[Riddleric]

which is a better choice for 3-5 years of ownership? Also debating if I should go for a used M50i, any suggestions?

[crackerjack15]

All depends on what you want. 40i has plenty of power for regular driving. If you want fun and want to be able to pass 4 or 5 cars on a two lane road at a time then maybe the m60i. Lol. The 6cyl has better range and better mpg if that matters. I have two sportcars to drive, but if the X7 is your only vehicle and you want some fun, maybe the m60i. You can't go wrong with either one.

[BMW5and7]

Disclaimer: I am going to avoid the question of (M60i vs M50i) because that is a completely different subject and I already have strong feelings towards being a NO-NO for the LCI no matter what. Hence, my answer is based on the pre-pci 40i vs M50i both new if u can find any, and pre-owned.

Financially, it is always best to go pre-owned. If you do, you for sure must go with the M50i instead of the 40i and let the first owner absorb the depreciation (I do this 80% of the time i buy vehicles, and I let 20% of my time for myself to enjoy a fresh new leather but only when my plan is to keep the vehicle for 20+ years or more). 9 out of 10 times, a low mileage pre-owned vehicle is as good as a brand new one (it gets tricky if you have swirl marks and paint perfection OCD like myself, but you always can do paint correction yourself for a few 100s cost of supplies and FUN TIME or a $1000 for a shop and it will look better than brand new! )!!!

The M50i has several advantages:
1. Value vs time: It will sell in the future much faster and you will get less depreciation cause someone had already absorbed the first hit, and the M50i tends to hold it's value much better than 40i. You can easily spot that by the fact some pre-owned fully loaded M50i are still selling for 85-93K (~20% depreciation) while 40i (my local BMW dealer) are offered at $55K (35% depreciation) and they are not even selling!!! All their 50i are usually gone within days-weeks, while most of their 40is stay for months and got discounted by $10K now.
2. AC: During summer months, if you ever go to very warm/hot states, many 40i users have reported issues with the AC of the 40i not catching up.
3. Engine and driving experience: the M50i is much more powerful and you will find it fun to drive. If you drive a BMW, you must go through the experience of the V8 engine. You will love driving the vehicle every morning. Smooth but powerful. The 40i is smooth but does JUST FINE to pull itself. The M50i is really fun and is the real deal.
4. Features/options: With the M50i, you don't need to be concerned about potentially losing some of the critical features, such as the dynamic handling package (in my opinion, it is a must have).
5. Likability with time: If you get the 40i, and if you ever then get the M50i as a loaner, you will regret the decision then. However, that is not to say that the 40i is not great vehicle too, but the M50i outweighs the 40i from a driving experience prospective for only a few MPGs lower (few $100's more per 10,000 miles?) difference that BMW buyers at that price won't be even worried about.
6. Driving experience in town: You can't go wrong with either one, but the reason I am all in for M50i instead of 40i is not because I race with it. Even driving in town and within speed limits is more fun with the M50i. I like how it takes off from traffic lights like a butterfly and I love how the exhaust system sound which can be very quite/smooth under eco mode light driving or too loud and fun under sport mode (you have both worlds in one vehicle).
7. Driving experience - highway: if you do some highway driving, especially between states, and especially with a full vehicle of stuff or people, the 40i does not do as well as the M50i.
8. Towing: Do you care about towing? The towing limit for both is NOT that impressive anyway, but you will lose another 550 lbs with the 40. The 50i tows 500lbs more weight which you may really need given that non of them tows huge loads anyway. When both are equipped with factory-installing towing hitch, both have equivalent limit of 7,500 lbs, However, The total approved gross vehicle weight is still higher for the M50i than 40i by about 300 lbs even when both have the factory-installed towing hitch. I don't know if this difference matches the higher weight of the M50 engine (you have to double check)
9. All together: In summary, you may miss something with 40i, but you will not miss anything with the M50i. If you are buying pre-owned, the price difference will be smaller than buying new, and hence I'll consider the M50i unless the budget is very limited. I'd rather get a pre-owned M50i with a few miles for a price X than getting a brand new 40i for the same price.

