Any new word? spyshot? rumors? release dates? on the "is" replacement?

[B-Line]

Hey Gang,

So November is quickly approaching and I can't help but wonder, will BMW have a replacement for my 4.8is?
Of course I have heard the rumors about a bi-turbo V8. But no info has trickled in for some time.
My lease comes up in nine months and my radar is on high alert.

-- When BMW does release any official information, how long between the time literature hits the magazines and dealers till the time dealers have em on the floor?

Thanks,
B

[4.6is Ryder]

The little bit of info I've gathered states that BMW will wait until mid 08 and release an early edition 09 that could be a possible ///M version....don't hold your breath waiting. We all thought the 4.6is/4.8is should have worn those strips....I really question if BMW knows it's core customer group.....Phil

[cpatzer]

An ///M car will only get the ///M badge if they actually race it. That is why you don't see an ///M7 Then again, BMW has been sellng their souls to the market share devil lately, so who knowsl

[LeMansX5]

BMW wants E53 4.8is customers to upgrade to the new X6 which will come around mid-2008. For "is" replacement they will use the new bi-turbo V8 which will be out next year and will be in X6. So the "is" replacement will not be coming this year. M-package for E70 is the only new product on E70 you will see this year, and I heard its very hot.

[B-Line]

So then, if my lease comes up in November, then the only real choice of equivalent or upgrade will be a X5 (E70) 4.8i with a ///M package?
(The ///M package is cosmetic, right?. No actual performance boosts?)

And let me just make sure I understand this correctly:
The X5 4.8"is" replacement will NOT be a X5 4.8"bi-turbo"? Because BMW wants the "is" customer to go X6. So there will be no X5 Bi-Turbo manufactured. There will only be a X6 V8, Bi-Turbo?

So when we talk about the X5 Bi-Turbo, we are really talking about the X6. Or will there be BOTH, X5 Bi-Turbo and X6 Bi-Turbo?
-- Otherwise I really don't understand what is meant my saying that BMW wants the "is" customer to go X6.

Also, does anyone know if BMW will allow me to go month to month on my lease after it matures? Because if the only BMW SUV option is a E70 with 4.8i engine, I will pass and go Cayenne Turbo S or something. I already own a 4.8is and would not want a detuned version of the same engine.

I guess I could also buy out my lease but those deals do not usually make a lot of sense.

B

[scott27]

There will be no X5 M.

BMW are interested in offering X6 as an exclusive performance " off road " Ultimate Driving Machine in our model line , so we will offer the X6 M will with award winning V10 S85 engine under the hood.
Top-end V8 X5 version set above 4.8i will be offered after X6 is introduced in Spring 2008.
For those who really strive for performance oriented vehicle with high driving position I suggest to wait for X6. You'll be delighted!

[LeMansX5]

B-Line, Drive around your Porsche or other car for few months and then pick-up X6.

[B-Line]

Yes, I KNOW there will be no X5 M...

But again, the information above is EXTREMELY unclear.

If the MX6 is going to have the V10, then it will NOT have the Bi-Turbo V8?
Or will there be two options, a Bi-Turbo V8 regular edition or a ///M version V10??

And I go back to the ORIGINAL question. What is the X5 going to have as the new "is" model? According to Lemans, if BMW wants to steer it's "is" customers to the X6, then they will not make a "is" model for the X5.

But if they do make an "is" model, I assume it will then be a V8 bi-turbo. But that would negate the comment that BMW is trying to push the "is" customer to the X6 because they are clearly giving the "is" customer the V8 Bi-Turbo option.

so lets make a graph:
X5: (E70)
3.0 - inline 6
4.4i - V8
???is -

X6: (E72)
???
V8 Bi-Turbo
///M V10

And when? what are the proposed dates for each model?
B

[xdrive]

Originally Posted by scott27

Top-end V8 X5 version set above 4.8i will be offered after X6 is introduced in Spring 2008.

Was hoping to see the "is" version of the X5 in the 08 model year around Sept. Too bad it won't come until mid of next year. Thanks for the info anyway . Guess you must be pretty busy with the new M3 launch. Look forward to see that monster soon!

[LeMansX5]

Originally Posted by B-Line

Yes, I KNOW there will be no X5 M...

But again, the information above is EXTREMELY unclear.

If the MX6 is going to have the V10, then it will NOT have the Bi-Turbo V8?
Or will there be two options, a Bi-Turbo V8 regular edition or a ///M version V10??

And I go back to the ORIGINAL question. What is the X5 going to have as the new "is" model? According to Lemans, if BMW wants to steer it's "is" customers to the X6, then they will not make a "is" model for the X5.

But if they do make an "is" model, I assume it will then be a V8 bi-turbo. But that would negate the comment that BMW is trying to push the "is" customer to the X6 because they are clearly giving the "is" customer the V8 Bi-Turbo option.

so lets make a graph:
X5: (E70)
3.0 - inline 6
4.4i - V8
???is -

X6: (E72)
???
V8 Bi-Turbo
///M V10

And when? what are the proposed dates for each model?
B

so lets make a graph:
X5: (E70)
3.0 - inline 6
4.4i - V8
???is - Yes and coming after X6 release in 2008 with bi-turbo V8. BMW wants existing E53 X5 4.8is customers to upgrade to X6 and the 4.4i /E70 4.8i to upgrade to X5 ??is.

X6: (E72)
???
V8 Bi-Turbo - Right! coming Q1 2008
///M V10 - Right! coming later -TBD . Will have the new V10, not the exisitng V10 amd more HP than M5.

X6 will have much sporty handling and will sit lower than X5. Imagine something between BMW SAV and BMW sedan. Therefore the name X6 Sports Activity Coupe.