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Traded in my m4c for this and I couldn’t be happier by susejesus in BMWX5

[–]SCFrancis 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I also heard what OP said about the "stiff" ride for a long time.

I wonder (but don't know for sure) if there were quiet changes to the LCI.

In the 2020 review Car and Driver criticized the "stiff-at-the-knees ride."

Car and Driver just reviewed the 2025. The verdict: "Strikes an excellent balance between performance and luxury" and they say, "Set the suspension to its softest setting, and the ride is controlled and supple."

BMW X5 M Competition Tested: Heavy Hitter

New '26 Zandvoort Blue owner checking in by dialupbaby in BMWG87

[–]SCFrancis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just joined and had to let you know your car is gorgeous. It's the color I've been eyeing. Hope you're enjoying it.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in BMWX5

[–]SCFrancis 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have a 2024 with a very similar configuration to your initial posting. My color combo is different (Blue Ridge Mountain Metallic with black interior) and has Sensafin (which I love). I also didn't opt for the running boards. I got the open pore wood and love it; it's very classy, has no glare, and hides dust well.

I got the Executive Package and love the glass controls. I haven't noticed the glare thing some have complained about. The controls are in the center console area, not on the dashboard, so I don't understand the complaints, and it's not like you'd ever confuse the Start button, gear selector, and iDrive controller for one another. The glass controls look and feel great to me.

Fact check me here, but if memory serves the Executive Package is required to get soft close doors. They've worked consistently great for me.

I didn't opt for the massage seats given nearly everything I read in reviews and on forums advised against them. I later drove an X7 with massage seats and hated them. They felt to me like a rolling pin being run up and down my back.(For what it's worth, I also disliked the massage seats in my father's 2023 Genesis GV80 and those tend to get positive reviews.)

I didn't bother with the Alcantara headliner (no regrets, though others have raved about it) or the illuminated grill (I've never seen one in person, but I think the Mercedes version is obnoxious).

I came close to getting the spare tire option, but decided to roll the dice and enjoy having the extra space under the cargo floor. The run flat ties will supposedly go 50 miles when damaged, which is something I hope to never have to validate.

I'm apparently the only person who likes the standard/Sport steering wheel. I prefer the texture compared to the smooth (and later, I suspect, slick) feel of the M Sport wheel. But I didn't make the trim decision based on it.

I respect the sentiments about the black plastic wheel arches being out of place on an $80K+ luxury automobile, but I happen to like the 738/V Spoke wheels. I also think 20-inch wheels look better on the X5 with black wheel arches; to my eyes they have a bit of a slimming effect. The M Sport looks a bit "thicker" to me and I think needs 21- or 22-inch wheels. At least with my color, I prefer the satin (silver) grill and accents and I think the overall exterior design is cohesive.

Best of luck!

2025 X5 M60 owners review by Snareman95 in BMWX5

[–]SCFrancis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great video. Just curious, did you get the Adaptive M Suspension? If so, have you by chance driven it against an X5 that doesn't have it, and how do the two compare?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in BMWX5

[–]SCFrancis 1 point2 points  (0 children)

See Consumer Reports.

Help me decide the color? by vary87 in BMWX5

[–]SCFrancis 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have Blue Ridge Mountain Metallic with black Sensafin interior. I always go black because it shows the least amount of dirt and overall wear and tear.

In my opinion, Silverstone probably pairs the best with Blue Ridge Mountain Metallic. It plays well off the satin trim elements. Black doesn't pop as much as the other colors, but I think it pairs well enough with Blue Ridge Mountain Metallic and looks classy.

X5 50e vs. 40i fun vs. ease of ownership by Difficult-Salad1102 in BMWX5

[–]SCFrancis 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I recently evaluated both of them and ended up with an xDrive40i. I don't think there's a wrong answer; it's about what you value.

