2022 BMW X7 M50i Buyers’ Guide

Very few cars can match the road presence that the BMW X7 has. The German manufacturer’s largest (and most expensive) SUV looks like nothing we’ve seen so far in BMW’s rather extensive portfolio. While the X7 is based on the X5 platform, it’d be a crime to assume that this was simply a stretched-out version of this legendary SUV (or SAV). 

The X7 offers a whole lot more than just a proper extra row of seats, and that’s especially true in the case of the range-topping model (barring the Alpina-tuned XB7), the BMW X7 M50i. BMW takes the ‘sport’ in ‘Sport Utility Vehicle’ very seriously, and this is immediately apparent with the M50i. Despite its mammoth proportions, this behemoth of an SUV takes off like a rampaging elephant and handles better than its competition. 

There are several reasons to buy a 2022 BMW X7 M50i, but they don’t come cheap. With this guide, we’ll look at all that one has to offer and whether now is the right time to get one. 

What Engine Does the 2022 BMW X7 M50i Have?

The 2022 BMW X7 M50i is powered by the glorious N63 engine. This 4.4L twin-turbo V8 produces 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque on the X7 M50i and is paired to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. BMW has mentioned that the X7 M50i returns 15 miles to the gallon in the city and 21 miles per gallon on the highway. This is decent fuel economy, especially considering this is a large, high-performance engine. 

The X7 comes with BMW’s xDrive system in the U.S. market, and the 2022 BMW X7 M50i is also equipped with the M Differential as standard. The all-wheel-drive system and Dynamic Stability Control ensure that the power from the engine is being transferred to the tarmac as effectively as possible. 

How Fast Is the 2022 BMW X7 M50i?

You’d think that the 2022 BMW X7 M50i’s substantial 5,661 lbs curb weight would act as some sort of deterrent to how it accelerates, but you couldn’t be further from the truth. Floor the accelerator pedal down, and you’ll be catapulted to 100kph (62mph) in just 4.5s. 

The Bavarians have electronically restricted top speed to 130mph, and some of you may be let down by this since the car is certainly capable of more with the N63 at its core. However, the brisk acceleration throughout the rev band compensates for this, and there’s plenty of fun to be had before you reach the speed limiter. 

2022 BMW X7 M50i Interiors, Design, and Features

The X7 shares its underpinnings with the G05 X5; however, the X7 is taller, wider, and longer, allowing for a little more cargo space and a third row of seats that can accommodate adults — the X5 has a third row of seats as well. Still, they’re nowhere near as comfortable and are best suited for kids. 

Climbing into the third row of seats can be a little bit of a task; the doors open wide and give you enough room to step in, but the car is quite tall and the second row of seats take unnecessarily long to slide forward and allow ingress. Once you’re there, there’s decent room for the average-sized adult. 

One of the major inconveniences with the X7 becomes apparent when this row of seats is set upright. The rear cargo space is relatively minimal, and while the vehicle can easily ferry around seven passengers, the same can’t be said about their luggage. This is undoubtedly a point of contention with prospective buyers and might just be the deterrent for someone whose primary use of the X7 will involve more than five people and a lot of cargo. On the flip side, fold the third row of seats down, and you’ll have enough room to store more suitcases than you probably own. 

Not too long ago, in April 2022, BMW made some minor updates to the X7. While the overall design is essentially identical to the original, the manufacturer has tweaked the front end to incorporate a new headlight design. This doesn’t take your attention away from that massive kidney grille, but it does fit well into the car’s overall aesthetic. The X7 was the model that introduced the oversized grilles we’re starting to see more frequently on today’s BMWs, but it’s the most natural fit on a car of this size. Still, it takes some getting used to. 

The 2022 BMW X7 M50i comes with some proper kit straight from the factory. This year, the company added power sunshades for the second-row window and an enhanced Bluetooth system. Other standard equipment includes Vernasca leather upholstery, automatic 4-zone climate control, keyless entry, the superb iDrive 7.0 infotainment system, wireless charging, heated seats and armrests at the front, and a heated steering wheel. 

