E70 4.8i with Sports Package test drive (not the demo car)

[Kewl X5]

Okay, Crevier BMW has their 2 demo X5 (both Space Grey, one 4.8i withOUT sports package and 3.0si WITH sports package). I wanted to test drive a 4.8i WITH sports package and of course, my sales guy got the one in the showroom out so we can go for a spin!!

The E70 X5 4.8i WITH Sports package also had Premium package, cold weather package, technology package, premium sound package, rear climate package, DVD entertainment, and 3rd row seats. It had sports seats as well. The exterior color was a lovely Monaco Blue and with the sand beige nevada leather with dark burl walnut wood.

Anyhow, I did first take one of the 4.8i Space Grey WITHOUT sports package for a test drive. My wife noticed that the suspension was not as dampened as our E53 X5 3.0i with sports package (remember, her daily driver is a E46 M3). She felt that the 4.8i non-sports package ride was making her seasick. You could tell how the double wishbone suspension helped make the E70 X5 feel less choppy, but we both agreed that the shock absorbers could have used a litte more dampening for our type of driving. There was a little more pitch than what we were used to, but the roll control was surprisingly good for the non-active, non-sports suspension.

The 4.8i engine power had great mid-range torque and actually, if you hit the accelerator pedal a little to fast or hard, it really takes off fast (maybe the EML throttle control needs to be a little smoother), but really was still easy to drive normal and aggressive.

The Monaco Blue 4.8i with sports package in our honest opinion hit the mark. The ride was still nice and compliant (definitely less choppier than our E53 X5) yet the body roll was very well controlled. Also, you can feel that the suspension was much better dampened and my wife was NOT feeling the "wallowing" seasick feeling. The 19" wheels with Michelin all-season runflats were still compliant, but interestingly enough, they were not staggered as in the 4.4i 19" wheel setup. All 4 corners were 255 width!

Anyhow, as compared with E53, E70 feels a little more solid, but the E53 is already quite solid and rigid as it is. It is a little more quieter in the E70, but when you floor the V8, can you hear the engine nicely and you can hear the dual intake breathing deeply with WOT!! I agree that the exhaust sound is nowhere near as aggressive as a stock E53 4.8is. There is more room in the cabin space in the E70. It is definitely wider in the E70. Love, the E70 outside mirrors: nice & big!

However, the E70 front doors are not as solid or as heavy as the E53 front doors. For some reason, the E70 doors feel a little more flimsy than the E53 doors...

iDrive was no biggie as I have already experienced the iDrive in the 3 and 5-series. However, at least the climate control is the same as our E53 and there are few more buttons for the radio on the dash without needing to use the iDrive.

The E70 premium stereo in the Monaco Blue X5 was outstanding. We turned it to POWER106 (LA's R&B/Hip-Hop radio channel) and the subs were loud & clear....I played with the equilizer & bass/treble....The mids & highs were decent and nice clean bass....I am glad that BMW finally is putting some effort in the stereo department.

Anyhow, any other questions that hasn't been answered, please ask.

The Monaco Blue X5 was about $70K.

Okay, the official US EPA gas mileage for the 4.8i is City 15 mpg/Highway 21 mpg
For the 3.0si, it is City 17mpg/Highway 23 mpg.

[Juanted]

Thanks, Charles. Nice review.

I put in a call to my local dealer for a test drive as soon as the e70 comes in... can't wait.

Juan

[Michelle]

When Greg and I went to my local dealer to pick up the rear metal wiper arm, we checked out the E70. They had three 3.0's, but they were all sold, so all we could do was start it up, look at it, and sit in it. They had just gotten rid of the 4.8. I do not like the look of the 3.0. The E70 definitely needs running boards! It just looks BLAH without them. I'm going to have to see a few on the road to make my final opinion...right now, I'm still hooked on the facelifted E53.

[LeMansX5]

Agree on the body roll. When I picked my first E53 from dealer I went back after 2 days to complain about the doors as they will only shut completely if banged hard. They told me that's the design. In E70 one light hit and it closes the door.
Once thing I do not understand is why they cannot squeeze a in-dash 6-disc changer as std. equipment when every other manufacturer has done it. Maybe they want to make more money by selling a 6-disc changer.

[Scottie]

Top of the range X5 by the sound of it coming at around 37.5K GBP give or take for conversion I'd buy two of them at that price. Lucky you.

[rangerfan]

Looks great Charles. Brad let you take the floor model out for a spin--he's a good guy!

[TQ2K]

Nice review Charles!

[Kewl X5]

Yes, Brad is a great guy. We actually get a chance to chat with him on various topics when he has time!!

I thought we were going to test drive the demo 3.0si with SPORTS PACKAGE and then next thing we know, he is moving the Blue X5 out of the Crevier BMW's showroom floor for us to take a spin!!

Originally Posted by rangerfan

Looks great Charles. Brad let you take the floor model out for a spin--he's a good guy!

[skarletknite]

thanks! did it have hud by any chance? i ordered all of the above with HUD. also, what did you think of the new nav screen?

[Kewl X5]

No HUD on this $70K baby....New NAV Screen is similar to the E60 5-series....

Originally Posted by skarletknite

thanks! did it have hud by any chance? i ordered all of the above with HUD. also, what did you think of the new nav screen?