[PNWM3]

2019 50i and now 2021 XB7. I’ve said it before but after so many other BMWs (E46 M3, E92 M3, E60 M5, E64 M6, M4 GTS, 3 i3s and an X4) and 3 Range Rovers the XB7 is my favorite. At 22k miles I still love it and there’s nothing else out there besides the XM that’s even tempting.

Heading out on a road trip with friend later today to Oregon wine country and I can’t wait to drive it down and back and on all the twisty roads out in the middle of nowhere. Even on winter tires it’s incredible.

And why do I like it? It’s insanely quick for its size when you want it to be and when just chilling it’s smooth, just enough engine noise and comfortable. With an all black interior and leather and alcantara everything it’s like sitting in a nice lounge. Turn on the B&W at a decent volume and you’re in this cocoon and it’s one of my favorite places to be. Even if it’s just driving 5 minutes to the grocery store. And I still look back at it when I park and walk away

[swissguy]

Originally Posted by BMWX7

To all current owners - would you buy your X7 again? If so, why - and if not, what would you do differently?

I am aware that an enthusiast forum is always subject to bias, but looking for some "success stories" among all reports of drivetrain failures, anemic AC, and decreasing quality…

Yes I would except I would order it. Even though the 22 inch wheels look awesome I would order the car with 21 inch wheels with all season tires.

[Setllarboss]

Originally Posted by BMWX7

To all current owners - would you buy your X7 again? If so, why - and if not, what would you do differently?

I am aware that an enthusiast forum is always subject to bias, but looking for some "success stories" among all reports of drivetrain failures, anemic AC, and decreasing quality…

I woukd order again but will get m60i in red/blue color and DHP.

[Gdwheel]

Absolutely. I have had two of them and will have another if they don't mess it up down the road. Best vehicles I have owned, and I have owned a lot of cars.

[X7bimmer]

My third X7 is being built. I have owned many different cars over the years including Cadillac, MB, Infiniti, Lexus among others. I have not found anything close to the quality of the X7 since the early days of Lexus. My experience has been that as the brand establishes a following, they start to find ways to cut costs hoping that the loyalty will remain and the missing or cheapened materials won't be noticed. The X7, IMO, is still the leader in quality and dependability and mostly comfort for the price for now.

[BMW5and7]

From all the responses below, one can easily conclude that there is strong agreement between most owners that the quality of the interior and material is superior to all other brands.

I agree with that too. No matter where you rest your hand or push, you barely feel and squeaks. It's very tightly and strongly put together. I'd say this has been a BMW thing that started to get much better around 2016-2017+, and certainly the X7 took it to the same or higher level. I hope they continue maintain that reputation.

[PinkNinja400Guy]

Originally Posted by BMW5and7

PinkNinja400Guy I am a little confused as I think the 2019 xdrive 50i has matching spec’s to the 2020 M50i with the only major difference being a tuned engine. The suspension in both is exactly the same (they even share the same part numbers) when the 2019 50i is equipped with the M-Sport Package (I know at that time you could order 50i without M-Sport). Hence I don’t think the suspension is the reason that my 2019 50i is more quite than my 2020 M50. Your notes above about the recorded db in the 2019 vs others confirmed what I have noticed too.
Also, in your post above you referenced the 2019 M50i a few times (?). I don’t think there was any M50i in 2019, hence I assume you were referring to the xdrive 50i with M-Sport (which is, again, basically the same vehicle as the 2020+ M50i before the engine got slightly tuned).

The used one was a '20 M50i... I got the year number mixed up.

[bagekko]

Unfortunately there is nothing that compares to the X7 with DHP & Integral Active Steering. If the new Defender full 3rd row had Integral steering maybe but unlikely for 4-5 years, can't believe they didn't have the option on the Defenders, the RR just got it and next is the Disco.

In 9 months we will either get a new 2024 if it seems the issues have been worked out or buyout the lease and wait to get a new one year later. Have every option on 40i except; off road, full leather, and drivers+. Will get an M60 with every single option, hope they bring back off road, cant understand even on mine why you can't adjust the height while driving off pavement.

[PinkNinja400Guy]

Originally Posted by BMW5and7

PinkNinja400Guy I am a little confused as I think the 2019 xdrive 50i has matching spec’s to the 2020 M50i with the only major difference being a tuned engine. The suspension in both is exactly the same (they even share the same part numbers) when the 2019 50i is equipped with the M-Sport Package (I know at that time you could order 50i without M-Sport). Hence I don’t think the suspension is the reason that my 2019 50i is more quite than my 2020 M50. Your notes above about the recorded db in the 2019 vs others confirmed what I have noticed too.
Also, in your post above you referenced the 2019 M50i a few times (?). I don’t think there was any M50i in 2019, hence I assume you were referring to the xdrive 50i with M-Sport (which is, again, basically the same vehicle as the 2020+ M50i before the engine got slightly tuned).

