I was going to do the same, but decided to let BMW sort out any kinks with the engine for a year or two before switching. That should put me into a new one in '11 or '12. I think I'm going with the 20" 214 wheels, since I can pull my tires off the E53 4.8is wheels I had on my previous one and put them on the new wheels.

The ///M version will be interesting. I guess that will be the measuring stick for the E53 aggressive look. Since the 4.6is / 4.8is wasn't technically a ///M, this comparison will be interesting. Oddly enough, on my 4.6is paperwork, the X was refered to as a 4.6is.....X5(M)......go figure. At any rate, your whip is looking good :thumbup: ..........Phil

Yes they definitely need to go to painted rear bumpers when they do the next facelift. IMHO the e53 with the sport package is sportier looking and handles firmer than the e70 unless you get the 4.8 with 20s. BMW went more mainstream with the e70 and has lost some of it's sportiness by trying to capture a larger audience (ie adding 3rd row seats).

I was never familiar with the E53 options but so many E53s I see these days have the mufflers and bottom half of it's "azz" seemingly missing something.

Weird design.. looks half-baked. Is this across all E53s? pic

EDIT>> scroll down for rear pic of IS - almost, but not quite... imo.

Tahoe,

How do you compare the feel of the new model vs the old one. I owned a 2000 X5 4.4i, traded it in 2005 for a Range Rover Sport, and am now looking at the 09 X5 4.8i. What are your preliminary thoughts on driving it and new features?

Thanks,

Ike

Tahoe, congrats on your new ride. It looks great.

I happen to think the e70 is a great looking car, but the problem is that is the X5 has gotten to big. It looks much larger than the e53 and when you get that big, some of the edge and sportinesss is lost in the sheer size of the vehicle, IMO. I think the e70 4.8 sport package is great looking, the non-sport packages and 6 cylinder versions are just ho-hum. Same with the e53 though. IMO, the e53 4.6is with the stock wheels was the best looking looking of the e53 and my favorite X5 to date.

I am not sure if you are looking at the same e53's as I am rh71, but the e53 4.4i sport package, 4.6is and 4.8is are great looking cars from pretty much every angle, especially the back. I think so many people like the styling of the e53 better because it was designed around the time when many consider BMW to have peaked as far as designs go. It was very similar looking to an e39, which many considered to be the best looking 5 series ever and had many similarities in design with the e46 3-series and the e38 7-series. It was a good time for BMW as far as designs go. The new version, while still being good looking, is more japonic and a little less european looking to me.

I don't know where Tahoe is so I'll answer.

I've had two E53s ('01 4.4i and '05 4.4i) I now have drive a 2008 4.8i :wow: Unless I turn around and look in the back seat, you'd never know it's longer, wider, higher or heavier. The handling and power blows away that of the E53. Driving it is a blast.

Congrats Tahoe

Its in the Sierra Nevada Mountains :)

I grew up on the South Shore (graduated from South Tahoe High)...it is one of the most beautiful places on earth.

I meant the OP :stickpoke :rofl: Good one X5FX :)

Overall it's great...no complaints. When I picked it up it had about 80 miles on the engine and it was still significantly faster than my outgoing 4.4i (which was no slouch with 315 hp). I can't wait to see what it will do when it's broken in and the engine loosens up.

Despite the added weight, it feels very light and tossable. It's down on rubber vs. my last one which had the bigger wheels/tires but it's hard to tell. Handling is great but not unduly firm. Throw it around a corner and it grips. Punch it off the line and it's gone. I was looking at the ML63 and Jeep SRT-8 also but in the end I thought this one has the best balance of performance and practicality for me.

As for features, there's no comparison with the E53. This one has much more to offer. One of the main reasons I didn't buy my last one out of the lease is that I was concerned that in 3 yrs it would be very tough to sell an out of warranty V8 SUV with a cassette player in the dash and a clunky transmission. The new features on this one, from the back-up camera to the iDrive to the CD player to the SAT radio to improved voice controls, ipod input, etc etc are a huge improvement over the E53.

Overall, I just need to add a touch of macho toughness in the form of the wheel arches, running boards, wheels, aero kit, and maybe a louder exhaust and it will be a perfect daily driver for me.