Need help deciding btwn a 2008 3.0 or 4.8
 

I am in the market for a 2008 X5 either a 3.0 or 4.8 to compliment my 2004 330ci. I have a few questions for those with either model. What kind of realistic gas mileage can I expect from either model in the city and on the highway? How much of a difference does the 90hp make in practical driving situations in the 4.8 versus the 3.0? I have heard the 260hp isnt enough in the 3.0 when you push the truck. Is the premium sound package really worth the $ and does it sound that much better than the standard system? is the technology package worth it? I have heard the back up camera doesnt work well at night so I am thinking of getting the navigation system as a stand alone option since its a must have option for me. In general what are the pros and cons of the 3.0 versus 4.8 from current owners?

My advice to you is to test drive both the 3.0 & 4.8. If gas mileage is a great concern you should not be looking at a 5K+lbs SUV. Plenty of info on the main page under "General Info & Guides". Do your research and good luck. :xoutpost:

I guess I will post in this thread as well. I literally stepped in the door from my 2nd test drive of the 3.0si. What people say about the delay after stepping on the gas pedal is correct. I don't know whether to attribute that to the "computer learning your driving" stage or not but I doubt it. Even my SA said the 3.0 is underpowered (and he wasn't just trying to sell me the 4.8i because he said that wasn't worth the price difference either). He went on to say, from personal experience, the E53 4.8 went like a bat out of hell whereas this 4.8i is nowhere near it.

After a thorough 2nd test drive, I would say that the power is "enough" but the acceleration delay REALLY bothers me. He attributed it to it being a 6-speed 3.0 and I asked if the upcoming diesel would have this problem and he said it's probably going to be worse. I know torque is better, but is the delay there?

At that point I wanted to test drive a 4.8i but they didn't even have any left on the lot - all sold out after checking his computer. Now I really want to test the 4.8 for this delay and if it's not there, I'm definitely staying away from the 3.0.

One other thing - saddle brown interior... I know others have had their SA search the US for existence of it and it came back with a few - we've all seen pics here. But when he pulled up the search - it came back with a big fat 0. He'll work on it for me if I go through with the order.

Without even attempting to haggle, he gave me $2500 off MSRP (sport/tech/prem/tailgate), but the aero kit was a static $3695 installed. Ouch. He said they can't do anything on that price and I could always do it after the fact if I still wanted it. I'm going to have to wait right now cause my Rodeo drives better/feels more powerful at local driving at this point. For a $60k premium, I can't be having the accel delay after every stop sign. Where's that *shrug* icon? Someone please tell me the delay was a figment of my imagination, or because this didn't have the sport package. Sport pkg is just for suspension, not transmission, correct?

As far as new info from him goes... X6 is coming March/April (another dealer told me Jan. along with the 135)... and no new X5s at all until November. Facelift for X5 will be 2010. Don't shoot the messenger.

Another thread on this issue:

http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e70-forum/...d-w-power.html

rh71,
I just test drove a 2008 3.0si this past weekend and i did not notice a problem with the acceleration. When i put it into Sport, I felt it accelerated even better. However, I did not test drive the 4.8i so I can't compare. The one you test drove was a 2008, right?

On a side note, my salesman actually was trying to convince me to get the 3.0si and NOT the 4.8i. He said he felt it was not worth the premium and that the 3.0si had enough power.

^ yes it was a 2008 (with autohold). I'm going to setup for another 3.0si test drive at another dealer. I forgot to mention that my 1st test drive months ago with another 3.0si went smoothly but it was probably because I used the manual shift that time. This time was testing highway power on full automatic... then I noticed the problem... local roads too.

You're here too? Wow, you're really doing your research! :wavey:

Drive the two and decide what you need, but IMO 4.8i is the way to go. If you want a 3.0si, you're better off with an X3, which has the same engine in the US.

(btw, did that referral ever work out?)

I drove both & selected the 4.8i. Gas mileage has not been great (14.8 60/40 urban/highway), but the vehicle is still in the break-in period so I expect that will improve a bit. The 4.8 definitely has plenty of power & I have never experienced any hesitation while the system adjusts to my driving style. The 3.0 demo I drove felt considerably less powerful (not terrible, but not anything like the V8).

Yes the sport mode (button) only deals with the suspension. However there is also a sport mode for the transmission (slap the stick to the left and you are in it.) "Manual" up & down shift and a more aggressive mapping of the throttle response.

Probably a sacrilege to mention this on a BMW board, but my wife drives a Lexus 400h (hybrid), great acceleration & much better for the environment (not nearly as much fun to drive though!):stickpoke

you don't really buy these vehicles for their mpg ratings... there are better vehicles out there in that category...

style, features, and performance is what make these puppies hot..

i tested both versions and although the 4.8 had more pull it wasn't like the E53s in the past... and it didn't pull like the freight train i was hoping for...

in comparison, my landcruiser had 220hp and it felt good... the new Sequoia has 240....the X5 3.0 has 260 and is a bit lighter!!

I think the 3.0 is enough for most.

as for me....i opted for the 3.0 simply because the 4.8 didn't blow me away....and the 3.0 offered same features, colors, looks, etc for much less...(and slightly better gas mileage for those that really need it)

at the end of the day it is you that needs to be satisfied so test drive both and go with what you like...

:iagree: