to 4.8is or not to 4.8is

[chilliwilli]

If you haven't, test drive a 4.8iS...imo, there are no similarities between the two aside from Make. If you decide, i agree with 2006 model year. It was a rare breed and re-sale will be on your side

[Skip110]

DO IT!! My parents have the 4.4 and I have the 4.8iS, and mine is waaaaay more fun to drive!

[X5rolls]

Originally Posted by chilliwilli

If you haven't, test drive a 4.8iS...imo, there are no similarities between the two aside from Make. If you decide, i agree with 2006 model year. It was was a rare breed and re-sale will be on your side

+1 Just go drive one and you will see.

[jsears]

Originally Posted by X5rolls

+1 Just go drive one and you will see.

+2 add the Dinan kit and even more fun!

[Dani]

Saw this when browsing Century BMW Greenville SC.
Thought some X5 enthusiasts might find it interesting.

Used 2006 BMW X5 4.8is For Sale | Greenville SC

[N S]

Originally Posted by chilliwilli

If you haven't, test drive a 4.8iS...imo, there are no similarities between the two aside from Make. If you decide, i agree with 2006 model year. It was a rare breed and re-sale will be on your side

Really? No similarities? Come on.

Re-sale? If anything I would imagine the 4.8 has a greater depreciation rate than the 4.4.

Moving from a good e53 4.4 to an unknown e53 4.8 is not a financially sound decision. That doesn't mean it shouldn't or can't be done, it just means don't try and justify it being a wise financial move. You either just decide the extra $10k is worth the personal benefit of the 4.8 or it isn't.

[chilliwilli]

Originally Posted by N S

Really? No similarities? Come on.

Re-sale? If anything I would imagine the 4.8 has a greater depreciation rate than the 4.4.

Moving from a good e53 4.4 to an unknown e53 4.8 is not a financially sound decision. That doesn't mean it shouldn't or can't be done, it just means don't try and justify it being a wise financial move. You either just decide the extra $10k is worth the personal benefit of the 4.8 or it isn't.

You must own a 4.4i...i assume you've never driven nor own a 4.8iS if you believe they're similar...what's similar is the 4.6iS & 4.8iS, even then, there's still a profound difference.

I've seen low mileage 2006 4.8iS go for more $$ than 2007 4.8i and in some cases, similar to price of 2008 4.8i...guess why that is? Dealers are still asking $40K+ for 2006 4.8iS. Production output was much lower for the "iS" models than 3.0i and 4.4i.

Are you seriously saying that the 4.8iS has a greater depreciation rate than a 4.4i?! And that's quite a blanket statement to assume that just because a 4.8iS is "unknown" that somehow it's not trustworthy. Does that apply to CPO?

OP's decision at the end of the day...simply providing my experience & opinion.

[rockblock]

Originally Posted by chilliwilli

I've seen low mileage 2006 4.8iS go for more $$ than 2007 4.8i and in some cases, similar to price of 2008 4.8i...guess why that is? Dealers are still asking $40K+ for 2006 4.8iS. Production output was much lower for the "iS" models than 3.0i and 4.4i.

I always wondered why I could always find a few 05's but never an 06 4.8is...didn't know that 06 had a really low production...

Also, what's the difference between an 05 & 06 ?...from what I know, the only upgrade happened in 2005 when both 4.4/4.8 got Bluetooth kits straight from the factory...anything new for 2006?

[chilliwilli]

Originally Posted by rockblock

I always wondered why I could always find a few 05's but never an 06 4.8is...didn't know that 06 had a really low production...

Also, what's the difference between an 05 & 06 ?...from what I know, the only upgrade happened in 2005 when both 4.4/4.8 got Bluetooth kits straight from the factory...anything new for 2006?

No differences that i'm aware of between the 2005 & 2006...perhaps minor differences between 2004 and 2005+. In general, the "iS" models were lower production more-so with the 4.6iS. I believe there were 1.5K annual output for the 4.6iS during MY 2002-2003...a small fraction of overall X5 production.

I'm simply suggesting the 2006 model year to OP as it was the last model year and will hold better value. If i was in the market for a N/A X5, i'd definitely shoot for the last model year of the 4.8iS.

[N S]

Originally Posted by chilliwilli

You must own a 4.4i...i assume you've never driven nor own a 4.8iS if you believe they're similar...what's similar is the 4.6iS & 4.8iS, even then, there's still a profound difference.

I've seen low mileage 2006 4.8iS go for more $$ than 2007 4.8i and in some cases, similar to price of 2008 4.8i...guess why that is? Dealers are still asking $40K+ for 2006 4.8iS. Production output was much lower for the "iS" models than 3.0i and 4.4i.

Are you seriously saying that the 4.8iS has a greater depreciation rate than a 4.4i?! And that's quite a blanket statement to assume that just because a 4.8iS is "unknown" that somehow it's not trustworthy. Does that apply to CPO?

OP's decision at the end of the day...simply providing my experience & opinion.

I do have a 4.4, and yes, I have driven the 4.8. Its an awesome beast, no one is denying that. The similarties I speak of are those that all e53s share. Its the same general styling, interior, options, etc. Yes there are some trim level differences but the overall vehicle is the same.

Depreciation rate of a 2006 4.8 vs a 2006 4.4
Depreciation yr 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, total for a 4.8
$4,090$3,588$3,158$2,799$2,512$16,147

Depreciation yr 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, total for a 4.4
3,541$3,107$2,734$2,424$2,175$13,981

I don't know where you live, but I have yet to see a 2007 4.8 (new or used) sell for less than $50k so I find it hard to believe that even at $40k+ (which I don't think is fair market value) the 2006 4.8 sold for more than a 2007.

I never said it was untrustworthy, I said it is a case of the devil you know vs the devil you don't know.

Completely agree, its is OP's decision and if $10k is worth it to OP, then go for it, to me $10k isn't worth it, and I was trying to explain my reasoning for that.