M4 vs X6M

[///M-Life]

I currently have a 2016 M4 which I have owned for about a year and a half. However there is an 2015 X6M in my area that has me intrigued. I'm going to go test drive it in a few days but wondering what experiences other have had here that have driven both cars.

What do you guys thinking of making the switch? I know they are completely different cars but just want to hear what people think.

[Phatcat]

Originally Posted by BimmerF82_2016

I currently have a 2016 M4 which I have owned for about a year and a half. However there is an 2015 X6M in my area that has me intrigued. I'm going to go test drive it in a few days but wondering what experiences other have had here that have driven both cars.

What do you guys thinking of making the switch? I know they are completely different cars but just want to hear what people think.

Well, I don't have the new X5/6M ( I have the E70 X5M) nor do I have M4 (but I have driven it extensively at the BMW school). But in a straight line the new X is almost as fast as the M4.

Obviously its no match dynamically but I have to say, have something this tall and this heavy going so fast is quite a feeling.

The X will also be more practical but you don't need me to tell you that.

[einscot]

Originally Posted by BimmerF82_2016

I currently have a 2016 M4 which I have owned for about a year and a half. However there is an 2015 X6M in my area that has me intrigued. I'm going to go test drive it in a few days but wondering what experiences other have had here that have driven both cars.

What do you guys thinking of making the switch? I know they are completely different cars but just want to hear what people think.

I think the x6 in general is one of the ugliest cars on the market. Putting an M engine in there doesn't change that for me.

I compared an x5M to the M3 i have on order (we have an x5 diesel now) and while i really like the x5M, for some reason the M3 just felt "better" to me. Maybe because i knew subconsciously that if we had both x5s I'd try to drive the diesel like it was the M, or vice versa? Now I'll always know which one is my fun car and which is my utility car? Not sure if that makes sense or not, but thought I'd offer my perspective

But seriously...the x6 is just

[TahoeM3]

I had the previous generation (E70) X5M, and I'd say that in most routine driving it is much faster and sure-footed than the M4 I had. Obviously it's not as agile and its limits aren't as high, but it's closer than you'd think and very confidence-inspring.

[Ian1973]

I freaking love the X6. I am also intrigued by them, but they are as expensive or more expensive than the M3/4 even used. If I moved from the F80 I would be moving down the ladder, not up, so I can't own one.

[dkhm3]

I have a '16 x5m which is basically the same car as the x6m and a '15 m3.

the m3 is much much faster from a roll (butt dyno and stats confirm), but the x5m is a monster at launch, 325 rears and awd is awesome.

as far as handling, on a local onramp, i have already met the limits of the x5m, with the tires screeching and the awd understeer coming in, I have yet to max out the m3 on that same turn. It could be because of the pirelli tires on my 20's. I did not get the 21's with michelin pss. don't get me wrong, the x5m is a great handler, but weight and awd understeer is a funkiller at the limits.

the transmission is a bit frustrating to me on the zf compared to the dct. The dct is a wonderful shifting manual mode tranny, but poor automatic as the computer logic can be wrong and hold gears way too long.

the zf is a butter smooth auto, but poor manualmatic, it shifts fast, but cannot skip gears smoothly, on s3 mode it is rough on the first downshift, and worst of all, the engine is modulated by the computer so the torque does not stress the tranny, which results in less power on wot.

the s55 engine comes alive at >4k - all the way to redline at over 7k rpms. the 4.4 v8 on the x5m also comes alive but the redline is a much lower 6.8k rpms. certainly feels more entertaining driving the s55 tbh, banging gears and wot.

overall, i'd say that the x5m is a great fun suv, but at the end of the day it is heavy and huge and drives like that, great for families and impressing clients, but less engaging than a m3/m4.

not sure what else you would want to know, but feel free to ask.

[Jim B]

When the X6 first came out, the local dealer let one of our BMWCCA members bring a demonstrator to out monthly chapter meeting. Most of chapter members are pretty die-hard BMW enthusiasts and fawn over a new model, saying things like "Oo-oo-oo" and "A-a-a-h", but the reaction to the X6 was "WHY?". Several members derisively compared it to the Pontiac Aztek. It's just butt ugly! It did come with a rear view camera and it definitely needs it. Rear visibility out the back window is almost non-existent. You'd be a lot better of with an X5 M. Same running gear, a lot more practical and a LOT better looking!

[Ian1973]

I love the styling. But I loved the shoe and I loved the Z8 and most other quirky BMW designs.

[ksa]

If you haven't owned SUV's before or aren't a crazy big fan of them to begin with I suggest you don't do it. I had a E92 M3 that I switched for a E70 X5M. Sure in a straight line it was almost faster than my M3 but in overall driving fun it didn't even come close. I lowered it and it got better but not close. Rest being said after 6 months I picked up a F80 M3.

