[padrino]

Only a day in but damn I like it more than I expected given the reviews I read…. I have driven most X variants, an XB7, among others, and while some of the design choices on the XM make me wonder, the M DNA is starting to come out and I am enjoying it!

[AirLaird]

I just love those lines...but no moonroof for me is a deal killer. Congrats!

[padrino]

Originally Posted by AirLaird

I just love those lines...but no moonroof for me is a deal killer. Congrats!

It was a spur of the moment purchase for me, I didn't realize until after I bought it, surprised me as well since it looks like it should given what they did with the ceiling in the car.

[PNWM3]

Originally Posted by padrino

Only a day in but damn I like it more than I expected given the reviews I read…. I have driven most X variants, an XB7, among others, and while some of the design choices on the XM make me wonder, the M DNA is starting to come out and I am enjoying it!

I'm thinking of going from my 2021 XB7 to the XM. I have one on pre-order thats currently in production. Sounding like late April or early May arrival.

Would really love to hear some of your impressions/thoughts when comparing the XB7 to the XM.

Thanks

[padrino]

Originally Posted by PNWM3

I'm thinking of going from my 2021 XB7 to the XM. I have one on pre-order thats currently in production. Sounding like late April or early May arrival.

Would really love to hear some of your impressions/thoughts when comparing the XB7 to the XM.

Thanks

Great question, and my most direct comparison since I drove my 2021 XB7 for almost 2 years... The XM feels more "M" than the XB7 did, and what I mean when I say that is it reminds me of how my M5 shifts, feels in terms of suspension setup.. Alpina delivers a slightly more refined ride than the M division does and you can tell.. With that said the XB7 did get boring faster than this will since the M specific touches do give me more to play with.

The XM likes to shift like my M5 does, it's almost violent sometimes pushing hard through the gears, the XB7 was smoother in that respect, and perhaps a bit slower as the XM can move and I do think BMW sandbagged the numbers on this one like they do from time to time on models..

I was hesitant at first but glad I made the move, I am really enjoying it.

[Msparta]

Happy to report the same experience with my XM… I’ll have to take pics in the day time as I literally just got her today…

[padrino]

Hit just about 400 miles so the car unlocked the rest of the power…. Overall a little underwhelmed, I mean it’s a fast SUV but expected more relative to my Alpina XB7

[buddenfan]

Originally Posted by padrino

Only a day in but damn I like it more than I expected given the reviews I read…. I have driven most X variants, an XB7, among others, and while some of the design choices on the XM make me wonder, the M DNA is starting to come out and I am enjoying it!

Thats awesome. I am curious how the drive compares to my 2021 X6M Competition

[XM Label]

Originally Posted by padrino

Hit just about 400 miles so the car unlocked the rest of the power…. Overall a little underwhelmed, I mean it’s a fast SUV but expected more relative to my Alpina XB7

I have a XB7 coming soon and was curious if you could compare the two purely from a driving dynamics standpoint.

[Msparta]

I’m currently also renting an x7 and although it’s a base model from sixt I can tell you this thing f sucks and drives like a mattress.

Having the xm to compare it, I can say the drive, stiffness, agility and acceleration is in a whole other class.

If these are based on the same platform it is night and day different and makes me not want to get into the x7 any more. 😂

[padrino]

Originally Posted by BMWXMBlack

I have a XB7 coming soon and was curious if you could compare the two purely from a driving dynamics standpoint.

Thinking of the best way to describe it, will call out some differences…

The XB7 has a bit more flexibility than the XM, with the air suspension and settings you can have a truly relaxing and fairly smooth ride… My wife made this point last night on our way to dinner, the XM is a rough ride relatively speaking no matter what way you slice it..

Sport plus on the XB7 feels a lot like the XM on comfort, maybe not exactly but it’s the best comparison I can think of..

In terms of body roll, etc the XM does feel a little more planted than the XB7 did, I assume mainly due to the COG being lower…

Acceleration wise they feel very similar, the XM engine feels too weak for what it is, BMW sandbagged it so bad it’s disappointing knowing what it’s capable of in the many vehicles they use the S68 in now…

[GuyOh]

Pictures?

[padrino]

Originally Posted by GuyOh

Pictures?

A couple of shots going out the door today...

[PNWM3]

Just got to drive the XM this afternoon. It’s pretty outstanding for what it is. For its size, it feels pretty darned quick and hits triple digits speeds with ease. And it sounds amazing. Back seat is super plush. Up front it feels vastly simplified with less buttons and the matte carbon has a great look to it.

I still like my XB7 but it looks/feels old compared to the XM. Same with most of the other vehicles on the lot minus the new 7-Series. I do think it looks much better in person and it has road presence for sure. It nice to see BMW taking some risks with design. Just like the new M3/M4, give it a few months and plenty of folks will change their minds.

[Msparta]

Humm… I have not driven an xb7 but currently rent a base model x7 and it drives like a mattress on any setting… lowered, sport… it really feels horrible and mushy - I have driven fords that drive much better.

I very much dislike the x7 drive feel, or lack there of.

Comparing the xm to the x7 is just night and day different. One feels like a bus and the other feels like a light sports suv on roids.

Not to mention the ac on the x7 is the worst of any vehicle I ever experienced.

My opinion and my own experience.

[padrino]

Originally Posted by Msparta

Humm… I have not driven an xb7 but currently rent a base model x7 and it drives like a mattress on any setting… lowered, sport… it really feels horrible and mushy - I have driven fords that drive much better.

I very much dislike the x7 drive feel, or lack there of.

Comparing the xm to the x7 is just night and day different. One feels like a bus and the other feels like a light sports suv on roids.

Not to mention the ac on the x7 is the worst of any vehicle I ever experienced.

My opinion and my own experience.

You are using a poor basis for comparison, have driven an x40, M50, M60 (wife owns one), the XB7, and now the XM and can tell you using the x40 is no good, jump in one of those V8 to get a feel for it, and yes the suspension is tuned different

[Msparta]

Originally Posted by padrino

You are using a poor basis for comparison, have driven an x40, M50, M60 (wife owns one), the XB7, and now the XM and can tell you using the x40 is no good, jump in one of those V8 to get a feel for it, and yes the suspension is tuned different

Steering and suspension among many others critical elements are way different. Yes I have daily feel for both the x40 and the xm can’t imagine the x7 even in the alpine build be entirely comparable to the xm as it has more dna to the base x40 then the xm.

I will hold reservation for the xb7 - will def add to my next test drive although I dislike all x7 looks and feel - just my opinion.