[krautmeister]

I'm moving from my F10 550i MSport and looking at X7s. I don't want to go more than $65k, which leaves me with 4.0i range. Anyone coming from 7 series or any other with the V8 TT and happy with the 4.0i? Now I don't have any inclination this is to be "sporty" in any way. I need to haul the family and need it to get up and go in Atlanta traffic.

I'm looking forward to a German equivalent of a Suburban and my only other option is to go GLS with 3rd row.

[jonatious]

Not sure what you mean by 4.0i. The base version X7 40i starts at $75k

[krautmeister]

Originally Posted by jonatious

Not sure what you mean by 4.0i. The base version X7 40i starts at $75k

I've seen some CPO on the market in Atlanta around 65-70.

So my question would be anyone move from a V8 to 6cyl and feel ok about the power?

[stockguru]

It's not going to compare to a 550. That's a sedan and a beast.

This Is a big and heavy truck that has 3 rows. For a 3 row monster, the inline 6 performs surprisingly well. It definitely drives better in my opinion than the competition. The 550 is not its competition and if you're looking for the same feel for power, you'll need to go xb7 or at a minimum m50i which obviously will not fit the budget parameters you set

Also, I think it will be tough to even get a base model within that price parameter. You'll be forgoing all options and assume that will be a big change for you coming from the 550. There are a few options I'm not sure I could live without.

[Next Level Auto Brokers]

I've driven both and the M50 is scary fast
40i is adequate around town as long as you don't have a heavy foot like I do

[krautmeister]

I drove a few GLS 550s and 450s. The 450 seemed adequate but the 550 was exactly what I'd expect. Decent torque and don't have to bury the throttle to get up and going.

I guess I'm going to have to spend some time and drive a few 40i. I was just afraid my foot would want the v8 and I'd get frustrated. I mean I guess I could spend more, but the depreciation really burns my chaps on these.

[stockguru]

Originally Posted by krautmeister

I drove a few GLS 550s and 450s. The 450 seemed adequate but the 550 was exactly what I'd expect. Decent torque and don't have to bury the throttle to get up and going.

I guess I'm going to have to spend some time and drive a few 40i. I was just afraid my brain would want the v8 and I'd get frustrated. I mean I guess I could spend more, but the depreciation really burns my chaps on these.

You're comparing a car with 100 more hp and 2000 lbs lighter. Not a fair contest really.

[djbonsu]

I have always looked at the x7 as a family hauler and not a sporty rocket. Initially unbeknownst to us, the ride and handling is great tho! That being said, we opted for the 40i and we are impressed with the power AND economy in town and on the highway. I may have the B58 motor tuned for a bit more power and my heavy foot but honestly, it isn’t a necessity. Drive them both and make the decision after if you are still in the fence.

[krautmeister]

Originally Posted by stockguru

You're comparing a car with 100 more hp and 2000 lbs lighter. Not a fair contest really.

Originally Posted by stockguru

You're comparing a car with 100 more hp and 2000 lbs lighter. Not a fair contest really.

I guess I'm not being clear. I'm comparing with Mercedes GLS 550 / 450. I am already expecting a hefty big SUV handling, just wonder if the 6cyl will cut it. I'm assuming that it will be adequate, just wonder if I will miss the power long term. I know I will be ok with it when I test drive, but load it up for a family trip with 4 people and luggage and I may be hating life on on ramps or passing.

[NOVA99]

You'll miss the V8TT, stop trying to rationalize a 6 banger. The 40i my be adequate but who buys a bimmer to be average and adequate? Depreciation happens in all large, luxury, 3 row SUVs. It's the price of admission.

[MicroSux]

Originally Posted by krautmeister

I'm moving from my F10 550i MSport and looking at X7s. I don't want to go more than $65k, which leaves me with 4.0i range. Anyone coming from 7 series or any other with the V8 TT and happy with the 4.0i? Now I don't have any inclination this is to be "sporty" in any way. I need to haul the family and need it to get up and go in Atlanta traffic.

I'm looking forward to a German equivalent of a Suburban and my only other option is to go GLS with 3rd row.

I have a 2020 M50i and I love it. It’s been in the shop for two months and I have been in the 2021 40i for those two months. I did a full 7 people airport run with luggage in a hitch mounted luggage carrier and it’s capable. I don’t know if I would tow the max 7500 and the X7 full in the 40i and feel the same way but running around town it’s good. For what it’s worth the mileage isn’t all that different. I’m getting 19.5 mixed in the 40i and 19 with the M50i. The 40i will get up and go in atl traffic no problem.

Mileage on the freeway at 75 is 26 in the 40i and 23 in the M50i.

[toddwalton]

The 40i is a rocket, you won't believe how a car this big and this heavy just effortlessly accelerates and passes on the highway or on local roads.

You've got other BMW's that can be about spirited driving and performance, dad can have his sporty coupe or a tight sedan. The X7 is a pure-play luxury cruiser. Embrace that. Instead of figuring out ways to go faster, choose the options that make your drive more comfortable. But, as stated earlier, the 40i is a rocket. Take a test drive. You'll see.

[stockguru]

Originally Posted by krautmeister

I guess I'm not being clear. I'm comparing with Mercedes GLS 550 / 450. I am already expecting a hefty big SUV handling, just wonder if the 6cyl will cut it. I'm assuming that it will be adequate, just wonder if I will miss the power long term. I know I will be ok with it when I test drive, but load it up for a family trip with 4 people and luggage and I may be hating life on on ramps or passing.

Definitely not clear. You mentioned the f10 550i in your original post.

