[Joe Gro]

still thinking about M50 vs X5M, so I was able to get my dealer, who has the only X5M in New England, to let me test drive it. I was surprised that the ride didnt seem overly stiff to me, I actually thought it was pretty decent. Loved the way it drove.

Currently I have an X7 with the multi contour seats, which are very comfortable.

But....I took my wife with me to get her opinion, and while she really liked it, she absolutely hated the seats. We go back and forth to Maine a lot and this would be a real problem.

Curious as to others thoughts and experience here.

[iceRN09]

Originally Posted by Joe Gro

still thinking about M50 vs X5M, so I was able to get my dealer, who has the only X5M in New England, to let me test drive it. I was surprised that the ride didnt seem overly stiff to me, I actually thought it was pretty decent. Loved the way it drove.

Currently I have an X7 with the multi contour seats, which are very comfortable.

But....I took my wife with me to get her opinion, and while she really liked it, she absolutely hated the seats. We go back and forth to Maine a lot and this would be a real problem.

Curious as to others thoughts and experience here.

Did you test drive the dravit gray with coffee interior?

[cmyx6go]

Originally Posted by Joe Gro

still thinking about M50 vs X5M, so I was able to get my dealer, who has the only X5M in New England, to let me test drive it. I was surprised that the ride didnt seem overly stiff to me, I actually thought it was pretty decent. Loved the way it drove.

Currently I have an X7 with the multi contour seats, which are very comfortable.

But....I took my wife with me to get her opinion, and while she really liked it, she absolutely hated the seats. We go back and forth to Maine a lot and this would be a real problem.

Curious as to others thoughts and experience here.

Why are you even asking? A happy wife is a happy life. No matter what feedback you get here, you'll be going solo to Maine in the X5M.
Sorry, enjoy the M50

[BMWBear]

Unless BMW offers air on the X5M again I can’t seeing buying one over a M50i. In the end the ride quality will win over everything else the X5M offers.

[Tenac]

Originally Posted by Joe Gro

still thinking about M50 vs X5M, so I was able to get my dealer, who has the only X5M in New England, to let me test drive it. I was surprised that the ride didnt seem overly stiff to me, I actually thought it was pretty decent. Loved the way it drove.

Currently I have an X7 with the multi contour seats, which are very comfortable.

But....I took my wife with me to get her opinion, and while she really liked it, she absolutely hated the seats. We go back and forth to Maine a lot and this would be a real problem.

Curious as to others thoughts and experience here.

Did you play around with adjusting the seat??? Like you said in your comment it is down to just the seat not how it rides which is two different things to begin with. I know the seats are crazy adjustable, I'd see if you can have her sit in the seat give you the details on what isn't good and adjust from there. My wife thinks the lumbar is stupid aggressive in mine but loves her X3's. So she moves it out of the way.

[Joe Gro]

yes we tried adjusting the seats with the salesman there, but it didnt really help

drove the dravit gray with taruma brown interior, carbon fiber trim

loved the color scheme

[-Vanguard-]

Originally Posted by Joe Gro

still thinking about M50 vs X5M, so I was able to get my dealer, who has the only X5M in New England, to let me test drive it. I was surprised that the ride didnt seem overly stiff to me, I actually thought it was pretty decent. Loved the way it drove.

Currently I have an X7 with the multi contour seats, which are very comfortable.

But....I took my wife with me to get her opinion, and while she really liked it, she absolutely hated the seats. We go back and forth to Maine a lot and this would be a real problem.

Curious as to others thoughts and experience here.

What was her exact complaint? Im a big buy and find the seats to be super comfy, even if Im at the absolute edge of those hard bolsters on the seat bottoms. They are very supportive and cushy to be honest. My fiance is 110 lbs and she loves how they hug her.

They do break in after about 2500 miles too and get a bit softer.

[Joe Gro]

her complaint was that she felt that they were board like

[iconoclast]

Originally Posted by BYEIL

Unless BMW offers air on the X5M again I can’t seeing buying one over a M50i. In the end the ride quality will win over everything else the X5M offers.

This is very true. If it is going to be used for what it is and will be the primary family hauler then the M50i wins in every way. Performance and practicality bundled into one package. Win/Win.

[silverstar335]

The M50i offers a very nice combo of performance and comfort, definitely recommend the DHP option.

[Luminor513]

Time to order an M50i. Happy wife happy life.

[Wardman]

Originally Posted by Joe Gro

her complaint was that she felt that they were board like

Yes - this. I had mine re-done by a leather shop in the area to make them drivable to me for long distances. About an $1K job near Philly.

There are better seating options on other cars/SUV's out there IMO.

[Joe Gro]

Yes. I think the point about this being the family hauler is dead on. Thats what its going to be used for. I was able to drive both the M50 and M. They're both amazing, and I thought they both had excellent straight ahead power. The difference I noticed was in the handling, even with the DHP in the 50. The M just cornered on rails. I didnt think the ride was that stiff. It was kind of addicting.

But...while blowing around a turn on the test drive was really cool, in the real world I dont know how often I'm going to do that, given that by definition you cant see around the curve, its a risk to push the speed if by chance there's something there thats unexpected.

so with just a bit of regret I'm going for the 50. I know I'll be really happy with it. Thanks to everyone for the helpful replies.

[Rob_G77]

Originally Posted by Joe Gro

she absolutely hated the seats.

I never drove an X5M, but have sat in one at the dealership. The seats are rather firm so I could understand why they might not be for everyone.

Did you look at an M50i? Oh I see you already decided on that. I wouldn't think of it as 'settling' because that vehicle is still a beast!

Rob

[iconoclast]

Originally Posted by Joe Gro

I didnt think the ride was that stiff.

Go for a ride as the rear passenger and you will see the difference immediately.

[Russ103]

My wife has the M50i (no DHP) and I don't think the ride is very smooth by anyone's standards, so with that said, should have went for the X5M.

Seeing as I only drive the M50i 4-5 times/month, it's not that big of a regret. I still enjoy 90% of the X5M's straight line power, which is very good… but it could use a tune for even more. Why can't I just leave this stuff alone?!?

[Ryno 27]

Having both a M5c and a X5 M50 and having spent significant time in each, the X5 M50 seats are more soft/cushioned and more comfortable, especially for long distance driving. The M5 seats do hug you more in the bolsters, but the seats are more firm/stiff. I didn’t see any difference after 15k mikes, so disagree about the comment about “break-in”