535i to an X5 4.8?
 

Guys, I'm in a quandary.

I have the following cars:

2007 Yukon Denali XL
2008 535i Sport Dinan chip and exhaust
2008 135i Vert
2002 325iA

We have four kids and three drivers. My wife drives the 135 and I drive the 535. The Denali used to be my wife's daily driver, but we just sold (transferred the lease to another buyer) it because it is such a gas hog.

So, now we are down to the 3 BMWs but we are missing a utility vehicle and a four wheel drive vehicle for the winter.

What should we do?

My wife loves her vert. So, do I sell my 535 for a loaded X5 4.8? I will miss my performance car big time. It is my favorite of all time. But by trading for the 4.8, I have my four wheel drive and just three cars to insure.

Steve

If you are more interesting in the performance go for a loaded x6 :)

X6 would be a good option depending on what kind of utility you need... the rear space there is not a big gain over a 5series. ;) You do have the AWD and performance... or you can wait for the twin turbo V8 or 3.0sd in the X5 - those will perform well too. ;) The 4.8i is a good now-solution.

We test drove a 535 back to back against a E70. 535 wins in every way unless you desperately need a lot more space. Can't see how an X6 would be any better in utility, no trunk space, only seats four. Have you considered an E60 wagon? That'd be my number one pick in your situation.

Drive the 4.8...it's a ton of fun. Since I've had mine, I've driven the M3 maybe twice. I don't think you'll miss your 535i all that much. The handling of the 4.8 is great, it takes corners amazingly well for an SUV, is very quick, and the engine sounds great. I throw it around turns to get on the freeway onramps and it couldn't be more composed. The X6 will be even more fun to drive but the looks are iffy. On top of that, I think the X5 is 100x better looking than the 5 series.

do you know a approximate date for the TT engines ?

We don't have a 4.8 Sport to test drive. How fast does it shift manually in the sport mode? Is it the same transmission as in my 535 Sport?

And how is the exhaust note?

Handling?

Steve

if you got rid of the Yukon because of poor MPG, you sure aren't going to be happy with a 4.8's MPG.

If you have some time (late 09) you might want to wait on the PAS (Progressive Activity Sedan).Will be built on the new 5 Series platform.A longer,wider and taller 5 Series.Will have many engine options.....TTI6,TTV8,TTDiesel and maybe a V something in the top end performance version.Will ride very slightly higher than the standard 5 Series....more car based than SAV. Will have Xdrive available as an option.Very sporty design...maybe the sleekest to come out of Munich in many many years.Interior room of the new 7 Series due to larger base dimensions.Innovative interior,maybe 2+2+1 seating as one option,many more interior options than any previous new BMW.Flexibility of the layout of this large interior volume is one of the signature points of this car.Very interesting new BMW to say the least.Might look a little like these two renderings.Thanks! PalBay

Gresch beat me to it. If MPG was your concern, X5 may not be your answer. I recently traded my Escalade for an X5 3.0, and right now the Escalade got just as good or better mileage. Getting abut 12 MPG on mainly city driving. I know it will improve based on other comments in the forum. On the other hand, I would not give up my X5!