Hold at click point, or hold past the click point?

There are a few reasons why this happens......

Seat of the pants difference between two vehicles usually comes back to Torque comparisons, as that is what you feel off the line... not power. Power is a function of revolutions vs time.

You don't know what state the software is in, nor the programming. The two are different as BMW have just reprogrammed mine to try and eliminate the detonation I have been experincing. All they have done, (proven now on the dyno) is merely retarded the timing and taken approx 30ft lbs of torque out of the engine. When you consider that the 4.4 is only 26ft lbs behind the 4.8is, it means you definately feel it.

The state the software is in is as the other comments already made. If you do not drive your car hard, the software learns and sets the advance/gear/fuel etc to suit. A gentleman on the E60 boards has measured (over time/numerous runs) and found that driving style can mean up to half a second is eventually lost in the performance stakes if you are a conservative driver.

I disagree about valvetronic as when I bought the 4.8is I back to backed it with a 4.4 and the difference was significant.... problems is that it's just not sustainable.......

That alone wasn't the reason I went for it... the handling and extra options just seemed to me the ultimate package. I remember saying to my wife at the time that this is IT, the car to keep for good as it had everything I wanted....

Cheers