Is the X5 4.8is right for me...

Hobbes · #1 02-05-2009, 02:37 PM

Hello all. I'm currently considering an X5 4.8is as a replacement for my 2005 B6 Audi S4.

I recently acquired a commute (used to be 1 block, now it's 40 miles a day) for my new job, and I do not want to deal with a manual transmission in the Audi anymore. Sitting in gridlock inching up a hill for 2 hours sucks with a manual.

I've been looking at the 4.8is and it seems to fit the bill for what I'm looking for.

I haven't had a chance to drive the 4.8is, but the specs seem to point that it is pretty quick. I love the Audi's hustle and used to have an E39 M5 as well... so I do want something that can pass people with ease. Loud ass after market exhaust option is a plus!

My requirements are...

Quick/Torquey/Can hustle a bit
Decent sound system
Can carry a couple surfboards (shortboards) with or without a roof rack
Automatic (duh)
Light off road/camping capability

By light off road capability I mean dirt trails with small ruts or driving on the beach. I go camping/on trips a lot. Most of the places I go my friends Civics and Camrys can go, but they get stuck/have trouble. So its not like crazy "real" off road stuff.

My friend also told me to look at a Range Rover Sport Supercharged, but this car seems really large and I've heard many stories about Land Rover reliability issues. Porsche Cayenne also came into the picture, but I do not know much about Porsche in general.

I'm also leaning to BMW because I've owned two that were pretty reliable, and have a fantastic shop (Avus Autosport in Glendale, CA).

My main questions are

Is the 4.8is quick enough to be somewhat similar to my current Audi in terms of passing Prius drivers etc?

Is it fairly reliable compared to the other brands (Range Rover/Porsche etc)?

What is the deal with the adjustable suspension? If it is set low for city driving does it stay low? or is it a vehicle entry/exit type feature?

Sorry about the long post! Thanks in advance for any information you can provide!

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mrbmwx5 · #2 02-05-2009, 02:42 PM

go for it

TwinsPoppa · #3 02-05-2009, 02:45 PM

See below.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hobbes

Hello all. I'm currently considering an X5 4.8is as a replacement for my 2005 B6 Audi S4.

I recently acquired a commute (used to be 1 block, now it's 40 miles a day) for my new job, and I do not want to deal with a manual transmission in the Audi anymore. Sitting in gridlock inching up a hill for 2 hours sucks with a manual.

I've been looking at the 4.8is and it seems to fit the bill for what I'm looking for.

I haven't had a chance to drive the 4.8is, but the specs seem to point that it is pretty quick. (Once you drive it I bet you will make your decision! ) I love the Audi's hustle and used to have an E39 M5 as well... so I do want something that can pass people with ease. Loud ass after market exhaust option is a plus! (Hmm... x-pipe might not be enough for you! Listen to ljnlaw's exhaust clip)
My requirements are...

Quick/Torquey/Can hustle a bit
Decent sound system
Can carry a couple surfboards (shortboards) with or without a roof rack
Automatic (duh)
Light off road/camping capability

By light off road capability I mean dirt trails with small ruts or driving on the beach. I go camping/on trips a lot. Most of the places I go my friends Civics and Camrys can go, but they get stuck/have trouble. So its not like crazy "real" off road stuff.

My friend also told me to look at a Range Rover Sport Supercharged, but this car seems really large and I've heard many stories about Land Rover reliability issues. Porsche Cayenne also came into the picture, but I do not know much about Porsche in general.

I'm also leaning to BMW because I've owned two that were pretty reliable, and have a fantastic shop (Avus Autosport in Glendale, CA).

My main questions are

Is the 4.8is quick enough to be somewhat similar to my current Audi in terms of passing Prius drivers etc? Is 0-60 in approx. 6 - 6.5secs quick enough?

Is it fairly reliable compared to the other brands (Range Rover/Porsche etc)? Sorry don't have personal experience to share.

What is the deal with the adjustable suspension? If it is set low for city driving does it stay low? or is it a vehicle entry/exit type feature? Entry/exit type.

Sorry about the long post! Thanks in advance for any information you can provide!

ZsX5o3 · #4 02-05-2009, 02:52 PM

I would put the Cayenne in the same category as the RRS in terms of reliablility. Too many computers in that thing!

4.8is does sound like it would fit the bill for you, but I do want to say that I still love the 3.0i the most. If you're looking for sheer straight line performance and ground shaking exhaust note, the 4.8is is the winner.
but if you want reliablility, good mpg, and great handling I would suggest the 3.0i (sport package)

Sher KamaL · #5 02-05-2009, 02:53 PM

One of the best built SAV's in the world & one of the best choices you could ever make.

The exhaust tone alone will make you want to wake up @ 3am @ any given morning and make it roar down the road.

The E53 4.8is, what true love is all about.

TwinsPoppa · #6 02-05-2009, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sher KamaL

One of the best built SAV's in the world & one of the best choices you could ever make.

The exhaust tone alone will make you want to wake up @ 3am @ any given morning and make it roar down the road.

The E53 4.8is, what true love is all about.

Damn straight bruddah!

Sher KamaL · #7 02-05-2009, 03:11 PM

All the way....

StanF18 · #8 02-05-2009, 03:12 PM

Passing Prius drivers? Duuuuuude!

You'll be passing a lot more than Priuses in a 4.8is.

Let me go over the official specs with you:

4.8 liter V8, 0-to-60 mph in 5.9 seconds, 355 horses. Very few SUVs will exceed that. Only the Cayenne Turbo and Mercedes ML63 AMG will out-pace it (and the Jeep modded with the SRT8). It's 0.5 seconds faster to 60 mph than even the NEW BMW 4.8i (E70). And it's faster than both the regular Cayenne and the Cayenne S.

As for Range Rovers (supercharged or not), if you want to spend as much time in the shop as you do on the road, you've got your vehicle. Pick up the annual Consumer Reports Car Issue if you want to marvel at the Range Rover's stellar reliability.......NOT.

You won't be setting new reliability records in a 4.8is either, but it's not any worse than Porsche.

Your best bet is to look for one with low mileage (less than 30,000 miles) and make sure it has a full service history. That history should be there, recorded on the chip inside the ignition key.

X5rolls · #9 02-05-2009, 03:20 PM

I have an 06 4.8is - it's quick, handles great, fun to drive and it's been nearly faultless in 18,200 miles since I purchased it 17 months ago with 8400 miles on it. It is amazing and I have had some great vehicles.

faz · #10 02-05-2009, 03:23 PM

While I was looking for an X5 and asking around from 4-5 different local independent shops specializing in BMW, (and my service advisor at BMW dealership when I was there for my wife's 328i maintenance), EVERY ONE OF THEM told me to go with the 3.0 engine for better reliability and less overall issues. That is why I went for the 3.0 engine.

Now I am sure the 4.8 engine will be a blast to drive (haven't driven one yet... didn't want to spoil the fun for myself knowing I wasn't going to buy one anyway), and from feedback on this forum, it seems like anyone who owns it loves the drive... but if reliability and lower cost of repairs is important to you, you may want to consider the 3.0.

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