[mobike008]

BMW X5 M50i- Brief Impressions in Seattle, WA

This test drive was done back to back after I completed the X3 M50 test drive : https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-...ml#post5916946 (All-New 2025 BMW X3 M50 Review | Initial Driving Impressions)

After we came back from the test drive, I asked if they have any M cars available for a test drive. I was particularly interested in M4 or M4 Competition.

He got my testostrones up as he said, there is one available. He said” I’ll go look and come back with it”. I was gleaming with joy as I knew this would be next level fun.

He came back with sad face and said” It’s not available” but, he can arrange for it and if I can come back again. I said “ fine” and then he saw my distraught face and said” there is a 2022 X5 M50i for sale. Would I like to test drive it? I said ” Hell, yeah”

He went in back again and came out driving the X5 M40i.

It was an amazing looking vehicle in grey matte finished color with blacked out wheels.

I told him, same route of 30 miles? He smiled and said “ Sure, let’s go”. This time around he got confidence in me that I will not crash the car and let me do my thing. Last time around in X3 M50, he was unsure as I was driving in manual using the paddle shifters as I wanted to hear the X3 M50 note especially inside tunnels.

We started off in the X5 M50i yet again in the sports mode and yet again tried using manual mode for most of the drive. I immediately knew that I’m going to enjoy this drive lot better than the X3 M50.


What I liked

- Classic BMW design. X5 was always a looker
- 523 Horsepower, V8 Engine (A dying breed in BMW Stable)
- Fantastic Exhaust note
- Spacious interiors
- Much higher build and material quality
- ID8 (same as mine)

What I didn’t

- Gas guzzler. It was rated for 18mpg all around. Meaning this will most likely give about 12-14mpg.
- Handling feels little floaty due to the bigger size
- Coming immediately from an X3 M50, the interior feels little dated (even though It’s the BMW classic design)

Brief Overall Driving Impression

BMW’s twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 comes in several states of tune in the X5.

M50i version has 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, which is slightly more than in the lesser xDrive50i but well short of the X5 M, which for 2020 flexes up to 617 horses in Competition trim. I

Here is my sister’s car which I enjoy driving whenever I’m in Boston which is at least once or twice a year.



This performance model (X5 50i) was discontinued and has the same 4.4 liter V8 and comes with a 450 horsepower. Performance is lovely but, it is a darn gas guzzler. My sister drives nearly 40-50 miles every day and she loves the car and says I can never drive any other car (She does not even drive her kids BMW X2…lol) but, the only issue is the alarmingly low gas mileage.

However, in this tune of M50i, it delivers a whopping 525 horsepower from the same V8. When you start the engine, it starts with a lovely rumble and you know immediately that this is not a normal BMW but, a darn special one.

The sensory experience of this V-8, however, is even better than my sis’s car and has the same famous ZZF gearbox and the shifts are lighting quick as it is with this beautiful gearbox.

My primary intention was to check the difference between the silky smooth B58 and this brutal V8 engine. Obviously, the power output is much more but, the primary difference is this is throaty, rumbling type of sound but, that feeling of “silkiness” that is there in B58 is not there. It’s more raw and visceral.

Another difference between the B58 and V8 is there are no crackling, pops, bangs when you downshift or when you brake which is “trademark” B58 sounds.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=jXvmSeXHVjY

Big difference is also the seating position as you feel like sitting on a high chair which is necessarily not something positive and compared to the smaller X3, it feels big and when you hustle in corners it has more body roll and doesn’t feel “tight” like the X3.

So if you are doing some enthusiastic driving, the above point makes a big difference.

Like the B58, the V8 effortlessly surges to highway speeds with just a gentle press of the throttle

https://youtu.be/PmUPcoQKHCQ

The X5 does a lot of other things well. It feels more luxurious comfortable and spacious, and it offers loads of in-car tech. There are a few engines to pick from as well, from a fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid to a high-performance V8 and finally to the biggest brothers which is the X5M and X5 M Competition. Whew! It’s hard to keep track of the various models within the same model as BMW runs a massive model fleet unlike any other of its competitors from an engine, model and tune perspective.

BMW made some changes to X5 (LCI) for 2023 so this model is one LCI older. But, as we all know the LCI’s are mostly cosmetic changes and nothing really on the engines and design changes.

Though the BMW X5 was one of the original luxury SUVs, it now competes in an increasingly crowded segment. Some of its main competitors include the Mercedes-Benz GLE, Audi Q7, Genesis GV80 and also the Volvo XC90. But, for driving enthusiasts the X5 still in my opinion is a perfect blend of performance, handling, luxury and comfort.

This was a $100K+ car and was on sale for $75K with some 20K miles on the clock. This is literally the same price preowned as the all-new BMW X3 M50. This would be a nice and proper upgrade compared to the X3 M50. Well, I’m not so sure if I want to give up my gorgeous B58 engine for this 4.4 Liter V8 monster. What ya’ll think???

Cheers and Thanks for reading.

Gorgeous looking in this Matt black paint option.



What a stance? Sexy ain't it? This is what BMW dreams look like...X3 M50 in similar stance looks like an ugly frog...lol!



Loved the wheels too. It was fully optioned model.



Simple, traditional BMW design which never fails to impress.





This center console looks lot better than the X3 M50.



Nice thick steering wheel.



Yet again this screen looks so much better than the new colorful one.

[Aditya]

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[buzzy_boy]

Originally Posted by mobike008

What ya’ll think???

In India, with congested roads, I'd pick the smaller and more agile X3.

In the US, I would pick the X5. Reason: I would just cruise and cruise while listening to the V8 thrum.

Plus, IMHO, the X5 is the peak of the BMW SUV range—the X7 exists to cater to the luxury market, and the X3 is just a stepping stone to the X5 (no offense to the owners).

And really, in that shade of black? That X5 would already be standing in my garage by now!