[Roundown]

To BMW of Warwick (RI). 25k miles. Space Grey on Oyster (partial- wheel wells, dash and headliner are black). Comes with rare, staggered OEM 19" wheels, DHP, Tech, Premium, Karmon Kardon, etc.

Based on the bath I took, likely a real bargain if you pick it up before year-end.

Give Luke Mayer a call. He's a great CA.

Update: Why did I trade? I picked up an X5M.

[mge92]

ROBNYC

[FSociety]

Originally Posted by cSurf

To BMW of Warwick (RI). 25k miles. Space Grey on Oyster (partial- wheel wells, dash and headliner are black). Comes with rare, staggered OEM 19" wheels, DHP, Tech, Premium, Karmon Kardon, etc.

Based on the bath I took, likely a real bargain if you pick it up before year-end.

Give Luke Mayer a call. He's a great CA.

Update: Why did I trade? I picked up an X5M.

How much did they give you for your trade in ?
How was the drive to RI ?

[gIzzE]

Originally Posted by ROBNYC

How was the drive to RI ?

More importantly.....how was the drive back??

[96_Impreza]

While getting brake pads on our 2011 X3 we were drawn by the irresistible force of the window sticker on a red X5M in the showroom, $113K.
Nice ride.

[Roundown]

Originally Posted by gIzzE

More importantly.....how was the drive back??

Ride was short, but sweet.

It's currently at Unique Car Care Boston for a full front, rocker and rear kick Xpel wrap and full CQuartz application.

[IMG]http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/...psdvezfvlp.jpg[/IMG]

I'll be taking a longer trip Christmas Day- I'll report back then.

[FSociety]

Originally Posted by cSurf

Ride was short, but sweet.

It's currently at Unique Car Care Boston for a full front, rocker and rear kick Xpel wrap and full CQuartz application.

[IMG]http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/...psdvezfvlp.jpg[/IMG]

I'll be taking a longer trip Christmas Day- I'll report back then.

You left the F25 over there ?
Tell us on the deal on the X5M , that F16 looks so good!

[Roundown]

Originally Posted by ROBNYC

You left the F25 over there ?
Tell us on the deal on the X5M , that F16 looks so good!

Yea F25 is at BMW of Warwick.

They're offering it for $42k CPO'd.

Crazy deal for a babied, loaded X3 35i MSport with OEM staggered 19s (MSRP was just shy of 60k). Total unicorn. Hopefully an board member picks it up.

[Max Well]

Congratulations on your purchase, cSurf.

I'm curious - if we could fast-forward to a year from now, and if on the showroom floor you saw a(n) identically-spec'd X3-M G01 sitting next to your X5-M, which would you choose?

It will be interesting to see if the G01 40i and M produce a paradigm shift in this genre. My suspicion is the X3 fits the middle of this bell-shaped curve very well (regarding space, fuel economy, performance, and handling in parking lots and narrow streets), so if it is finally offered in a comparable power package, how will it fare next to its older sibling?

[Portimao318]

Can you post some pictures of the X5 here ? I am curious.

[Roundown]

Originally Posted by Max Well

Congratulations on your purchase, cSurf.

I'm curious - if we could fast-forward to a year from now, and if on the showroom floor you saw a(n) identically-spec'd X3-M G01 sitting next to your X5-M, which would you choose?

It will be interesting to see if the G01 40i and M produce a paradigm shift in this genre. My suspicion is the X3 fits the middle of this bell-shaped curve very well (regarding space, fuel economy, performance, and handling in parking lots and narrow streets), so if it is finally offered in a comparable power package, how will it fare next to its older sibling?

That's a great question. The X3M - likely greater than a year out - would be tempting. For context, I purchased the X5M for it's chassis dynamics, not it's power (I would have been amply happy with 100hp less). If they get the X3M right, it's chassis should shine above the X5M (as it'll likely weigh 750lbs less), leaving the X5M to be the power king (ala M3 vs. M5).

If the fit/finish and tech of the X3M are similar to the X5M (which are high), I'd give it a hard look.

