to 4.8is or not to 4.8is

[julezw]

Hi everyone,

I have a 4.4i which I love, however, I really wanted an e53 4.8is but there were none going at the time and I needed a car.

I'm thinking of selling the 4.4i and with the dough gathered and around 10 grand extra getting a e53 4.8is.

Is it worth doing? I know what the difference is on paper in numbers, what I am wondering about is the experience of driving 4.8is vs a 4.4i. Is a 4.8 awesome or just a little bit better.....any thoughts, experience on the matter...anybody owned both and care to share any insight

cheers

[mywidebody02]

i love my 4.8is. had a 4.4 and the 4.8is is completely different vehicle. Its as close as u can get to an X5M

[rockblock]

Originally Posted by mywidebody02

i love my 4.8is. had a 4.4 and the 4.8is is completely different vehicle. Its as close as u can get to an X5M

how much stiffer is the ride on the 4.8?...can you describe the difference in ride & handling? Also, how's the 4.8 on gas compared to 4.4? Thx

[N S]

I would not, unless you're moving into an e70.

An addition $10k for 40hp?
Dealing with selling your current car?
Taking on the "unknown" problems the new vehicle may come with. (i.e. the devil you know vs the devil you don't).

Don't get me wrong, I love the 4.8is, but going from essentially the same vehicle to the same vehicle for an additional $10k just doesn't make sense to me.

[julezw]

N S, I must admit my conscience is telling me the same thing...it might end up being a case of "a lot for a little". Might just wait a little while for more dough to accumulate and get an E70


China Man, Unfortunately my 4.4 didn't come with adj ride height, was the only thing missing that made me think twice about buying. Could you elaborate on the difference with this feature and without, and you say the 4.8 has air susp on all 4 wheels? is this correct? I know mine has rear air susp. I must admit at low speeds my car is quite heavy at the wheel...i thought this was the case with all X5s? Excuse my lack of knowledge but is their anyway to tell for sure whether i have servotronic?

THX

[China Man]

Originally Posted by julezw

I must admit at low speeds my car is quite heavy at the wheel...i thought this was the case with all X5s? Excuse my lack of knowledge but is their anyway to tell for sure whether i have servotronic?

THX

If you think your car at low speeds feels quite heavy at the wheel, then you don't have servotronic. Very few 4.4i's were ordered with that option (although it was only $250 at the time).

The only way to really tell the difference, as the above posters indicated, is to drive one. Then you'll know for yourself how different the 4.8is really is. I bet you'll be amazed.

[mywidebody02]

Originally Posted by rockblock

how much stiffer is the ride on the 4.8?...can you describe the difference in ride & handling? Also, how's the 4.8 on gas compared to 4.4? Thx

I dont think it feels much stiffer but the handling is unbelievable for an sav. I had a 4.4 and a 330xi and the 4.8is is the most fun. gas is about 20 to 22 depending on your foot and city is usualy around 15.

[JS_4.8]

the 4.4i is an awesome vehicle, but i would agree and say the 4.8is is just a different animal. if you can get a good price for your current X and have the money for the upgrade, go for it!

[China Man]

The 4.8is is a totally different beast. Did you get adjustable ride height on your 4.4i? The 4.8is having the 4 wheel air suspension doesn't ride as stiff as you would think, and with a set of michelin latitude tour HPs, it rides even nicer. If you can find one with some warranty left, that would be a plus. The steering would be lighter than the 4.4 at low speeds, unless you ordered servotronic with your car. I can average around 22mpg on the highway in my 4.8, and 15 around town (10~12 if I start stomping on it)

[AZX54.4]

my 4.4 has the air suspension and it does provide a more plush ride. It is still a stiff suspension but absorbs more of the bumps.