I’ll preface this by saying this is a completely useless story. Just figured I’d share as I thought it was something.

Bought an X5 x40i Christmas week, everything but exec and luxury seating. It’s dope. It’s great. I love it. Took it in today to have them fix some tiny little paint bubbles I noticed while drying the car. No big deal as long as it’s fixed, under warranty, well.

There’s always the potential excitement of getting a different car as a loaner, more often than not it ends in disappointment or just nothing. I like cars so driving different ones is fun, sometimes. Never know what to expect. In the past, at the Audi dealership, I was given an etron when they had just came out. Fun times, of course, but a tease if nothing else. Other times, during the pandemic, they game me an f’n Yota. Probably would have just waited there had I known that.

So I’m doing the check in thing and they mention an X5. “Cool. That works for me”. Finally get through that to walk around and check it before I head out and I realize this thing is brand new. Less than 200 miles new. The pedal covers still on the pedals new. Not only is it new new but I then realize it’s an m50i after walking around the back.

My car purchasing process wasn’t very well planned out. I test drove 2 cars in a short period prior to the X5 and I was sold after that, although had already done plenty of research. Intentionally didn’t test drive the nearly exact spec’d m50i they had at the time because as dumb as a nearly $80k car is a near $100k car is even dumber, at least for me right now and maybe just in general. I figured I’d be too tempted if I felt that power and whatnot because, well, I’m a total sucker.

So, of course, my first loaner after not even having my X5 for a month is an m50i, a loaded one at that. Tried to avoid it but it was inevitable, apparently.

Drove it home, while holding back smiles, and to the store today and the power is…noticeable to say the least. The sound is great and it goes goes. Never considered the x40i slow at all but after this experience maybe I will.

No I’m not already selling my car to get an m50i but either the dealership or fate just had to dangle what I tried to avoid right in front of me, just because. Although an M’ish or real M may be something I look at next time.

TLDR: got a brand new X5 m50i loaner and, it’s amazing, after having avoided test driving one less than a month ago. I was simultaneously excited and not excited.

Like I said, a useless story

As someone driving an E46, the idea of paying BMW an annual fee for 20 years to have remote start seems absurd. How long until the network for these options changes and you can no longer renew your subscription? This is what leasing a car is for, don't most people want to own the thing they just paid an exorbitant amount of money to buy. I suppose out of warranty cars can just be modified, but it's a terrible practice. We need to tell them "No."