That said, the X5M has totally blown me away with how small and nimble it's capable of feeling (as well as blisteringly quick). I do appreciate the extra space as well. MotorTrend's review of the X6M (not normally a MotorTrend fan), largely nails it. Somehow, the X6M is faster around Willow than the M3...

BMW X6M vs Cayenne Turbo, GLE63 S Coupe, and Range Rover Sport SVR

As for pics- here you go. Carbon Black on Silverstone!

Post Full Front Xpel Shield instal and Ceramic Pro coating at Unique Car Care (Boston).

[Roundown]

Originally Posted by Endre2

Can you post some pictures of the X5 here ? I am curious.

See above!

[nyalpine90]

goddammm.. how did u go from x3 to x5m

congrats!

[Lotus99]

Originally Posted by cSurf

For context, I purchased the X5M for it's chassis dynamics, not it's power (I would have been amply happy with 100hp less). If they get the X3M right, it's chassis should shine above the X5M (as it'll likely weigh 750lbs less), leaving the X5M to be the power king (ala M3 vs. M5).

Beautiful new car, first of all. The power must be exhilarating!

I have not driven an X5M, but I really have a hard time believing the chassis dynamics of an X5M, as good as an M chassis is, would be a ton better. It weighs a full 1000 pounds more than the X3 35 (not 750 as you indicated) - 5200 lbs vs. 4200 lbs - or 25% more. That's a lot of weight to compensate for.

The specs are here:

http://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/bmw/x...35i/sd-AAbM0n6

http://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/bmw/x...s/m/sd-AAbLJ7y

An X3 with the proper sport suspension from factory, which is option 226 (I'm not talking just the M Sport package which almost all dealers ordered with the regular suspension), would be comparable I'd think in handling, if you have the DHP package, and add to it aftermarket springs. That option comes with sport springs, sport shocks and beefier sway bars.

Oddly enough also, the cargo room of the X5 is actually less than the X3, even though the car is almost 10 inches longer. I guess all the space went to the passengers. Max Well here posted a detailed chart of various SUV's and the X3 has 27 cu ft vs. the X5's 23 (see post 18):

http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1163269

[Roundown]

Originally Posted by Lotus99

Beautiful new car, first of all. The power must be exhilarating!

I have not driven an X5M, but I really have a hard time believing the chassis dynamics of an X5M, as good as an M chassis is, would be a ton better. It weighs a full 1000 pounds more than the X3 35 (not 750 as you indicated) - 5200 lbs vs. 4200 lbs - or 25% more. That's a lot of weight to compensate for.

The specs are here:

http://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/bmw/x...35i/sd-AAbM0n6

http://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/bmw/x...s/m/sd-AAbLJ7y

An X3 with the proper sport suspension from factory, which is option 226 (I'm not talking just the M Sport package which almost all dealers ordered with the regular suspension), would be comparable I'd think in handling, if you have the DHP package, and add to it aftermarket springs. That option comes with sport springs, sport shocks and beefier sway bars.

Oddly enough also, the cargo room of the X5 is actually less than the X3, even though the car is almost 10 inches longer. I guess all the space went to the passengers. Max Well here posted a detailed chart of various SUV's and the X3 has 27 cu ft vs. the X5's 23 (see post 18):

http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1163269

EDIT: wrote the first response on the move... reading it over, it was a bit jumbled and bombastic.

X5M is a noticeably superior handler. DHP and the staggered P-Zeros were revelatory on the X3; but the X5 (with DHP) and X5M benefit from torque vectoring diffs, much newer and lighter suspension hardware (and software) and most importantly, active roll stabilization (dynamic sway bars). 325 rears help, too.

But you don't have to believe me... the X6M (close relative of the X5M) lapped willow springs faster than the M3 (in Randy Pobst's hands).

As I said above, I suspect the G01 X3M will change that relationship. Mostly, I hope that the G01 brings better steering. That alone would get me to swap out (it's my only real disappointment on the X5M).

