[G30M]

so i can get a used iX M60 or iX 50 for the same price. i don't need the extra acceleration of the M60 but i really want the extra range of the 50.

however, i don't like the idea of HK in the 50.

what would you do?
any other differences to the M60 other than the acceleration and range?

[exxxviii]

It depends on how much you like music and very high-end audio systems.

The HK is very good. If the B&W never existed, you would think it is wonderful. The B&W is in a new class of ultra audio systems automakers are offering, and it is probably the best audio system in any car at any price. It's not just great, it is the best!

I was planning to order mine with the HK, because I was perfectly happy with it and had not listened to the B&W closely. But I ended up ordering it on a whim, and now I am wrecked. I love it. But I have always been a high-end audio hobbyist.

[NomoTesla]

Originally Posted by G30M

so i can get a used iX M60 or iX 50 for the same price. i don't need the extra acceleration of the M60 but i really want the extra range of the 50.

however, i don't like the idea of HK in the 50.

what would you do?
any other differences to the M60 other than the acceleration and range?

If you drive the M60 like the 50, your range will be almost comparable. The 60 has a larger rear motor that will sip a few extra electrons, but not enough to be meaningful.

[Paladin1]

Originally Posted by exxxviii

It depends on how much you like music and very high-end audio systems.

The HK is very good. If the B&W never existed, you would think it is wonderful. The B&W is in a new class of ultra audio systems automakers are offering, and it is probably the best audio system in any car at any price. It's not just great, it is the best!

I was planning to order mine with the HK, because I was perfectly happy with it and had not listened to the B&W closely. But I ended up ordering it on a whim, and now I am wrecked. I love it. But I have always been a high-end audio hobbyist.

What he said. The HK system is an excellent system - as good as or better than the top end systems in many other cars. The B&W system is arguably the best OEM system in non-bespoke cars today, enhanced by the sound isolation in the iX. The best system in the world is compromised if the listening space doesn't match it (example, a TAD Reference One system in your garage) and the iX and B&W are a perfect marriage. It also needs the right audio files - uncompressed from mobile storage. If you only listen to Sirius XM, you'll be well served by either. If you are an audiophile, you'll notice the difference.

[LuisBoston]

Originally Posted by G30M

so i can get a used iX M60 or iX 50 for the same price. i don't need the extra acceleration of the M60 but i really want the extra range of the 50.

however, i don't like the idea of HK in the 50.

what would you do?
any other differences to the M60 other than the acceleration and range?

The M60 will also have the air suspension and rear steering standard. Does the 50 you’re eyeing have those options?

[LuisBoston]

Originally Posted by NomoTesla

If you drive the M60 like the 50, your range will be almost comparable. The 60 has a larger rear motor that will sip a few extra electrons, but not enough to be meaningful.

I must have a lead foot. I cannot get good efficiency, no matter how much like granny I drive.

No way you get xDrive50 range in an M60. So not sure how those two circles square up. So, I would not put the expectation that there’s no difference in efficiency/range to the OP.

[darylp310]

Originally Posted by LuisBoston

I must have a lead foot. I cannot get good efficiency, no matter how much like granny I drive.

No way you get xDrive50 range in an M60. So not sure how those two circles square up.

On the highways if you stay under 70 mph you definitely can. Some YouTubers have proved it.

But realistically no one drives an M60 like that. It defeats the whole purpose of that adrenaline producing rocket!

[darylp310]

Are there any more details you can share about the iX50 vs M60? Are they the same year? Same mileage? Do you know what other options are on the iX50? What about wheel size differences? Are you more into luxurious cruising? Or do you have the need for speed and racing through the winding roads?

[LuisBoston]

Originally Posted by darylp310

On the highways if you stay under 70 mph you definitely can. Some YouTubers have proved it.

But realistically no one drives an M60 like that. It defeats the whole purpose of that adrenaline producing rocket!

I’ve stayed at 70. Best I can do is about 2.8 mi/kwh.

Did the YouTubers drive the 50 and M60 side by side, exactly the same? With the same size tires/wheels?

[deutsch100]

I traded my 2022 iX50 for a 2023 iX M60 and then went back to a '25 iX50. No matter if I drove my M60 like a grandma going to church on a Sunday morning....the M60 could never get as high of a real world range as the iX50!

As others have said, the M60 will for sure get you rear steering and air suspension; both which are great (air suspension being really good).

But, if you really need higher range, the 50 will for sure be the better choice.

I love my B&W sound, but I was 95% as happy and satisfied with the HK system!

[darylp310]

Originally Posted by LuisBoston

I’ve stayed at 70. Best I can do is about 2.8 mi/kwh.

Did the YouTubers drive the 50 and M60 side by side, exactly the same? With the same size tires/wheels?

Not scientific at all, Tom Moloughney ran the iX50 from 100-0% at 70 mph and achieved 3.2 mi/kWh, and Kyle Conner ran the iX M60 from 100-0% at 70 mph and archived 3.1 mi/kWh. So it was just a small delta.

But in the real world (unless you are a unicorn hyper miler like NomoTesla), the M60 will be way less efficient. I borrowed my friends M60 for a month and would typically see about 2.4 miles/kWh. My daily iX50 typically gets over 3.1 miles/kWh. This is what 99% of people would see, so you are correct that there’s pretty substantial difference in efficiency between the two cars when driving “normally”.

[[DT]]

Our vehicles are not where I do really engaged listening, I don't have much of a critical ear (so to speak) on the road. Generally when I have a longer drive time, it's with the wife/daughter, we're talking, listening to a podcast (which doesn't need a lot of SQ ), we're mixing up the music (hahaha, so some "fidelity insensitive" tracks), it's coming from a streaming service (so not the best source), etc.

