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What's the X5M like ?
- Sustanon250
- Member
- Posts: 110
- Joined: Sat Aug 23, 2014 1:17 pm
What's the X5M like ?
I've owned my e70 X5 40d now for almost 5 months , I've had it mapped to 370ish and I can honestly say , as a daily driver , it's by far the best car I've owned (and I've had some great cars in my time) ; I'd go as far as saying it's pretty much perfect for what I need . The only thing I crave is more power and this has got me thinking about purchasing the X5M model . I'm very interested to hear any views on this model from people that have owned one , good or bad . I understand they map to around 630bhp which ought to keep me amused . Only other car I'm interested in at the moment is the f15 X5 50d but I'm concerned it'll still not be quick enough .
2014 BMW X6M (the toy)
2004 Porsche 911 (996) turbo (the garage queen)
2015 VW Touran (the daily)
2004 Porsche 911 (996) turbo (the garage queen)
2015 VW Touran (the daily)
Re: What's the X5M like ?
The F15 M50d is also about 370-ish BHP with 740 Nm of torque, I've lived with mine for 14 months now and I still love it. If you've had your 40d mapped to a similar level, I'm not sure if it would be worth the money for a 50d to be honest - I got mine new for about £71k, including about £7k of options. I saw pictures of the planned new "proper" X5M on here a few months ago, apparently it's going to cost around £90k...not sure if that's base price with no options though. Not sure what used E70 X5Ms go for.
I get 25 mpg from my 50d, I suspect the "proper" X5M wouldn't get near that unless you drove like an undertaker...which it doesn't sound like you do!
Have you considered an RS6? They're about £77k new (no options)...it's my dream car but the wife says "no"!
I get 25 mpg from my 50d, I suspect the "proper" X5M wouldn't get near that unless you drove like an undertaker...which it doesn't sound like you do!
Have you considered an RS6? They're about £77k new (no options)...it's my dream car but the wife says "no"!
Current:
F15 X5 M50d
Mark 7 VW Golf GTD
F15 X5 M50d
Mark 7 VW Golf GTD
- Sustanon250
- Member
- Posts: 110
- Joined: Sat Aug 23, 2014 1:17 pm
Re: What's the X5M like ?
Thanks for the reply .
The f15 maps to 440bhp which may keep me satisfied , hence my interest in them
I too like the rs6 but I'm sold on the driving position on the X5
The f15 maps to 440bhp which may keep me satisfied , hence my interest in them
I too like the rs6 but I'm sold on the driving position on the X5
2014 BMW X6M (the toy)
2004 Porsche 911 (996) turbo (the garage queen)
2015 VW Touran (the daily)
2004 Porsche 911 (996) turbo (the garage queen)
2015 VW Touran (the daily)
Re: What's the X5M like ?
It's not the BHP you have to watch, it's the torque. The box is only rated to 700Nm unless you fit the Rolls-Royce version that is rated to 1000Nm. Over torquing these boxes is very expensive to fix!
The X5(M) is petrol only. Fine if you like a V8 soundtrack, but the diesels in M50d guise are a better drive IMHO. Power delivery is better even if you do run out of revs earlier......
Of the three the 40D is the best IMHO. Less 'savage' unless you like that sort of thing. None are bad, but it depends upon whether you want to strain your neck every time you floor it, or make 'progress' in a still rapid but more refined way...... :drive:
With the price of fuel dropping any of them is a good choice TBH.
Richard
The X5(M) is petrol only. Fine if you like a V8 soundtrack, but the diesels in M50d guise are a better drive IMHO. Power delivery is better even if you do run out of revs earlier......

Of the three the 40D is the best IMHO. Less 'savage' unless you like that sort of thing. None are bad, but it depends upon whether you want to strain your neck every time you floor it, or make 'progress' in a still rapid but more refined way...... :drive:
With the price of fuel dropping any of them is a good choice TBH.
Richard

