People with 4.8, please suggest

[panbob]

Yeah, one of the reasons I am considering 4.8 is due to the Carbon Black color and other M-package benefits.

When you say 4.8 gives bad mileage, how bad it is?

I bought a Merc GL550 last year. It has a big engine, lot of power, etc. but the mileage is not that bad. I get 18+ on the freeway. Average 16 (local+freeway). Is 4.8 comparable?

[cmyX6go]

Originally Posted by panbob

When you say 4.8 gives bad mileage, how bad it is?

It depends how you drive. I'm at 13.3 with spirited city/highway driving. I think Kaefer has me beat and is in the 12s. But we both as we watch the fuel gauge move as fast as the speedometer.

[X5-Carbon]

I have the Carbon Black Metallic and I think it's gorgeous. I get lots of compliments on it. The color changes pretty drastically depending on the light. Tough to keep clean, but I'm sure that's no surprise.

Mileage: I'm getting around 12-13 average. I replaced my Q7 4.2 with the X5. The Q7 would get almost 21 on the highway. I think my X5 is getting around 16, MAYBE 17 if I drive it like an 80 year old lady on the highway. Q7 was pretty bad around town, but still a little better than the X5.

[KYZRSOSE]

The diesel was not offered yet when I got my 4.8i in May 07. After driving the 35d for 3 weeks as a loaner car from my service department, I would have purchased the 35d over the 4.8i, and made it look exactly like the 4.8i and the options I chose.

I love spirited driving, and typically drive more aggressive on a daily basis. The diesel's lag would be something I could get over based on the fuel economy and torque on the highway. I do approx. 35K per year, and based on my average of 16mpg with my 4.8i and what I was getting on the 35d loaner of 25mpg, I could have saved a significant amount of $'s, plus the actual car was cheaper as well.

But all in all, I still love the rumble and power of the 4.8i.

[panbob]

Thanks everyone for all your comments. Its really helpful.

[wch X5]

My lease on my 4.8 is coming up next month and I decided to switch to the 35d. The gas mileage is terrible since I do mostly city driving (12 mpg) and I was really impressed with the diesel. The black trim has grown on me even though I do like carbon black. I have my M3 for spirited driving....

[Ag4.8]

I have a 4.8. But I got to drive a 35d for a week (don't ask). I liked the diesel. There was a little clatter at start up, but this became less noticible throughout the day. I would consider a diesel next time, but I am partial to the look to the V-8. I am not a mod guy and don't want the hassel of doing things aftermarket.

I get about 14-15 average.

[mtech8]

Originally Posted by cmyX5go

But we both as we watch the fuel gauge move as fast as the speedometer.

Too funny. So true. So true.

Originally Posted by panbob

I bought a Merc GL550 last year. It has a big engine, lot of power, etc. but the mileage is not that bad. I get 18+ on the freeway. Average 16 (local+freeway). Is 4.8 comparable?

When I bought my X5, I was deciding between that and the GL550. Since the fuel specs of the GL550 were lower than the X5 4.8 (and I assumed both would be less than specs in real world). It was one of the many other factors in picking the X5.

Let us know what you decide.

[panbob]

May not be true for GL. My GL550 gives 19+ on the freeway every day. I am quite impressed by that actually. However, I am worried about starting to do the maintenance since I am hitting 24K miles. Break pads and rotors warning signs may show up at anytime now

Also, i am missing the BMW drive. Had a 3 series for 8 years.

[alewifebp]

On a pure highway trip, which is rare for me, I can get up to around 20 MPG, maybe slightly higher on a really long highway trip. For my average, I'm around 15 MPG or so, which is in line with my 2006 ML500 I had before this.