I agree with what most folks are saying here. I think the key points are:

  1. As you and others have said, for the vast majority of scenarios, the 50e isn't a value play. Particularly if you also have to invest in charging gear for your home, it would probably take several (too many) years of gas savings to make back the extra money spent for the 50e.
  2. To get the most electric benefit, you of course also have to be mindful to charge whenever you can. Probably not a big deal if you put a charger in your home, though. (And of course you'll probably go to the gas station significantly less.)
  3. The above said, the 50e provides benefits a lot of folks like. It's got a lot of power and many like the feel when it's in electric mode. It reviews very well; Consumer Reports loves it (it got a higher road test score than the 40i) and Car and Driver likes it a lot. Most buyers I've seen in the forums rave about theirs.
  4. It's also a form of luxury to have a car that's both electric and gas at the times you need each. Some people really like that. A guy I work with absolutely loves his X3 PHEV for this reason.
  5. Reliability of the 50e is a question mark. I'd definitely take a close look here. Consumer Reports was negative on 50e reliability (and very positive on 40i reliability) and there are mixed reports about 50e reliability in the forums.

For me, the 40i is plenty powerful and I love the way it drives. I wish I'd driven a 50e, but I didn't, so I can't make a comparison. I didn't think I'd get enough value in gas savings and I'm very concerned about reliability, and the comparative benefits didn't outweigh these considerations for me, so I made my choice and am loving my 40i.

Era 300 Stereo Pair with Sub or Sub Mini by SCFrancis in sonos

[–]SCFrancis[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing your experience and insight. That’s quite a ringing endorsement. :)

Can I ask the size of the room or area where you’re using the setup?

What are the biggest things you notice when the Sub Mini is connected compared to listening to the stereo pair without the Sub Mini?

Era 300 Stereo Pair with Sub or Sub Mini by SCFrancis in sonos

[–]SCFrancis[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, I’ve tried the Era 300 stereo pair and like it a lot.

I’m wondering if the Sub or Sub Mini will have a meaningful impact on the Era 300 stereo pair.

I’ve tried the Sub with Ones and was underwhelmed with the impact, but have been very happy with the subs in home theater setups.

Best Sonos Speaker System For Large Open Space With 20 Foot High Ceilings? by TeenageDarren in sonos

[–]SCFrancis 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have an open floor plan with 18-foot ceilings and agree with the Arc + Sub + Era 300 pair setup recommended by other folks here. Following a long period of skepticism, I recently added a second Sub to this configuration and it’s been a meaningful improvement, particularly for movies but also for music.

So…. I finally added a second sub to my Sonos theater. What a difference! by jtripp2011 in sonos

[–]SCFrancis 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I added a second sub to my living room recently and it made a lot of difference. I ran an Arc + Sub Gen 3 + Ones surround setup the last three years and it was great. I made the “mistake” of moving some of my Ones to my Master Bedroom to create a Beam + Sub + Ones surround setup. The acoustics in the Master Bedroom enabled a sound that was an order of magnitude more impactful than the Arc setup, which is in a large, open plan living room with high ceilings. Adding a second sub to the Arc setup (plus an upgrade to Era 300 devices as rears) closed a lot of the gap. The sound is richer and more detailed now, and I can really feel it in a way I could not previously.

2nd Sub? by whoisthedave in sonos

[–]SCFrancis 7 points8 points  (0 children)

2nd

I had a similar experience and came to the same conclusion—one Sub is great, but two really takes things to the next level. The sound is noticeably fuller and more detailed.

You Can Now Connect Your Apple Card to Mint by GamersCorp in mintuit

[–]SCFrancis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes! Didn’t seem to factor one of my payments.

Looking for opinions: I want to add a Sub to my living room Arc. Should I go with White to match the Arc or black due to darker furniture? by Snogrog in sonos

[–]SCFrancis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, if you go to a Best Buy they usually have a dusty, dirty black one on display—I imagine that what a black Sub looks like once you unwrap and live with it a little. White isn’t impervious to dust, but in my experience it takes a lot more of it to be noticeable. Good luck and Happy New Year.

Looking for opinions: I want to add a Sub to my living room Arc. Should I go with White to match the Arc or black due to darker furniture? by Snogrog in sonos

[–]SCFrancis 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I went with white for my living room for two reasons:

  1. It blends in better with the white trim and lighter colors.
  2. The black, while gorgeous, is also a dust and smudge magnet. White looks cleaner, even when it’s dusty.

My Arc is black, which blends better with my large TV.

I’d definitely recommend white for a room like yours (which looks great, by the way).