Comparison of 3.0, 4.4, 4.6is and 4.8is

[pepatrick]

Here is my review on the differences between the 4.6is and 4.4i. This reveiw will actually be based on several different vechicles. These include:

2001 X5 3.0i - my old X5 68700 miles
2001 X5 4.4i - my other old X5 34300 miles
2002 X5 4.6is - my current X5 44500 miles
2005 X5 4.4i - my neighbors X5 24000 miles
2005 X5 4.8is - his bosses X5 4300 miles

First of all...lets compare the 3.0 and 01 4.4. Both vehicles were premium package non sport vehicles with the the same style 132 wheels on them. Both cars drive and handle nearly identicle with a slight edge going to the 3.0i. Obviously the 4.4i is quicker all through the power band due to the 4.4i motor and 60 hp difference.

2001 4.4i and 2002 4.6is - The 4.6is actually feels lighter than the 4.4i in slower driving conditions. I think this has something to do with a different power steering system in the 2002 and newer models. The 4.6is definately pulls through the power band like a freight train. It keeps going and going and going and does not run out of breath....EVER!!! Brakes are more sensative on the 4.6is and over all the 4.6is handles better...20" wheels with huge shoes on them and sport suspension has a lot to do with this. This truck will stop on a dime compared to the 4.4i. The larger rotors really look good in the 4.6is wheel wells...The older 4.4i felt good driving, but does not have the same pull as the 4.6is...But again...there is 340 hp vs 282 hp basically a 60 hp difference.

2002 4.6is and 2005 4.4i sport - The 2005 4.4i does better than you would think. To 60...I was between a half and full car length ahead...Above 60 the 4.6is walks away but again...not as much as you would think. The 05 4.4i handles about the same as it has the same sport package and 20 style 87s so no big surprise there. The 4.6is from 90 to 0 stopped about 2.5 car lengths shorter...thats pretty impressive...It got to 90 about 1.5 car lengths ahead. You guys with the 04 and 05 4.4i cars can rest assured that you have a beast of a car. I expected to walk all over it and although performance in the 4.6is was superior...it was nothing like comparing the 4.4i to the 3.0i.

2002 4.6is and 2005 4.8is

Blown away by the results...These two are neck and neck until about 100 mph and strangely enough the 4.6is pulled ahead by a couple of feet. This probably had something do with the driver as I would have figured the 4.8 would pull ahead at higher speeds. Over all...they drive the same. The 4.6is feels like it has more torque off the line, but both really have the same get up and go. I could not tell any siginificant differences (and the other drivers all agreed) between the 4.8is and 4.6is. Both of these cars are beast on the highway...but the 4.4i is not far enough behind to warrant the 8 to 10 grand in price. These words are not mine, but from the guy that owned the 4.8is.

We all agreed that the 4.8is was the better looking of the cars because it was a titanium silver car and the aerodynamics looked stunning in silver. He also ditched the new style wheels for the 87s which arguably are better looking wheels. The 4.6is was the best value as it was more than 20k less than the 05 4.4is and 30k less than the 4.8is and had better seats (comfort seats) and navigation...

In conclusion...All of these cars perform better than they should considering how much they weigh. The 4.6is and 4.8is are great performers with nearly identical driving feel. The 4.8is may have felt a little better simply because it was 3 years newer and 40k less miles than my 4.6is. I miss my old 4.4i as it had adequate power and was in better condition than a 2001 should be, but as I get used to the 4.6is and its different driving feel, I am sure it will reach the top of my list. I really liked the 3.0i as it was the one that got me started on all of this. It was a great X5 that got really good gas mileage until I slapped the 132s on it. When all is said and done...I cant think of any vehicle I would rather drive than the X5.