Re: What's the X5M like ?
[quote="X5Sport"]
It's not the BHP you have to watch, it's the torque. The box is only rated to 700Nm unless you fit the Rolls-Royce version that is rated to 1000Nm. Over torquing these boxes is very expensive to fix!
The X5(M) is petrol only. Fine if you like a V8 soundtrack, but the diesels in M50d guise are a better drive IMHO. Power delivery is better even if you do run out of revs earlier......
Of the three the 40D is the best IMHO. Less 'savage' unless you like that sort of thing. None are bad, but it depends upon whether you want to strain your neck every time you floor it, or make 'progress' in a still rapid but more refined way...... :drive:
With the price of fuel dropping any of them is a good choice TBH.
Richard
[/quote]
Richard, I've often puzzled over this: the M50d is quoted as having 740 Nm of torque, so does that mean the ZF8HP70 (700 Nm) gearbox is not fitted to the car? The next one up is the 1000 Nm one you mentioned (ZF8HP90), although according to Wikipedia there is an intermediate one 8HP75 (2nd Generation) that can handle 750 Nm, but I'm not sure if it is being used yet. Real OEM shows two possibilities for my car: "GA8HP70Z - AWD" and "GA8HP75Z - 4WD" which makes me think it's the latter?
Re. price of fuel dropping...good at the pumps, not so good is you're self employed in the oil industry like me! :blink:
Out of interest Sustanon250, have you found somewhere that is able to map the F15? I had a cursory look but couldn't find anyone reputable who could do it yet.
Scott
It's not the BHP you have to watch, it's the torque. The box is only rated to 700Nm unless you fit the Rolls-Royce version that is rated to 1000Nm. Over torquing these boxes is very expensive to fix!
The X5(M) is petrol only. Fine if you like a V8 soundtrack, but the diesels in M50d guise are a better drive IMHO. Power delivery is better even if you do run out of revs earlier......

Of the three the 40D is the best IMHO. Less 'savage' unless you like that sort of thing. None are bad, but it depends upon whether you want to strain your neck every time you floor it, or make 'progress' in a still rapid but more refined way...... :drive:
With the price of fuel dropping any of them is a good choice TBH.
Richard
[/quote]
Richard, I've often puzzled over this: the M50d is quoted as having 740 Nm of torque, so does that mean the ZF8HP70 (700 Nm) gearbox is not fitted to the car? The next one up is the 1000 Nm one you mentioned (ZF8HP90), although according to Wikipedia there is an intermediate one 8HP75 (2nd Generation) that can handle 750 Nm, but I'm not sure if it is being used yet. Real OEM shows two possibilities for my car: "GA8HP70Z - AWD" and "GA8HP75Z - 4WD" which makes me think it's the latter?
Re. price of fuel dropping...good at the pumps, not so good is you're self employed in the oil industry like me! :blink:
Out of interest Sustanon250, have you found somewhere that is able to map the F15? I had a cursory look but couldn't find anyone reputable who could do it yet.
Scott
Last edited by Dr C on Wed Jan 07, 2015 12:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Current:
F15 X5 M50d
Mark 7 VW Golf GTD
F15 X5 M50d
Mark 7 VW Golf GTD
Re: What's the X5M like ?
Must have the 75Z variant then. Exactly when the '2nd Generation' box actually entered service is unclear. There was an article I read some time back that referred to an 800Nm version, but I can't find it and can't remember where I saw it.
What the physical differences are I can't say, but it could just be a minor update and torque increase for that Mark.
They all pretty much look identical from what I can see in any images for the AWD/4WD models so it must be the internals that have had a service upgrade. Gearboxes must go through 'LCI' type changes of some sort in order to keep up with manufacturers demands and new emissions regs.
Tuners can then go to 750Nm of torque which should give a noticeable increase in 'shove' off the line.
What the physical differences are I can't say, but it could just be a minor update and torque increase for that Mark.
They all pretty much look identical from what I can see in any images for the AWD/4WD models so it must be the internals that have had a service upgrade. Gearboxes must go through 'LCI' type changes of some sort in order to keep up with manufacturers demands and new emissions regs.
Tuners can then go to 750Nm of torque which should give a noticeable increase in 'shove' off the line.