If the budget is VERY limited: you can take a look at the 2019 Xdrive 50i with low mileage. If you can find a FULLY LOADED one which was very easy to spec in 2019, you will love it and you won't miss any feature, for a fraction of it's original 121K MSRP! (perhaps $70-75K for 30-40K miles on the odometer)

My ranking for what I'd get is as follows:
1. Pre-owned M50i (the best financial and valuable decision)
2. brand-new 2022 M50i (if you can find it, but u'll have to fully know the LCI vs pre-LCI changes to decide if you also agree that the pre-lci is a better option for u)
3. Brand-new 2023 M60i
4. Pre-owned 40i
5. brand-new 2022 40i pre-LCI
6. brand-new 2023 40i LCI

[X7_Canada]

I would go for the M60i especially if you are after a highly specd X7 as the price difference will be minor. Also, I would like to believe that the M60i will hold its price better in 5 years

You should go for a used M50i if you like the older look more other than that you might regret not getting the newer model.

I personally had the same concerns but i ended up with an M60i

[Riddleric]

Great info!
Much appreciated, BMW5and7's in depth explanation is super helpful.

[thenew3]

I agree with everything BMW5and7 says with one exception "the M50i outweighs the 40i from a driving experience prospective"

I think that is only true if you only value acceleration and sound as part of the driving experience and does not include handling.

My reasoning is the M50/M60 has a few hundred more pounds over the front axle and you do feel it when you drive it on anything except straight roads. Thus if similarly equipped (Same wheel/tire, DHP etc), the 40i will handle better and feel more nimble around twisty roads than the 50/60i.

[BMW5and7]

Another point to add it towing. The towing limit for both is NOT that impressive anyway, and you will lose another 500lbs with the 40. The 50i tows 550 lbs more weight which you may really need given that non of them tows huge loads anyway.

[thenew3]

Originally Posted by BMW5and7

Another point to add it towing. The towing limit for both is NOT that impressive anyway, and you will lose another 500lbs with the 40. The 50i tows 550 lbs more weight which you may really need given that non of them tows huge loads anyway.

Aren't they both rated for 7500lb if you get the factory hitch?

[themama]

Originally Posted by Riddleric

which is a better choice for 3-5 years of ownership? Also debating if I should go for a used M50i, any suggestions?

IMO, if not done already, test drive both 40i and M50is.
40i is more efficient from maintenance and fuel consumption wise.
50i isn't going to break your wallet but question is if you want to spend that extra for what you get from 8 cylinder compared to 40i.

I personally like to stay away from first year models for that generation or lci's as it takes about an year or 2 before everything is stabilized. so my vote is always for a used MY2021 or 2022 regardless of 40i or 50i. But one point to note is that there could be some features or options cut short in 21 and 22 due to chip shortage. So you might need to do your research on what features are must haves in your car.

[BMW5and7]

Originally Posted by thenew3

Aren't they both rated for 7500lb if you get the factory hitch?

Without factory hitch, the maximum towing capacity is 5,400 lbs for the 40i and 5,950 lbs for the 50i.

I am not quite sure if they have the same towing capacity if both are equipped with towing hitch. I know that my 50i has 7,500 towing capacity though with towing hitch. I think the 40i has the same towing capacity with towing hitch, but not without it. However, The total approved gross vehicle weight is still higher for the M50i than 40i by about 300 lbs even when both have the factory-installed towing hitch.

[thenew3]

Originally Posted by BMW5and7

Without factory hitch, the maximum towing capacity is 5,400 lbs for the 40i and 5,950 lbs for the 50i.

I am not quite sure if they have the same towing capacity if both are equipped with towing hitch. I know that my 50i has 7,500 towing capacity though with towing hitch. Not sure about 40i with towing hitch.

My 40i with factory hitch is rated for 7500 lbs by BMW.

[themama]

Originally Posted by BMW5and7

Without factory hitch, the maximum towing capacity is 5,400 lbs for the 40i and 5,950 lbs for the 50i.

