X5 4.8 sport vs. X6 5.0 impressions
 

I have an 09' X5 4.8 with the 20 inch wheels and last week my good friend was kind enough to lend me his 09' X6 5.0 (he was recuperating from surgery and my 550 is in the body shop).

First, in daily use, the two cars are very dissimilar. Anyone who thinks that the X6 is an X5 with...(fill in the blank) should stop that thought process immediately. The X6 is much more masculine (body lines and exhaust note). It drives as if its half the size and weight of an X5. My X5 doesn't use its tires nearly as much as the X6 does b/c the X6 prompts you to dump it into a corner and accelerate out. In the X5, this style of driving starts to 'feel' reckless at a point (subjective observation). The power difference is night and day. The X5 isn't slow, but the low end wall of torque with the twin turbo makes for a different driving frame of mind all together. I felt as though 10 mpg as the price of admission for the big smiles in the X6 is a better deal than 13 mpg for the X5's acceleration. My wife drove the X6 and although impressed by the power, she said she wouldn't give up the higher ride height, roomier interior and more family oriented image of the X5. So these are two cars for two different people. My lease is up in a few months and I could definitely see myself driving an X6 5.0 (how un-green to have 2 performance SUVs). Its sleek, manly, fast and fun and exclusive. The only thing I would improve are the brakes (which felt great, but with all that power you need exemplary brakes - drilled, carbon etc..) and try to lighten the car a touch. Its handling threshold seemed the easiest of its limits to reach. Great car though. So comfortable as well (particularly with the rear hatch opening right at my waist height). I have never really had a car that was good in the snow (although I drove our E53 X5 for a season). I would rather lease a twin turbo 550i xdrive, but that car probably won't be available for another 10 to 18 months and I don't like the looks of the GT. So, the X6 is definitely in contention.

Happy motoring,
DRP

Nice write up...why not wait till the X6M?

Not going to be able to afford it
 

I'm sure the M Xcars will be a hoot to drive, and they will definitely steal sales from Porsche. I saw data that showed a large percentage of Porsche buyers pay cash or finance a portion of the purchase. BMWs are more often leased. I have leased ever since the ordeal I went through selling my 01' 740i sport. The M Xcars will be very very expensive to lease for a host of reasons. Wheras an X6 5.0 will cost you give or take 13 dollars per thousand of MSRP per month on a 36 month 15k/yr 0 down lease, an X6M will likely be at least 18 dollars per thousand. That's around 38% more in financing to BMW BANK NA apples-to-apples. If there was a $92,000.00 X6 5.0 it would lease out for basically 40% less than a $92,000.00 X6M. Just like with the M3s, you're better off buying them.

Nice rims BTW.

Nice write up.
I have both in my garage and I completely agree with your observation.
They are completely different vehicles.
Just like your wife, mine loves her X5 but she still enjoy the driving the X6 every now-and-then.