As with every modern-day BMW, there’s a long list of optional equipment that you can add to your 2022 BMW X7 M50i. This includes driver assistance systems, heated second and third-row seats, and an exquisite piece of kit that BMW calls ‘Glass Controls.’ Costing $650, the Glass Controls add an illuminated hand-made, diamond-cut glass trim to the transmission lever. It’s a minor addition, but one that significantly increases the car’s luxury quotient. 

The X7 M50i can also be optioned with second-row captain’s seats. These are more plush and comfortable than the standard bench seats, but they don’t fold down flat and can reduce cargo capacity by quite a bit. 

Optional Packages

Buyers also can add optional packages, which are essentially a bundle of features or equipment, to their car. The options available for the 2022 BMW X7 M50i are:

Cold Weather Package

The Cold Weather Package includes 5-zone automatic climate control, which provides separate controls for the driver and each row of passengers. It also adds three-stage heated seats. The Cold Weather Package is priced at $1,100.

Dynamic Handling Package

For $3,450, you can equip your X7 M50i with the Dynamic Handling Package, including the Integral Active Steering system that enables rear-wheel steering. The rear wheels turn in the opposite direction as the front wheels at lower speeds, resulting in a sharper turning radius. Similarly, at higher speeds, they turn in the same direction as the front wheels, improving stability while cornering or changing lanes.

The package also adds Active Comfort Drive and Road Preview, two systems that work alongside each other to assess road conditions in front of you and electronically adjust the suspension system in real-time. 

Driving Assistance Professional Package

The Driving Assistance Professional Package includes the Active Driving Assistant Pro and Extended Traffic Jam Assistant. The former adds camera and radar-based driver assistance systems like a Lane Keeping Assistant, Lane Change Assistant, Emergency Stop Assistant, and Evasion Aid assist. 

Meanwhile, the Extended Traffic Jam Assistant brings partially automated steering input on select roadways up to 40mph. 

Multiple owners who have equipped their X7 with this package have found that the driver assistance systems can sometimes be a little too loud and intrusive, forcing drivers to turn them off. However, they improve safety and protection, and at $1,700, it is worth adding to your car. 

Vehicle Maintenance Programs

BMW offers multiple maintenance packages on its newer cars, including the 2022 BMW X7 M50i. The BMW Ultimate Care package that comes as standard includes scheduled maintenance for 3 years/36,000 miles, whichever comes first. Additionally, you can opt for the BMW Ultimate Care+ package that includes replacing the brake pads and wiper blades up to a specific mileage that varies depending on how much you pay. 

Prices range from $700 up to $6,449 for the BMW Ultimate Care+ 4 Bundle, which includes replacing the wear-and-tear components mentioned above for 7 years or 125,000 miles.

Reliability and Maintenance

The 2022 BMW X7 M50i is powered by an engine that the German manufacturer has had the time to perfect for nearly a decade and a half now. While the N63 was riddled with some serious issues at its introduction, most, if not all, of them have been ironed out, and this rumbling beast of a V8 is now nearly as reliable as any other engine from the company. 

However, it’s worth knowing about the issues that did exist to understand what you’re in store for if they ever do come up. 

Quick Battery Draining Issue

The V8 N63 is quite the fuel guzzler. To try and improve fuel efficiency, BMW equipped the engine with a system that shut down the alternator at certain times. In most cars, the battery charges as the belts turn during everyday driving. Meanwhile, the one on the N63 would recharge only while coasting, i.e., when the driver is neither accelerating nor braking. As you can imagine, this wasn’t the greatest idea to leave the BMW R&D department. You’re very unlikely to be coasting when you have over 500 horses eager to gallop away at your disposal. 

In older cars, BMW tried to counteract the effects of the battery drain by using a larger battery, but this left the root cause of the issue unresolved. Over the years, BMW has tried multiple measures to offset the problem, like replacing the batteries with an Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) unit that discharges slower, which has helped mitigate the magnitude of the battery drain. 