- Sustanon250
- Member
- Posts: 110
- Joined: Sat Aug 23, 2014 1:17 pm
Re: What's the X5M like ?
[quote="Dr C"]
[quote="X5Sport"]
It's not the BHP you have to watch, it's the torque. The box is only rated to 700Nm unless you fit the Rolls-Royce version that is rated to 1000Nm. Over torquing these boxes is very expensive to fix!
The X5(M) is petrol only. Fine if you like a V8 soundtrack, but the diesels in M50d guise are a better drive IMHO. Power delivery is better even if you do run out of revs earlier......
Of the three the 40D is the best IMHO. Less 'savage' unless you like that sort of thing. None are bad, but it depends upon whether you want to strain your neck every time you floor it, or make 'progress' in a still rapid but more refined way...... :drive:
With the price of fuel dropping any of them is a good choice TBH.
Richard
[/quote]
Richard, I've often puzzled over this: the M50d is quoted as having 740 Nm of torque, so does that mean the ZF8HP70 (700 Nm) gearbox is not fitted to the car? The next one up is the 1000 Nm one you mentioned (ZF8HP90), although according to Wikipedia there is an intermediate one 8HP75 (2nd Generation) that can handle 750 Nm, but I'm not sure if it is being used yet. Real OEM shows two possibilities for my car: "GA8HP70Z - AWD" and "GA8HP75Z - 4WD" which makes me think it's the latter?
Re. price of fuel dropping...good at the pumps, not so good is you're self employed in the oil industry like me! :blink:
Out of interest Sustanon250, have you found somewhere that is able to map the F15? I had a cursory look but couldn't find anyone reputable who could do it yet.
Scott
[/quote]
Yes , BW Chiptune told me they had mapped the 50d to 430ish and I've also seen a replacement ECU (expensive) online that claims 438bhp
Another option , albeit "only" 35bhp from a highly respected tuner :http://www.evolveautomotive.com/m50d_12 ... -ecu_1278/
Regarding dropping fuel prices ; I agree it's great news but I expect it'll be temporary
[quote="X5Sport"]
It's not the BHP you have to watch, it's the torque. The box is only rated to 700Nm unless you fit the Rolls-Royce version that is rated to 1000Nm. Over torquing these boxes is very expensive to fix!
The X5(M) is petrol only. Fine if you like a V8 soundtrack, but the diesels in M50d guise are a better drive IMHO. Power delivery is better even if you do run out of revs earlier......

Of the three the 40D is the best IMHO. Less 'savage' unless you like that sort of thing. None are bad, but it depends upon whether you want to strain your neck every time you floor it, or make 'progress' in a still rapid but more refined way...... :drive:
With the price of fuel dropping any of them is a good choice TBH.
Richard
[/quote]
Richard, I've often puzzled over this: the M50d is quoted as having 740 Nm of torque, so does that mean the ZF8HP70 (700 Nm) gearbox is not fitted to the car? The next one up is the 1000 Nm one you mentioned (ZF8HP90), although according to Wikipedia there is an intermediate one 8HP75 (2nd Generation) that can handle 750 Nm, but I'm not sure if it is being used yet. Real OEM shows two possibilities for my car: "GA8HP70Z - AWD" and "GA8HP75Z - 4WD" which makes me think it's the latter?
Re. price of fuel dropping...good at the pumps, not so good is you're self employed in the oil industry like me! :blink:
Out of interest Sustanon250, have you found somewhere that is able to map the F15? I had a cursory look but couldn't find anyone reputable who could do it yet.
Scott
[/quote]
Yes , BW Chiptune told me they had mapped the 50d to 430ish and I've also seen a replacement ECU (expensive) online that claims 438bhp
Another option , albeit "only" 35bhp from a highly respected tuner :http://www.evolveautomotive.com/m50d_12 ... -ecu_1278/
Regarding dropping fuel prices ; I agree it's great news but I expect it'll be temporary
Last edited by Sustanon250 on Wed Jan 07, 2015 2:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
2014 BMW X6M (the toy)
2004 Porsche 911 (996) turbo (the garage queen)
2015 VW Touran (the daily)
2004 Porsche 911 (996) turbo (the garage queen)
2015 VW Touran (the daily)
Re: What's the X5M like ?
i disagree, oil price is here to stay as market has really dropped. This will be a slow recovery for the Oil Industry, and I think this price is here for next 18 months atleast.
Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
Re: What's the X5M like ?
All it needs is OPEC to cut production again on the price will climb. Saudi Arabia is trying to stop countries such as Russia from muscling in on 'their' market in Europe. As soon as this little 'spat' is resolved then the market will normalise again. It may indeed take 18-months, but that it still temporary.
Richard
Richard

