To E53 4.8is/4.6is 'ers: Why NOT move to E70 4.8i?

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Boston X5 4.4

On the other side of the coin, if both performance and handling are available in a SUV then there is no reason not to go for it - best of both worlds.

Nothing is an absolute. It is like buying a toolbox of adjustable wrenches, they are good at being adjustable, but aren't very good at wrenching duty. The X5 (all variants) handles well and has good performance, IMO, for an SUV. Compared to a car, as a performance vehicle it will lose every time. Building a high performance SUV is a challenge because weight will always be against you. If you really want performance, better to start elsewhere.

No 4.8 here, but I had an '03 X5 3.0 to trade. I wanted another BMW, and wanted a useful (I hesitate to say utilitarian) vehicle, either a touring wagon or SUV, but the E70 went in entirely the wrong direction for me. It was bigger when I wanted sportier, it was heavier when I wanted lighter, and it was less engaging to drive. Very competent, but not as much fun. We bought an X3 3.0si, manual trans, to replace the E53. My wife drives that daily, and I bought the E60 for a sportier daily driver. E70 was considered for about 15 minutes, X6 for less than that.

[Boston X5 4.4]

Originally Posted by JCL

E70 was considered for about 15 minutes, X6 for less than that.

Why dismiss the X6 so soon other than looks - didn't you want to wait to drive it at least.
Just curious.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Boston X5 4.4

Why dismiss the X6 so soon other than looks - didn't you want to wait to drive it at least.
Just curious.

Haven't seen a real one yet, so I will hold my comments on the looks. With me it failed at the concept stage. Compared to the E70, it has been reported to be bigger outside, and smaller inside. While I am sure it will have sufficient power, I don't find big heavy vehicles to be sporty (Colin Chapman fan here). It seems to be more of a lifestyle, or image vehicle, IMO, not an heir to the title of ultimate driving machine. But then I like inline 6 engines over V8s as well.

[drex]

i upgraded..........


from a 4.6is, but not to a BMW.....


the 4.8i doesn't drive the same.

considered a used 4.8is, but decided to try something else.... its not a BMW, but its comparable, yet different, and certainly is prettier....

i will acquire an X5M if it is produced, but all cues are only toward the X6M variant....

we'll just have to see...

[LeMansX5]

Originally Posted by drex

i upgraded..........


from a 4.6is, but not to a BMW.....


the 4.8is doesn't drive the same.

considered a used 4.8is, but decided to try something else.... its not a BMW, but its comparable, yet different, and certainly is prettier....

i will acquire an X5M if it is produced, but all cues are only toward the X6M variant....

we'll just have to see...

I believe you meant 4.8i.

Congrats! on the new car. I guess you ended up getting what you mentioned earlier.

[drex]

yep, RRSSC....

its actually been quite enjoyable.......

(thanks for correcting me typo).....

now, if only the M version would come out..

[chilliwilli]

You're probably not the demographic for the X...and some of us prefer to call her an SAV.

Originally Posted by AudiBMWSX45

I don't understand all this talk about "performance." Sure, it's a BMW. Sure, it handles and performs incredibly well for an SUV (one of the best). But it's still an SUV. When I want performance and handling, I drive my S4.