So long as they are not reflashed, yes... side by side.

I'm in the same category, which is why my DD is a Corvette!!

One of my favorite all-time cars is the E36 M3 - a rather un-refined and rather purpose built sports car in a sedan wrapper.

In some ways the 4.6is is to the SUV world what the E36 M3 was to the small sports sedan world. It reminds me a lot of another one of my all time favorites - the E39 M5 - I had one of those for a year before I traded it in on my second Corvette - C5 Z06, which was almost too unrefined - the C6 is a better balance for me - I like just a touch of refinement even in a sports car, as long as it doesn't add too much weight, and anything over 3200lbs is a waste IMHO!

I'll make this short and sweet since all the technical has been covered above....There has always been a place in my heart for the 4.6is....I find it more raw and a clean canvas for mods...;) Chilliwilli really summed it up here....

[QUOTE=chilliwilli;816676]^^...agree with your comments, except that the 4.6iS is 'refined and reserved'. It's quite the opposite actually. In my experience with both, the most significant difference between the two, is the 4.8iS has a lower threshold before electronics reign in. The air ride as well...altogether make the 4.8iS much more refined than it's predecessor. In the end, i went back to the 4.6iS as i like my sports cars unrefined.

Rich:thumbup:

If your vehicle that has best gas mileage is a vette, I like where your head is at. :D

OP. You getting all this? Haven't heard from you since your first post.

That's it - the 400hp vette gets the best mpg by far both around town and on the highway of my 3 cars!

In fact, highway mpg is not too far off what my wife's Mazda protege gets!

From one aficionado to another, you sir, have great taste.

Not many things i enjoy more than an unrefined sports car, low on weight and high on performance. Although, few will ever take their prized possessions to it's limits, it's nice to know it's there if ever needed (for moi at least).

However, i'm not such a fan of the newfound craze of lightweight performance SUV's. I tow a variety of trailers and travel more by road nowadays...I'm perfectly fine with a 5k+lbs performance tank with a TTV10 tucked neatly under the bonnet :D ...had truly hoped this would've been the case for the X M's... :saad:

OP...also keep in mind that there's a forced induction system for the 4.8iS (N62) on the horizon. If interested, be aware that tuners have teased us with this phantom system for over 5 years now. If you search, there are a couple threads on this forum and others discussing this in detail.

I bet those new X5 M's are 5Klbs. Not sure what they can tow. E53 seems pretty adequate at towing up to 6Klbs or so.

XM's are slightly north of 5k-lbs...The only major difference i prefer between my performance sports car and SUV, is weight. However, the new Pepper Turbo's have shed a considerable amount of weight. My gut says the competition may follow.

Pardon the hijack OP...where do you stand, what say you?