2024 X5M LCI first drive by Joe Achilles

[GOLFFRR]

Originally Posted by g21

i drove 3 hrs last night in the M340i on sport plus, half the time like a maniac, was shocked when it said 26mpg at arrival lol.

not my favourite ride though ... need a V8

26mpg and smashing on it! not bad at all!

[GOLFFRR]

Originally Posted by Dgjo2022X5MC

The only reason I hang onto our diesel RR sport. 33 mpg!!! Road trip ride.

And TBH, the seats in the F95/6 are very firm. My wife hates them. I actually have a pillow for her in the spare tire cubby for long rider. Swear to God! Lol. She has a G05 with the individual leather and multicontour seats and it is DAMN comfy.

33 I would take all day long! especially with these fuel prices. but then again people who buy M cars usually are not worrying about MPGs

[Dgjo2022X5MC]

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

33 I would take all day long! especially with these fuel prices. but then again people who buy M cars usually are not worrying about MPGs

The diesel is an awesome cruiser. I don’t want to put 700 miles on my F95 for college sports every weekend in the springtime. Thats where the RR shines.

When I go for long trips in my X5M, I keep the seat massage function on. While not a massage of any sort, it helps out enough with moving the muscles.

[Ibiza]

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

33 I would take all day long! especially with these fuel prices. but then again people who buy M cars usually are not worrying about MPGs

And we live by a Costco to fuel up.

[stoked335d]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

X5M has always been boss. Is it less aggressive looking than in the past, or is it the color?

Here is one in blue that friend of mine owns (Little bro is mine)

[mitch65]

Originally Posted by Dgjo2022X5MC

The only reason I hang onto our diesel RR sport. 33 mpg!!! Road trip ride.

And TBH, the seats in the F95/6 are very firm. My wife hates them. I actually have a pillow for her in the spare tire cubby for long rider. Swear to God! Lol. She has a G05 with the individual leather and multicontour seats and it is DAMN comfy.

I joined my friend to pick up his new '24 X5M and we drove it back to back with a used 2023 X5M the dealer had to compare them using the correct tire pressures to make sure it would be similar. The 2024 had a smoother ride for sure. I think BMW discontinued the base model X5M then dialed down the firm ride for this new 2024 X5M Comp.

[Dgjo2022X5MC]

Originally Posted by mitch65

I joined my friend to pick up his new '24 X5M and we drove it back to back with a used 2023 X5M the dealer had to compare them using the correct tire pressures to make sure it would be similar. The 2024 had a smoother ride for sure. I think BMW discontinued the base model X5M then dialed down the firm ride for this new 2024 X5M Comp.

Hmm. Interesting! Maybe they changed something to make it just a tad less firm (presuming in efficient mode?). Maybe bring back to full on tooth filling rattle level in Sport+?

There is so much more bracing in the M over non-M it’s crazy. Engine bay for sure, but much of it goes unseen under car. You can catch a glimpse under rockers toward rear tire of bracing.

[G30M]

Originally Posted by mitch65

I joined my friend to pick up his new '24 X5M and we drove it back to back with a used 2023 X5M the dealer had to compare them using the correct tire pressures to make sure it would be similar. The 2024 had a smoother ride for sure. I think BMW discontinued the base model X5M then dialed down the firm ride for this new 2024 X5M Comp.

they did that with the X3M LCI too

[Bimmerfun82]

Thanks for sharing these pics. MBB shows more of the aggressive lines and obviously a gorgeous color. Joe is right, that front end has a lot of gaps for rocks to fly through and hit the radiator. And all that piano black trim needs PPF treatment.

Personally I'd go for the X5M60 with air suspension and supplement with an M3 or X3M over the X5M - just a bit over the top for me.

10 years ago I had the X5 50i and loved it. Got the smaller wheels and took it off road sometimes. IIRC it had a biturbo V8 and did 0-60 in 4 seconds. Plenty quick and a bit more comfortable. My philosophy continues with our X7 40i and M3.

