2005 4.8iS vs. 2010 X5M

[X5_E53_N62]

The old lady is still going strong!

2005 4.8iS:
Quarter-mile: 15.3 seconds.
Through the slalom: 62.3 mph.
60-0 mph: 116 ft.

2010 X5M:
Quarter-mile: 12.8 seconds.
Through the slalom: 63.5 mph.
60-0 mph: 116 ft.

2005 4.8iS:
2005 BMW X5 4.8is Follow-Up Test

2010 X5M:
2010 BMW X5 M Full Test

[Icer006]

Heh, I thought it was going to be another "Which is better" thread.

[TiAgX5]

You're comparing apples and oranges by providing slalom data. the track width of the M is 3" greater and also has wider tires then the 4.8is. A wider vehicle has an extreme disadvantage in the slalom test. In the '80s Nissan had an ad stating their 200SX out-slalomed the Lambo Countach (the 200 had less stick, it was narrow, that's the ONLY reason it beat the Lambo). A truer test is the stick of a vehicle, lateral G forces, 4.8 sticks to a .83G while the M can stick to a .92, 1/10 of a G is a HUGE increase! The mags (Car&Driver for one) are reporting 12.4 to 12.6 in the 1/4 mile for the new M, 3 seconds faster (around THIRTY car lenghts) then the 4.8is, that's an eternity. 0-60 times for the M are just over 3.5 secs (that's faster then my Viper!), VS over 6. sec for the 4.8. You have a nice truck, but it's no M! I am currently in the market for an X5M, I have driven both Xs and the difference is night and day. Lets not even mention the fact that the M division has improved transmission shifts and brake feel drastically!

[X5_E53_N62]

I have no 4.8iS and I know it is not an M

The 4.8iS is still good enough in and around the city, but stretch her legs or go racing for the weekend and the M is the king.

I found just find it funny

[TiAgX5]

I've never been to a city that requires drivers to slalom thru at max velocity!

[X5_E53_N62]

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

I've never been to a city that requires drivers to slalom thru at max velocity!

I do!

[nom3rcy]

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

You're comparing apples and oranges by providing slalom data. the track width of the M is 3" greater and also has wider tires then the 4.8is. A wider vehicle has an extreme disadvantage in the slalom test. In the '80s Nissan had an ad stating their 200SX out-slalomed the Lambo Countach (the 200 had less stick, it was narrow, that's the ONLY reason it beat the Lambo). A truer test is the stick of a vehicle, lateral G forces, 4.8 sticks to a .83G while the M can stick to a .92, 1/10 of a G is a HUGE increase! The mags (Car&Driver for one) are reporting 12.4 to 12.6 in the 1/4 mile for the new M, 3 seconds faster (around THIRTY car lenghts) then the 4.8is, that's an eternity. 0-60 times for the M are just over 3.5 secs (that's faster then my Viper!), VS over 6. sec for the 4.8. You have a nice truck, but it's no M! I am currently in the market for an X5M, I have driven both Xs and the difference is night and day. Lets not even mention the fact that the M division has improved transmission shifts and brake feel drastically!

3" is a negligible difference. For that to matter, you would need to have a driver that is capable of absolute precise placement of the vehicle cone after cone. Not gonna happen. Even the best of the best of drivers would have trouble getting these heavy SUVs to be that spot-on.

The things that do make a difference:
The X5 M is heavier by a couple hundred pounds. (advantage 4.8iS)
The X5 M has current tire technology (advantage X5 M)
The X5 M has a longer wheelbase (advantage 4.8iS)
The X5 M has current chassis and suspension technology (advantage X5 M)

And of course you have to factor in that each SAV was tested on different tracks with different drivers, different temperatures and different traction surfaces. The two tests really aren't comparable.

And even then, the two SUVs aren't comparable. Obviously the M is a higher performing vehicle, as well it should be. But you have to factor in a lot more than the numbers to come to any conclusions about either vehicle. Even the skidpad numbers don't share much other than what the tires were capable of giving on that day given the traction surface, air and ground temperature, etc etc. It's all just bench racing, with no real life application.

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by nom3rcy

3" is a negligible difference. For that to matter, you would need to have a driver that is capable of absolute precise placement of the vehicle cone after cone. Not gonna happen. Even the best of the best of drivers would have trouble getting these heavy SUVs to be that spot-on.

The things that do make a difference:
The X5 M is heavier by a couple hundred pounds. (advantage 4.8iS)
The X5 M has current tire technology (advantage X5 M)
The X5 M has a longer wheelbase (advantage 4.8iS)
The X5 M has current chassis and suspension technology (advantage X5 M)

And of course you have to factor in that each SAV was tested on different tracks with different drivers, different temperatures and different traction surfaces. The two tests really aren't comparable.

And even then, the two SUVs aren't comparable. Obviously the M is a higher performing vehicle, as well it should be. But you have to factor in a lot more than the numbers to come to any conclusions about either vehicle. Even the skidpad numbers don't share much other than what the tires were capable of giving on that day given the traction surface, air and ground temperature, etc etc. It's all just bench racing, with no real life application.

3" is still 3", regardless of driver.

Things do make a difference....

Lower center of gravity, advantage M
Lower unsprung weight, advantage M
Longer wheelbase increases directional stability at high speed, advantage M

Having driven both vehicles, I can surey tell the difference in eveyday spirited driving, in all vehicle dynamics, and especially the 2.5 sec advantage in the standing start to 60, the M TROUNCES the 4.8is. The M launches harder then my Viper with NO drama.

[X5_E53_N62]

[nom3rcy]

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

3" is still 3", regardless of driver.

Things do make a difference....

Lower center of gravity, advantage M
Lower unsprung weight, advantage M
Longer wheelbase increases directional stability at high speed, advantage M

Having driven both vehicles, I can surey tell the difference in eveyday spirited driving, in all vehicle dynamics, and especially the 2.5 sec advantage in the standing start to 60, the M TROUNCES the 4.8is. The M launches harder then my Viper with NO drama.

Lower unsprung weight? With it's run flat tires and larger brake rotors I highly doubt the X5 M has any sort of advantage in that department.

Anyways, I'm not arguing that the 4.8is is faster, just saying that the two aren't really comparable based on two tests done 7 years apart. It would be great to have an X5 M and a 4.8is with similar mileage go toe to toe with equal drivers and rubber at the same track. Until that happens, the numbers aren't even close to accurate enough to make a comparison.

And I've driven both as well. About 20k miles on my 4.8is and 2k miles on my parent's 2012 X5 M. The driving dynamics are certainly different, although getting back into my 4.8is isn't always a bad thing.