I am not quite sure if they have the same towing capacity if both are equipped with towing hitch. I know that my 50i has 7,500 towing capacity though with towing hitch. Not sure about 40i with towing hitch.

per the manual 40i and 50i's towing capacity is same.

[BMW5and7]

Originally Posted by themama

IMO, if not done already, test drive both 40i and M50is.
40i is more efficient from maintenance and fuel consumption wise.
50i isn't going to break your wallet but question is if you want to spend that extra for what you get from 8 cylinder compared to 40i.

I personally like to stay away from first year models for that generation or lci's as it takes about an year or 2 before everything is stabilized. so my vote is always for a used MY2021 or 2022 regardless of 40i or 50i. But one point to note is that there could be some features or options cut short in 21 and 22 due to chip shortage. So you might need to do your research on what features are must haves in your car.

That's right. The 2020 MY (and also the 2019 MY) were the sweet spot for most available options at a given time. 2019 MY with production date of February 2019 and after have good and solid feedback though. If I have to avoid the first year for (launch related issues), things have stabilized with no major changes starting from Feb 2019 matching what you'd get on any X7 all the way through 2022 (with the exception of adding iPhone as a key compatibility later in 2020 or so, and of course, the upgraded V8 engine for M50 2020+).

The launch issues for the 2023 LCI is an exception as we are seeing a ton of issues during it's launch. The 2019 X7 launch has really stabilized pretty well after only a few months. I don't recall seeing any issues starting Feb 2019. Even during the launch, it was not as bad as the LCI nowadays. Things were really smoot (relatively speaking).

[BMW5and7]

Originally Posted by themama

per the manual 40i and 50i's towing capacity is same.

Only when both are equipped with the towing hitch (which is an option). Without towing hitch, there is about 550 lbs. difference.

The total approved gross vehicle weight is still higher for the M50i than 40i by about 300 lbs even when both have the factory-installed towing hitch. I don't know if this is related to the higher weight of the M50 engine (you have to double check)

[thenew3]

Originally Posted by BMW5and7

Only when both are equipped with the towing hitch (which is an option). Without towing hitch, there is about 550 lbs. difference.

The total approved gross vehicle weight is still higher for the M50i than 40i by about 300 lbs even when both have the factory-installed towing hitch.

I think we should only limit discussion to what's available straight from the factory not what's available after market.

Also the Gross vehicle weight is 300 pounds more on the m50i because it weighs approximately 300 pounds more than the 40i. So over all cargo carrying capacity between the two are the same.

[BMW5and7]

Originally Posted by thenew3

I think we should only limit discussion to what's available straight from the factory not what's available after market.

Also the Gross vehicle weight is 300 pounds more on the m50i because it weighs approximately 300 pounds more than the 40i. So over all cargo carrying capacity between the two are the same.

All of this is based on (what's available straight from the factory). In fact, the standard factory spec is no trailer hitch on either of them because this is an option anyway, hence for the both models straight from factory, without a trailer hitch option, there is about 500 lbs towing capacity difference.

[thenew3]

Originally Posted by BMW5and7

All of this is based on (what's available straight from the factory). In fact, the standard factory spec is no trailer hitch on either of them because this is an option anyway, hence for the both models straight from factory, without a trailer hitch option, there is about 500 lbs towing capacity difference.

Why talk about a 500lb towing capacity difference when there is not tow hitch to tow with?

The factory installed optional hitch is the same for M50/60 and 40i models. All are rated for same 7500lb tow capacity and can carry the same amount of cargo/weight.

So towing capacity or cargo carrying capacity (with the factory installed optional hitch) should not factor in to the decision between a M50/60 or 40i.

[BMW5and7]

Originally Posted by thenew3

Why talk about a 500lb towing capacity difference when there is not tow hitch to tow with?

The factory installed optional hitch is the same for M50/60 and 40i models. All are rated for same 7500lb tow capacity and can carry the same amount of cargo/weight.

So towing capacity or cargo carrying capacity (with the factory installed optional hitch) should not factor in to the decision between a M50/60 or 40i.

