[SM4BMW]

I am curious to see if any current M40i owners have driven the new M50 and what their thoughts are on the driving side of things. While looks can be subjective and a matter of individual taste I would like to think views on people’s driving experience would be similar and the driving aspect is important to me. Appreciate any views as thinking if I should go for a used M40i or go for a new M50 so understanding the difference if any would help my decision.

🙏 Sean

[avi66]

Originally Posted by SM4BMW

I am curious to see if any current M40i owners have driven the new M50 and what their thoughts are on the driving side of things. While looks can be subjective and a matter of individual taste I would like to think views on people’s driving experience would be similar and the driving aspect is important to me. Appreciate any views as thinking if I should go for a used M40i or go for a new M50 so understanding the difference if any would help my decision.

🙏 Sean

Time stamp around 7:15

[SM4BMW]

I have watched many reviews but I want to find out from drivers here who have driven both these vehicles and their opinions rather than motor journalist reviews.

[hb]

Originally Posted by SM4BMW

I have watched many reviews but I want to find out from drivers here who have driven both these vehicles and their opinions rather than motor journalist reviews.

I had a chance to drive the M50 twice already. And the M40i a lot of times before. As I said in the video, the ride quality is better in Comfort mode for the M50, and sportier in the highest setting. Overall, it's just a better daily driver. They really added more travel in those dampers and they do a good job on not-so-smooth roads.

Now if you're the type of customer than wanted the X3 M40i to be closer to the X3M overall....then it's a different story.

[MidnightLight]

Aside from the suspension, presumably the standard non-runflat tires also help with improving the ride quality on the new X3 M50.

[14all41]

I have a 2019 M40 so i am very familiar with it. I test drove the M50 last weekend. I agree that the M50 rides softer and has a less harsh ride in comfort. It has plenty of power and the powertrain is great. The one I drove had very loose steering and there was a lot of play in the steering wheel. It's better looking in person but still ugly to me. The interior is also better in person but not nearly as nice as the M40. The fact that the moonroof does not open is a dealbreaker for me. If I could take that powertrain and put it in the new Audi SQ5, I would have a great car. The M50 is a great driving car and if that was all I cared about, I would of ordered one already, but I have to live with a car and need to like the way it looks. And for the money, the interior and no opening moonroof is just unforgiveable to me. Driving wise, they are very comparable, with the M50 being more comfortable and power wise they feel the same. Could of just been the one I drove but the loose steering was annoying to me. If all one cares about is the driving aspect, I don't think you can wrong either way. I would strongly suggest you drive both for a long test drive.

[avi66]

https://g45.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=176

“ I have an m40i as a daily driver and planned to get the new m50. My dealer has their demo in and I have taken it it out twice. My take is that it is a cross between the m40i and the x5m50i I drove recently. Smoother, quieter ride, but somehow less visceral and thrilling to drive than m40i. I know it is supposed to be faster than the M 40i, but the different power band makes it feel a bit slower to me. It definitely feels larger, and more lush. Kind of reminds me of a Macan in ride quality, which is pretty cushy also. Seats are much better in the new model.
The interior seems gimmicky and and somehow adolescent, while my ‘22 m40i feels quality oriented and solid.
As far as the exterior looks, not a fan.
I will likely move up to the new x5m60? when it comes out next year, unless it looks like the new x3, in which case I will have to pass on that.
I’m sure it will sell well for those looking for their first x3 or moving from a much older one. I just don’t feel inclined to move from my ‘22. In fact it kind of makes me appreciate it more…”

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by hb

I had a chance to drive the M50 twice already. And the M40i a lot of times before. As I said in the video, the ride quality is better in Comfort mode for the M50, and sportier in the highest setting. Overall, it's just a better daily driver. They really added more travel in those dampers and they do a good job on not-so-smooth roads.

Now if you're the type of customer than wanted the X3 M40i to be closer to the X3M overall....then it's a different story.

Can you clarify this a little?

These kind of sound like thoughts that go against each other... so it's less of an X3M feel but feels sportier in its sportiest mode?

[ModernAngel]

Originally Posted by ASAP

Can you clarify this a little?

These kind of sound like thoughts that go against each other... so it's less of an X3M feel but feels sportier in its sportiest mode?

I'm guessing they meant an M50 in "Sport Plus" mode feels sportier than an X3 M40i but less sporty than an X3M. That was my experience having driven all of them, at any rate.

[avi66]

The only way to know for sure is if your drive an M40, and drive an M50 with an appropriate wheel/tyre combo to compare.

How many of the G45 test drives are on 21” wheels ? These are standard here on the M40.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by ModernAngel

I'm guessing they meant an M50 in "Sport Plus" mode feels sportier than an X3 M40i but less sporty than an X3M. That was my experience having driven all of them, at any rate.

it being as sporty as an x3m was never going to be the case

[ModernAngel]

Originally Posted by ASAP

it being as sporty as an x3m was never going to be the case

Yup. Of course.

[hb]

Originally Posted by ASAP

Can you clarify this a little?

These kind of sound like thoughts that go against each other... so it's less of an X3M feel but feels sportier in its sportiest mode?

Meaning that the X3 M40i felt a lot closer to an X3M than the M50, in terms of suspension stiffness and all. The idea is this: overall, the M50 is a better daily driver, more comfortable when set correctly, and sporty enough, without having a harsh ride like the X3M.

[hb]

Originally Posted by avi66

The only way to know for sure is if your drive an M40, and drive an M50 with an appropriate wheel/tyre combo to compare.

How many of the G45 test drives are on 21” wheels ? These are standard here on the M40.

There are so many variables. Same tires and wheels, exactly the same roads, the same settings. But there is no doubt: in Comfort, it's more comfortable than the M40i. And I guess that's what most people wanted, right?

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by hb

Meaning that the X3 M40i felt a lot closer to an X3M than the M50, in terms of suspension stiffness and all. The idea is this: overall, the M50 is a better daily driver, more comfortable when set correctly, and sporty enough, without having a harsh ride like the X3M.

i am interested in at least driving it to see if bmw has adjusted the dampers so its a more stable and less bouncy ride than m40i... that and removal of runflats would make it a far better driver... i feel like bmw always gets 85% spot on and completely missed that last 15%... in the m40, it was terrible seats and a jumpy ride... in the m50, it seems like its the cheap interior and i hope not too soft in comfort and too hard in sport... from my experience, it seems they only test all this on perfect surfaces lol

[hb]

Originally Posted by ASAP

i am interested in at least driving it to see if bmw has adjusted the dampers so its a more stable and less bouncy ride than m40i... that and removal of runflats would make it a far better driver... i feel like bmw always gets 85% spot on and completely missed that last 15%... in the m40, it was terrible seats and a jumpy ride... in the m50, it seems like its the cheap interior and i hope not too soft in comfort and too hard in sport... from my experience, it seems they only test all this on perfect surfaces lol

Well, let me know what you think after you drive the M50. Curious also since I feel that we all have different expectations from a car. One example: I always loved the M40i, but granted, I only briefly drove it each time and usually on nice curvy roads, which was fun.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by hb

There are so many variables. Same tires and wheels, exactly the same roads, the same settings. But there is no doubt: in Comfort, it's more comfortable than the M40i. And I guess that's what most people wanted, right?

I can only speak for myself, and I drive an M40 with 21” RFT in sport mode most of the time, and I don’t find it a problem. In fact I prefer the feel in sport to comfort.

In some market, like here, BMW only offered G01 M40 with 21” wheels.

[SM4BMW]

Thank you all, appreciate all your opinions/feedback so far 🙏