[U235]

I have a 2023 X7 M60i, and I'm loosely considering getting an iX M60 to replace my PHEV Volvo V60 Polestar Engineered Extended Range.

The reason being is the city of Austin just installed an egregious nine speed humps on the one road into and out of my street. That means every time I go anywhere, I have to navigate 18 speed humps round trip. Kids school, gym, grocery, etc. Our Volvo with the Ohlins shocks just is brutalized by it and requires 10-15 mph navigation, but our X7 with the air suspension can go over the bumps unimpeded at the street's 30 mph speed limit.

I had a loaner iX 50i when my X7 was in for its annual maintenance, and I enjoyed it. It looks weird, but I find that the iX in black looks tolerable.

Regardless, I'm looking and hoping that the iX air suspension is similar or as close to possible as the X7's to provide the same minimal speed hump annoyance.

The humps are tapered on the sides, so also the width of the track plays a role, the X7 being wide enough that you can basically just hit the edge of the tapered part really minimizing the size of the hump, coupled with the plush air suspension, it's effectively like only the smallest little bump in the road. The narrower Volvo with borderline race dampers just gets double whammy'd.

Other questions while I have an audience:

1. There are numerous used 2023 iX with <1000 miles around and they're significantly cheaper, like $90K vs $120k. I'd lean that way despite usually buying new as a $30k drive-off-the-lot-instant-depreciation is nuts. Unless BMW is running discounts on new? There are numerous brand new iX M60s at my local dealers, they don't seem to be moving. So what's the going rate for new? There are both 23 and 24 models, I assume the 24s have the newer tech stack (next comment/question). There's a perfectly equipped January 23 build that's new, obviously it's sat for a while...

2. My X7 was one of the first 23 LCIs, so it has the drivers assistant pro that only does full hands off driving to 35 mph. Is that the same with the iX, where only models built after July 2023 can do 85? Similarly, is there a build date where iDrive 8.5 exists versus 8.0 as my early 23 (July 31st, 2022 build) X7 is only running 8.0?

I'm open to any and all other comparisons, particularly comparing to the X7. I'm also considering the Model X Plaid given the recent price drops, but I do not believe it's suspension is as plush or refined as BMW's.

[Pictor]

If you're looking at the M60 then the only material difference between the 2023 and 2024 is the hand free highway assist in the 2024 and newer head unit that supports ID8.5 which should give features like plug&charge in the near future. Highway assist works on certain highways up to 85mph while in 2023 cars it's up to ~40mph similar to your X7. The highway assist and new head unit started with March 2023 production.

[sahajesh]

KRS_SN has both, although UK-based.

[KRS_SN]

Hi U235
I'm copying a post I made elsewhere comparing the x7 and the ix. Hope some of the above is useful for you

Imagine you are large and heavy and you are about to fall down to one side
Suddenly you realize someone behind you is holding you firmly by the shoulders in a firm grip and you don't move/fall and stay straight and steady.

I am describing the executive drive pro suspension with active anti roll bars and rear wheel steering its a revelation.

I cant imagine what I have been missing in the past few years as this is my 1st car with this and the control is better than the X5 by miles. I have driven an X7 without this suspension and in the corners and roundabouts the lean was much more perceptible.

This car is different. Combined with the rear wheel steering manoeuvring is effortless. It feels responsive and quick to turn overall. I would put it on par with the IX.

The road /tyre noise is slightly better supressed than the IX itself is very quiet this is quieter still. The wind noise is perhaps a bit more audible than the IX.
There is NO engine noise once the speed is up to 30mph ie like driving an electric car. When revving to get to 30 or when revving to overtake you can hear the engine and I'm not a fan of this but this does NOT have the msport exhaust which I used to hate as it would play exhaust sound in the cabin who wants this in a lux SUV. In some ways once up to speed Its difficult to know if you are in the IX or the X7.

The interior merino and seats are on a level above and the materials and fit is better than the IX. The seats are larger and there is though support which is great and also the massage is better in the X7 than the IX.

The Idrive 7 is better/perfect, not a fan of the idrive 8 touch screenery on the IX.

The suspension of the IX on steel springs has zero boatiness especially in the highways the X7 has a slight boaty feel on undulations and IX behaves as a spring suspension car should but absorbs the bumps so well its like air but without the boatiness.
Broken roads IX handles equally well if not better no transmitted noises in the cabin/jitteriness in either.

Big potholes and sharp speed breakers again IX on spring handles it better 'shrugs them away' cannot even feel you have encountered it though in the X7 you can hear the thud.

Overall the lean of the IX and X7 and the manoeuvrability and the feel of the size of the car and COG etc feels the same. The steel springs in the IX for me win for overall comfort and the interior fit and finish of the X7 wins.

I'm loving both perhaps the IX more so as its got no engine. Mrs on the other hand likes the X7 more and the sounds and the grunt from under the hood and as she calls it 'a proper car and not a golf buggy'. Happy days as we both are using what we like.

[LowerEast]

I have a 2021 X7 and a 2023 IX.

In my view, if you like the X7 for its ride and performance, you’ll like the IX as well. It has a different way of getting there, but similar results in being a fast, good handling, overwhelmingly solid feeling car.


I love my X7, but I find myself choosing the IX more often for day to day driving.

[U235]

Thanks all. I was under the assumption the iX had air suspension, or at least the M60. It seems like it was an option that was removed for 2024. Is that just for the 50i or also the M60?

[akin67]

Originally Posted by U235

Thanks all. I was under the assumption the iX had air suspension, or at least the M60. It seems like it was an option that was removed for 2024. Is that just for the 50i or also the M60?

