GBG, Post you question in E53 forum. There are few members who own 4.8is or 4.6is and wanted to buy 4.8i but did not because they did not like the 4.8i(including me) "as a sporty car". 4.8i handles good as a family car, has lot of new technology but is missing the ///M car like sporty engine and performance, otherwise it would have been in my garage long time ago.
Below is post by Scott27(who works for BMW)
from this thread to give you their perspective:
Quote:
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Originally Posted by scott27
E53 4.8is had different engine, throttle, steering & suspension settings (stiffer) - tuned to deliver much more raw performance / racing feeling. E53 4.8is is a performance version of X5!
While E70 4.8i is a "civil", regular version of X5. With settings tuned to deliver refined driving feeling (compared to much more raw one in "is" version).
Despite having same engine with similar power / torque output the cars are very different (due different settings). And are meant to be different.
Mind that in E53 a 4.4i was an entry V8 version, while in E70 that role goes to 4.8i (entry V8 version!).
Really, it's not valid to mix & compare performance version to regular ones. Like comparing a acing car to a "civil" one. Like comparing M to non-M.
Btw, imagine what a beast a new performance version will be if a regular version (E70 4.8i) is already almost as good (or in some respects even better) as previous performance version (E53 4.8is)!  |
And another from
this thread:
Quote:
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Originally Posted by scott27
You've missed "s" in the badge obviously, and my answer: 4.8is is a performance model, so the engine has more aggressive settings. While 4.8i is a regular model with settings to bring better milage (resulting lower torque & power output). Also E70 is bigger & heavier than E53, and also gearbox is shifting a bit more moderately - all to get better milage.
These three factors result in worse 0-60mph figure.
The "s" in the badge is there for a reason.
4.8is > 4.8i !!!
Maybe you would be happier if BMW had put 4.7i badge instead of 4.8i on E70.  |