My Alpina was ordered in June and finally picked up on 12/10/20.
My first impressions of the XB7 is exactly what I thought it was going to be.
My current SUVs in the house are 2021 Audi SQ8, 2019 Porsche Macan S, 2018 Bentayga W12. With that being said, this drives different compared to anything else I've owned. I love cars. I appreciate each individual vehicles dynamics for they were intended to do. I was a track junky in an earlier life.
Some impressions so far...
1. I drove the X7 5.0M many times and I thought the transmission and shift points was not as intuitive, precise as it should be. At times it should shift too late and keep the RPM in a range where there was a lull in power. I had ordered and cancelled my X7 5.0M after my dealer got a car for me to test drive. The XB7's transmission programming is much improved. Although it isnt a dual clutch transmission, it does its best to mimic it and the larger turbos keep it out of a dead zone in power and torque. Even in comfort transmission programming, the improvement in transmission program and power curve is night and day noticeable.
2. It drives like any other Alpina. If you have driven Alpina's in EU or the B7 here, the recipe is the same. Seamless monster torque delivery, comfortable ride and enough things to differentiate it but not scream "look at me".
3. NO auto stop and start feature. Love that I don't have to turn it off each time I get in.
4. The pictures are taken in my Sport Individual mode. Suspension, and transmission is in comfort. However, in the "Sport Individual" mode it drops the suspension drive height even in the "comfort" setting. Steering set to sport for added sharpness in 4 steer and turn in. Even in the lower suspension with comfort, the ride is excellent. Honestly, you can't really tell the ride quality different between "comfort" and "Sport Individual Comfort Suspension" setting. Riding on 23's and on rubberbands, this is phenomenal. I found the "comfort plus" setting to feel too floaty and too much body roll.
5. The exhaust note is pretty noticeable with the windows down. Windows up, it is almost too quiet. I wish I could hear it more with the windows rolled up.
6. My sirius xm lost its signal and will not play. When I access the radio id, nothing is there. Somehow, there is no radio ID. Called Sirius to see if the trial was not turned on, and it was. I think the system needs a hard reset to get it working again. Total bummer.
7. I ordered the RSE with the advice of many on here but the 2021 RSE does not have a HDMI port. Total disappointment. Actually I found the HDMI port! Score!
8. The brakes grab and they grab hard. I had a 2019 Cayenne Turbo ordered with carbon ceramic brakes. I feel like they bite and grab just as hard as that. Amazing.
Lots of BMW fanboys in my area. Gotten a lot of thumbs up and been asked what is it at Home depot. I spent all day yesterday paint correcting her.
I am having Huper Otik put on it right now. 200 miles put on her in the 3 days. Will post more thoughts once I get more seat time.
Pictures taken in "Sport Individual "driving mode which is my default driving mode.