New guys here|Question for all the 4.8is owners...

teh_ginger · #1 02-16-2009, 01:18 PM

*Make that "new guy"...there's just one of me.

Hey guys,

I've got a very simple question for you. Is your 4.8 fun to drive?

The reason I ask is because after 4 years of having a sports car, I'm ready for a small break. I had a 99 E36 M3 for 3 years, and then sold it when I got my GTO. Both of those cars have been extremely gratifying to drive.

I test drove a local car recently and absolutely loved it. The sound of the exhaust is really what got to me...it was perfection. But my drive was limited. You never really get to know until a car until you've owned it.

So to reiterate, is your 4.8 enjoyable to drive, particularly on tighter backroads (something that Knoxville has a lot of)? Obviously I'm not talking about the same kind of enjoyment you're going to get from an M roadster, but can you still enjoy a spirited weekend drive? I got the impression that you can, but you tell me.

Cheers,
Matt

And here are two quick pictures of my past and current vehicle...I guess you can consider this my introduction thread.

TaMbALoLoNg · #2 02-16-2009, 01:46 PM

If you are a fan of BMW's, there is NOTHING not to like about the 4.8's. Just don't campare its handling with sportscars. I will definitely get the E70 4.8 when they hit the CPO's. It's flawless for what I want.

motordavid · #3 02-16-2009, 01:58 PM

Xs are remarkable cars and, their handling is all the more impressive
when you consider their weight, C of g, etc. Both of your rides in
the pics will carve corners better, obviously, but the X is a well
done beast. I'd rec'd the sport suspension.

Do a few searches, using the Search Tab, on "How I like my X5",
"What's the best thing about your X", etc.

Pages of raves about the car...our old '01 is probably the 2nd best
car I have owned in 45 years of having cars. We love it.
GL,mD

teh_ginger · #4 02-16-2009, 07:33 PM

Thanks for the comments guys. Anybody else want to chime in? Has anyone else made a similar switch to the X?

sam48is · #5 02-17-2009, 02:05 AM

the X5 is definitely fun to drive... but here is what to expect.. in normal drive mode it's a well behaved comfortable cruiser... put the shifter on S mode and drive a bit aggressively and now you've got yourself a great handling beast... I think that's where the 4.8is will really shine.

cmyX6go · #6 02-17-2009, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sam48is

... put the shifter on S mode and drive a bit aggressively and now you've got yourself a great handling beast... .

What he said

Now go to the dealer for a test drive, tear up some of those backroad twisties and you tell us.

jvit27 · #7 02-17-2009, 02:30 AM

Matt, you'll like owning one. We've touched on why but it really is enjoyable to drive. You'll get attached to it the more miles you log... it's not downright fun like the M3 but it doesn't beg to be tossed around the same way either. It's more relaxing to cruise in than manic to beat on.

I honestly believe nothing out there does everything as well as this does. It may not be king of one particular category but it can hold its own in practically every situation. I can't think of another daily driver that's quite as good regardless of price point. Current values make it a bargain by comparison to what else is out there!

bmwbmwuser · #8 02-17-2009, 02:49 AM

You will ENJOY it !

realchef · #9 02-17-2009, 10:24 AM

4.4i
I have, more than once, covered Raton pass without going UNDER 100.
Covered 1550 miles in 19.5 hours. (with a 1.5 hour nap)
You can set the cruise at 130, and it holds.
So you tell me, would that be fun?

LVR · #10 02-17-2009, 12:08 PM

Hi ya

You are in Knoxville right? Tennessee? Is that second pick your actual car or an illustration?

I ask because the GTO is really a Holden Monaro CV8 (General Motors Holden - Australia) that is exported to the USA as a Pontiac and your pick shows a Holden badged car..... That said, and having driven both the 4.8is and the Holden, I can honestly say the difference is greater than you might think.

The Build quality is a major step up, as is the all round vision when you are cornering or reversing. The GTO is not as good in the low down revs dept as the 4.8is, and I actually rate the X5 as the FAR BETTER handling vehicle.

The GTO is simply a stock standard sedan layout whereas the X5 has all the fruit in the handling. When I first test drove a 4.8, I was already driving an E53 3.0 Sports, so it had to be special to trade up. I drove it and the first thing that came to mind was that it handled like a go kart, in that you could just point and steer with the throttle. It was HUGELY satisfying to get mid corner and be firing out like a rocket when you've given it a boot full. The GTO, on the other hand under steers in comparison if you don't get on the throttle early enough and then you have problems with the traction control interfering.

So, I would say without any doubt the X5 will be far more enjoyable for so many other reasons than I have outlined above......

BUT!!! The X5 I test drove and the one I had delivered new varied in their handling ability quite significantly. The one I got handled poorly and BMW and I ended up nearly in the courts before they sorted it out. I suggest you test drive a number of them, on a twisty road where you can see what is happening. One I used lifted up the tail under braking and cornering quite severely, whilst my own lurched from side to side on even a gentle sweeper. The one I test drove however was a sports car on steroids, so the message from my experience is test test test....

Cheers

J