X5 4.4 vs Infiniti FX45

[cpatzer]

Good. Just checking. Does you wife know you have up here as your avitar?

[chris24]

I currently own an '04 FX45 and I'm now shopping for either an X5 4.8i or Range Rover Sport Supercharged (leaning towards the X5, as I've owned BMW's before ('99 328i sport, premium packages) and have always loved them, besides RR's history of reliability issues). I have driven the older X5 models and can tell you simple facts - the FX45 is definitely faster and handles better than the 4.4, and I agree the 4.6/8 is the more appropriate comparison. HOWEVER, to say those models will toast the FX45 is completely false, look at the comparisons and look at test results for the '05 4.8is, even the Cayenne S (which was used in that comparison, not the turbo, which is faster than any of them and $30k more in price) is SLOWER than the FX45 0-60, but faster in the slalom. The performance of the 4.6/8 is more likely comparable to the FX45, but I will most certainly agree that other factors set the X5 above (materials used inside, some of the technology, etc). But purely on performance, the FX flies and handles like a sports car and wins out in comparison to the OLDER X5's (which is the only reason I bought the FX in the first place, the X5 was outdated and the 4.8 wasn't available at the time, only the 4.4).

That said, I fully expect from what I've read that the 2007 X5's will meet or exceed the FX45's performance and handling (though reports are a touch slower 0-60, but I doubt any of us can feel 2 or 3 tenths of a second difference), and the refinement of the car overall is certainly better.

I'm leaning towards an '07 X5 4.8I Tech, Premium, Sport, 20's, heated front and rear seats, rear climate, and tow hitch in Monaco Blue with perforated black leather and dark bamboo...

[Tomaz]

Originally Posted by cpatzer

Don't you mean "not only that it's a Nissan"?

Don't you mean "not only that it's a Datsun"?

[cpatzer]

Touché my friend touché.

[TRAINER]

Forget the "numbers". The 06 4.8 is faster than the 07 4.8. That was my conclusion after driving the two back to back. The 06 was stronger than the 07 in power delivery.
I'm coming off of a Jeep SRT-8 that's faster than practically everything and had an FX before that.
My theory is that BMW geared the 06 4.8 as their top of the line X5 and their 07 4.8 as their base level X5, as the 4.4 was with their E53. Wait until the twin turbo 4.8 comes out, that will be my next X and my wife wil get my 06.

[chris24]

Twin Turbo? When will that be out?

[Wagner]

Originally Posted by TRAINER

Forget the "numbers". The 06 4.8 is faster than the 07 4.8. That was my conclusion after driving the two back to back. The 06 was stronger than the 07 in power delivery.
I'm coming off of a Jeep SRT-8 that's faster than practically everything and had an FX before that.
My theory is that BMW geared the 06 4.8 as their top of the line X5 and their 07 4.8 as their base level X5, as the 4.4 was with their E53. Wait until the twin turbo 4.8 comes out, that will be my next X and my wife wil get my 06.

The E70 is the base model V8, similar to its predecessor the 4.4. It's not a theory, it's fact from BMW. And as for the 06 vs 07, in day-to-day it may feel quicker then the newer model, but it is not. Track results time and again proved that.

[TRAINER]

Track results... I'll never take my X5 onto the track, that's what my motorcycle is for, LOL. The new X5 may take the turns better but on the streets, I still like the 06's 4.8 motor over the 07 4.8.

[AeroG]

I have an 05 FX35 sport and 05 4.4i sport. The FX handles very well I have suprised more than a few so called sports cars in the twisties likely attributable to the sticky ADVANs and strut brace. The X5 on the other hand feels, and is totally different in character. It's got a higher center a gravity that is certainly detectable in certain maneuvers, however I honestly think the suspension on my X5 has stiffer dampers.

As far as material quality - things like paint, interior plastics/leathers no comparison. X5 wins hands down. But the tech bits (NAV, LDW, LaserCruise, DVD, etc) on the FX work very well. Although the latter drives the V1 crazy.

I have a long commute 120 miles roundtrip, the FX has proven to be a reliable vehicle. I took delivery with 13 miles in Oct. 05 I now have 66,400 miles and the car still looks new, while running better than new.

If I had to choose one over the other, my choice without hesitation would be the X5.

I have driven several 45's as well, They did not feel faster than my 4.4i.