If you are comparing to mb then the gls450 is the correct comparison. The gls580 is comparable to m50 and the gls 63 to xb7

Would not suggest x7 40i performance is going to drive anywhere near either the gls 580 or BMW 550i

I have driven both the x7 40i and gls450 and think the car and driver review is good summary. The x7 performs better but the mb seems to have a bit more room and comfort for third row and cargo. Obviously I went Bmw in my decision cause I'm a selfish prick and I'm not sitting in the third row.

[jmciver]

OP, I think the next step for you is obvious - go test drive the 40i at a minimum, and quite possibly the M50 to satisfy your curiosity. If you always like to have "mo powaa" like what you get from any V8, be it sedan or SUV, then of course you will miss the power. The X7 40i is very nimble (I have one and think it is more than enough), but it IS NOT like the V8 in the M50i. But in my case, I have the M3 to satisfy my power cravings (even though it has a "little" inline 6 cyl engine). So might I suggest you consider keeping the 550, together with the X7 40i, to scratch that power itch if you think you can't live without it.

Oh, and while markets will always vary, as others have mentioned, I would be surprised if you could find a well optioned CPO X7 40i in the price range you are looking. Even though in general luxury SUV's like the X7 can take a pretty big depreciation hit. But of course, YMMV....

[unfoundnemo]

Originally Posted by krautmeister

Anyone coming from 7 series or any other with the V8 TT and happy with the 4.0i?

I go back and forth between my 40i and a V8TT daily, very different cars for different reasons, but 40i has plenty of torque and power to have some fun around town, overtake on onramps, etc..

The only times I find myself wishing I had the M50i is when I'm already moving 70+ mph and want to overtake someone quickly (e.g. get around a truck while some faster traffic is approaching), or the general situations where I wish I could practically always convey highway dominance.

I'm about halfway through my lease with my X7 now, and while I wouldn't be against getting the M50i if I found a good deal, I'll most likely go ahead with a 40i again. I think the number of trips to the pump I would have to take in it's lifetime would be my biggest deterrent. Both of my cars have a ~20 gallon tank and I already fill up 200 miles or so with the V8TT, and maybe about 300 or so for the 40i. I'm not really worried about fuel economy, it's just the annoyance of having to get to the pump so often. I miss the days of getting up to 700 miles on my X5 35d for sure.

[x7bmw23]

Go for the 50i!! If you're a spirited driver, go big! You'll regret the lost power of the 40i. I have a 40i and it suits me perfectly and has more pep than I would have imagined......but I'm not heavy on the gas and basically just a normal driver that never really drives it like the badge on the front recommends I should.

Test drive 40i with the family fully loaded and some extra weight and see how it feels.

[Wanderer73]

I think you'll be fine in a 40i hauling the family around town, but as everyone has mentioned, test drive it under different conditions. I've driven one many times and find the performance quite surprising for such a large car. The acceleration is very civilized and high speeds creep up on you quickly. BMW did an excellent job finding that sweet spot.

I've got an M50i and love the duality in its personality. It's very civilized around town and on the highway but an absolute beast when you give it a little nudge in any driving modes. Downside is that my driving style yields me dismal MPG with the V8TT.

If you're a spirited driver and want the most performance, you might be disappointed with the 40i. Drive them both. Good luck!

[Auricom]

Interesting read despite comparing MB GLS580 V8 to BMW X7 I6.

But the 40i ride, handling and I6 performance was worth the read.

Mercedes-Benz GLS580 vs. BMW X7: Picking the Best German Three-Row Luxury SUV
https://www.motortrend.com/cars/merc...n-test-review/

[Wild Blue]

Originally Posted by krautmeister

I've seen some CPO on the market in Atlanta around 65-70.

So my question would be anyone move from a V8 to 6cyl and feel ok about the power?

Will it be ok? Absolutely. The 40i has plenty of power, if you recognize that it will be no comparison to a V8tt, and/or sedan. 40i has more than enough get up and go, even when loaded.

I would have been plenty fine with the 40i, but ended up with the M50i for several reasons.

If you, however, are a power junkie, and are going to be disappointed without the torque of a V8, then get the V8 when you can afford it. I fear you expectations may not line up with your budget, however.

[Aussiepic]

I've been driving X5M's for the past 9 years, and more recently an M8 GC. So I'm rather spoilt with plenty of power. My wife has an X7 40i, and I continue to be surprised at how smoothly and hard it pulls all the way through the rev range. It performs well in all conditions; traffic, freeways, and mountain passes. I just need to make sure side bolsters on the seat are really snug so I don't move around in turns.

[krautmeister]

Thanks all for your input. I in no way need this to be a "fits all" car. I will be using it as a daily and family hauler on long trips. I have multiple cars already with unique use cases for each (997 Turbo, Alfa Romeo Spyder, LR3 overland build,etc). If I keep the 550i... my wife will lose her mind as we are running out of space at our house.

I think I will certainly test drive both... just measuring up some value comparisons.

I can do a 2018 GLS 550 very cost effectively - a bit dated, but ticks all the boxes sub $60k.

Go up to $70s and get CPO 2018 GLS 63AMG or 2019/20 CPO X7 base.

I'm not in the monthly budget crowd but trying to be sensible with a specific use case car. I normally lose my mind over passion cars like the GT3 I'm getting here next month replacing my Turbo (which is the reason for a new family car to keep everyone happy).

[DynamicLA]

We have a ‘17 GLS 550 and a ‘20 X7 4.0, so I feel qualified to respond to this.

I can tell you without hesitation that our X7 drives better, is quieter, has better technology, and is more comfortable overall than the GLS. The GLS can accelerate a little faster and can hold some more stuff than the X7, but that is mostly due to the configuration difference (bench seats for the GLS and captain’s chairs for the X7).

Our lease is up on the GLS this week, and we are turning it in without hesitation.

Get the X7, you won’t be disappointed.