So after looking, I don't think a 4.8is is possible. A lot of them I have seen that are within my price range have 90K plus miles, which is something I expected and do not have a problem with. What I do have a problem with is when I meet a dealer or personal seller and they are complete ^&*^%$'s about the 4.8is. None so far want to budge $500 on their 4.8's. One in particular is at a local BMW dealership. 2005 4.8is, Pretty much every option and is in Black Sapphire on Black. Took a spin and it looks great and rides great. Then it came down to price. It has 97K on the clock and is listed at $21K. It is not absurd, but should definitely have room for movement. So my way of negotiating is getting 3 comps and averaging it out. Now from what I have found, the avg price in that mileage range is $18K. So once I show them this, they roll their eyes and say, "Well that is never going to happen." Whoa, wait, I didn't even get a word out yet and you're killing the deal? Then I start getting the run around. With this one in particular I got, "Well Black Sapphire is very very rare and this is fully loaded and this vehicle was purchased from us and serviced by us since delivery. So the price is firm. I may be able to get a few hundred off." Umm no??? Then I start talking. "Well the tires are shot, front brake rotors have grooves in them, CV boot is torn, and the nav screen is dead. And from what I found, this vehicle was first in NY and then the second owner bought this from you after you bought it from Auction. With that known, I'm prepared to take it as-is if you are willing to work on the price. "Ummm, no." Ok, see you later. And that has been the same story for all of them so far. Well only 4, but they were all over the place.
So then I did a search; 4.6is vs. 4.8is and I learned a lot. After reading all the posts and such, JCL came up with some really good points.
1. Regular sunroof (No worries about the problems associated with the Panoramic roof.
2. No worries about intermediate levers on the N62
3. No worries about Air bag suspension on all 4 corners (Yes the ride is much smoother, but a lot of people have expressed that they feel detached from the driving experience)
4. Less electronic things to go wrong.
So with all that, it was interesting to listen to both sides. People who own a 4.8 love it and people who own a 4.6 love it. Very few have owned both, but those that do liked the 4.6 more then their 4.8's. They expressed they felt detached from the X, meaning they don't get any feel from the X.
Then you have Slick's explanation, "I got all 4 wheels spinning coming out of an off-ramp. I love my 4.8is!" lol
From what I gather, if you want raw intense power that came be tame and refined when need be, but can be unleashed into raging havoc, 4.6is is the way to go.
If you want a beast that can be calm and collective, then the 4.8is is your cup of joe.
While the other pros and cons were go for as new as possible, I do like the wheels on the 4.6 over the 4.8.
So I did find a very good one, its in PA, 2003 49K miles Black Sapphire and black and looks great. $20K. And again, I called, will not budge on price and says it is rare. So I admit I got aggressive, I told them the X has been in their inventory for 3 months. Being it is a 2003, its going to be difficult to find someone to A. Want this and B. have it financed. I said I would be coming in with cash. He still said no.
How awesome!
