehicle that is not practical in any way for us, just because I really like the way it handles? I don't think I can
There's the dilema...

AVB-AMG

Assist...

Road & Track 2008 BMW X6 xDrive50i:

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....rticle_id=6827

You are not alone. Wish they make X5 drive like that.

WOW!!!
 

This R&T Test is pretty incredible!!! .90 on the skidpad, "handling data matches up w/ the much lauded 335i", "handling characteristics are not unlike the new Nissan GT-R,Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution or Subura WRX STI"!!!!!:wow: And twice the storage area of most every Sport Sedan! :thumbup: What you talkin bout Willis....... Nuff said. Thanks! PalBay

I am above average height (6ft 1) and so are both of my sons and we fit comfortably in the X6, it feels just as spacious in the important dimensions as my ML, but we will keep driving it around throughout this weekend and let you know if we still feel the same.

Like you I suspected rear vision would be badly compromised, but I haven't found this to be true in practice. I have had several tight maneuvers to perform between parked cars and didn't have any trouble. I can still see cars driving behind me, just not their front lights, but otherwise it doesn't feel particularly different to driving any other car. Again, I will see how this feels over a few days and let my wife drive it and tell me what she thinks.

Key difference to me when comparing chassis of X6 with ML is how broad and stable (laterally) the X6 feels by comparison. The ML could at times rock from side to side on a bumpy road - it was fine once turned in and loaded up though. Also, my ML63 was lowered by an inch or so (by spacing the ride sensors) and that improved the handling.

You may remember that I pitted the ML63 against a Cayenne Turbo and Lotus Elise S in EVO magazine last year, and both ML and Cayenne lapped the circuit quicker than the Lotus. The ML63 rolled more than the Cayenne, yet was less than a second slower and was the more engaging car to drive. The X6 has even less roll than that Cayenne, but when you are in a corner and the front starts losing grip you can feel the rear differential (DPC) channeling power and pulling it out of the corner. That capability alone would make quite a noticeable difference on tighter corners. But also it all feels so easy and undramatic in the X6.

Taking aside its ultimate pace, the real bonus of the X6's chassis is how effortless it feels to cover twisty roads. That's a nice bonus.

http://drivers-republic.com/news/new...8.cfm?pageid=1

Steve - is this you? :thumbup:

I took delivery of my X 3.5I 6 days ago from BMW of West Springfield and I love it.
I was fortunate to test drive a sport package equipped X6 4 weeks ago and then ordered mine without the sport package as I felt the 20 in rubber was a bit to responsive to my liking.
I had concerns of the somewhat low EPA fuel mileage figures but upon researching found the US figures to be somewhat Conservative. You really have to look at the new EPA system and read between the lines. The X 3.SI is actually rated 12 to 18 city for most drivers, average 15. and 16 to 24 highway average 20 for most drivers. Upon taking delivery the wife and I drove to Bean town on the pike with the on board recording 21.5 at quick highway speeds. Let's face if anyone who can afford to buy a X then a few mpg's does not matter to us, now does it?
The TT6 has plenty of toque to keep the transmission from down shifting while pulling the hills, no wind noise from the roof rack ( that I never had a use of ) as I had in my X5. The Nav system is far superior to the previous system used on the 04 X5, and the blue tooth hands free phone is a dream to operate, as for rear vision the outside rear view mirrors give a good large area of visibility and the rear camera when paired up with the PDC work great. My 04 X5 also had blind spots in the rear view and had more in the side view.s so all in all I think the X is gives me better rear visibility. Hope this helps.

Congrats and enjoy:thumbup:

Is this the first US owner review on this board?


By the way, were you on Newbury street this weekend?

Congrats! and post pics in a new thread.

Thank you guy's
I was able to dive it 400 enjoyable miles this past week.
Boston X5 4.4 I was on Newbury St after the game Tuesday May 20th