Things like air suspension, sport package, full seating options, very important, the audio upgrade we would've taken on a killer lease deal (for an in stock vehicle), but it was not a "requirement" as the HK is plenty from my perspective.

YMMV.

[G30M]

Originally Posted by darylp310

Are there any more details you can share about the iX50 vs M60? Are they the same year? Same mileage? Do you know what other options are on the iX50? What about wheel size differences? Are you more into luxurious cruising? Or do you have the need for speed and racing through the winding roads?

same year same mileage same options though the 50 has 21" wheels whereas the 60 has 22" wheels

i like luxury crusing and no need to speed through winding roads.

[G30M]

Originally Posted by LuisBoston

The M60 will also have the air suspension and rear steering standard. Does the 50 you’re eyeing have those options?

yes they both have air suspension and rear steering. the only differences seem to be the HK and the range.

[Norbimmer]

I have had a xDrive50 and now M60 and there is a range difference, I estimate the average is 10% higher consumption for the M60.

My 50 had H/K and as others have stated it is very good, probably the best H/K of any BMW. Definitely on another level vs 3- series H/K and better than G05 H/K. B&W is excellent and a joy to listen to, I am no audiophile and mainly listen to Spotify knowing very well that I don’t extract the full potential of the system.

If range is one of you major concerns, the 50 will probably be a better option (ignoring other potential differences in spec). I raraly use the extra powerbof the M60 and the 50 is fast enough and rake overs are effortless, I mean 500+ hp were M-car level just a few years ago.

[LuisBoston]

Originally Posted by G30M

same year same mileage same options though the 50 has 21" wheels whereas the 60 has 22" wheels

i like luxury crusing and no need to speed through winding roads.

Originally Posted by G30M

yes they both have air suspension and rear steering. the only differences seem to be the HK and the range.

So the M60 and 50 are exactly same, include price? Like, the 50 has every single option as the M60?

Tough choice.

The M60 is harsher riding than the 50, especially 22 vs 21” wheels. But the B&W is really great.

I’d say get the M60 and find some 21” wheels to soften the ride.

[darylp310]

Originally Posted by G30M

same year same mileage same options though the 50 has 21" wheels whereas the 60 has 22" wheels

i like luxury crusing and no need to speed through winding roads.

I would certainly choose the 50 in that case.
-- The low profile 22" wheels are great for their grip, but they are bumpier on uneven pavement
-- the M60 has a more firmly tuned air suspension, so it feels confident for racing through the turns, but it's not as soft for daily cruising
-- The 50 will realistically give you a about 25% better mileage compared to the M60

I am still confused why the price would be the same. That's an interesting sales strategy -- maybe unique to your city/country!?

[darylp310]

Originally Posted by LuisBoston

I’d say get the M60 and find some 21” wheels to soften the ride.

This is a good idea too. If the M60 is selling under market price, maybe you'll have some equity in few years!! So getting some 21" (or even 20's) - would up the comfort a little!

[drbluedevil]

I've owned both and lived with both for over a year. The HK is the second best factory sound system I've ever heard, and the B&W is the best. And it's not close.

That said, I listen to podcasts 95% of the time, so it's a bit of a waste. 20-year-old me would've appreciated the B&W a lot more than 45-year-old me.

The performance difference isn't as big as you'd think in city-street driving.

I'm considering giving up my iX m60 lease early if the deal is right for a 45 like Deutsch100 did (so I can get rid of the glass roof, which adds complexity, risk, and the buzzing noise in heat), but I can't find one specced how I want with 20" or 21" wheels.

I can't tell you how incredibly comfortable the ride is on 20" wheels with the air suspension. It's magical. My m60 has 21" wheels, and the ride is great also, but you can tell the difference. My dad's 50 with 22" wheels is notably harsher despite the air suspension. I can't imagine how the new 23" wheels ride but count me the hell out.

So...if all other things are truly equal, you're getting a deal on the 60 in this comparison, and I second the notion of getting an aftermarket set of 21" wheels and tires and just keeping the 22" ones for summer driving and/or spares if you have the storage space.

[Ozzie8]

Originally Posted by exxxviii

It depends on how much you like music and very high-end audio systems.

The HK is very good. If the B&W never existed, you would think it is wonderful. The B&W is in a new class of ultra audio systems automakers are offering, and it is probably the best audio system in any car at any price. It's not just great, it is the best!

I was planning to order mine with the HK, because I was perfectly happy with it and had not listened to the B&W closely. But I ended up ordering it on a whim, and now I am wrecked. I love it. But I have always been a high-end audio hobbyist.

The perfect answer IMO. The other item which makes the B&W even more special, is how quiet the car is inside. You can really appreciate it so much more.

[deutsch100]

Originally Posted by drbluedevil

I'm considering giving up my iX m60 lease early if the deal is right for a 45 like Deutsch100 did (so I can get rid of the glass roof, which adds complexity, risk, and the buzzing noise in heat), but I can't find one specced how I want with 20" or 21" wheels.

I replied to your private message drbluedevil

[deutsch100]

Originally Posted by drbluedevil

I can't imagine how the new 23" wheels ride but count me the hell out.

My 2026 iX has the BMW Individual 23" wheels and with the air suspension, the ride comfort matches how my iX50 with air suspension and 21" wheels felt. The 23" wheels + air suspension eats up road imperfections and the ride is sooooo lux and smooth. I was so worried, but after the sales guy let us do an almost 30 min test drive on all kinds of streets and the highway....I was sold! And of course NO stupid, hot glass roof is a dream. If my new 26 was an ICE, I might have bought instead of leased. I think going forward finding a luxury car with a solid roof is going to be near impossible.