Facts are facts. When you are shopping pre-owned (used) vehicles, which is something the OP asked about or considered, they won't have the same room to add factory hitch option to the build like you do when you buy new (unless they can add it later). If the pre-owned vehicle is not equipped with the increased towing capacity via a hitch as factory, then that is the towing limit one would expect regardless of the fact that it would be an aftermarket hitch then. It is still relevant for those who are shopping ore-owned (or even new without a factory BMW hitch). Like I said, facts are facts, and additional information would never be a bad thing for the OP. I am not sure why you are debating all this with me. Just appreciate the fact information are being shared. The M50 without a factory installed towing hitch can tow more than 40i without a factory installed hitch if the owner decides one day to tow with it using an aftermarket hitch or if he finds a pre-owned one that he likes but does not have the factory installed hitch (at least now he knows what the difference is).

[wtwo3]

BMW5and7 it sounds like you're on a personal mission to prevent as many people from purchasing the LCI G07 as possible

For me personally the decision between 40i and m60i was simple. I have a sports sedan which acts as my fun car, and the X7 is purely a family hauler, so I prioritized luxury over sportiness and so for me the 40i is perfect. It's still quite quick for a 3 row SUV mind you. If however it was my only vehicle (or if my other car wasn't something fun/sporty), then I'd have gotten the M60i. IMO the ONLY reason to get the M60i is because you want to have some fun with it (primarily in regards to acceleration and sound).

[BMW5and7]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

BMW5and7 it sounds like you're on a personal mission to prevent as many people from purchasing the LCI G07 as possible

For me personally the decision between 40i and m60i was simple. I have a sports sedan which acts as my fun car, and the X7 is purely a family hauler, so I prioritized luxury over sportiness and so for me the 40i is perfect. It's still quite quick for a 3 row SUV mind you. If however it was my only vehicle (or if my other car wasn't something fun/sporty), then I'd have gotten the M60i. IMO the ONLY reason to get the M60i is because you want to have some fun with it (primarily in regards to acceleration and sound).

🤣🤣🤣 lololol… maybe… na just kidding. Just sharing my thoughts man. Lol. But I agree somehow, as a BMW fan, i was super annoyed and disappointed by the LCI reveal. Anyway they’ll find some fans other than me, I’ll just skip this phase and wait for the next. It’s mostly cosmetic things that I hate, and cosmetics to me are not something I could let go.

[arciga18]

Originally Posted by BMW5and7

🤣🤣🤣 lololol… maybe… na just kidding. Just sharing my thoughts man. Lol. But I agree somehow, as a BMW fan, i was super annoyed and disappointed by the LCI reveal. Anyway they’ll find some fans other than me, I’ll just skip this phase and wait for the next. It’s mostly cosmetic things that I hate, and cosmetics to me are not something I could let go.

I'm just mad at supply chain issues .

[3to5toX5toX7]

I drove both a M60 and 40i tonight, and I am trying to decide between the two. I ordered a M60 that was finally released to me today (after 38 days in QC) and the Stop Sale. I've already asked for another allocation and mostly decided on ordering a new one (as my car appears to have been worked on while in QC).

I drove "my" M60, then asked to drive the Demo 40i for fun. Quite honestly, I like the 40i more for the following reasons:

1. The 40i has much smoother power delivery. In stop and go traffic, the V8 isn't nearly as smooth off the line nor as linear in its power delivery.
2. The fake exhaust sounds seem too much to me and more than in the 2022 M50. In comfort mode, it seemed too much for day to day driving and was a bit annoyed by it. In sport mode, I thought the fake exhaust overruns were too much, and the "thump" it puts through the subwoofer when it shifts is just odd. First time I heard it I thought something fell over in the back.
3. The M60 feels heavy and not as dialed in as the M50 did to me. For 2023 the 40i suspension has been refined an is much less floaty than in 2022.

In summary, I feel like the LCI for 40i took several steps forward (smoother power and much more refined suspension tuning) and the M60 a few steps back (feels heavy and the engine isn't as linear). While it wasn't something I was thinking about, I may reorder a 40i instead.