Streamliner

Crabman, do you have ID8 or 8.5?

crabman

I'm 8.5

S_W222

Is it a 7 series? I think all 7-series produced July 2023 and after are already built to be compatible with ID9 (android based) too.

crabman

X5M

RJC

What year and how’s your AC?

places

Did you get the m60? How do you like the X5?

crabman

X5M, the sorta M is the X5 M60i. It's a 24, the AC is fine with the caveat that I live in Seattle; it might be those in other climes, would characterize it differently.

The M60 is the better car for most people; it's still quite a bit of fun to drive, but has a more compliant ride. Even the vanilla X5 is fairly zippy, and its mileage is significantly better than the V8s.

Excellent packaging in general. There is a surprising lack of seating room in the second row; the space is no better than the Cayenne, which is a smaller car. It's space that went largely to the front passengers and is well appreciated there; but those seeking a child hauler might want to go elsewhere.

The X5M is all M, all the time. There is no soft mode, the ride is stiff, the throttle sharp, shifting snappy, even in normal mode. Packaging remains the same as the rest: Big box capable, roomy in front, second row is just ok for kids.

X5s are the gold standard for a reason, they're very good in the grind, and fun to ridiculously fun, depending on which model.

Someone else described the X5M as a hoot, I doubt I could more accurately describe it, even given a little time and a thesaurus. Only for the right buyer though, most are going to prefer the M60 or just sticking with the vanilla.

places

I think it's the best SUV in the segment hands down and really good looking too. We're kicking around the idea, need a new daily hauler. The M is more than we need especially living in a city with not so good road conditions. We have an M8 so I know what that beastly V8 pulls like. Likely the 60 since we do a bit longer distance driving in the summer and like to have the passing power on call but I want to give the 40 a fair try first.

crabman

No, I wouldn't disagree at all, it's a choice I very strongly considered myself. The 60 is a better car overall, in my estimation. I also like the vanilla car, I would have also considered it if I could get a checkbox for the stereo, but nope.

S_W222

The X7 M60 is even better, and arguable in my opinion is the best SUV and car that anyone could get nowadays in the <130K range. I love ours and can't think of a better sedan. We also have the X5, but the X7 is just different. It has the right size, it literally drives like a car/sedan (not exaggerating) with the Dynamic Handling Package and rear wheel steering which is the most comfortable ride I ever experienced in an SUV (doubt it'd be as good as MBC in the S-class but just perfect enough for a car of that size, but it's 100% better than E-ABC in the GLS). The only reason I still drive sedans and owned S-class cars and currently daily driving a Sedan is because I can't drive it all the time being the family car), plus I prefer the numbness of sedans.

SW20S

I like the X7 a lot too, but its not a replacement for a sedan

S_W222

It's definitely not, and I doubt anyone can design a proper SUV that drives like a true Sedan..... I'd love an SUV that drives like a sedan, but it sounds like a mission impossible design wise. The only way I can see this happening is with a large but low-profile EV wherein the center of gravity is truly as low as an ICE sedan. It's one reason that I am so excited for the Lucid Gravity and am 100% certain that one day I'll have one if they are honest about their estimates mileage. Otherwise, there is no 3-row SUV on earth that I think would be better than the X7 for things I care about, probably even regardless of price range.

SW20S

Range Rovers are pretty close, as close as an SUV gets. X7 is great though, but I still wouldn't want to daily one. If I were choosing between X7 and Range Rover though the RR would be my choice.

Cosworth2000

For me I had to change the following:
1.Thermostat
2. Left Light Module

Nothing else.

crabman

If you need the space in a large SUV, you need the space, those people know who they are, and buy accordingly. If you don't, smaller can be more practical in use, since the larger size gives you no advantage, but you lose the disadvantages. It's a decision driven by some combination of need and preference, there isn't an intrinsically better choice.

I neither need nor want the larger size, just makes it harder to park when you've got to shoehorn it into a spot, without giving me anything. That said, if I did want or need one, it would probably be the X7. Another RR will probably have to wait until the next life; that ended with a solid never again declaration. Not saying they're bad now, but it would be hard for me to go back.

S_W222

I wouldn't argue that they are close, or maybe the RR is better in some expects, but doesn't drive as good as the X7 M60 in-town, but can be as good or better on the highway. To spec a RR the same way as a fully loaded X7, when we looked we'd had to pay ~185-190K (and that's for the Autobiography not even the SV which has it all), compared to 130K for our fully loaded X7. Other than the fancy brand name, I couldn't find enough reasons to pay the extra 50K not that I wanted to. I probably might still go with X7 if the price difference was smaller for other reasons. Excellent SUV though still, and for those who don't mind buying a car that isn't fully loaded, 110K for the SE gets you an excellent SUV just as good as a base X7 or maybe better. Loaded ones are hard to justify value wise.

S_W222

Technology, for me, is the number 1 selling point nowadays... I wouldn't mind lower reliability in exchange to better technology. I am not sure I believe that MBUX offers superior technology nowadays to justify reduced quality or reliability .

SW20S

To me of all the SUVs I have tried the Range Rover feels the most like a flagship luxury sedan, the ride and drive have the fewest compromises. The Range Rover Sport is also excellent. The RR also has that exclusivity you miss from an S Class or similar going to an X7 or GLS because they are everywhere, if that matters to you.

Loaded up a Range Rover is higher optioned than a loaded X7, about what I paid for my S580 specs a very well equipped Range Rover...

places

I love the X7, it's just more than we need. Throw the V8 in it and it's arguable the best SUV on the market. Heck even the B58 engine in the 40 is pretty nice too. Either way, both the X5 and X7 are IMO the best in the their respective segments.

Frenetic

Issues notwithstanding, the S Class is in an entirely different league versus the Mercedes’ SUVs when it comes to build quality. And I speak from direct experience.

RJC

Our Audi Q7 Prestige was pretty darn close...very impressive even after driving it right after my S Coupe.

RJC

What year is yours? About half of the post LCI' are experiencing weak AC systems - several thread on bimmerpost

RJC

I agree 100%...

S_W222

it’s just hard to make them better at this stage. That V8 and DHP is what makes both of them fun to drive. I miss the ID7 and physical buttons though.

S_W222

yes, specifically the 40i sucks. Our X5 was the 40i and that was a listen. We switched to M60 since then. The M60 with the V8 in the X5 or X7 with 5 zones AC fixed this issue for good.