New member, big decision: keep 4.6is or...

[SeattleYates]

Hi all! I've made a few posts, but thought I should introduce myself, since I expect to be spending far too much time hanging around this board! This past week, I've been spending hours and hours using the Search function and reading thread after thread. There's a wealth of information in this group!

First of all, let me say that I love BMW's! Prior to my current 2003 X5 4.6is, I had a 4.4 X5, and prior to that an E36 M3. I also currently own a BMW K1200LT motorcycle. (My other current vehicles are a 1996 Porsche 911 Cabriolet and an Aprilia ETV1000 motorcycle.)

Unlike lots of you, I am NOT mechanically inclined; when not working, I prefer to spend my spare time either riding motorcycles or traveling to take pictures (like the tiger shark in my avatar) in pursuit of my primary hobby, underwater photography (my best work is at www.UnderwaterReflections.com, with more extensive galleries, including motorcycles, at www.seattleyates.com).

My big decision recently has been whether to keep my 2003 4.6is (with 36K miles), which I dearly love, or sell it and get a new E70 4.8i. That decision has been very difficult for numerous reasons:
- I love to have the newest, hottest thing
- I love some of the gadgets available on the E70 (rear camera with graphics, head-up display, etc.)
- It looks like BMW has applied a lot of great technology to make the E70 a great handling and performing machine

And yet:
- To get a loaded 4.8i would cost (with WA sales tax) about $80K, which is at least $35K more than I could get for my 4.6is.
- For WAY less than that $35K difference, I can buy an extended warranty, add a Dinan S2 (or even S3!) kit, and do other stuff to my 4.6is
- I like the Estoril blue color of my 4.6is better than any of the colors available on the E70 (which I would probably get in sapphire black)
- I like the styling of my 4.6is better than the new (longer, wider) E70, which IMHO looks less muscular and sporty than the E53.
- Although my 4.6is will depreciate over the next few years, it probably won't drop in value more than a new 4.8i would over the same time
- In a year or two, there might be an ///M version of the E70 in a color I love as much as Estoril Blue...

I actually went so far as to advertise my 4.6is for sale (and had people look at and ready to buy it), I and put my name on the order list for an E70 with my local dealer when they can start placing orders.

But I finally (just in the last 36 hours) decided to keep my good old 4.6is, get an extended warranty, add a Dinan S2 kit (and possibly a supercharger), and enjoy it for a couple more years. This saves a big chunk of change, and I think I can "suffer" through a couple more years with my 2003 Estoril blue beauty!

[jwilburn]

Did you really take all those underwater photos? They are amazing! I really like the trigger fish. Reminds me of being back in Costa rica. Man I want to go diving now....

[SeattleYates]

Originally Posted by jwilburn

Did you really take all those underwater photos? They are amazing!....

Thanks - and yes, I really did take them all. We all have our obsessions...er, I mean "hobbies" , and for many of the folks here it's cars. I love my cars (and bikes), but my real obsession is underwater photography...endlessly challenging and frustrating, but also extremely rewarding!

[peakpro]

thanks for posting some great stuff.


more advice...keep the car you ahve and keep taking pixs...

[Tomaz]

Keep the 4.6 for as long as you can stand not having the technological advances, it's still a great ride. Buy an E70 in a few years CPO or when the prices stabilize.

[LeMansX5]

Keep teh 4.6is. You can get the backup camera on your 4.6is too.

[2002Silver4.6is]

Keep the 4.6, do some mods to it (or have some done), detail it and enjoy it!! I would wait to see if there is an ////M version of the E70.

And I am sure your 4.6 is beautiful but as a recent buyer I respectfully doubt you could sell your very cool and low mileage 4.6 for $45k. More like the high $30's.

So... when is the backup camera going in?????

[LeMansX5]

Originally Posted by 2002Silver4.6is

I would wait to see if there is an ////M version of the E70.

There will be no ///M version of E70. X6 will have an ///M version.

[SeattleYates]

Originally Posted by 2002Silver4.6is

...I respectfully doubt you could sell your very cool and low mileage 4.6 for $45k. More like the high $30's.

So... when is the backup camera going in?????

I actually had a buyer at $43,900, but that was probably because it has the Nav system, towing package (barely used), Bluetooth kit, and Aux kit for MP3 players, etc. Here in the Pacific NW, the NADA "retail" price for it without the latter 3 items is $44,400, so at my price, it was actually a pretty good deal (the buyer specifically needed the towing package).

As for the backup camera, I need to figure out (or get some advice on ) which one to buy! Is there an actual BMW kit, or do I need to choose among after-market packages?

Which reminds me, is there a list somewhere of all the cool stuff that can be added to various models of X5...and where to get them? (I may regret asking that question!)

[LeMansX5]

Originally Posted by SeattleYates

As for the backup camera, I need to figure out (or get some advice on ) which one to buy! Is there an actual BMW kit, or do I need to choose among after-market packages?

Which reminds me, is there a list somewhere of all the cool stuff that can be added to various models of X5...and where to get them? (I may regret asking that question!)

You can pickup the bumblebee camera from EAS You will also need the VSM kit.