I believe air suspension is standard on the M60 and $1000 option on the X50.

[KRS_SN]

Originally Posted by U235

Thanks all. I was under the assumption the iX had air suspension, or at least the M60. It seems like it was an option that was removed for 2024. Is that just for the 50i or also the M60?

The point is ix on springs like mine rides better over speed bumps than x7 on air. There's no case to worry as it seems ix on air is even better on comfort.

[Young04]

I have a 2023 iX M60 (with air suspension) and an earlier 2020 X7 (with air suspension, IAS, but no active roll bars). I would generally echo what KRS_SN has stated. The X7 is a little softer on most roads, but big bumps can get a bit crashy. In the iX, you feel big bumps less. You asked about speed bumps and here I think my iX is superior. In the X7, speed bumps can cause the entire car to undulate in a way that the iX does not. I would rate overall ride quality as slightly better in the iX, but I can certainly see how someone would say that the X7's ride quality is better as it is definitely more plush on average roads.

iX is quieter at low speeds (no engine noise obviously), but on the highway, the X7 is quieter. As mentioned above, interior quality in the X7 is better as well. Doors close more solidly (front doors of the iX sound like utter crap) and there are more hard plastics in the bottom half of the iX's cabin.

A big plus for my M60 (which, I believe, has a different suspension set up than even the 50s with air suspension) is its handling. Its ride/handling balance is downright outstanding. It handles somewhere in between an X5 M50/M60i and an X5M while delivering ride quality that is at least in the same ballpark as the X7.

Edit: I had a 2022 X5 M50i with DHP for about a year. I did not have both that X5 and iX at the same time, so my comment about the iX M60's handling being superior to the X5 M50's handling is based on memory.

[ppagiga]

Wouldn’t get a used m60 when you get a massively discounted 24.

If you need help finding one at the best available price Next Level Auto Brokers a great resource that will save you the hassle. Hanz over there has helped me with an ix and an i7

[javapro]

Originally Posted by U235

Thanks all. I was under the assumption the iX had air suspension, or at least the M60. It seems like it was an option that was removed for 2024. Is that just for the 50i or also the M60?

In the US air suspension and Integral Active Steering (IAS) with rear-axle steering are standard on M60. Air suspension is back as an option on xDrive50 and IAS is not available on that model.

[JVZanetti]

Just replaced my X7 M50i to ix 50i this week. Will share more details in a few days.

[SGiXers]

If one regularly needs 7 seats, the X7 is a necessity. Look at the size difference from the rear. iX trunk isn't big but if you dont need it regularly, then its ok.

[330 CSi]

Originally Posted by javapro

In the US air suspension and Integral Active Steering (IAS) with rear-axle steering are standard on M60. Air suspension is back as an option on xDrive50 and IAS is not available on that model.

Does anyone have any documentation that shows that air suspension is back as an option on the iX 50?

[f82fanatic]

Originally Posted by 330 CSi

Does anyone have any documentation that shows that air suspension is back as an option on the iX 50?

It’s in the BMW US car configurator available as an option.

[akin67]

Originally Posted by 330 CSi

Does anyone have any documentation that shows that air suspension is back as an option on the iX 50?

I can assure you it is back, because when I ordered my car, I included that option. When you are configuring your vehicle, it is a $1000 option.

[javapro]

Originally Posted by 330 CSi

Does anyone have any documentation that shows that air suspension is back as an option on the iX 50?

All you need to do is to check the US online configurator at bmwusa.com!

[Jd19]

Bringing this thread back to life. Owners of an X7 M50/60 with DHP and of the iX M60 how would you compare the handling and overall driving experience between the two? I feel like a lot of the comparisons are of an X7 with DHP vs iX 50 without air suspension/IAS, or X7 without DHP and an iX M60.

Recently test drove a demo iX M60 and loved it, but also considering a fully loaded X7 M50 with DHP and B&W (have yet to find a preowned one near me the past few months).

[Young04]

Originally Posted by Jd19

Bringing this thread back to life. Owners of an X7 M50/60 with DHP and of the iX M60 how would you compare the handling and overall driving experience between the two? I feel like a lot of the comparisons are of an X7 with DHP vs iX 50 without air suspension/IAS, or X7 without DHP and an iX M60.

Recently test drove a demo iX M60 and loved it, but also considering a fully loaded X7 M50 with DHP and B&W (have yet to find a preowned one near me the past few months).

I have an iX M60 and used to have two X7s - one with DHP and the other without. The iX handles considerably better than either X7 both with long sweeping turns and in switch back situations. The iX also rides better overall too. On a smooth road, the X7 may be slightly softer, but there is something a tad off with the X7's suspension (with or without DHP) in that it just rebounds wrong. Too much head toss and wallow, especially for those in the second or third rows. Can induce motion sickness. The iX has none of that.

[Bimmerfun82]

I have both the 40i and iXM60. Different use cases, but both vehicles are fantastic in ride quality, comfort, and efficiency. OP’s post is from several months ago, so questions probably resolved. For our X7 we went with the smallest wheels (21”) and captains chairs, so to me it feels a bit more pillowy of a ride. No DHP. The iX has 22” wheels and the ride isn’t as soft but it’s still excellent. Very agile. The determining factor has to be size of family and use case - road trips or commuting.

[KRS_SN]

Sitting in the back seat of the x7 with dhp over long journeys with twisty/bumpy roads were motion sicky. The IX 2nd row is bliss over similar roads. More spacious too.