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BMW X7 (G07) Forums General BMW X7 Forum BMW X7 50i vs GLS 580

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      10-19-2019, 05:45 PM   #1
LittleJoe
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BMW X7 50i vs GLS 580

I owned a 13 GL 550, a 14 GL 550, and a 17 GLS 550 so I have some real world knowledge of how those models compare to our 19 X7 50i. Both are competent SUV's with lots of room and plenty of power. Where the X7 excels (IMO) is handling and braking. Both of these areas gave me some pause with the GL/GLS. The shop even replaced the rotors on the 14 GL after I complained of to much vibration when braking. It was a common issue for many GL owners. And I always felt the GL/GLS didn't track straight on the highway. All three tended to drift to the right at highway speeds. I even made the shop realign two of them but the drifting, though slight, was still there.

Our X7 on the hand has excellent braking and tracks perfectly straight. As for tech, the X7 being newer is a giant step forward. The 2020 GLS 580 will be loaded with tech and should start showing up on dealer lots in the coming months so I plan to take one out for a test drive to see how it stacks up to out X7.

If you came from a GL or GLS to the X7 please post your take on both vehicles.
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      10-19-2019, 07:36 PM   #2
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Joe I’m like you. Lots of miles in GL/S. Loved them too. What ultimately took me to the vehicle time and again was the best third row in a non American extended SUV. And then I was pleasantly surprised by the utility and the driving dynamics. I’ve driven em all and the GLS is the best all arounder. I could give you 10-15 reasons why I prefer it to the Navigator. Escalade, Yukon, q7, RR...

I’ve seen a couple GLS new gen here and there. In base trim it’s atrocious. But like the new GLE throw the right 21” rim or greater on there and it’s a completely different vehicle. What can’t be elevated that much, from what I can tell. is the interior from base to 580 spec. It’s not as luxe as the x7, especially given the no sun roof third row that looks to me to be no larger or better equipped than the last gen. The third row to me is a major disappointment to me coming from Benz who has revolutionized packaging in this niche. The utility/footprint ratio of these vehicles crushes the field. Less so now with x7.

So summary: I expect the 580 with 23s to look absolutely fantastic in the flesh. I expect it to drive better than the x7 when pushed hard. Last gen with active curve and 21” all season rubber was as fun to drive for me as my e63 was. I kid you not. I pushed it absurdly hard. I expect Benz to have achieve the same or better this go around, even without the 9k Dr Dre suspension.

I expect the interior to be a let down vs the x7. And I expect the “regal” presence element of the vehicle to be inferior to the x7. But the x7 to me presents much better in the flesh and in real life ownership than it does in pics and in reviews from people who don’t fully appreciate this class of vehicle. Thus I want to see to judge for myself if what I expect proves accurate
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      10-19-2019, 09:43 PM   #3
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I had a 2015 gl350 diesel that I thought was an amazing family suv at the time. More spacious on the interior than many of the other big family suvs including a 2015 lx570 i had. These other cars look larger on the outside but do not offer the space the Mercedes had. I was on the fence about waiting for the 580 but honestly the design to me was so underwhelming. Sure it looks cool enough decked out with the 23s but still didn’t seem nearly as sporty as the x7 with msport or now the M50i. The interior to me overall had no character whatsoever. For them to say it’s the sclass of SUV’s is a horrible misrepresentation. It doesn’t even come close to an sclass, whereas the x7 is right up there with the interior of a 7 series. The other thing I don’t like is the big solid screen that looks so out of place on all the new Mercedes outside of the nicer higher end sedans which seem to position the screen more congruently with the rest of the interior. That being said, I think it’ll be a nice suv and will appeal to more people based on repeat customers having good previous experience with other gl/gls even though I personally think the x7 has much more to offer
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      10-19-2019, 11:45 PM   #4
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We have a X7 40i and came from a 2014 GL450. I hated that car, my wife liked it and it was her daily. The X7 excels in the areas the GL450 failed. Handling (steering feel and body roll) and braking being the 2 biggest differences. The steering on the GL felt very disconnected and felt like you had to turn the wheel more than the X7 to get same turn. The cornering in the GL450 was terrible. If you cornered too fast the nanny alerts would kick in and kill power and had much more body roll. The X7 stays much flatter on turns. You can corner much faster in X7 and after 5 months I haven't felt the nanny controls take over once. The brake fell in the GL450 would often have a grinding sensation. The X7 is soft and smooth through the entire braking pedal range. The X7 has much more consistent power delivery as well. I was so happy to sell the GL450 and would never buy one again.
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      10-20-2019, 09:40 AM   #5
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I'm still very interested in seeing the new GLS hit the streets, and watch what public interest does. Hoping that increased demand for the GLS translates into more discounts on the X7. Me, I'm a BMW guy, and even though I see some things on the GLS that look good to me, I'm going to be sticking with the X7.

Anybody know the latest release date plans of the GLS? All I still see is "by the end of CY 2019". And on a side note, still hearing about a Maybach GLS in CY 2020, which is good news for us, as that would increase pressured likelihood of the Alpina XB7 and/or X8/four door concept from BMW.

