335 to 4.8?????

[NastyBlackx5]

i have a 330, m3 and 4.4 and the power in the x5 in phenomenal, and you wont believe the handling. by no means is it an m3, but it is still a bmw. ive driven the 4.8 as well, and anything with 320 hp will be fun to drive.

go for it bro its a damn good truck

[vinuneuro]

The V8 is great... and greater when it's in a BMW car (there's a weight difference). I still prefer the tq curve of the N54, ie. I'd go for a 535i over a 550. Don't forget the NVH implications of an I6 vs. a cross-plane V8 and also the resulting superior responsiveness of the I6.

There are only two reasons to buy an X5 and only one of those reasons is really worth anything imo.

1. You need to tow regularly
2. You value ride height more than handling. B.S.

Originally Posted by themoth

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

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by vinuneuro

There are only two reasons to buy an X5 and only one of those reasons is really worth anything imo.

1. You need to tow regularly
2. You value ride height more than handling. B.S.

Interesting. My opinion is that more people have bought their X5s for other reasons - none included in your short list.

[RMak]

Originally Posted by TwinsPoppa

Interesting. My opinion is that more people have bought their X5s for other reasons - none included in your short list.

EVen though I do have a tow hitch on my X5, i'm quite sure I won't be towing anything. The Hitch is for more so to hold a bicycle rack. Also the X5 has good crash test ratings. That could possibly be a reason. My X5 is my family hauler for long drives. High view so the kids could look out the window and built like a tank in God forbid something happens.

Plus you have to admit, there is no other vehicle that looks like an X5!

[jsears]

Originally Posted by TwinsPoppa

Interesting. My opinion is that more people have bought their X5s for other reasons - none included in your short list.

I bought mine because I am 6'8'' and the 5-series isn't that comfortable for me or a passenger sitting behind me. Where as the X5 gives us both plenty of room!

[faz]

For the record, in my case, X5 ended up on my list due to the size (needed the room and don't like the looks of a station wagon), safety, and the unibody design for a smoother ride quality in a SUV package. With my kid in the backseat, I feel much safer with the idea of a car rear ending me in my X5 than I do in any other car. It may (or may not) be a totally false sense of security, but it is there.

The drive that X5 gives compared to other SUVs out there is great... but every time I drive my wife's 328i, I am reminded of why I started to love BMWs. The 3 series is by far one of the best handling 'cars' out there. I can't believe how many people are insisting here that he X5 handles just as good. I mean, to me, X5 handles very well, but nowhere near the 3 series. I don't know... may be I should go test drive a 4.8is and see the night/day difference that is being suggested here between it and my 3.0.

[Essam Khafagi]

I have both E53 and E46 ... yes my E46 is 2.0 so it is not that powerful, but I love to dirve the X5 ... it handles better IMO and it is far more powerful, more solid, and much safer

[PK8]

Thanks- You guys are really making some sense. Truth be told, I'm also a bit concerned that my wife might not get along too well with the wheels/suspension in a 4.8 vs. a 3.0.

OK- let's say we scratch the 4.8 off the list. My wife is open to a 4.4. Is it worth holding out for a 4.4 (which are not as common around here), or does a 3.0 still win for a wife-mobile, based on our intended use?

[jsears]

In a 4.4i vs. a 3.0i you are going to get very similar gas mileage but more power. Granted the price tag maybe a little higher, but I would go for the 4.4i if you can find one.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by PK8

OK- let's say we scratch the 4.8 off the list. My wife is open to a 4.4. Is it worth holding out for a 4.4 (which are not as common around here), or does a 3.0 still win for a wife-mobile, based on our intended use?

You said in the first post that she wanted a 3.0, and you have clarified that you aren't towing. Why not just get her what she wants? Isn't it going to be her car?

I laughed at faz's story, above, in post #8. I purchased a car for my wife years back, and picked out the colour. I thought she had agreed to it, but she never liked it. Won't do that again. Last few cars, she got exactly what she wanted. Luckily for me, she won't drive an automatic, and with the X3 we had to go to the 3.0si to get the headlights she wanted. Darn.