Looking to pick up a new baby hauler and the SO is insisting on an SUV, so I'm looking to make the most of what I consider a bad situation. I've got my toy and need to make the times I use 'her' car as enjoyable as possible

Top of the list is an X5M. I love the X5s, have had M cars in the past, and understand the ///M badge is more than a minor tweak. I have a great relationship with the local dealer, so servicing won't be an issue. Tales of 12 sec 1/4s on here doesn't hurt either.

Concerns are that the model is later in it's life cycle and the interior design is a little aged compared to some of the others on the market. Not worried about gas mileage. What are the other issues to worry about?

Also considering a Range Rover Sport SC and 958 Cayenne...

The Range Rovers are a dime-a-dozen where I live, which is a mixed-bag... It's nice not to stand out in a DD, but would be terribly embarrassing to walk up to the wrong RR at the grocery store Friends with the newer (MY2010+) RRs haven't had any problems so commonly associated with the brand - Is that just their good luck, or has the QC actually turned around? Am I crazy to consider it as well?

I've had lots of time in the new Cayenne T's, but they're a little pricier than the X5s and that would cut into my next toy budget... I can honestly say the Cayenne Turbo is the best SUV I've ever driven, but can't decide if it's worth the premium over the X5M / Range Sport SC...

6speed - help!

TIA

 

I think the X5M is really nice and would be great for your wife. Cayenne TT is great but not worth the premium. Lease the X5M and hand it back. RR SC Sport is in totally different class than the other two. Nice but not the same performance etc.

I am in the same boat - have daily driven an M5 since 1988. New M5 does not come out until August, so I drove X5M, Cayenne TT, Alpina B7 (short wheel base), Panamera 4S and Parnamera TT - all yesterday. I also have a 997 TT Cab

My wife had an X5, we took it everywhere, all our kids sports stuff, put 65k miles on it in 26 months. She wanted more space, so we got a new Toyota Sequoia for her. I have the TRD super charger and big brakes coming, but super charger still has to clear Calif. emmission for 2012 cars, so may be a few months. That is not what I want to drive all the time.

So I am thinking maybe I get X5M as my daily driver so that is what we drive on weekend instead of Sequoia and keep the 997 TT cab. But I could sell both the M5 and TT cab and get a Panamera Turbo, which is way nicer and just drive the other on the weekend, which is what the kids will want to do, as they like the extra space of the Sequoia.

I did not feel the Cayenne, which is really nice and fast, is worth the $35k - $40k premium over the X5M. Not sure if the X5M suits my everyday driver, but it seems to suit my needs better than another M5 or the PTT?

 

My girlfriend has an 11 X5M (I have an M3) and the truck is just a beast! I have a lot of seat time in it and its an absolute blast to drive. The torque is unbelievable and the acceleration is just mind blowing for a 5000+ lb SUV. Oh, and the handling? It handles like a sports car! Albeit, a heavy one but the handling will amaze you. I remember at the time she ordered it, Edmunds.com had an article about it and compared against the new 370Z on the track and the X5M out-performed it! And, after doing a performance center delivery and driving one on the track, I can see why!

If you have to get an SUV but you want something that is going still put a smile on your face? X5M all the way!

I can never get enough of it!

Go test drive one and you'll be sold right then and there like we were.

Good luck!

 

I have 2k miles on my new x5m its prety good. Still an SUV but a very nice one. I had the cayenne and prefer the x5m for a few reasons. Feels more spacious inside both front and back seats and the car just feels much tighter. The cayenne felt like a fast S class to me. The interior of the cayenne is clearly more special but I prefer the x5m. Regarding comments on alpina b7 and panamera I currently have an alina b7 swd awd and like it better than the panamera turbo which I had before that, but the panamera is also a very good car.

 

Thanks for the responses so far!

I've had some time in other models of the X5, so I'm familiar with the ergonomics and capacities... Glad to hear the performance is enough to keep me smiling!

The other bonus if going with the X5M over the Cayenne is that I can put the savings towards my next toy!

Probably not going to pull the trigger for a few more weeks. Does anyone have anything else to say about the Range Sport? I would love to hear any other opinions!

 

She had an 08 RR Sport that she traded in for the X5M and to completely honest....there was no comparison! There really wasn't one aspect about the RR that I liked more. Just driving them back to back really highlighted how superior the X5M is to drive. Especially every day.

Nice truck but no X5M!

 

I did have an 06 RR Sport SC when they were the 'new thing' and I loved it at the time, but like most British cars, it aged terribly. I completely understand that the first gen Sports aren't comparable to the X5M and 958 Cayenne, but the second gen RRs have stepped up their interiors big time, with a bump in hp to match...

I think my hesitation on the Sport is that I've 'been there, done that'... The wifey hasn't, however, and it's the Range that interests her the most. Any owners of second gen Range Sports care to chime in? Will it keep me happy enough? Or should I stick to the X5M... She's pretty indifferent either way (I'm just not 'allowed' to get her a G55 )

 

For an SUV, I'd go with the Range Rover SC. The new engine is a beast and it's the best SUV out right now.
Yes the X5M will probably have better steering and less body roll. And yes, the Cayenne is probably faster and handles better (but extremely ugly in my opinion). But for an SUV I would go with the Range Rover.

 

I daily drive an X5M. Had it for 2 years and change.

Great truck. Great in the snow - I run full size Pirelli Scorpions on stock wheel in winter. Plenty quick for most anyone's taste. Far better value (& looking) than the CTT and far better straight line and dynamic performance than the RRSS. Better nav, iDrive/controls (yes), stereo, moonroof, sounds better (M mode), and by my estimation, provides more passenger & cargo space than the other two. Interior is OK. Could use some carbon, but it's laid out well and is very comfy to drive. Been very reliable as you would hope. No regrets.

Honestly, if you're not going to be driving it every day and don't care about the 'exclusivity' of the 'M', you should test drive the 5.0 variant. 400hp/400tq and with the new M Sport option, it does a decent X5M impersonation for $15k+ less. Again, plenty quick. If you are like me, when I get into my SUV, I generally am not hammering it - instead, enjoying a slower pace for a change. (revoke mancard here). Lol.

Good luck w/ your decision.

 

Thanks for the info.

I'm not sure what I was hoping for when I started this thread - I'd basically had my mind made up anyways I'm in negotiations on a pre-owned 2012 now and hope to have 'er in the garage next week

If anyone has any other insight into living with the X5M, please share

 

I have a X5M and a 2011 RR SC. Really depends what you are looking for.

X5M - Handles better, better electonics, more sporty feel. I like the seats much better. RR bottom seat too short for me. Hurts on long trips.

RR - Very classy, not as sporty (Steering, body roll, handling, etc.), NAV and audio stink, pretty fast for its weight. Gas mileage is really bad (not that the M is good but wife is getting 12 v. 14 in the M).

Looks, subjective.....

PM if you want to talk.

 

I'd advocate the X5 50i as well. Does a great x5m impression.

 

Read about the issues with rock chips and the X5M.
Make sure you look for them on the used car you and pursuing and strongly consider putting a film on the truck.

 

I'm moving on a lease takeover...hoping to have the car in the next three weeks.

The X5M is king of the road to me.

 

Well?? Did you get an X5M?