This is frankly the wrong forum to ask in- you will get overwhelming negativity, some justified, lots not. Go to the x7/XM dedicated boards on bimmerpost for accounts from actual owners and people that have seriously cross-shopped them.

No it didn’t, but felt zippy enough. Surprisingly the E43 was the most fun to drive.

BMW 3x in a row, 650i vs S5, 328i vs A4, M550i vs S6. It was narrow each time but bmw tends to feel “right” to me personally.

I’ve owned 3 BMW’s and cross shopped mb and Audi each time. Each time I’d have been happy with any of the 3. They’re at a similar level with slightly different characters. Though they’re converging even there.

I last cross shopped the M550i and the S6. Very similar cars on paper, ~450hp, 0-60 in ~4s, ~4400lbs. Most of the same key features, similar grade nappa leather, etc. They felt very similar to drive, equally comfortable, equally fast, equally spacious. Mostly comes down to personal preference.

I find the tribalism more than a little disappointing.

All of the E6x and Chris Bangle himself got an incredible amount of hate in the early 2000’s, honestly even worse than than the G8x, G6x’s of today. Not just enthusiasts, but even mainstream journalists piled on. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

all 4 of mine look worse (: what style wheels are those?

You probably want a 6/8 for the body style but a 2017+ 540i will hit every requirement you listed here, b58, proper sunroof, power trunk.

BMW has ruined every generation of the M3 and will ruin every one to come. The last M3 is always the best, the next one is always an abomination.