[GolfR17]

The lease is up on our X5 40i. It’s the daily driver for my wife, mostly shuttling 3 kids around town and is our weekend “road trip” car, maybe every 3-4 months at most. California driving, so mostly all fair-weather, except maybe a very rare trip to a ski hill.

I love the x5, but it’s a bit tight for us. I am comically tall and crush the children’s legs when my seat is all the way back. My wife would like 7 seats but it’s not a must. We had an Audi q7 years ago and I think third row got used once in 3.5 yrs. Both the ix and x7 have more second row leg room than the X5. Second row room more so than cargo area is what we are after mostly.

We were looking at x7 originally but after hearing great things about the ix, thought it was worth a look. We loved the modern and airy feel of the ix interior. For the short trips around town that make up 99% of its use an EV makes a lot of sense. Not sure if EV would be a pain for traveling or not? We don’t have massive amounts of gear, or ever need to tow anything. Wife seems to prefer iX over x7 now…

The wild card is we also poked around inside an XM when we visited the dealership today. Wife’s eyes lit up big time! Second row had tons of room. Interior is gorgeous and I didn’t hate the looks of the exterior... Price was eye watering however. I’m a big M fan, so I didn’t shoot down the idea immediately. I know there’s lots of hate for the XM, but perhaps it has its niche? Cost aside, it would probably be her pick. It’s a cool vehicle I guess, but not m5 CS money cool! Maybe only if I found an insane discount.

I think we will go for the iX in the end. The best driving car of the bunch and most practical, road trips aside, on a day to day basis. Any California drivers who have done longer drives around the state?, LA - SF, Yosemite, etc? I think should be doable in iX without terrible range anxiety?

[darylp310]

GolfR17 This question is probably better suited for the X7 or iX section of this website, but I must say that I cross shopped between the iX the X7 and Tesla Model X. I'm 6'3 and 350 lbs and I have a bunch of similarly big friends that I drive around a lot. I drove a X5 for several years, and I ended up settling on the iX. It's super comfortable for me and my friends in the back seat and somehow feels more luxurious than the X7. The air suspension is crazy nice and the rear-wheel steering means I can maneuver around the tight LA parking lots. Overall it felt more practical to me than the X7 which is just too big. And the tax incentives of having an EV were pretty attractive. I found the Model X to be pretty nice and comfortable, but it costs more than the iX, and at highway speeds it was too loud. The iX is impossibly quiet. Even when driving at 90MPH on the 405 late at night, I can't hear anything outside. It's like driving a living room couch!! Happy shopping!!

[GolfR17]

Originally Posted by darylp310

Gu GolfR17 This question is probably better suited for the X7 or iX section of this website

Ooops. I meant to post in ix forum. Thanks for the great reply though. Glad you are enjoying the iX. I think may work out well for us. Cheers.

[Young04]

I have both the X7 and iX. If you don't need the 3rd row and can live with the compromises of an EV I think the iX is the way to go. More room in the first two rows and it just drives much better. Notably, the X7 has poor body control on straight roads - too much head toss over bumps. It does OK in corners but the iX beats the X7 in this regard too.

[mtech8]

I'd suggest just going with the iX. As you said, most practical and really a delight to drive everyday for all those kids pickups and dropoffs. Being able to charge at home and not needing to go wait in line at a gas station is nice.

The money you save from charging vs fueling up can pay for you to rent an X7 (look on Turo) for those occasional longer road trips.

If I needed space and if I had the money. I'd get the XM. Love the aggressiveness combined with the luxury of that car.

[techwhiz1]

I'd go with the iX M60.

Of course I don't know what your pockets look like, but I'm a "Go Big or Go Home" kind of guy for most things.

I drove the iX more than a year ago while waiting for my i4. I liked the iX xDrive50 but I wanted the i4. Now don't get me wrong the iX had plenty of power and I would trade my X5 for it in a heartbeat. I configured the iX and for me it has to have all the options.

Similarly my i4 M50 has every possible option aside from the external carbon and I also opted for individual leather. For me if I'm going to order it I'm not going to skimp and later find out I really would like an option.

The iX M60 is probably a beast and really has no options. But I think it's about $8k more than the 50.

[baf3472]

Originally Posted by techwhiz1

I'd go with the iX M60.

Of course I don't know what your pockets look like, but I'm a "Go Big or Go Home" kind of guy for most things.

I drove the iX more than a year ago while waiting for my i4. I liked the iX xDrive50 but I wanted the i4. Now don't get me wrong the iX had plenty of power and I would trade my X5 for it in a heartbeat. I configured the iX and for me it has to have all the options.

Similarly my i4 M50 has every possible option aside from the external carbon and I also opted for individual leather. For me if I'm going to order it I'm not going to skimp and later find out I really would like an option.

The iX M60 is probably a beast and really has no options. But I think it's about $8k more than the 50.

Im considering doing the same. Might just wait it out for the i5. Did it feel weird going to the i4 from the iX? My biggest issue is going from idrive 8 back to idrive 7. I understand the i4 doesnt have the Was there any tech that you wish the i4 had that makes you wish you stayed with the iX?

