Article Comments - 2008 BMW X6 First Drive and Full Test

18 messages, Last post on Mar 27, 2009 at 4:05 PM

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What is this discussion about? BMW X6, SUV

First Drive: 2008 BMW X6 xDrive 50i - First Impressions: A more powerful, slightly more nimble version of BMW's already fast and agile X5. Only worth the extra $8 grand if you really like the styling.(more)

Full Test: 2008 BMW X6 xDrive35i -Bottom Line: An SUV built to look fast and agile, the BMW X6 comes through with the performance to back it up. (more)

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#3 of 18 Spied by ethanp71 Apr 08, 2008 (7:10 pm)
I just saw one of these wrapped up in its undercover testing body panels in Westlake Village, CA over the weekend. It was sitting next to a new X5. Looked to be about the same size overall and about the same ground clearance, only the X6 was much shorter.
#4 of 18 Actually pretty nice by pat911 Apr 09, 2008 (4:14 pm)
I have to agree with the article - these are much nicer in person than in pictures. I saw one at the Detroit Auto Show and I thought it was actually very striking. The rear view is the best- it's very wide and aggressive. It might not be as utilitarian as a regular SUV, and personally I would prefer the X5, but it's actually a cool looking vehicle in person. Replies to this message: bhw (Jul 15, 2008 10:54 pm) bmlexus (Jul 26, 2008 12:27 am)
#5 of 18 What's the point of the X6 by jrynn Apr 10, 2008 (10:00 am)
Leaving aside the debate over the vehicle's looks, it's the sort of vehicle that makes me wonder "what's the point?" Posts 3 & 4 both identify what's wrong with the X6 Same high stance as an SUV only without the same interior space. So, you GIVE UP utility and GIVE UP handling and gas mileage. Who's the target buyer? Replies to this message: bmlexus (May 06, 2008 9:13 pm) corlt1 (May 18, 2008 7:36 am) anon3 (May 21, 2008 12:50 pm) bodble2 (Jun 23, 2008 10:45 pm) bmlexus (Jul 12, 2008 2:09 pm)
#6 of 18 Target buyer by pat911 Apr 10, 2008 (11:31 am)
I agree that the target buyer is hard to figure, but I bet they're out there. It could be somebody who walks onto the lot looking for a 5 series, but sees this instead. Besides losing the fifth seat (and how many 5 series owners are regularly carrying five people?), it's at least as useful as a 5 series. Plus it's a lot more of an attention getter - and don't underestimate the importance of that for somebody looking to buy a BMW. Or it could be somebody who thinks the X3 is too small and the X5 too big. I don't really know who it will be. But I do know that there are a whole lot of folks out there driving Suburbans and Silverado's who don't need those either, so trying to figure out who is going to buy the X6 based solely on its measurables probably won't get you very far. It's a BMW - people will buy it.
#7 of 18 Emotional Buy by corlt1 May 03, 2008 (10:58 am)
When I saw the pictures, it looked small. Yesterday, I saw the real thing and it looked massive and sporty at the same time. Drivers were trying to manuever through traffic to get close to it. For the remainder of my commute home, I was wondering, "What was the point?" Today, I looked at all the X6 videos on youtube and realize, that this vehicle has an emotional appeal that interests me. I'm just wondering what the resale value would be on a what's the point vehicle.
#8 of 18 Re: What's the point of the X6 [jrynn] by bmlexus May 06, 2008 (9:13 pm)
Replying to: jrynn (Apr 10, 2008 10:00 am) So, you GIVE UP utility and GIVE UP handling and gas mileage I could agree with utility and gas mileage but its consider to be 1 of the best handing SAC. Replies to this message: corlt1 (May 18, 2008 7:36 am) anon3 (May 21, 2008 12:50 pm) bodble2 (Jun 23, 2008 10:45 pm) bmlexus (Jul 12, 2008 2:09 pm)
#9 of 18 Re: Target Buyer by corlt1 May 18, 2008 (7:36 am)
Replying to: bmlexus (May 06, 2008 9:13 pm) I rented an Infiniti FX35 and loved the handling and ride, but wanted more room in the cargo area. The X6 appears to be marketed against the FX and has about the same dimensions. The FX50 is out with 390 hp, but the only noticable changes are the front end and the interior, which is somewhat disappointing as the FX design is getting old. That said, the X6's design is fresh and appears to be targeted towards the empty nest market that wants handling and speed, with the occasional cargo capacity and back seat. Replies to this message: anon3 (May 21, 2008 12:50 pm)
#10 of 18 Re: Target Buyer [corlt1] by anon3 May 21, 2008 (12:50 pm)
Replying to: corlt1 (May 18, 2008 7:36 am) I agree. The closest competitor to the X6 is the new FX. But I would say that Infiniti markets against BMW, not the other way around, since BMW has been the benchmark for so long. It's interesting that the FX50's normally aspirate engine with 390hp and 369 lb ft of torque has published 0 - 60 numbers that are equal to or better than the X6 turbo 8 with 400 hp and 450 lb ft of torque (depending on who did the test.) I'll have to research it, but maybe the FX is lighter. Maybe these are just preliminary numbers and the actual performance of the turbo 8 will be better. BMW traditionally is conservative on its published performance numbers by about .3 seconds because they publish average numbers and not the best possible numbers. In any case, it doesn't appear that the turbo 8 X6 will have a significant performance advantage over the FX50. And with Infiniti matching or beating BMW handling in other models (like the M45), it may be a little hard to justify the extra $10k for a comparably equipped 8 cyl. X6.
#11 of 18 Full Test available! by KarenS HOST Jun 11, 2008 (8:27 am)
Full Test: 2008 BMW X6 xDrive35i
#12 of 18 Re: What's the point of the X6 [bmlexus] by bodble2 Jun 23, 2008 (10:45 pm)
Replying to: bmlexus (May 06, 2008 9:13 pm) The target market for the X6 obviously has utility well down the list of priorities. And in person, the X6 is quite striking. But since it is designed to only hold 4 people, instead of having it bigger and heavier than the X5, if they had made it 2 inches narrower and shorter, and 200 - 300 lbs lighter, than the X5, then they might have hit a niche. Then, the 300hp twin turbo could do some damage, and the vehicle would be that much more nimble. Right now, I look at the bulk of the thing, the 4-person capacity and smallish cargo area, and wonder why, pray tell, do they think they need to make it that big? Is there some sort of pissing contest to see who can make the biggest, baddest-looking SUV, or SAV? Replies to this message: bmlexus (Jul 12, 2008 2:09 pm)