I don't know if it is the camera angle or what, but the drivers side rear seems to be sitting lower than the passenger side rear! Something could be up with the air suspension?!?!

Call me crazy, but I still much prefer the 4.6is over the 4.8is... I like the transmission better and the engine better, just wish it had the x-drive transfer case. (note that the alpina touched M62tu will never have intermediate levers problems. :nanana:)

Looking back, wish I gotten a 4.6is too! That way I could have the Dinan SC!

Ok although I am new to this site, I will chime in. I have owned an X5 4.4 for six years and just bought a 4.6. I have checked out probably over 50 4.6 and 4.8is in the last six months but was not ready to buy until now. Here are my thoughts and consider the source, I am no expert at any of this. Yes you can find pretty clean 4.6 but most of them will be in the 70 to 90K mileage range for around 20K or less. You can find an 04 4.8is for about $5K more and an 05 for maybe about $6K more.

My theory is if you find a clean 4.6 you are better off because in 3 years I bet that the 4.8s will have depreciated a little bit more and in five years they will both be worth about the same. Yes the 4.6 might cost a little more in maintenance but buying a used vehicle over 5 years old is a high risk sport anyway. Besides you will save yourself at least 5 grand to begin with.

If you read some of the comparisons in this forum, the differences between the 4.6 and 4.8 are small. Mainly the 4.8 is more refined and the 4.6 is more like an untamed beast. Having owned a 4.4 and ridden in 3.0s I think the bigger difference is between the 3.0 and 4.4. With that said the difference between the 4.4 and 4.6 is measurable. The 4.4 has a 3.63
gear ratio vs the a 3.91 in the 4.6 so the latter is much quicker off the line without the added torque and hp. They also will go from 50 to 80 (like when passing a truck pulling a trailer on two lane mountain road) in a much quicker amount of time which certainly instills confidence.

However on road trips where you might be inclined to stay within 7mph of posted speed limits, the 4.4 will average about 22 mpg vs about 18.5 on the 4.6. I have put on about 2K miles in two weeks in my 4.6 and the mileage was a little less than I expected. I have run some injector cleaner thru two tanks of gas and it is improving a little.

So my .05 worth is go for a clean low mileage 4.6is and get a PPI done before you send money.

On an X5 with over 60K miles or one that is over six years old, make sure you look at both front CV joints. They will need to be replaced at near these bench marks so be prepared. Don't make the mistake I made (I knew I was making it at the time). Get a Pre Purchase Inspection (PPI) and these things would show up. Fortunately the one I just bought has a CPO until the end of September and I figured if something was wrong with it I might luck out and get it covered by warranty. The dealer told me these CV joints should be covered under warranty but am having them look at anything else that might be failing. Good luck with whatever choice you make and if you have specific questions for me email me directly.
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4.8is b/c the updated fascia and xdrive is that much better! :)

but intermediate levers suck and air ride can be a PITA. air ride is nice tho, came in handy in pismo over the dunes and makes it easier for the wife and baby to get in and out.

does the 4.6is have air ride?

sorry for the dumb question. New owner here myself.

I agree with taosx5. I picked up a 2003 with 95K miles. Owner was a fanatic. The thing looks and drives like new. And a bunch of preventative maint that any model X5 will need sooner or later has been done: entire cooling system replaced, serp belts, alternator. So for me it seemed money ahead to spend less up front on a car with some expensive preventative maint items already done and that checked out perfectly during the PPI. Besides - I'm a sucker for Estoril blue!!

I average 18.8 over a 1200 mile road trip that included much travel between 80-100, and more than a dozen mountain passes including several up above 9K feet in both the Rockies and Sierras. Not sure how I managed that. Because around town which is still over 1/2 highway I am getting mid 15's, which is easily 3-4mpg less than I get in my V8 Audi S4. But I did not buy it for the mpg. And it gets somewhere between 50-75% better mpg than my 3/4t Suburban 8.1L that it replaces in my garage!!

yup and i dont like the 4.8is front

Not a dumb question...the 4.6iS has self-leveling rear air suspension only.

Get what fits your budget. Either way is a win!

BTW, I was super picky when I got my 4.8is. It had to be ESTORIL but it had be the updated fascia and 4.8 motor. It had to have the air suspension, nav, alcantara sport seats and rear sliding floor. Anything else like running boards and trim was just bonus. I never thought I would find it and only knew of Jvit1978's car in existence. But one day "she" popped up! Didn't even hesitate and it was local too! Fate as we call it summoned! :)

Even with the levers issue, I'm still a very happy owner to this day. Then after Lawrence fixed me up with the headrests, I seriously have 0 complaints! Hopefully its just general maintenace from here on out!

lucky!! I had to go 2400 miles to get my Estoril beast. But it was well worth it. BTW - also have the sliding load floor, which really helps for schlepping heavy amps and other such band equipment.