Test Drove 3.0 & 4.8 + A Question...
 

New here, I've been following this forum for months now. I test-drove both the 2007 3.0si & 4.8 X5 today in my approach toward buying. I prefered the 3.0 -- transmission was very smooth and quick, i-drive was a pleasant surprise, interior supple and beautiful, just the right size both inside and out. I thought the 4.8 transmission was a bit jerky and awkward; which actually was a fine discovery for me because with the options I'm considering, pushing the $68k price-point on the 4.8 makes my knees weak.

A question I'm hoping someone here can answer which the Bimmer salesman couldn't: the Sport Package -- it has an on/off button, right? We get the choice as to when and where to turn on the sport mode, yes? Thanks in advance. ;)

First of all :xoutpost:

Now to answer your question, I have a 06 3.0 sport and the on off is only for the transmission. In sport mode it holds the gears longer and will down shift quicker. Out of sport mode it will shift sooner and you have to push the pedal much harder to get it to down shift.

The sport model has stiffer supension which gives better handling. There are a few other things I'm sure like the seats and the black trim.

For 07 I'm not sure if there is anything extremely different on the sport from 06.

Anyone else with more info please chime in and correct me if I'm mistaken ;)

Good luck on your purchase :thumbup:

"sport package" and "sport mode" are 2 different entities.

sport "mode"= you are talking about the transmission mode, yes it can be turned on and off.

sport "package"= this is the trim options when you buy the vehicle like bigger wheels, stiffer suspension, etc

hope this helps

Thanks for the info. I guess my confusion comes because in the pics I've seen of the '07 X5 interior, there's a button marked SPORT just below the new shifter (which I really like, by the way), which suggested to me that "sport mode" was something that could be turned on and off.

The BMW salesman who was with me during the test-drive knew less about the vehicle than I did (thanks to my following this forum and my hunting the Internet for reviews, etc.) because he told me that since the dealership only had 2 demos which had just arrived, the 3.0 & 4.8 -- neither with the sport package or navigation, that all the salespeople were still learning.

I'll tell ya, I really wish BMW would've supplied the dealerships with a version of the X5 with the sport package so I could compare the rides. Without the option, the ride is very smooth; but with the option, at least looks-wise, the X5 really stands out. Hmm, to wait or not to wait to compare before I plop down the down.......

As far as I know, All of the dealer should have one Monaco Blue which has a sport package. Of couse if isn't sold already...Ask them to see if you can test drive that

'Sport' button on a center console indeed enables sporty mode of Adaptive Drive (incl. in Sport Package in US market).

When Sport mode is enabled EDC allows stiffer dumping, and active anti-roll intervenes earlier & with more power. All that allowing even more dynamic & sporty ride - in comparison to standard setting (when Sport button is not activated) which is already very dynamic & sporty.

Sport button has nothing to do with a Sport shifting program of automatic gearbox!

Aside from the other 'upgrades' on the car, the Sports Package on the E53 made the ride much firmer. Some find it too harsh. I personally love it. I assume there is a difference in the E70 as well. You are always better driving before you buy, unless you will be ok with a firmer ride, in which case, get it!

Thanks, X5ers, for the info and advice. I'm going to take it. Just called a couple of dealers in my area to see when '07 X5's w/ sport package are coming in so I can compare the rides -- they're telling me a couple of weeks. Patience, patience...........

By the way, here's what I'm considering:
3.0si/Titanium Silver Metallic/Black Leather
Premium Package
Sport Package
Rear Climate Package
Technology Package
20-Way Multi-Contour Seats w/ Lumbar
Heated Front Seats
Satellite Radio
Running Boards