No that wouldn't have worked either. You need an M vehicle to have a subcategory of M Sport.

Also the engine on an M Sport is run of the mill engine of the regular models.

4.6 has the special engine worthy of the IS moniker.

LOL I just talked myself out of excuse for putting the M plate on my 4.6

I finally got a chance to show the exterior of my E53 some love. I performed paint correction, and applied a ceramic coating.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...ebbd5b6d70.jpg

This is what Car and Driver thought of the 4.6 at the time of introduction:

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...ake-road-test/

Was it enough better than the ML55 and more importantly the 4.4 to deserve an M badge? If judged only by the 4.4 0-60 times, stopping distance and skid pad I would say yes. That is certainly 20 years later of Monday morning quarterbacking. The fact is BMW didn't choose to do so. Based on the logical considerations of a 2002 decision I think they made the right decision whether it meant the appropriate standards or not.

IMO It'll never be an M car since it was never built to be one. It's a one of a kind SUV of its time. An 02-03 X5 M would have an S62 under the hood or the M62TUB48 version...

What did you do to / for your E53 today??
 

+1 (S62)

Edit: It would also need to be a manual, and AWD.

Finally repaired, The on again off again fuel vap check engine warning. The issue would show up on really cold or wet days and then go away for 3 months. Pulled off the LR wheel well liner and pulled the pump out to inspect. Found the wiring harness where it splits to send one group to the pump and one group to the speed sensors, cut not chewed. A few splices and presto all golden once again.

On a side note: Here is a YOUTUBE star roasting how bad BMWs are after buying a totally neglected X5 at 150K miles of deferred maintenance to the tune of $10K.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc0o6Cs96Kc

Here I was thinking that all these youtubers talking shit about BMWs would keep the pricing low :dunno:

Strange to think that the "cheapest blah blah in the USA" comes with a laundry list of issues no? :rolleyes:

HA. I think the KEY to this is to NOT THINK ABOUT Maintenance.

My last all in was about 18-20-24 months ago.
I started saying WOW, cannot believe I made it a whole year with ZERO things to touch on it. Lo and behold, noticed a greasy wheel when it got it's weekly wash.....new boots time.

Watched another one earlier this am on what to buy and what not to buy in BMWs. The not to buy were E60's as they are "complicated" (gee who knew?!) and E46 as everyone who purchased one never spent a dime on maintenance, so at 100K and 20 years, they need 5 or more big ticket items repaired. Again what a shock that cheap BMWs are just driven to the end with limited repairs, so when something does goes wrong, they need lots of items repaired. Ever seen a 20 year old Honda w/o 10,000 dents washed and waxed? Neither have I.

Got to love the front outer boots. Seems like they only go in the winter. I spray mine down with 303 a few times a year. So far so good as only one set since new. A placebo effect I am sure...