Drove the E70 X5 4.8i today
 

Went ot dealer today to test drive the new 4.8i. The handling and cornering is better than E53. The drive is much smoother; car drives a little softer and lighter for me. may be BMW wants to attract those soccer moms driving the MDX and Lexus RX330. The engine is also very quiet, maybe I am used to my 4.8is growl. ;). I like the new shifter lever....did not take too long to get used to it. E-brake is good too. Too many beeps though in the E70. Interior is very improved. Nice icons on dash. Disc changer is supposed to be in same place as E53 as we still have the same opening in the back.

Bamboo trim looks good. Like the CELIS taillight LEDs, they are bright and look great at night.

According to window sticker, 70% parts are sourced from Germany.

Also have the pics of aero-kit and the accessory catalog. Will post in separate thread.

I still like my 4.8is better as the engine sounds better and pull power is good and you feel the car to the road. E70 4.8i engine is tuned differently. To summarize there is no comparison between 4.8i and 4.8is, different beasts. Drive both and you will know what I mean.

The exhaust/muffler is one piece...see pics below. the big metal thing you see on top of pic is one long muffler.
http://s113117221.onlinehome.us/Images/E70exhaust1.jpg
http://s113117221.onlinehome.us/Images/E70-exhaust.jpg

http://s113117221.onlinehome.us/Images/E70-sticker.jpg

Is softer than a non-sport E53? This one didnt have sp right?

Yes and yes.

thx for the review...sound good

but couldn't u take more pics

I didn't take pics of car as there are enough pics of car and interior on my page. Check the link in my sig for pics.

Good to know that the 4.8is isn't overshadowed by the 4.8i. I was worried about that especially since I had just bought the 4.8is a week ago. I feel even better now.

May have a change of heart once the 4.8is replacement is out but that is still a good ways off. Whew.

Curtis

so how does the new shifter works? looks like u just press the sport botton for sport?

Any chance of a pic of the Bamboo wood? Also, did you see any E70 with the mystery color of the promotion pic? Was that saddle brown, terra or tobacco?

Sunil - what'd you think of the looks? I keep seeing Envoy/Trailblazer when I look at the side view. I just don't know :dunno:

Very little learning curve for the shifter. Similiar to E53 in terms of changing for manumatic mode and then tap forward or backward.

Did not take pic of interior, but I will be going back again when they have sports package X5 in a day for some more fun. The promo pic is saddle brown/terra.


Looks are good. But I will definitely get the aero-kit to hide the plastic in front and back. They have made the ride smooth, at least in non-sports package. I think BMW is trying to go after female drivers buying MDX and RX350 for smooth ride.

So i take it you won't be getting rid of the 4.8is and jumping into the 4.8i will you?

Curtis

Yes, I am keeping my 4.8is.

LemansX5,
I'm trying to roughly figure what the 07 X5 4.8 will cost me, the sticker price above is $61,495.00. I want Prem Sound (600 watts) and I want Comfort Seats and I don't want 3rd row or Cold Weather Pkg.

$61,495.00 minus 1200.00 and 900.00 from this sticker is $59,395.00. How much do I add for Prem Sound, Comfort Seats?

Prem sound is $1800. you can build your X5 at edmunds.com

Is the saddle brown/terra leather only for Canada? The US brochure doesn't have it.

That's what it seems like, saddle brown and camel are not for US. Hope they add it for US next year.

Holy crap that's cheap, thought it would be more for the 4.8 model. I def. need to go take a test drive, its a toss up between the 2007 rover sport and the 2007 X5 4.8.

One error in the original post... the optional CD Changer will be located in back of the glovebox, not the rear of the car.

My dealer told me, its rear of car. Thanks for correcting. So what goes in the area in back? as there is still opening in that area where there was 6-disc changer and NAV in E53.

They might be able to install an accessory CD changer in the back if it doesn't come with one from the factory?

I know that it goes in the glovebox because I've seen it in the brochure, plus I saw several X5s with this option at the dealer launch and they made a point of showing us that feature.

According to the official BMW Press Release the CD Changer is in the Glove Box, read here:

http://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/futur...ewx5/press.htm

Innovative options.
Sophisticated navigation and audio systems further enhance the driver’s and passengers’ traveling comfort in the new BMW X5. DVD video systems for the second row of seats, a CD-changer housed in the glove compartment as well as an innovative multi-channel audio system are among the highlights offered in terms of mobile entertainment. Both the in-dash CD-player as well as the available CD-changer can play MP-3 encoded CDs. Even the standard audio system offers 205-watts with 12 speakers, including two sub-woofers mounted under the front seats. The optional premium sound system features 600 watts of power, Dolby 5.1 surround sound and 16 speakers. Thanks to the AUX-IN socket featured as standard, music from external audio sources such as an MP3 player or iPod may also be played through the audio system.

Please do post the shots of the 4.8i with sports pack - would be interesting to see what M parts they will be sourcing.

Cheers,

Would love to see those pics of the aero-kit.

Its already here