I was waiting for the new RRS and bought the 4.8. I really wanted the RRS b/c unlike most SUV owners I intended to do minor off-roading (fly fishing). Wouldn't you know it one week into my X5 ownership RR dealer calls to tells me the RRS is available for order. Well having driven the 4.8 for a while now, I can say I'm not looking back. Since the majority of my driving is on-road, I couldn't be happier w/my purchase. I didn't research the car like I usually do, other than knowing it was a BMW. I must say I have been pleasantly surprised. The SAV handles way better than I could have hoped. Probably b/c of the double wishbone suspension, Adaptive Drive and Active Steering though not really sure what it would feel like w/o the Active Steering but what I do know is this car handles as well as my last two cars, fast and flat. Only difference is I'm sitting higher.

If I really need to go where the X5 cannot go or should not go I'll take the wife's LR2 ;)

50i is reality of immediate future!

I'm not the one who has to wait but in your situation wanting to keep this thing for that long (like I do), you should go for the car you want so badly... the TTV8... BUT if you simply are not able to because of lease expiring, etc., then your choice is clear. I also doubt it's coming in the spring.

Can't wait past spring --> take the 4.8, enjoy it, and don't think twice for another 8-10 years.

If this is an 8 - 10 year car, I'd wait for the most current iteration. If you don't like it, I'm sure yo will be able to search the BMW dealer network to find a 4.8 with the options you want, to buy.

If you seriously intend on owning this vehicle for the next 8 to 10 years, I'd truly consider buying a 35d and skipping the 4.8.

It's extraordinarily likely that gasoline will be close to $6 or $7 at some point during the next 10-years, with many reliable sources claiming it will be far higher and could be closer to $8 to $10.00 per gallon.

The 12 miles per gallon (combined range) is the absolute best you can hope to attain, if you're driving this vehicle in any normal manner. Drive through a mountainous pass, such as from Los Angeles to Flagstaff and you'll want to puke when you see 9 and 10 miles per gallon over the 400 mile trip.

On the other hand, at 80 miles per hour, between Phoenix and Tucson last week I averaged over 30 miles per gallon in my 35d with several spurts over 100 mph., to get away from drunk holiday drivers.

Sorry, $70k vehicle or not (mine was $65k and change), paying what could be close to $200 to $250.00 per tank for driving 300 miles is going to drive you insane.

As well, in 8 to 10 years, every vehicle BMW produces will be a hybrid of some sort, be it a fuel cell combination or an electrically powered vehicle. You'll literally be paying more in fuel each year than what the vehicle will be worth.

Lastly, Turbos are very reliable in general when properly designed. They can last 10 years without any issue whatsoever. If you're abusing your car, driving through off-road/dusty conditions and not changing your air filter, than of course you'll have issues. But, properly maintained turbos should last the life of the vehicle.

Just look around you, there were a ton of 4-cylinder Turbo charged vehicles produced in the early 1990s. They're still on the road, most with their original turbos intact.

Thanks to all for the responses. very helpful to get varying points of view.:thumbup:

I don't think turbo reliability (or unreliability) should be a factor in your decision at all.

I think the reports that state the LCI X5 with both turbo 35 and 50 gasoline engines will be out in the spring really mean May deliveries, and I wouldn't recommend that you race to have one of the first ones.

If you were interested in the diesel, it would be worth waiting for the LCI X5 40d which reports are floating around on. This engine was released for the 740d, and is listed at 306hp, with improved torque as well. Reports are that it will be available in the X5. I don't know if that means the X5 35d will be discontinued, or whether both can exist, ie a performance version of the diesel.

There will always be another improved model just around the corner. If the one you like is here at your dealer now, drive it and enjoy it. These probably aren't vehicles that you want to own for 10 years in any case.

Yeah. Don't get the 4.8 NA V8. I only average about 12-13 mpg on mine. (And I don't have a heavy foot! The car just drinks so much gas at stop lights. Ironically, driving in traffic yields better mileage than stop and go around town). It's not that I can't afford the gas, but it just doesn't feel good spending so much money for that kind of performance. But if it were for a TTV8, the added performance will make the gas mileage more justifiable.

35d not a bad choice either.

Plus think of it this way. Discontinued V8 will have higher maintenance cost (parts, etc) in the long run. If TT is the current trend and will be supported, long term maintenance cost should be less.

If gas hits $10 stateside I'll move to Germany and enjoy what I get out of that $200 per tank. Thats ridiculous and not something that Walmart Nation will support.

If gas hits $10 per gallon what do you think diesel fuel will cost? Probably also $10/gal. Right now diesel is about the same or even a little higher than premium here in MD. I just drove my 4.8 to South Carolina (550 miles) and averaged 20.1 mpg.