You're right that realoem shows the same part numbers for 50i and M50i suspension. The BMW press release for G05+G07 M50i however does say:

> The BMW X5 M50i and X7 M50i models feature a double-wishbone front and five-link rear suspension that has been painstakingly gone over by M GmbH... The bushings, spring and damper settings have all been tuned to complement the new models’ increased power [compared to the standard 50i?] and performance.

The original '19 40i/50i press release doesn't say anything about M suspension tuning. And AFAIK the X7 50i m-sport package only adds the M differential, it doesn't change the suspension.

For the G05, realoem shows that the M sport pack changes the struts/dampers and adds DHP active swaybars, but nothing else - bushings seem to be identical in either configuration.

Perhaps the press release is wrong about the M50s having different bushings. And springs/dampers don't apply to the X7's air suspension. So it may be a purely software difference between the tuning of the X7 50i and M50i suspension.

https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/usa/a...language=en_US

If someone could test drive a newer X7 40i vs M50i/M60i back to back, that would confirm whether the M suspension is what's causing the excessive noise. I don't think BMW did any cost cutting since the '22 40i is very quiet.

[k23435]

I have a 2019 X7 30d, and would not buy it again. I guess I have been unlucky, with 20-30 visits to the repairs (latest one last week).

In addition to the build quality, the most important thing missing in X7 for me is PHEV / EV option. I ended up ordering Mercedes EQS SUV with three rows, I hope I do not regret it in light of the recent Consumer Report:

https://www.consumerreports.org/car-...s-a7824554938/

[BMW5and7]

Originally Posted by PinkNinja400Guy

You're right that realoem shows the same part numbers for 50i and M50i suspension. The BMW press release for G05+G07 M50i however does say:

> The BMW X5 M50i and X7 M50i models feature a double-wishbone front and five-link rear suspension that has been painstakingly gone over by M GmbH... The bushings, spring and damper settings have all been tuned to complement the new models’ increased power [compared to the standard 50i?] and performance.

The original '19 40i/50i press release doesn't say anything about M suspension tuning. And AFAIK the X7 50i m-sport package only adds the M differential, it doesn't change the suspension.

For the G05, realoem shows that the M sport pack changes the struts/dampers and adds DHP active swaybars, but nothing else - bushings seem to be identical in either configuration.

Perhaps the press release is wrong about the M50s having different bushings. And springs/dampers don't apply to the X7's air suspension. So it may be a purely software difference between the tuning of the X7 50i and M50i suspension.

https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/usa/a...language=en_US

Or maybe BMW did some cost cutting between '19 and '20. If someone could test drive a newer X7 40i vs M50i/M60i back to back, that would confirm whether the M suspension is what's causing the excessive noise.

It is all media talk. BMW ran late on tuning the engine before the X7 formal reveal and all they did is basically delayed dropping in that tuned engine in the engine bay a few months-year later with other minor cosmetic changes. They could have made the same statements on the suspension as it relates to the 50i with M-Sport when it was released but they decided to leave the big talk until the tuned engine is ready to be dropped into the engine bay. I know the details and part numbers as well as all the suspension component are literally identical and nothing has changed at all between 50i with M-Sport and M50i in terms of suspension. The content of the press release is accurate, but intentionally it does not reference the baseline comparison, which is in reality M50i vs 40i. All of this was already done and adopted in the xdrive 50i with M-Sport and DHP but was never released until they got the engine tuned and switched the emblem from 50i to M50i (it's marketing). The reason that the 2019 is a lot more quite than 2022 X7s is still unknown to me. For the record, I don't have a baseline for 2019 vs 2020 (I would assume they would be identical from a sound and noise prospective, even though experts are showing some differences as you listed in your earlier post). The only comparison I personally have and experienced is the 2019 vs 2022.

[rjabend]

Originally Posted by BMW5and7

My 2019 50i? Certainly yes, the best car I ever owned in my life.
My 2022 M50i? Never ever gain!. Reduced build quality, more road noise, more interior rattle, cheaper feeling overall due to poor sound insulation IMO. Something happed for 2022-2023 BMWs.

Note: Both are equally equipped and fully-loaded to the max (except ambient air package and rear seat screens)

I test drove a 2023 X7 40i and it may have been the quietest vehicle I have driven. Do your comments apply to the 40i as well? Was there something wrong with the 50i that caused the noise?

[BMW5and7]

Originally Posted by rjabend

I test drove a 2023 X7 40i and it may have been the quietest vehicle I have driven. Do your comments apply to the 40i as well? Was there something wrong with the 50i that caused the noise?