Regarding cargo volume, I am surprised by the cargo numbers supplied as I am able to fit two pieces of luggage perpendicular (to the axles, in the cargo area) that once had to be divided between backseat and trunk (in the X3). I suspect there's more to the story than just total volume (layout, proportion height vs. square, etc.).

[ianfp]

cSurf, that is a truly awesome X5M and this would be my first choice if I had the $$$/£££

[Roundown]

Originally Posted by Lotus99

It weighs a full 1000 pounds more than the X3 35 (not 750 as you indicated) - 5200 lbs vs. 4200 lbs - or 25% more.

On this bit- we don't know what an X3M will weigh. Adding more robust suspension hardware, larger wheels/tires, chassis bracing and the S55 (w/ an additional turbo charger and air-to-water plumbing)... it could very well be heavier than the current X3 xDrive35i (even the M2, with a nearly identical drivetrain, is slightly heavier than the M235i... and will likely be materially heavier in real-world testing).

[Roundown]

Originally Posted by ianfp

cSurf, that is a truly awesome X5M and this would be my first choice if I had the $$$/£££

Thanks!

[Lotus99]

Originally Posted by cSurf

EDIT: wrote the first response on the move... reading it over, it was a bit jumbled and bombastic.

X5M is a noticeably superior handler. DHP and the staggered P-Zeros were revelatory on the X3; but the X5 (with DHP) and X5M benefit from torque vectoring diffs, much newer and lighter suspension hardware (and software) and most importantly, active roll stabilization (dynamic sway bars). 325 rears help, too.

But you don't have to believe me... the X6M (close relative of the X5M) lapped willow springs faster than the M3 (in Randy Pobst's hands).

As I said above, I suspect the G01 X3M will change that relationship. Mostly, I hope that the G01 brings better steering. That alone would get me to swap out (it's my only real disappointment on the X5M).

Regarding cargo volume, I am surprised by the cargo numbers supplied as I am able to fit two pieces of luggage perpendicular (to the axles, in the cargo area) that once had to be divided between backseat and trunk (in the X3). I suspect there's more to the story than just total volume (layout, proportion height vs. square, etc.).

Wow. Just wow. I'd have thought there's no way to beat plain old physics by that much, but I stand corrected, and what technology has achieved is mind blowing. That must be one hell of a car!

It's crazy to see its place in the fastest cars who have lapped that track!

http://fastestlaps.com/tracks/willow-springs

As far as cargo space, I wonder if it's because of the raised floor in the cargo area, the reduction in cu. ft? I looked at the X5 before buying our X3, and that didn't appeal to me, as our dog would have to jump up quite high to get in there.

Will be eagerly waiting to see what they do with the X3M! Glad to see they've got SUV's now that can handle as good as / better than the wagons.

[Max Well]

That is a beautiful X5M!

It would seem BMW is placing a lot of emphasis on the upcoming X3 G01's design, as it appears it will represent the future of the next generation of X models. With the CLAR ('Cluster Architecture') utilizing an amalgamation of high strength steel, carbon fiber and aluminum (which allows for the weight reduction while/whilst still providing improved strength) and the remarkable CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic), this should be a marked leap in technology across the board for this iteration.

The question remains - when will it be released?

[exon]

Originally Posted by cSurf

X5M is a noticeably superior handler. DHP and the staggered P-Zeros were revelatory on the X3; but the X5 (with DHP) and X5M benefit from torque vectoring diffs, much newer and lighter suspension hardware (and software) and most importantly, active roll stabilization (dynamic sway bars). 325 rears help, too.

I tried X5 50i with the active rollbar....it is surreal experience. Yes it still drives bigger than X3, but it is so flat when cornering and so smooth when cruising. Amazing piece of technology.

(yet the twin turbo V8 still has the same drive by wire lag ).

[FSociety]

Originally Posted by exon

I tried X5 50i with the active rollbar....it is surreal experience. Yes it still drives bigger than X3, but it is so flat when cornering and so smooth when cruising. Amazing piece of technology.

(yet the twin turbo V8 still has the same drive by wire lag ).

Yep I drove a 650 Convertible in Miami for 2 days and felt the same lag.