Last edited by Wild Blue; 10-20-2019 at 05:56 PM..
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      10-20-2019, 10:14 AM   #6
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Used to own a 13 GL450, just took delivery of my M50i this week.

GL thoughts - it’s still a handsome car. Interior was gorgeous, and I loved the spaciousness inside. It had great power (I didn’t really notice it being much slower than the 550), but it did not impress in handling. I drove a fast canyon road every day and while competent, the steering offered zero response and was way to loose.

This all said, I got a loaner GLS and felt like it was far better in these areas. Curios if the new gen will be another step forward. They did the whole press event for the new GLS in my town and it was fun seeing them for a week or so, they are good looking vehicle!

X7 so far - ok the M50i is an absolute beast. Sounds amazing and is a blast to drive. Interior is gorgeous and user friendly. I have DHP and I’ll admit it’s taking some getting used to. It just turns so quickly and responds so fast. I have black sapphire with extended shadowline, and had my 22 inch wheels powder coated in black. Thing looks pure evil and I love it!!! I got captains chairs (because tartufo) and really would have preferred a bench. Seats are amazingly comfortable, but the utility of the bench would have been nice.
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      10-20-2019, 03:51 PM   #7
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I'm a huge fan of the x7 and GLS and I bet the 580 tricked out is going to be absolutely phenomenal.

Last gen 450 isn't much a proxy for how good that gen was. The 550 was absolutely a near perfect vehicle. I think the new gen 580 will delight, as well.
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      10-20-2019, 09:34 PM   #8
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One downside (again IMO) to the way Mercedes-Benz markets the GLS in the US is the only way to get AMG styling is to order the 580 (V8). BMW smartly offers the M Sport appearance package on both the 40i and 50i. In fact I think you can order just about every option available on the 50i on a 40i. Very smart marketing and still a head scratcher as to why MB doesn't do the exact same thing with their GLS.
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      10-21-2019, 12:51 PM   #9
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I am also in the market for X7 M50. Test drove one last week and think it will be a capable replacement to my X6M. I appreciate all the responses here re the GLE because my own limited experience with GLW back in 2014 led me to rule that car off completely. I just thought the handling was very floaty and unsave at speeds. It sounds like MB has improved that car a lot to a point where it is more comparable with X7 today. I will try to test drive one when it's out but somehow feel that I will stay with BMW.
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      10-21-2019, 01:38 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aas5 View Post
I am also in the market for X7 M50. Test drove one last week and think it will be a capable replacement to my X6M. I appreciate all the responses here re the GLE because my own limited experience with GLW back in 2014 led me to rule that car off completely. I just thought the handling was very floaty and unsave at speeds. It sounds like MB has improved that car a lot to a point where it is more comparable with X7 today. I will try to test drive one when it's out but somehow feel that I will stay with BMW.
I test drove a brand new Mercedes GLS 450 last week. I thought the ride was rough, noisy, unpolished and no where near the driving experience I got with the BMW X7 M40i. However, I do like the dash layout on the Mercedes compared to the BMW. The BMW just doesn't have the customization options that the Mercedes has.

In the end, I'm glad I picked the BMW over the Mercedes for a host of reasons.

Now, if I can just hold on for another month while I wait for mine to get built. Mine is being built as I type this and is supposed to be finished by 10/28/2019. Then I have to wait for it to arrive at my dealer's showroom for delivery but not until the end of November. Bummer!
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      10-21-2019, 07:36 PM   #11
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https://www.bmwblog.com/2019/10/21/d...enz-gls-class/

Well, hey... if DOUG says the X7 is cooler than the GLS, then...


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      10-23-2019, 07:08 PM   #12
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The navigation feature that shows a live video preview of the upcoming turn with arrows is nice. X7 should add it as well.
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      10-24-2019, 06:50 AM   #13
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I test drove a 2020 GLE that had the AR overlays when navigating to a location and while it was impressive I'd personally rather use Waze. I want to know what's coming up ahead (hazards, stopped traffic, police traps, etc.)

It's sort of a one-trick-pony feature.
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      10-31-2019, 12:10 PM   #14
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I had a 2017 GLS 63 AMG and traded it in for an X7(been BMW since mid 90’s needed true third row). I even purchased the X7 40i fully loaded (minus rear entertainment) because the adapters are perfect for my kids iPad minis. knowing that Dinan will be offering quite a few upgrades soon enough to make this family hauler ideal in terms of hp and tq minus the V8 typical engine issues. We are absolutely in love with this machine. The only vehicle that we’ve owned that we would be fine having two of the same in the garage.

Our service tech drove the AMG more than we did and I grew fatigued with $2400 brake jobs every 8-10k miles. I’ve had three full size Range Rover Autobiography’s and my brake jobs were only )$14-1500 and only needed every 20k or so.
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      11-02-2019, 11:29 AM   #15
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My lease is over on a 2017 GLS 550 and deciding between X7 or the new 2020 GLS. Pricing and maintenance are deciding factors. 2020 GLS discounts will be paltry compared to X7 pricing as of now. Looks like BMW is trying to reach its target by end of the year with nice discounts and lease numbers are pretty attractive. It was ridiculous paying 0.0022 MF for 2017 GLS 550 but didn't have the option of X7 then!
Still weighing my options but getting more inclined towards a X7
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