[darylp310]

Originally Posted by baf3472

Im considering doing the same. Might just wait it out for the i5. Did it feel weird going to the i4 from the iX? My biggest issue is going from idrive 8 back to idrive 7. I understand the i4 doesnt have the Was there any tech that you wish the i4 had that makes you wish you stayed with the iX?

baf3472 I don’t think any new BMWs use iDrive 7 anymore. i4 has the same tech as the iX. It’s just smaller and more sporty (i.e. less luxurious suspension, etc). Also the i4 M50 is very hard to come by if you want a fast one. (still backordered for months)

[mtech8]

Originally Posted by baf3472

Im considering doing the same. Might just wait it out for the i5. Did it feel weird going to the i4 from the iX? My biggest issue is going from idrive 8 back to idrive 7. I understand the i4 doesnt have the Was there any tech that you wish the i4 had that makes you wish you stayed with the iX?

I test drove the iX and i4 back to back several times. No issues going from one car to another. It's simply going from a SUV'ish vehicle to a lower sports car.

The only thing that I think that the i4 (over the iX) is:
1. Being able to access the car with your phone without actually having to take your phone out of the pocket (iX is similar to Tesla cars, while i4 you have to tap your phone to the door handle)

2. The interior space/design that is more EV (spacious feeling) than the traditional BMW cockpit-wrap around your body feeling of the i4.

[techwhiz1]

Originally Posted by baf3472

Im considering doing the same. Might just wait it out for the i5. Did it feel weird going to the i4 from the iX? My biggest issue is going from idrive 8 back to idrive 7. I understand the i4 doesnt have the Was there any tech that you wish the i4 had that makes you wish you stayed with the iX?

I only drove the iX. Didn't own it. I drove it because the dealer had it and I hadn't ever driven a BMW EV. I was never going to buy it.

It felt like my X5 but electric. Same type of room, etc. New seats, big screen, but it screamed BMW SUV.

It felt a out the same as going from my X5 to my E90. Not horrible but different.

My i4 is the best overall car that I've owned. I had M3's and others.

[baf3472]

Originally Posted by darylp310

baf3472 I don’t think any new BMWs use iDrive 7 anymore. i4 has the same tech as the iX. It’s just smaller and more sporty (i.e. less luxurious suspension, etc). Also the i4 M50 is very hard to come by if you want a fast one. (still backordered for months)

I didn’t know that. I just assumed that all steering wheels with the older styler controls were on idrive 7. Thank you everyone for the responses.

[EVRollerTech]

If your primary use would be around town and you have the ability to do a level 2 charger at home I would highly recommend the iX. On the topic of road trips if that for you is less than 300-400 miles one way then I would still recommend the iX, however, if you consider road trips to be much longer then it would be the X7. My wife and I do 1000+ mile trips to visit family and usually driving straight through. Normally do this in about 16 hours in an ICE vehicle, with charging it takes us 22 hours in the iX. Don’t know how the XM is but suspect it would be a great road trip riding car like the X7 along with convenience of relying on the gasoline engine for those longer trips. I would say if the hybrid option appeals to you don’t forget about the X5 50e as another possible choice. Either way good luck in whatever you decide.

[GolfR17]

Thanks all for the advice. We test drove the iX and fell in love with it quickly. My wife is thrilled with it. We ended up swapping it for the x5. The iX Doesn’t have quite the cargo space of the x5, but the space for both front and rear occupants is considerably more. Amazing how spacious it is. Quiet, comfortable, and quick! Fantastic stereo. The only negative for me was the seats aren’t as adjustable as the x5/x7 etc. I miss the extending thigh support. I’d wish for a bit more bolstering for spirited drives, but for the kind of use it will see, the seats I’m sure will be just fine. Thanks again.

[guy_incognito1420]

Originally Posted by GolfR17

Thanks all for the advice. We test drove the iX and fell in love with it quickly. My wife is thrilled with it. We ended up swapping it for the x5. The iX Doesn’t have quite the cargo space of the x5, but the space for both front and rear occupants is considerably more. Amazing how spacious it is. Quiet, comfortable, and quick! Fantastic stereo. The only negative for me was the seats aren’t as adjustable as the x5/x7 etc. I miss the extending thigh support. I’d wish for a bit more bolstering for spirited drives, but for the kind of use it will see, the seats I’m sure will be just fine. Thanks again.

Congrats on the purchase!

[Don Juan]

We replaced my wife X7 for the IX and i can tell you it is more comfortable. We don't need the 3rd row seats anymore (kids are older now and they drive their own cars). Wife loves it, rides is super smooth and acceleration is well, you know ;-) , we have taken teh car up to the mountains of NC (we are in South florida) , with good planning it was no issue, We normally stopped at the 3 hour mark for bathroom use and stretch our legs and a quick charge. So far we love our IX.

[GolfR17]

Originally Posted by Don Juan

We replaced my wife X7 for the IX and i can tell you it is more comfortable. We don't need the 3rd row seats anymore (kids are older now and they drive their own cars). Wife loves it, rides is super smooth and acceleration is well, you know ;-) , we have taken teh car up to the mountains of NC (we are in South florida) , with good planning it was no issue, We normally stopped at the 3 hour mark for bathroom use and stretch our legs and a quick charge. So far we love our IX.

Nice! Glad you are loving the iX. So far no regrets for me. My wife uses it as a daily driver. She loves it. The kids enjoy the second row room. Trunk space is a bit smaller but has been enough. The couple road trips we have done range is a non-issue. So far the electrify America charging stations have worked well for the most part. When we stop for lunch the car is done charging way before we are.