[infamousdiz]

Originally Posted by BimmerF82_2016

I currently have a 2016 M4 which I have owned for about a year and a half. However there is an 2015 X6M in my area that has me intrigued. I'm going to go test drive it in a few days but wondering what experiences other have had here that have driven both cars.

What do you guys thinking of making the switch? I know they are completely different cars but just want to hear what people think.

if you like driving a car you will dislike the x6m its heavy and sloppy, cant hide weight, if going fast is important then get it because it is fast. I would never drive the x5m vs the m3 if i want to really burn some tires its just not the same.

[infamousdiz]

Originally Posted by dkhm3

I have a '16 x5m which is basically the same car as the x6m and a '15 m3.

the m3 is much much faster from a roll (butt dyno and stats confirm), but the x5m is a monster at launch, 325 rears and awd is awesome.

as far as handling, on a local onramp, i have already met the limits of the x5m, with the tires screeching and the awd understeer coming in, I have yet to max out the m3 on that same turn. It could be because of the pirelli tires on my 20's. I did not get the 21's with michelin pss. don't get me wrong, the x5m is a great handler, but weight and awd understeer is a funkiller at the limits.

the transmission is a bit frustrating to me on the zf compared to the dct. The dct is a wonderful shifting manual mode tranny, but poor automatic as the computer logic can be wrong and hold gears way too long.

the zf is a butter smooth auto, but poor manualmatic, it shifts fast, but cannot skip gears smoothly, on s3 mode it is rough on the first downshift, and worst of all, the engine is modulated by the computer so the torque does not stress the tranny, which results in less power on wot.

the s55 engine comes alive at >4k - all the way to redline at over 7k rpms. the 4.4 v8 on the x5m also comes alive but the redline is a much lower 6.8k rpms. certainly feels more entertaining driving the s55 tbh, banging gears and wot.

overall, i'd say that the x5m is a great fun suv, but at the end of the day it is heavy and huge and drives like that, great for families and impressing clients, but less engaging than a m3/m4.

not sure what else you would want to know, but feel free to ask.

if i dont watch the shift lights i always mis a gear on the x5m. The DCT is just amazing

[dkhm3]

Originally Posted by infamousdiz

if i dont watch the shift lights i always mis a gear on the x5m. The DCT is just amazing

interesting, this has happened to me several times, especially from 1-2 shift.

[NewM3driver]

X6M? Why? Regular X6? Why? Big, overweight, ugly, no real utility gain leaves me wondering... why?

I'm surprised BMW builds it, more surprised people buy it.

[infamousdiz]

Originally Posted by NewM3driver

X6M? Why? Regular X6? Why? Big, overweight, ugly, no real utility gain leaves me wondering... why?

I'm surprised BMW builds it, more surprised people buy it.

Why people buy it is because it does 12.2 1/4 stock and with a tune 11.4 121. the suv is sick, its amazing what it does and very functional. the interior is on point. if you need an suv and what to go fast look no further

[dmk08]

X6s, X4s, some fugly cars

[TahoeM3]

Originally Posted by infamousdiz

Why people buy it is because it does 12.2 1/4 stock and with a tune 11.4 121. the suv is sick, its amazing what it does and very functional. the interior is on point. if you need an suv and what to go fast look no further

Not only that, very repeatable results with no traction issues and the off the line performance is startling, esp with launch control.

[dmk08]

Originally Posted by infamousdiz

if i dont watch the shift lights i always mis a gear on the x5m. The DCT is just amazing

Doesnt a 17 X5M have the 8-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic not a DCT??

[rr006rbc]

Originally Posted by dmk08

Doesnt a 17 X5M have the 8-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic not a DCT??

No, the E70 X5M had an automatic transmission with 6 speeds. The new F85/F86s have a true 7-spd DCT now.

[Carl L]

Originally Posted by infamousdiz

Why people buy it is because it does 12.2 1/4 stock and with a tune 11.4 121. the suv is sick, its amazing what it does and very functional. the interior is on point. if you need an suv and what to go fast look no further

I think that his point is that the X5M can match all those figures while also having room for 6-footers in the back and big dogs in the cargo area.

[infamousdiz]

Originally Posted by dmk08

Doesnt a 17 X5M have the 8-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic not a DCT??

Correct but the delay when shifting compared to the m3 seem long and if you look at rpm vs shift you will bounce off the rev limiter. In the m3 its instance. ZF is really good but no DCT

[infamousdiz]

Originally Posted by rr006rbc

No, the E70 X5M had an automatic transmission with 6 speeds. The new F85/F86s have a true 7-spd DCT now.

Wrong, it has the ZF 8 speed, from what I hear the DCT can't Handle the weight,

[dmk08]

Originally Posted by infamousdiz

Correct but the delay when shifting compared to the m3 seem long and if you look at rpm vs shift you will bounce off the rev limiter. In the m3 its instance. ZF is really good but no DCT

Ive heard many rumors the new M5 will have the ZF too. Should know soon I guess.