[BobsM3Coupe]

Originally Posted by mitch65

I joined my friend to pick up his new '24 X5M and we drove it back to back with a used 2023 X5M the dealer had to compare them using the correct tire pressures to make sure it would be similar. The 2024 had a smoother ride for sure. I think BMW discontinued the base model X5M then dialed down the firm ride for this new 2024 X5M Comp.

Same springs in both model years. Did they both have the same brand of tire? The Michelins do ride smoother than the Pirellis. The 24 also might seem to ride smoother because it was brand new and it also weighs more than the 23.

[mitch65]

Pirelli's on both. The 2023 had around 6,000 miles. Something has to be different, it was easy to notice

[Alpine300zhp]

Originally Posted by NickyC

X5M is one of the few remaining nice-looking BMWs.

However, pre-lci version looks better in my opinion.

Ditto. So far, for all of the current generation BMW’s, it seems like the pre-LCI is the better car.

[alabesky]

Originally Posted by Montaver

Plenty of people. Because they rattle, rubber seals degrade etc.

+1

[Neusser]

I will never understand why the SUVs get the M treatment in any form.

SUVs have their place, and they can be tuned to perform well for what they are, but as sporting vehicles they have fundamental disadvantages inherent to the chassis that ensure they will never be the equal of their non-SUV bretheren.

I will even admit to liking the X3M Comp. The speed, the cabin, what they achieved in handling (for a bread truck of sorts), the obnoxious badging. It has even tempted me to consider one, just to absolutely smash the odd premium sports car on the Autobahn in hilarious fashion--but I just can't do it.

It's the chassis stuff you just can't fix. Basic physics.

[BobsM3Coupe]

Originally Posted by Neusser

I will never understand why the SUVs get the M treatment in any form.

SUVs have their place, and they can be tuned to perform well for what they are, but as sporting vehicles they have fundamental disadvantages inherent to the chassis that ensure they will never be the equal of their non-SUV bretheren.

I will even admit to liking the X3M Comp. The speed, the cabin, what they achieved in handling (for a bread truck of sorts), the obnoxious badging. It has even tempted me to consider one, just to absolutely smash the odd premium sports car on the Autobahn in hilarious fashion--but I just can't do it.

It's the chassis stuff you just can't fix. Basic physics.

You would be amazed at the magic that BMW M can do with an SUV. After having my X5MC for 3 years, I haven't missed my E92 M3 one bit. That's how great the X5MC is.

[Neusser]

Originally Posted by BobsM3Coupe

You would be amazed at the magic that BMW M can do with an SUV. After having my X5MC for 3 years, I haven't missed my E92 M3 one bit. That's how great the X5MC is.

The tuning might be more to your taste, but an SUV chassis is inherently at a disadvantage.

You will notice these flaws as you get closer to the limits of grip.

[BobsM3Coupe]

Originally Posted by Neusser

The tuning might be more to your taste, but an SUV chassis is inherently at a disadvantage.

You will notice these flaws as you get closer to the limits of grip.

I've driven a BMW Performance Center owned X5M on the track at Thermal, CA. Of course, the M2's and M3's were at their best on the track, but the X5M was impressively good. But for everyday street use, I'll take the X5M over any other M vehicle. It's just so practical, luxurious and satisfying to drive.

[Neusser]

Originally Posted by BobsM3Coupe

I've driven a BMW Performance Center owned X5M on the track at Thermal, CA. Of course, the M2's and M3's were at their best on the track, but the X5M was impressively good. But for everyday street use, I'll take the X5M over any other M vehicle. It's just so practical, luxurious and satisfying to drive.

M2s and M3s are road cars that can handle a few laps without any major work. But they remain road cars, and that is where they truly shine, IMO.

The SUVs are practical, but IMO wagons are a much better blend of practicality and handling/driving prowess. I've never driven an SUV that felt like it overcame its core chassis issues once things got twisty. But that is also because those issues are insurmountible vs. a vehicle that does not have them.