BMW xDrive Comparison - Test Part 2 (vs Audi & MB)

[klier]

Very nice Siko! Karma for you!!

That 3.0 TT is sweet huh? Only a shame you didn't get to experience it with a 3er, where that engine has an even better platform to perform on!

 

[siko]

Review Part 2

So I went again today and things were a little different. Yesterday it was hot and sunny... while to day it was colder, and halfway into the session it rained hard. This was great because it made all the car systems work harder. So here are some additional reviews.

X5 3.0si
Performance had degraded due to the rain. Handling and traction were harder to control.

X5 4.8i
The 4.8's adaptive suspension made it performed almost as well as in the dry… but performance was slightly compromised in the end.

ML 500
Performance was also slightly compromised but it was still the best handling of the bunch, as in the dry.

Q7 3.6
Although it still felt like a boat... the performance wasn't really affected at all (although it had the worse performance to begin with). But this could interpreted as proof that Audi's AWD is the best of the bunch.


I will post pictures a little later tonight...

 

[siko]

The Pictures

http://img186.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture002mediumrr3.jpg http://img167.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture004mediumva7.jpg http://img413.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture005mediumei8.jpg http://img407.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture006mediumgb5.jpg http://img407.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture008mediumvy9.jpg

Sorry, I didn't take too many pictures... I was busy driving!

 

[siko]

The Video

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Here's a lap in the X5 4.8i that I recorded... don't mind the Polish conversation

 

[Bartek S.]

So yes, it happened, son took his dad with... and we had a great time together. When we started, first two rounds went on dry, then started to rain more and more. That make as work harder and our comparison drive became real challenge.
I started with A6, great surprise, excellent handling and steering, I was impresed with very sporty ride, I liked very mutch it's interior. Rated 5.
The 528 xi was perfoming very well, bit more comfi then A6, superb interiors, enough power for everyday use. Rated 4.5.
535 xi (M pack) - wow... very impresed with acceleration, steering, handling and I love steering wheel, interiors and exteriors. Best car of all tested. IMO. Rted 5.
E350 - not available since broke down yesterday.
X5 3.0 is - very good performance, good handling on wet, better then I expected based on my present X5 4.4i. No dissapointments, feels less like truck and is not more haevy then its predecessor. Easier to handel and steer. I've made right choice to lease it for next 3 years (delivery 23 of may 2007). Rated 5.
X5 4.8si - dangerousely powerful, greatest sound of engine. Sport car on big wheels. Rated 5.
ML 500 - great performance, as good as X5, best handling of all, but soft, less sporty. I like its seats, but not interiors, steering wheel and shift. Rated 5.
Q-7 - not bad. More haevy and difficult to swing on slalom, but nice handling and I like interiors. When you drive it feels heavy truck (sport school bus). Rated 4.

 

[Zafiro]

Im surprised to hear you say ML handles better than a X5. That's the opposite to what others are saying. I cant see how a car has better comfort and at the same time handles better

 

[Bartek S.]

IMO it's about handling dynamics, the rate how cars system transmits your steering wheel motion to the wheel.

 

[siko]

I cant see how a car has better comfort and at the same time handles better

I think the reason is that the ML feels the least like a truck (lower weight? lower centre of gravity?)... so when you slalom in it, it feels like it responds better.

In terms of comfort... it feels more comfortable under braking and has a less jerky acceleration, which is probably due to how the auto-tranny was setup. Mind you that we drove all the bimmers in sport mode, so maybe that why the accelerations were more pronounced.



EDIT: Curb weight...

ML500 - 2,185 kg
X5 3.0si - 2,260 kg **
X5 4.8i - 2,430 kg **

** with 3rd row option... which all X5s had at the event.

So as mentionned, this weight difference could partly explain why the ML feels nimbler.

 

[martinbo]

All credit to the father and son team! I had a notion that there was a relation but I had no idea that we've got two generations of car gurus on one forum! Chaps, the information you've given us is tremendous. Some of the best reading I've done here in a while. Thank you for the effort. As if siko wasn't enough of an asset to this board - along comes Pops. Well done you two...

Martin (the other one...)

 

[LaArtist]

wow cool review..thnx for posting guys

im surprised by the ML..

PS
MB need a new E class ASAP..