I don't have much experience with 40i personally (in a way, that I never owned one).
If you are new to the X7, you will not be able to notice the difference that am talking about. It's like, my 2022 M50i is great in road noise insulation, but NOT as great to my 2019 50i. In a way that I found the 2019 50i to be superior. That does not mean that the 22 M50i is bad, but it is not as good as the 2019 50i but still better that it's other competitors. I noticed the same in most other newer 2022+ loaners I got or that I test drove. I don't think that what am noticing would be different for 40i vs M50/M60. I think it is more of a new material choice or deteriorating build quality. Switching from superior quality to anything else to just very-good/excellent quality...

[ComingInHot]

Originally Posted by BMWX7

To all current owners - would you buy your X7 again? If so, why - and if not, what would you do differently?

I am aware that an enthusiast forum is always subject to bias, but looking for some "success stories" among all reports of drivetrain failures, anemic AC, and decreasing quality…

I would buy my version again in a heartbeat but not the LCI version as there has been a sudden unfortunate increase in gremlins.

My 2020 M50i has been solid so far and since it's fully loaded I have no reason to give it up for a lower speced post LCI version.

[MystroX5]

If BMW was the BMW pre -Covid (circa 2020), I absolutely would. At this point in time I wouldn’t buy any BMW vehicle as their designs and build quality are far from what I look for in a BMW vehicle. The new design language is not a look I would want to spend money on. Oddly enough BMW keeps their core and entry level models looking more like the traditional BMW look?

As for a performance vehicle, that is even more abysmal as there isn’t one full “M” vehicle that does anything for me at any price point and that is disturbing because this is the vehicle division that BMW uses to stir emotion and look aggressive/sexy.

I suspect I may buy my wife a X3M40i if that is what she wants but she looked at a Cayenne recently and that will be “game over” for any BMW.

I am hoping BMW does a self correction.

[Saejin]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

If BMW was the BMW pre -Covid (circa 2020)
…

I suspect I may buy my wife a X3M40i if that is what she wants but she looked at a Cayenne recently and that will be “game over” for any BMW.

I am hoping BMW does a self correction.

It’s interesting you looked at Cayenne as well. My search began with a Cayenne S with some good options priced at $109k. Of course no discount, not even sure if Porsche ever offers one. I have always been set on owning a Porsche someday. Looked at the Macan S, Boxster, and was one signature away from a Cayman GT4.

Each and every time I always go back and compare it with a follow-up test drive to a BMW or something except for the Cayman and Boxster as there is no real BMW equivalent.

In the case of the Cayenne S which is a phenomenal SUV. It was the Coupe version so the first thing I noticed was the space inside. It was pretty small. Not as small as my SQ5, but not as large as I would have liked especially for the price. Build quality was on point and the engine and transmission were incredible. If I had the coin I could see it parked next to my X7 in the garage, but not anytime soon.
We then drove the X7 the same week and we’re sold. The X7 wasn’t perfect but it checked all the boxes we needed again. Will BMW ever get to Porsche standard, probably not. But for what you get it’s a pretty good deal.

Depending on how much space you need go take a look at the Macan S versus the X3M40i. The Macan is about the same size as our previous SQ5 and both are smaller than the X3. I did enjoy our SQ5 more than our X3, so the Macan will be that much better especially if you get the air suspension and a few other performance bits.

[MM60i]

Despite being somewhat disappointed with the wind noise and some loose trim pieces/build quality I would probably get it again. It’s not perfect but there really aren’t any good alternatives at the 115k price point (m60).

[rjabend]

Originally Posted by MM60i

Despite being somewhat disappointed with the wind noise and some loose trim pieces/build quality I would probably get it again. It’s not perfect but there really aren’t any good alternatives at the 115k price point (m60).

I have to wonder what is going on at the BMW plant. These kinds of problems shouldn't happen in production and they should absolutely be caught in QC.

[Wanderer73]

I've got a 2020 M50i. Favorite car I've owned across the board. Perfect family car and surprisingly fun and spirited when I'm driving alone. I have not had a single issue other than a couple of warning messages about the 2nd row not locking. I would buy one again without hesitation.

[MM60i]

Originally Posted by Wanderer73

I've got a 2020 M50i. Favorite car I've owned across the board. Perfect family car and surprisingly fun and spirited when I'm driving alone. I have not had a single issue other than a couple of warning messages about the 2nd row not locking. I would buy one again without hesitation.

A fully loaded 2020 M50i seems to be the GOAT of the X7

[Mail4loys]

I drive 2020 M50i. No issues thus far. Brings a smile every time I drives. I had two opportunities to buy a different car but couldn't after driving X7… I would buy this in a heartbeat

[JayM40i]

Hearing a lot of good feedback for the pre lci m50i. What's the better play…find a cpo m50i or pick up a new 40i?