335 to 4.8?????

PK8 · #1 04-09-2009, 03:14 PM

I'm looking for an '04-06 X5 for my wife, and have somewhat fallen in love with the idea of buying a 4.8. However, my wife believes that a 4.8 for her would be overkill, does not want to have to buy a set of winter wheels/tires, does not want the more expensive upkeep, etc. In other words, she would be pleased as punch with a 3.0, and is very reluctant to consider a 4.8.

I am driving a 335 coupe, and my lease on that car is up in August 2010. I don't know what I will do when my lease is up, but I am now considering getting a 4.8 for her to drive now and for me to drive when my 335 lease is up (and getting my wife something else at that time- maybe a 3 series sedan). I know that none of you can guaranty my happiness with a 4.8 or any other vehicle, but my questions are:

1. For those of you that have gone from a 335, E46 M3 or a similar vehicle to a 4.8, how did you like the change?

2. Would I be better off splitting the baby and getting my wife a 4.4?

Thanks!

PK

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rmani · #2 04-09-2009, 03:23 PM

i went from an e36 m3 to a 4.6is and it wasn't that hard of a transition. they drive and look great but you can't deny it's a truck. it's no where near as fun to drive as even my sisters 325i, but it's great in its own way.

PK8 · #3 04-10-2009, 02:28 PM

Thanks, rmani. The "no where near as fun to drive" is what's making me nervous. At the same, i know that, to some degree, they're apples and oranges.

rmani · #4 04-10-2009, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PK8

Thanks, rmani. The "no where near as fun to drive" is what's making me nervous. At the same, i know that, to some degree, they're apples and oranges.

to be honest i had my truck out last night on some backroads and i was taking a lot of tight turns and really moving, and the truck was a lot of fun. it really felt just like an automatic bmw car which is still a lot more fun to drive than 99% of the cars out there. BUT nothing will replace the feeling of a small bmw with good power and 3 pedals.

ZsX5o3 · #5 04-10-2009, 03:07 PM

yep. the automatic part is what kills it. all that power seems a waste when you can't control the gears and feel like you're being left out. I had the 4.6 and now looking for an 01-03 5 Speed 3.0

The handling is great and the power is enough for me, and this is coming from an m3 owner. If you're in it for the fun factor, I would drive that car. Just as long as you can find one with a sport package. so far I've only found one.

JCL · #6 04-10-2009, 03:16 PM

I had a 2003 3.0, and really enjoyed it. It drove great for an SUV, and had enough power, but eventually I got bored with it. It was too heavy, had a higher centre of gravity, and just wasn't as engaging. I bought a Z4 3.0 with sport, SMG, etc, and it was fun for weekends, but I didn't use it enough, it spent too much time in the garage. So, I went to a 535 with a 6MT for a daily driver, and I enjoy it more. Sold the X5 and the Z4. Still needed a utility type vehicle, so we got my wife an X3 3.0si, 6MT. I enjoy driving that as much as I did my X5.

IMO, if you enjoy driving the 335 and appreciate what it offers, you have to be ready for a big change with an X5. It is a great vehicle, but it is nowhere near as tossable. As was said above, it handles great for a truck, but you never forget that it is a truck (OK, SUV). I would get your wife the vehicle she wants (X5 3.0) and figure out what you want in 2010.

mrkbbd · #7 04-10-2009, 03:46 PM

granted the 335 is a ton of fun, but you have to give the 4.8 serious credit that it can more or less hang with a 335 sport in the twisties, you may have to work a little harder, but I think you actually get more satisfaction knowing you're in a SUV and could keep up with a really fast car

faz · #8 04-10-2009, 04:19 PM

My wife has an 07 328i and I bought an 05 X5 3.0 myself. While I don't own a 8 cyl. X5 and can't speak for the fun people here are having with them, I can surely speak for the size and weight of this vehicle. You will NOT get the 'driving' satisfaction that you are getting with your 335 from this vehicle.

If you were saying you will only have ONE car in your family, I would tell you that the 3.0 (while not a slouch) is lacking in the fun factor and would recommend you getting a 8 cyl. to have fun with. But since you already have a fun car, I would suggest going with what the wife wants/needs, and leaving the extra cash towards getting another fun car (similar to your 335) after your lease expires.

p.s.
When we were looking at BMWs back in 2002 for my wife, we went and checked out a Mercedes dealership (I am/was more of a Mercedes person than a BMW person) and I kinda convinced my wife and we ended up buying a Mercedes that she liked A LOT. But after a few months, she kept talking about how she should have gotten the 3 series and such. What I learned from that experience? From now on I will get my wife EXACTLY what she wants. That is what we did when getting her the 328... I would have loved to have a coupe, she wanted a 4 door... we got the 4 door, ... I kinda preferred the 335, she wanted a 328... etc. etc. Even if what she wants is inferior to what you are suggesting to her... later on you WILL hear about the fact that this is NOT what she wanted! (if she is anything like my wife, that is!

vinuneuro · #9 04-10-2009, 04:50 PM

My parents have bought two X5's so far, and both of them are thoroughly disappointing compared to BMW cars imo. JCL pinned it, BMW or not, it can't deny it's weight and center of gravity. In your case, not only will the X5 handle much much worse than the 335, it's also going to completely lack balls compared to the 335's engine despite being a 4.8.

Keep the 335 for yourself, get her the 3.0i like she wants.

themoth · #10 04-10-2009, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinuneuro

My parents have bought two X5's so far, and both of them are thoroughly disappointing compared to BMW cars imo. JCL pinned it, BMW or not, it can't deny it's weight and center of gravity. In your case, not only will the X5 handle much much worse than the 335, it's also going to completely lack balls compared to the 335's engine despite being a 4.8.

Keep the 335 for yourself, get her the 3.0i like she wants.

I beg to differ the V8 in a X5 is top notch and the driving expierence is just as thrilling. I have had a e39, e36, e46, e60 ,e53, e92 all are great and stand by the BMW name

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