Returning E53 owner with question on Sport Pkg

Fas4wd · #1 05-14-2010, 01:47 PM

Greetings,

I am a former E53 owner and poster. I had an 03 E53 4.4i Sport Package in special ordered Le Mans Blue. (before you flame me, I have pics

)

Anyway, got sent on ex-pat assignment to the Fatherland and will shortly return after 2 years away.

I have my eye on an 05 4.4i which has a few more ponies and the 6 speed transmission. It does NOT have the Sport package.

I am nervous about the handling differences as the feature on my 03 that really impressed me was the handling. I realize the staggered 19" set up helped but I have learned suspension 'calibration' was also different. I can of course upgrade to a 19" package down the road but any suspension modifications will make things that much more complicated.

If anyone can help me with the detail differences, I would be very grateful.

Many thanks

D

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Fas4wd · #2 05-15-2010, 11:48 AM

Well after http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-our-site.html this sticky, I am lucky I did not get flamed

But no responses yet. Trust me, I am googling and hitting the search function hard.

Thanks

Nik · #3 05-16-2010, 08:52 PM

Well first of all

as for sport pkg, i don't really know

I also wanted to know, but now i decided that, since my current X has problems and I am selling it, i should straight jump to 4.6is.

motordavid · #4 05-16-2010, 09:15 PM

Imo, it all depends on where most of your driving will be, (interstates vs 2 lanes, etc.),
kids in the back seat bouncing, your need for a admittedly better "feel", daily driver in traffic or trips, etc.

None of us know your situ...as for me, sport suspension on those years, would be a necessity; 19s or 20s
might add to your feel, but will not make up for the lack of sport suspension, if you prefer that feel.
My 50Cts...

Welcome back to the US of A!
GL, mD

Fraser · #5 05-16-2010, 11:04 PM

Sport or not really depends on your driving environment and your driving style. There's no hard and fast rule as to which is best.

Fas4wd · #6 05-17-2010, 07:20 AM

Many thanks all. I have never driven an X5 for an extended period without the Sport package and what really sold me on my 03 was just how planted it felt. I have owned some nice Sports cars in my day and sold a very nice Audi S4 to get my X. WHile the X5 with Sport package was no S4, it offered a lot more of what I wanted day to day and with the only compromise being the rare times I could truly let the S4 loose.

I think I answered my own question. However clean and well priced the 05 4.4 I am looking at is, it will be a compromise without the Sport package and I will grow tired of it.

David

Nik · #7 05-17-2010, 08:23 AM

maybe even not... give it a try. Good Luck

JoshGM · #8 05-17-2010, 08:54 AM

Yes I can also say just give it a try... I also have not driven a non-sport so I cant make any sensible comparison. Mine it can be lil' bumpy (I care less) but as you also said it really 'grabs and hugs' the road especially when doing highways and cornering.

phil47 · #9 05-17-2010, 10:41 AM

When making the decision to buy my 05 4.4 I test drove a sport and non-sport back to back (to back). Included plenty of cornering, low-speed and high-speed lane changes. I found the sport package much more confidence inspiring with little or no compromise in ride comfort. Ended up taking one home.

fyi...a good friend of mine owned an 03 4.4 with sport package and complained about the ride constantly. We both agreed that my 05 rode MUCH better. There appears to have been some significant improvement to the sport suspension with the face lift in 04.

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