2005 4.8iS vs. 2010 X5M

[X5_E53_N62]

The old lady is still going strong!

2005 4.8iS:
Quarter-mile: 15.3 seconds.
Through the slalom: 62.3 mph.
60-0 mph: 116 ft.

2010 X5M:
Quarter-mile: 12.8 seconds.
Through the slalom: 63.5 mph.
60-0 mph: 116 ft.

2005 4.8iS:
2005 BMW X5 4.8is Follow-Up Test

2010 X5M:
2010 BMW X5 M Full Test

[Icer006]

Heh, I thought it was going to be another "Which is better" thread.

[Icer006]

Originally Posted by Icer006

Heh, I thought it was going to be another "Which is better" thread.

I take it back. It *is* another "which is better" thread.

[Roadkill]

Originally Posted by Icer006

I take it back. It *is* another "which is better" thread.

absolutely hilarious.

[RickM5X3]

More apt performance comparison would be against a garden variety 35i X3. Whoops, scratch that. Maybe a lowly Camry. Nope, Camry blasts through the quarter over a second quicker and smokes 4.8is to 60. Nevermind. Time doesn't treat cars or humans well I suppose. Still like the 4.8is as a great towing platform and all around fantastic SUV, but it is no M.

[TiAgX5]

You're comparing apples and oranges by providing slalom data. the track width of the M is 3" greater and also has wider tires then the 4.8is. A wider vehicle has an extreme disadvantage in the slalom test. In the '80s Nissan had an ad stating their 200SX out-slalomed the Lambo Countach (the 200 had less stick, it was narrow, that's the ONLY reason it beat the Lambo). A truer test is the stick of a vehicle, lateral G forces, 4.8 sticks to a .83G while the M can stick to a .92, 1/10 of a G is a HUGE increase! The mags (Car&Driver for one) are reporting 12.4 to 12.6 in the 1/4 mile for the new M, 3 seconds faster (around THIRTY car lenghts) then the 4.8is, that's an eternity. 0-60 times for the M are just over 3.5 secs (that's faster then my Viper!), VS over 6. sec for the 4.8. You have a nice truck, but it's no M! I am currently in the market for an X5M, I have driven both Xs and the difference is night and day. Lets not even mention the fact that the M division has improved transmission shifts and brake feel drastically!

[X5_E53_N62]

I have no 4.8iS and I know it is not an M

The 4.8iS is still good enough in and around the city, but stretch her legs or go racing for the weekend and the M is the king.

I found just find it funny

[nom3rcy]

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

You're comparing apples and oranges by providing slalom data. the track width of the M is 3" greater and also has wider tires then the 4.8is. A wider vehicle has an extreme disadvantage in the slalom test. In the '80s Nissan had an ad stating their 200SX out-slalomed the Lambo Countach (the 200 had less stick, it was narrow, that's the ONLY reason it beat the Lambo). A truer test is the stick of a vehicle, lateral G forces, 4.8 sticks to a .83G while the M can stick to a .92, 1/10 of a G is a HUGE increase! The mags (Car&Driver for one) are reporting 12.4 to 12.6 in the 1/4 mile for the new M, 3 seconds faster (around THIRTY car lenghts) then the 4.8is, that's an eternity. 0-60 times for the M are just over 3.5 secs (that's faster then my Viper!), VS over 6. sec for the 4.8. You have a nice truck, but it's no M! I am currently in the market for an X5M, I have driven both Xs and the difference is night and day. Lets not even mention the fact that the M division has improved transmission shifts and brake feel drastically!

3" is a negligible difference. For that to matter, you would need to have a driver that is capable of absolute precise placement of the vehicle cone after cone. Not gonna happen. Even the best of the best of drivers would have trouble getting these heavy SUVs to be that spot-on.

The things that do make a difference:
The X5 M is heavier by a couple hundred pounds. (advantage 4.8iS)
The X5 M has current tire technology (advantage X5 M)
The X5 M has a longer wheelbase (advantage 4.8iS)
The X5 M has current chassis and suspension technology (advantage X5 M)

And of course you have to factor in that each SAV was tested on different tracks with different drivers, different temperatures and different traction surfaces. The two tests really aren't comparable.

And even then, the two SUVs aren't comparable. Obviously the M is a higher performing vehicle, as well it should be. But you have to factor in a lot more than the numbers to come to any conclusions about either vehicle. Even the skidpad numbers don't share much other than what the tires were capable of giving on that day given the traction surface, air and ground temperature, etc etc. It's all just bench racing, with no real life application.

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by nom3rcy

3" is a negligible difference. For that to matter, you would need to have a driver that is capable of absolute precise placement of the vehicle cone after cone. Not gonna happen. Even the best of the best of drivers would have trouble getting these heavy SUVs to be that spot-on.

The things that do make a difference:
The X5 M is heavier by a couple hundred pounds. (advantage 4.8iS)
The X5 M has current tire technology (advantage X5 M)
The X5 M has a longer wheelbase (advantage 4.8iS)
The X5 M has current chassis and suspension technology (advantage X5 M)

And of course you have to factor in that each SAV was tested on different tracks with different drivers, different temperatures and different traction surfaces. The two tests really aren't comparable.

And even then, the two SUVs aren't comparable. Obviously the M is a higher performing vehicle, as well it should be. But you have to factor in a lot more than the numbers to come to any conclusions about either vehicle. Even the skidpad numbers don't share much other than what the tires were capable of giving on that day given the traction surface, air and ground temperature, etc etc. It's all just bench racing, with no real life application.

3" is still 3", regardless of driver.

Things do make a difference....

Lower center of gravity, advantage M
Lower unsprung weight, advantage M
Longer wheelbase increases directional stability at high speed, advantage M

Having driven both vehicles, I can surey tell the difference in eveyday spirited driving, in all vehicle dynamics, and especially the 2.5 sec advantage in the standing start to 60, the M TROUNCES the 4.8is. The M launches harder then my Viper with NO drama.

[X5_E53_N62]