Since BMW hasn’t really done away with the expensive tech, you might have to replace the battery sooner than expected. 

Excess Oil Consumption

A turbocharged engine typically consumes more oil than a comparable naturally-aspirated unit. The simple reason behind this is that the turbos, too, need oil for cooling and lubrication. The BMW X7, with a massive 4.4L engine and two large turbochargers, needs a steady oil supply to operate efficiently. However, owners have found that their cars tend to consume even more than expected. This extra consumption can result from multiple factors, thus making it hard to rectify. 

Some of the more common causes include failure of the piston rings and turbocharger oil seals, leaks in the crankcase vent, or a cracked valve stem seal. 

With older iterations of the engine, BMW redesigned the valve guides with tighter clearances. Subsequent iterations of the engine came with the updated component from the factory, and this isn’t a problem that’s very common on today’s N63-powered cars.

Timing Chain Failure

The V8 layout of the N63 on the X7 M50i uses two timing chains — one for each cylinder bank. When the engine was introduced back in 2008, owners found that the chains would stretch prematurely, resulting in significant drops in performance. A stretched timing chain can also complicate and damage other components in the engine. 

BMW acknowledged that there was an issue and offered to replace the part and its related components (like the timing chain guides and tensioners) on any affected vehicles.

Again, this is an issue that’s become increasingly rare in today’s N63 engine, and it’s unlikely your 2022 BMW X7 M50i will suffer the fate of a stretched timing chain.  

Fuel Injector Failure

If you check forums for BMWs powered by N63 engines, you’ll find a few reports of fuel injector failure. While some owners have faced the issue as early as after 20,000 miles, the injectors are designed to last well past the 100,000-mile mark. 

A fuel injector failure is unlikely on a new 2022 BMW X7 M50i, but it’s something to keep an eye out for. With eight cylinders, replacing all the fuel injectors can set you back a couple of thousand dollars. 

Valve Stem Seals Leak

A valve stem seal leak is more of a consequence of regular wear and tear rather than a manufacturing defect or flaw. That said, the BMW N63 is a massive engine, and larger engines typically produce more heat. 

The high-temperature environment that the valve stem seals are a part of can cause them to wear and crack prematurely. 

Leaky stem seals can increase oil consumption, thick white smoke from the tailpipe, and a drop in performance and efficiency. While the seals come cheap, the cost of labor involved in replacing them is one you want to try and avoid. Services and oil changes at regular intervals should help keep the seals in proper running order. 

Exterior and Interior

Most owners of the BMW X7 M50i have had little reason to complain about the fit and finish of their car. However, there have been some reports of a faulty center-console touch panel, which has required a replacement of the entire unit in extreme cases. This has happened pretty early in ownership, and luckily, the replacement will be covered by warranty.

The car’s exterior is well put together, and there haven’t been any major complaints. 

Should you buy the 2022 BMW X7 M50i?

One could argue that the 2022 BMW X7 M50i is simply a 7-Series on stilts. It’s a luxury SUV that exemplifies BMW’s prowess at developing high-performance cars that are also practical. The X7 M50i is an indulgence, and if you have the appetite for it, it’s worth considering over its nearest rivals. 

While the more affordable base xDrive40i can be kitted with a lot of equipment that the M50i gets as standard, there’s no way the inline-six at its heart can match the ferocity of the V8. 

Lastly, there is one reason that you should consider holding off on buying the 2022 BMW X7 M50i off the showroom floor. BMW recently announced that it will be launching an X7 M60i in 2023 as a replacement for the M50i. 

The 2023 BMW X7 M60i will be powered by a new S68 engine that incorporates mild-hybrid technology — better efficiency and performance with an electric motor. Additionally, BMW will introduce upgraded turbocharging, a new oil pump, and improved thermodynamics. All for $3,300 more than what the BMW X7 M50i is currently priced at. A fair price to pay for updates that warrant the weight.