2006 4.8is vs. 2008 4.8i???

[sp33dd3m0n90]

in the future, there might be a higher engine upgrade for the current year x5, maybe thats why the price went 20,000$ lower, and 5 hp less.
the 2006 is a beast. It looks much better too.

[brian5]

Well, I'm not going to agree with everyone else

I considered a used 4.8is but once I saw all the new features in the E70, I had to have one! I have been VERY happy with my 2008 E70 4.8i.

[paulgt3]

I have been VERY happy with my 2008 E70 4.8i.

FINE Go ahead and disagree. But MY chihuahua LOVES our 4.8is and really didnt care for the 4.8i!!!!


Just kidding

[alexz]

thats the funniest reply so far!

[paulgt3]

Brian
where did your chihauhua Killer go? now my post aint that funny!!

[paulgt3]

Thanks Brian and I respect your decision.

[FSETH]

[quote=M3Armand]I need some opinions folks...

So the 2006 version is most likely going to be faster having less weight and more engine...

Yes the e70 4.8 is heavier, but only has a few hp less than the 4.8is. BMW has made significant changes to the e70, which make it a very good performer. BMW made the chasis significantly stronger than the e53, the center of gravity is lower, the track is wider, the trans is now a six speed (BMW states is 40%-50% faster shifting), and the front suspension has been completely re-worked to a more car-like set up. Here is quote from an article I read

"Another key part of that new chassis, the X5’s new front suspension represents a break with a 45-year-old BMW tradition: It’s a double wishbone multi-link design with upper A-arms combined with double-pivot lower links—the first non-strut design since 1961. The company’s departure from its traditional dual-pivot strut front suspension was dictated by customers’ increasing expectations for ride and handling. Combined with a longer wheelbase, wider track and BMW’s revised 4-link Integral rear suspension, the new front design sets new standards for on-road ride and handling, as well as improved all-road ability".

Although, the 4.8is is a little faster in a straight line, the new 4.8 similar with regards to performance in a track type setting as the old 4.8is.

"On to the new E70 chassis. Chassis rigidity has been improved, it’s 15% higher now at 27,000Nm per degree. As a reference to show you how good this is, the old e30 M3 race car fully equipped with a roll cage has 22,500Nm per degree chassis rigidity, that’s less than the new E70 2007 BMW X5! Drag coefficient is also better, it is now 0.33cd compared with the old X5’s 0.35cd. Translating the numbers onto the track, the new BMW X5 4.8 does the Nurburgring North track in 9 minutes, that’s 10 seconds faster than the old X5 4.8 time."

One article I read said faster than the 4.6is and one said the 4.8is. Even if it is just the 4.6is, it is still 10 seconds faster than it, which should put it fairly close to the 4.8is on the ring.

Having said that, if you are comparing a non-sport package 4.8 to a 4.8is, it is a no-brainer. The 4.8is would be my pick 100%. Now if you were talking about a sport package e70 4.8 that is a little tougher.

However, you talk about the comfort of the back seats in the e53 and that you couldn't tell a difference between the non-sport package e70 and the sport package model, which make me think you may not really want the 4.8is after all.

[KENT4.8IS]

Here is my reasoning for picking E53 over E70. It is clear that 4.8 of today is 4.4 of the late nineties. New, poweful, fun to drive, but with introduction of 4.6is it became second best. I doubt there are many 4.4 owners that would not have chosen 4.6 over their 4.4 after just one test drive. 4.8is with all the refinements over its predecessors represented a fully loaded beast of a vehicle, which made it the best of the class. What shocked me was the fact that its gas mileage was not that different from 3.0 model.

When it comes to looks, though some people find E53 dated, you have to admit it could not be mistaken for any other vehicle when it was introduced, and cannot be mistaken now. IMO E70 is just another SUV on the road, too plasticy, too tin-can stamped heneric body style which fails to turn heads as it passes by.

Driving impressions: 4.8is pure seat of your pants experience, 4.8 is like fly by wire control of airplane. I drove E70 3 times and every time I got the impression of being slightly removed from total control. I know a few hundred pounds is not a lot, but you feel it, and lower center of gravity fails to eliminate this feeling. E70 needs 400+ HP to make it sporty. Right now it is just a nice family SUV.

Honestly, I do not like to be in 4.8is as a passenger napping in the back seat. E70 gives a more comfortable ride for the passengers, but passenger comfort was not my personal preference.

My advice: Drive them both, analyze your future family driving habits, and ask yourself if you want the best of the class, or you will be willing settle for second best, because current E70 4.8 is destined to be just that.

Good luck.

[Mabuhay]

Thanks for all the input folks... As we did drive the following: 2006 4.8is, 4.8i nonsport, 4.8i sport.

"He said": wow... the 4.8is runs like my M3...but I'm hearing rattles in the back....I'm in a bouncy ride while sitting in the back.
"She said": wow...the 4.8is reminds me of his M3...the seat is just as uncomfortable to me as his M3

So with the other cars in the fleet: E36M3 supercharged with Koni coilovers, A4 with race suspension (her car), 997 Boxster S....

We are getting the E70 4.8i WITHOUT the sports package. Honestly, I couldn't bring myself to spending an extra $3600 and we don't even get the 20" wheels with that. The 20" wheels adds another $1000.

Thoughts?

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by M3Armand

Thanks for all the input folks... As we did drive the following: 2006 4.8is, 4.8i nonsport, 4.8i sport.

"He said": wow... the 4.8is runs like my M3...but I'm hearing rattles in the back....I'm in a bouncy ride while sitting in the back.
"She said": wow...the 4.8is reminds me of his M3...the seat is just as uncomfortable to me as his M3

So with the other cars in the fleet: E36M3 supercharged with Koni coilovers, A4 with race suspension (her car), 997 Boxster S....

We are getting the E70 4.8i WITHOUT the sports package. Honestly, I couldn't bring myself to spending an extra $3600 and we don't even get the 20" wheels with that. The 20" wheels adds another $1000.

Thoughts?

It sounds like you have the sporty car thing covered with the M3, A4, and Boxter S in your garage. The new e70 without the sports package should be about the most comfortable ride you can get in an X5 so it may be a nice change for you. It should also give you more storage and passenger room over the e53 as well, BUT since you asked I would personally make the sport package a must have option if I were purchasing any X5. It doesn't seem to be a popular opinion here, but after seeing a few e70 sport packages on the road I think it is a beautiful looking car. It looks much more aggressive and purposful than the standard e70 model and easily as nice as a 4.6is or 4.8is. Just my 2 cents though.