[fkim119]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

My Alpina was ordered in June and finally picked up on 12/10/20.

My first impressions of the XB7 is exactly what I thought it was going to be.

My current SUVs in the house are 2021 Audi SQ8, 2019 Porsche Macan S, 2018 Bentayga W12. With that being said, this drives different compared to anything else I've owned. I love cars. I appreciate each individual vehicles dynamics for they were intended to do. I was a track junky in an earlier life.

Some impressions so far...

1. I drove the X7 5.0M many times and I thought the transmission and shift points was not as intuitive, precise as it should be. At times it should shift too late and keep the RPM in a range where there was a lull in power. I had ordered and cancelled my X7 5.0M after my dealer got a car for me to test drive. The XB7's transmission programming is much improved. Although it isnt a dual clutch transmission, it does its best to mimic it and the larger turbos keep it out of a dead zone in power and torque. Even in comfort transmission programming, the improvement in transmission program and power curve is night and day noticeable.

2. It drives like any other Alpina. If you have driven Alpina's in EU or the B7 here, the recipe is the same. Seamless monster torque delivery, comfortable ride and enough things to differentiate it but not scream "look at me".

3. NO auto stop and start feature. Love that I don't have to turn it off each time I get in.

4. The pictures are taken in my Sport Individual mode. Suspension, and transmission is in comfort. However, in the "Sport Individual" mode it drops the suspension drive height even in the "comfort" setting. Steering set to sport for added sharpness in 4 steer and turn in. Even in the lower suspension with comfort, the ride is excellent. Honestly, you can't really tell the ride quality different between "comfort" and "Sport Individual Comfort Suspension" setting. Riding on 23's and on rubberbands, this is phenomenal. I found the "comfort plus" setting to feel too floaty and too much body roll.

5. The exhaust note is pretty noticeable with the windows down. Windows up, it is almost too quiet. I wish I could hear it more with the windows rolled up.

6. My sirius xm lost its signal and will not play. When I access the radio id, nothing is there. Somehow, there is no radio ID. Called Sirius to see if the trial was not turned on, and it was. I think the system needs a hard reset to get it working again. Total bummer.

7. I ordered the RSE with the advice of many on here but the 2021 RSE does not have a HDMI port. Total disappointment. Actually I found the HDMI port! Score!


8. The brakes grab and they grab hard. I had a 2019 Cayenne Turbo ordered with carbon ceramic brakes. I feel like they bite and grab just as hard as that. Amazing.

Lots of BMW fanboys in my area. Gotten a lot of thumbs up and been asked what is it at Home depot. I spent all day yesterday paint correcting her.

I am having Huper Otik put on it right now. 200 miles put on her in the 3 days. Will post more thoughts once I get more seat time.

Pictures taken in "Sport Individual "driving mode which is my default driving mode.

[bemagrp]

Originally Posted by fkim119

My Alpina was ordered in June and finally picked up on 12/10/20.

My first impressions of the XB7 is exactly what I thought it was going to be.

My current SUVs in the house are 2021 Audi SQ8, 2019 Porsche Macan S, 2018 Bentayga W12. With that being said, this drives different compared to anything else I've owned. I love cars. I appreciate each individual vehicles dynamics for they were intended to do. I was a track junky in an earlier life.

Some impressions so far...

1. I drove the X7 5.0M many times and I thought the transmission and shift points was not as intuitive, precise as it should be. At times it should shift too late and keep the RPM in a range where there was a lull in power. I had ordered and cancelled my X7 5.0M after my dealer got a car for me to test drive. The XB7's transmission programming is much improved. Although it isnt a dual clutch transmission, it does its best to mimic it and the larger turbos keep it out of a dead zone in power and torque. Even in comfort transmission programming, the improvement in transmission program and power curve is night and day noticeable.

2. It drives like any other Alpina. If you have driven Alpina's in EU or the B7 here, the recipe is the same. Seamless monster torque delivery, comfortable ride and enough things to differentiate it but not scream "look at me".

3. NO auto stop and start feature. Love that I don't have to turn it off each time I get in.

4. The pictures are taken in my Sport Individual mode. Suspension, and transmission is in comfort. However, in the "Sport Individual" mode it drops the suspension drive height even in the "comfort" setting. Steering set to sport for added sharpness in 4 steer and turn in. Even in the lower suspension with comfort, the ride is excellent. Honestly, you can't really tell the ride quality different between "comfort" and "Sport Individual Comfort Suspension" setting. Riding on 23's and on rubberbands, this is phenomenal. I found the "comfort plus" setting to feel too floaty and too much body roll.

