Many car enthusiasts bemoan luxury SUVs, and think that they’ve ruined the luxury car segment. Regardless of whether or not this is true is irrelevant, because the luxury SUV is here to stay, like it or not. Are they a bit pointless? Sure, but as I’ve said before, any car that isn’t a Toyota Camry is technically pointless. Cars are emotional purchases, so if someone likes a big BMW SUV, even though they’ll never use its cargo capacity to anywhere near its fullest or go anywhere off tarmac, they should buy one.
The kinds of luxury SUV people seem to complain about most are the performance versions. BMW X5 M/X6 M, Mercedes-Benz GLE AMG and Porsche Cayenne Turbo are all labeled as pointless, expensive and unnecessary vehicles.
However, despite the auto journalists who whine and complain about such topics, these hyper-SUVs sell faster than car companies can make them. There’s something inherently desirable about a two-ton elephant that can sprint like Usain Bolt, so they sell.
Now, though they are desirable, like all unnecessary luxuries in life, are they good value?
Let’s look at the X5 M in comparison to the standard X5 50i. Both can carry five to seven passengers, both have more luxury than one could ever need, both have enough active safety features to make them feel like the Millenium Falcon and both have twin-turbo 4.4 liter V8s. The difference comes by the way of performance. The X5 xDrive50i can hit 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, which is massively quick for a vehicle weighing in at a pavement crushing 5,306 lbs. The X5 M does the same sprint in 4 seconds flat, due to its 122 hp advantage. That’s mighty impressive, especially considering that the X5 M actually handles very well. Very well for a 5,300 lb SUV, that is.
So the X5 M seems to be just a better version of the X5, right? Well, considering that the ride quality suffers quite a bit over the standard car, so it can have all of that rubber scorching performance, it isn’t exactly as good of a luxury SUV. The standard X5 is supremely quiet and comfortable as well as being fast. It can’t handle nearly as well as its M tuned brethren, but it isn’t exactly bad, either. So the X5 M trades a bit of comfort for some added performance. That seems fair.
Where the X5 M starts to fall down, in comparison to the standard X5 xDrive50i, is the price. The X5 xDrive50i starts life at $70,000, whereas the X5 M starts at $98,000. That difference is the cost of a well-equipped Volkswagen GTI. That $28,000 price difference is a lot of money and I’m not so sure the X5 M is $28,000 better than the X5 xDrive50i. So who would spend the extra money on it, if it isn’t necessarily worth it?
Someone who can and wants to, and it’s that simple. The X5 M isn’t almost $30,000 better than the xDrive50i. But it’s that much more desirable. It looks cooler, inside and out, has enough power and handling chops to take on most sports cars and it makes a great exhaust noise.
The X5 M is pure indulgence and there’s nothing wrong with that. Most Porsches can hang with most Ferraris, but given the choice, almost everyone in the world would take the key wearing a Prancing Horse. Desire plays a huge factor in cars of this nature. The X5 M is pointless, there’s no denying it. But it’s cool, and if you can afford its massive price tag and want one, go get it and laugh at the people who’ll just never understand.
X5 M does NOT carry 7 passengers…
If you squeeze them in, yeah. :)
Dexter Morgan could probably make it work somehow.
X5 50i also doesn’t have a twinturbo motor
yes it does
you are correct..I always thought only the S63 was TT
the N63 is also a twin turbo motor. however, the NEW S63B44T0 comes with valvetronic while the N63 does not. M cars also comes with more oil coolers, more efficient intercooler, which results in better performance and increased reliability when abused.
If you ask me, it serves different customer types. Some people like it comfortable and quiet. Some (like me) prefer it the opposite, badass.
Both S63tu and N63tu come with valvetronic – we are talking about f15 and f85, not about E70 lol
You try too hard dude, too hard…
…huh?
Don’t forget the boot
They’re still overpriced. I’ll keep my Honda!
overpriced? if you own a honda you shouldn’t even be looking to purchase high end cars like this this car is 150k where im from and i dont think its overpriced your paying for a masterpiece TT V8 engine and a //Monster.
@disqus_ZmZe1vQHlP:disqus nothing wrong with keeping your Honda. Do yourself a favour. take a test drive. The experience speaks for itself. I’ve driven both the X5 xdrive50 as well as the new F15 X5m. Both are really different cars. Similarly, both are different cars from your Honda as well.
Honda fanboy here from back in the days when Integra was King. I just sold my Accord for a 550i. Honda is great for a standard brand, but there really is no comparison to a BMW. Test drive one.
I think indulgence is the key word. And there are different levels of that, right? I know people that won’t opt for leather – no matter if it’s a Toyota..
Like you said, anything other than a stripped Camry is an indulgence..
Who is it for? Mostly drug dealers who like to attract attention.
I haven’t seen a single drug dealer who can afford X5M $120-150k USD (and in my country it’s $200-250k USD)
I wonder who wrote this comparison… For starters the X5M does not carry 7 passengers (BMW thinks the weight of a couple of kids will impede on its performance. lol) Second, the X5 50i will hit 60 in 4.7 seconds and NOT 4.3 (a difference of almost 1/2 second). And just to counteract your “pointless” argument, I think there is definitely a reason people buy this car — having the practicality of an SUV and the performance of a sports car all in one is pretty damn practical to me.
We are commercial real estate guys and we bought one to drive our clients around in and use for long trips to other cities. Car is a lot of fun to drive, extremely comfortable, and a complete sleeper. We leased it so will be giving back in 3 years and probably getting another one.