2006 4.8is vs. 2008 4.8i???

[Mabuhay]

I need some opinions folks...

My wife and I test drove the 2008 4.8i today...As expected, it drove great! The question is this, which would you buy?

2006 4.8is
5016 curb weight
355 hp
369 ft-lbs
27000 miles
$47000

2008 4.8i
5335 curb weight
350 hp
350 ft-lbs
0 miles
$57500

So the 2006 version is most likely going to be faster having less weight and more engine... But can you justify a $10k+ difference in price with the 2006 one having 27000 miles? Of course, with the 2008 model, we get to spec it out the way we want - colors and such. And it would have that "brand new smell". But for $10k+ difference?

Well, I've done a little more researching and realized that I wasn't comparing apples to apples.... The 2006 4.8is has A LOT more standard features than the somewhat watered down 2008 that we were considering. Here are the specs for the 2008:

Black Sapphire Metallic $0
Tobacco Nevada Leather $0
Light Poplar wood trim $0
Cold Weather Package $900
Premium Package $1,750
Rear Climate Package $900
Heated rear seats $350
Running boards $300
18" standard wheels (Yuck! But I'm having a hard time justifying $3600 + $995 for the 20" wheels) with dinky 255/55mm tread - my Boxster S' tires are wider than that!
Standard 12 speaker stereo (the upgrade is for 16 speakers... when would it be enough?)
Destination & Handling: $775
Total MSRP as Built $59,475
MY PURCHASE PRICE = $57,500 or roughly 5% over invoice.

The 2006 we are considering has these ON TOP of above:
Navigation
Self Leveling Rear Axle (I wonder why this was removed as an option?)
Adjustable Ride Height (Again, I wonder why this was removed as an option?)
20" Wheels with 275/40mm and 315/35mm treads
Sports Suspension
Retractable Load Floor
Park Distance Control
Premium Hi-Fi DSP Stereo
MSRP for this car was $74,128

So we are comparing a $59,475 MSRP car vs a $74,128 MSRP car.

This is the ACTUAL ebay car we are considering. There are others there with 16k miles and 27k miles. I can get this car to have the 100k CPO warranty added especially since it's still under warranty now. I figure I can probably get them for about $45k

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...ksid=p3907.m32

So we went to the dealerships again today. We did sit in the 2006 car and it did feel less comfortable than the 2008 in the back. The rear seats of the 2008 were more comfortable. We didn't notice much difference on the front seats.

One other thing is that we drove the 2008 WITH the sports package. Of course, we loved it. But it's not the car we will end up ordering. If we suck it up and get the sports package, we still only end up with 19" wheels 255/50s. We drove the 2008 WITHOUT the sports package and honestly, we really coudn't appreciate the difference.

So the bottom line is, the 2006 X5 4.8is is pretty much "fully loaded" while the 2008 X5 we are considering is a little watered down. The $10kish difference is actually more if I decide to fully load the 2008 (i.e. - sports suspension, NAV, etc. - same options that the 2006 4.8is comes with).

Can folks share their opinions, please?

Thanks in advance...

[Krunk Man]

that 06 4.8 looks practically brand new. My vote is for the 06

[LeMansX5]

If you go for 2006 than better go with a CPO from dealer.

[BMWLOVER]

The 2006 is in mint condition and it is fully loaded also looks very aggresive. I go for the 06.

[E61Silver]

I always question almost new used cars,especially on Ebay; hear is thread on a 2006 that you should consider
http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...tml#post432934

[paulgt3]

I dont normally suggest used cars. but I bought a 06 4.8is and the thing is animal!!! a very refined fast aggressive animal!!! I love the thing infact the only thing I would replace it with is
the New BMW M version of the X5 or
the Porsche Cayenne GTS OR
the Porsche Cayenne Twin turbo.
the 06 4.8is right now is the favorite.
Its just the best vehicle for the family I have ever had.
You WILL need WINTER tires wheels for this vehicle-the Diamaris are worthless in the snow.
Let us know how it goes and GOOD LUCK!!! CPO 4.8iS!!!!

[jst2878]

06 4.8....HANDS DOWN THE WINNNER LEMANS BLUE

[Bimmer360]

weird, i thought i was the only one....lol, after hearing it from you guys, definitely got for the 06. And most girls that i know, they prefer the look of the 06 than the 08.

[chilliwilli]

Her engine has just been broken into and Naples is mostly highway mileage. 2006 is the king amongst the X5's...that is until the new "iS" comes out

[mrkbbd]

go with the 4.8is, the thing is amazing