5. The exhaust note is pretty noticeable with the windows down. Windows up, it is almost too quiet. I wish I could hear it more with the windows rolled up.

6. My sirius xm lost its signal and will not play. When I access the radio id, nothing is there. Somehow, there is no radio ID. Called Sirius to see if the trial was not turned on, and it was. I think the system needs a hard reset to get it working again. Total bummer.

7. I ordered the RSE with the advice of many on here but the 2021 RSE does not have a HDMI port. Total disappointment.


8. The brakes grab and they grab hard. I had a 2019 Cayenne Turbo ordered with carbon ceramic brakes. I feel like they bite and grab just as hard as that. Amazing.

Lots of BMW fanboys in my area. Gotten a lot of thumbs up and been asked what is it at Home depot. I spent all day yesterday painting correcting her.

I am having Huper Otik put on it right now. 200 miles put on her in the 3 days. Will post more thoughts once I get more seat time.

Pictures taken in "Sport Individual "driving mode which is my default driving mode.

Finally!!! Enjoy!!!!

Patiently waiting on my Alpina Blue Metallic in January.

[LittleJoe]

I think it's beautiful, congratulations. 🎈

[CruiseControl]

What a beauty! Thanks for sharing!

[LittleJoe]

How about posting some interior pictures

[TexasJester]

I have the twin to yours

[fkim119]

Originally Posted by bemagrp

Finally!!! Enjoy!!!!

Patiently waiting on my Alpina Blue Metallic in January.

Thanks! The wait will be worth it especially in your Alpina color!

Originally Posted by LittleJoe

I think it's beautiful, congratulations. 🎈

Thank you sir!

Originally Posted by CruiseControl

What a beauty! Thanks for sharing!

Thank you!

Originally Posted by LittleJoe

How about posting some interior pictures

I will post some of the interior tomorrow.

Originally Posted by TexasJester

I have the twin to yours

Looks awesome! Enjoy her in good health!

[MystroX5]

How do you not have a hdmi port in the back on your RES?? I do. It’s under the flip door down low between USB port (right) and USB port (left).

[fkim119]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

How do you not have a hdmi port in the back on your RES?? I do. It’s under the flip door down low between USB port (right) and USB port (left).

You are right. My apologies. I thought that was just a decorative piece

[MystroX5]

Originally Posted by fkim119

You are right. My apologies. I thought that was just a decorative piece

O.k. Yea everything you need is down under that little flip door. We stream Hulu, Disney+, etc... Its a awesome media experience with the B&W sound stage.

[scottg61376]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

O.k. Yea everything you need is down under that little flip door. We stream Hulu, Disney+, etc... Its a awesome media experience with the B&W sound stage.

Where you are streaming from for the rear entertainment?

[MystroX5]

Originally Posted by scottg61376

Where you are streaming from for the rear entertainment?

There are a few ways to do it. Rear hdmi by the Blu-ray player is probably the easiest. A hard drive full of movies or memory stick is by far the easiest way to have a very large movie library in the vehicle at all times. You can also mirror cast from your phone as well. If you have a newer Samsung Galaxy you can use “dex” in the rear as well for a pc experience and streaming hub.

[Wild Blue]

Congrats man. Hope it brings you lots of joy!

[IND-Distribution]

Congratulations!

[vladberca]

What a beast! Congrats! 👍

[stein_325i]

Great looking Alpina and love the rims! Enjoy the new ride.

[LSM]

Congrats! Great write up. It's amazing those 23's somehow look small on the XB7 - prob just the pics

In any case beautiful

[themnmd]

Wow great ride! How much better is the interior in the B vs the X7 50?

[CarMan77]

Congrats! Great write up. Enjoy. It appears you have the car sickness...

[THEROK]

Sounds like you wear car depre$iation as a badge of honor. 🤪

Dep be damned the X7 Alp is the best looking SUV BMW's released. I'd get mine in all black and add some flush fitting HREs.

Enjoy your holidays.

[ComingInHot]

Congrats! That's a lot of SUVs, you must have a very large family to need that many people haulers in the same house

[clee1982]

This definitely has a ton of presence!