So i got invited to this "ultimate driving event" organized by BMW right at my dealership
Something like "BMW vs competition"
They brought bunch of new 5-series (F10 body), new Z4s, new 1 and 3 series which includes "is" trim
Same TT engine with overboost.
They also brought MBs and Audis for comparison sake
My CA called me since she knew i wanted to drive X6 and 5-er side by side
So here i am
step 1 : Went to one of the desks to fill some basic info, name, email, etc (this is to get $1000 rebate if i deside to buy anything before October)
This took whole 2 minutes. They gave me all-inclusive-resort type of wrist band with BMW rightings on it and i went to next desk
step 2:
At another desk (outside) they asked me which car i'd like to drive
Once choise is made they give you the keys and suggested route but you do whatever you like and as long as you like i guess.
Step 3: Driving 550i with all possible goodies for about 20min with some highway runs and backroad twisties
This thing actually can handle its own power
Ramps, backroads are pretty well managed
Car stays flat and moneuvers well
A lot of confidence for a not-so-sporty sedan
There is a presence of a floatty feeling and steering feedback was not as good as on my car, but it can be attributed to this new active steering system with rear-wheel steer
Car feels bigger than outgoing 5-series, close to 7-series. This is not just the size either.
Tech and luxury of it is right on par with 7-er
All AT cars now have this new 8-speed transmision
This is probably one of the best ATs built to date
Shifts seamlessly and very quick. Same goes for downshift and kick-down mode
Car rockets to 100mph from any speed in just few seconds. Unfortunatelly it doesnt feel that at all.
Thank God for head-up display showing the speed, otherwise i would have been in trouble in no time
Overall, i really like the car, but i suppose it's not my cup of tea
It's shifted to more luxury and a bit less sport now
So 5-series became more executive-like car
It's solid, it's not "look-at-me" car, you can probably go hours in it and won't feel you spent this much time at the wheel
It's fast and comfortable, it can take some twisties comfidently, just not enough car-feel for me
step 4: After returning 550i with a big grin on my face i was handed off keys from 2011 X6 5.0 to hit the same roads
This car was also equipped with all possible options
Drive...
As soon as i left he parking lot i senced that it would be a whole different animal (which it should be)
I mean, it means business.
Sound, road feel, dynamics, everything was there
I found it hard to believe that such big car (SUV) is capable of riding in this manner
It felt like i was in sport car, but at the same time i was higher up from the ground
I could throw this car into corners same way as my 335i
Those twisted backroads needed tripple speed limit for me to test the half of the capability of the car
Forget acceleration, this 8-speed (same as on 5-er) was even more agressive
Lightning-fast shfts send me to tripple-digit speeds in a moment
Breaks are amazing too. Stops with confidence, no nose dive or any motion, just like my car, just stops where you want it to be stopped
So my dilema is over, X6 was hands-down better car overall, in all departments except for interior
But the driving experience is THIS much better, even though i was expecting otherwise
AWD and extra storage is just great bonus
Oh did i mention it was manager's car and not part of the event?
As soon as my CA pulled over in it, whole croud at the dealership froze for a moment
It is such a looker
Definetelly one of the best looking BMWs to date
P.S. I want this car in M version so badly now
It's calling my wallet