Re: What's the X5M like ?
[quote="X5Sport"]
All it needs is OPEC to cut production again on the price will climb. Saudi Arabia is trying to stop countries such as Russia from muscling in on 'their' market in Europe. As soon as this little 'spat' is resolved then the market will normalise again. It may indeed take 18-months, but that it still temporary.
Richard
[/quote]
OPEC will not cut production even down to $20/bbl IMO. Saudi won't care as much as other countries also because the majority of their production is on land, where the cost to produce a barrel of oil (i.e. the lifting cost) is literally a fraction of what it costs in the North Sea, or generally offshore for that matter. The price of oil is down near the long-term support level, hoping it will bounce back up relatively soon.
All it needs is OPEC to cut production again on the price will climb. Saudi Arabia is trying to stop countries such as Russia from muscling in on 'their' market in Europe. As soon as this little 'spat' is resolved then the market will normalise again. It may indeed take 18-months, but that it still temporary.
Richard
[/quote]
OPEC will not cut production even down to $20/bbl IMO. Saudi won't care as much as other countries also because the majority of their production is on land, where the cost to produce a barrel of oil (i.e. the lifting cost) is literally a fraction of what it costs in the North Sea, or generally offshore for that matter. The price of oil is down near the long-term support level, hoping it will bounce back up relatively soon.
Current:
F15 X5 M50d
Mark 7 VW Golf GTD
F15 X5 M50d
Mark 7 VW Golf GTD
Re: What's the X5M like ?
[quote="X5Sport"]
It's not the BHP you have to watch, it's the torque. The box is only rated to 700Nm unless you fit the Rolls-Royce version that is rated to 1000Nm. Over torquing these boxes is very expensive to fix!
The X5(M) is petrol only. Fine if you like a V8 soundtrack, but the diesels in M50d guise are a better drive IMHO. Power delivery is better even if you do run out of revs earlier......
Of the three the 40D is the best IMHO. Less 'savage' unless you like that sort of thing. None are bad, but it depends upon whether you want to strain your neck every time you floor it, or make 'progress' in a still rapid but more refined way...... :drive:
With the price of fuel dropping any of them is a good choice TBH.
Richard
[/quote]
Why would the power delivery be different both turbo and high torque ?
It's not the BHP you have to watch, it's the torque. The box is only rated to 700Nm unless you fit the Rolls-Royce version that is rated to 1000Nm. Over torquing these boxes is very expensive to fix!
The X5(M) is petrol only. Fine if you like a V8 soundtrack, but the diesels in M50d guise are a better drive IMHO. Power delivery is better even if you do run out of revs earlier......

Of the three the 40D is the best IMHO. Less 'savage' unless you like that sort of thing. None are bad, but it depends upon whether you want to strain your neck every time you floor it, or make 'progress' in a still rapid but more refined way...... :drive:
With the price of fuel dropping any of them is a good choice TBH.
Richard
[/quote]
Why would the power delivery be different both turbo and high torque ?
Currently :
2012 Audi RS4 (B8)
2012 Porsche Boxster S (981)
2008 Lotus Exige S (a bit modified!)
2015 Nissan Leaf twin turbo with Nitros
Previously :
2008 BMW X5 3.0sd MSport
2005 BMW 535d MSport
2012 Audi RS4 (B8)
2012 Porsche Boxster S (981)
2008 Lotus Exige S (a bit modified!)
2015 Nissan Leaf twin turbo with Nitros
Previously :
2008 BMW X5 3.0sd MSport
2005 BMW 535d MSport
Re: What's the X5M like ?
I didn't design the gearbox or engine/transmission control programs so can't answer that.

Re: What's the X5M like ?
[quote="X5Sport"]
I didn't design the gearbox or engine/transmission control programs so can't answer that.
[/quote]
Ha ha
I meant what did you mean by your comment
I didn't design the gearbox or engine/transmission control programs so can't answer that.
[/quote]
Ha ha
I meant what did you mean by your comment
Currently :
2012 Audi RS4 (B8)
2012 Porsche Boxster S (981)
2008 Lotus Exige S (a bit modified!)
2015 Nissan Leaf twin turbo with Nitros
Previously :
2008 BMW X5 3.0sd MSport
2005 BMW 535d MSport
2012 Audi RS4 (B8)
2012 Porsche Boxster S (981)
2008 Lotus Exige S (a bit modified!)
2015 Nissan Leaf twin turbo with Nitros
Previously :
2008 BMW X5 3.0sd MSport
2005 BMW 535d MSport
Re: What's the X5M like ?
It's in English!! It just does.

Re: What's the X5M like ?
[quote="X5Sport"]
It's in English!! It just does.
[/quote]
Oh ok
It's in English!! It just does.
[/quote]
Oh ok
Currently :
2012 Audi RS4 (B8)
2012 Porsche Boxster S (981)
2008 Lotus Exige S (a bit modified!)
2015 Nissan Leaf twin turbo with Nitros
Previously :
2008 BMW X5 3.0sd MSport
2005 BMW 535d MSport
2012 Audi RS4 (B8)
2012 Porsche Boxster S (981)
2008 Lotus Exige S (a bit modified!)
2015 Nissan Leaf twin turbo with Nitros
Previously :
2008 BMW X5 3.0sd MSport
2005 BMW 535d MSport