Quote:
Originally Posted by macmac80210
I think it's true that the 35i (with the turbo) is about as quick 0-60 as the 4.4i N62 engine. The difference is the engine sound, and there's just something unbeatable about the V8 sound on the e70. I deleted the resonators on my old car, and it was unbelievable. The V6 is quick, but the V8 is just too pretty sounding. I had an old e53 at one point and briefly traded for a comparable 5 series, and I missed the V8 sound immediately. Turbos aside, the V8 is really just nice sounding and had to give up once you've grown accustomed to it!
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Let's get a few things straight here. There are not now, nor were there ever, V6 BMWs. The BMW sixes are Straight sixes.
Second, there was NO 4.4i in 2008. You would have to have a 2006 (or earlier) E53 to have a 4.4i. The E70 was introduced in 2008, and the V8 model was initially a 4.8i. The 50iX models DO use a turboed 4.4L but that comes later.
Third; there's no replacement for displacement. The E70 X5 is a heavy car; I had my 2008 V8 4.8i on a scale recently and it was 5,400lbs, including me and a full tank of gas, (I'm 190lbs). Not sure how much lighter the 3.5i is, but it must still be in the 4,900-5,000lbs range. The only way to really answer your question is to drive both cars; the 5.0i will be much more fun. You will also have bigger gas bills and maintenance costs. A V8 X5 is perhaps one of the WORST vehicles you can buy in terms of maintenance; but is also one of the best driving SUVs you can buy.
Finally, there's the issue of towing. If you plan to tow anything more than 2,000lbs for more than a VERY short distance, you must buy the V8.