I've never been a fan of SUVs but gotta say that the 4.8is is definitely the best one i've driven. Now I'm really torn whether to chip my 2.7tip, find a low mileage 2.7T 6MT or check out a 4.2AR. As you can see...I'm looking for more power.

Anybody here have experience with the 4.8is or been in my situation?

big of an issue. I know I'll probably have to get an extra set of tires/rims for the snow on either car.

The looks of the BMW X-series has grown long in the face for me. I'm sure if I see enough of the Qs then I'll feel the same way about those.

The Q7 doesn't hold a candle. the 4.8iS is basically an M5 in an X5 body. Get one in Imola Red on black. <grin>

an AR4.2 in Santa Monica which I'm going to check it out to see the difference in power compared to mine.

I admit I've never driven the 4.8 so I can't comment. But...I have a 4.4 x5 and compared to our other car -- the allroad -- I almost always prefer to drive the allroad. The allroad is faster, handles better, is better equipped, and has a larger trunk. That said, the x5 has been more reliable and has much better brakes.

I think it's also almost double the price of an ar. It was briefly on my pick list when I was in the market and even used I could have had a new ar for the price.

If forced to go the SUV route it would be my 1st pick. Just have to rob a bank first :-)

(Q7 included) Only reason to have one is if you tow (I'm betting you don't) or if you expect some offroading/ really lousy weather. The X5 4.8i is prticularly bad at both of those -- as is any BMW. Look at the rear valence of the X5 -- especially the one on the 4.8i -- its a tacked-on bandaide for a poor design choice made by the wizards at BMW. A 4.8i says "I'm an intellectually lazy juvenile who has more dollars than sense..." If that is you, then definitely get one.


If you want a fast car that drives great and has a real awd system, choose from any other brand -- audi would be a good start -- S4 avant, 4.2 allroad -- with apr 93 octane flash, chipped 2.7T....the list goes on.

4.8i bleh...

experience for BMW in the past (525iT), I've never had an X5. The 4.8is haulded ass for such a heavy SUV and it is what sparked my interest.

I dont really care for labeling people who drive a certain make of car although it's kind of hard not to do on some makes more than others. You'll find idiot drivers on all makes of cars.

My AR works for what I need it to do most of the time. I just want to have more power and dont know whether to go one way or the other.

Have you had a chance to drive a 2.7T chipped? Or ran up against one?

a big SUV would have. I haven't heard of anyone flipping an SUV since my brother flipped my dad's broncoII when we were kids. Let alone an SUV that has massive tires and a sport suspension.

Do you have any experience driving both 2.7 & 4.2 ARs?

the 4.8is. Which AR do you have? 4.2 or 2.7?

now I'm way past boy racer (ricer?) time, but the 4.2 is a beast. With the apr upgrade, it will give a chipped 2.7T some real cmpetition. I love the extra refinement of the 4.2, plus the upgraded brakes and wheels. and the 4.2 is nearly bullet-proof and way understressed.

BMW's --- it funny, but the more I pay attention the more I realize that I never want to own one. Just too many of them, the drivers are almost universally repugnant to me (almost), and frequently drive irresponsibly.

Check out a 4.2

the tip in the 4.2 is a great combo. unlike the 2.7t tip which immasculates an otherwise wicked motor, the tipp in the 4.2 - especially in S mode -- suffers no throttle lag and snaps off redline shifts all day. But its the engine that makes the diff imho. Ive owned both. 4.2 wins in my book...

but not a 4.2...we just had a young mother here the other day lose control of a Yukon and roll it into the ditch...she was killed and her 3 year old son is in bad shape...I just think and I even know from personal experience for years driving Suburbans that I'm not sure I would be able to handle a situation where it was starting to tip...I also know from putting the ar through its paces that it would be almost impossible to roll this under normal circumstances...obviously a steep incline would do it, but not a normal swerve in traffic. There have been numerous videos of these types of accidents lately...I just like my low, mean allroad:) I would love to drive a 4.2 and maybe think that would be my next car...a 2005 4.2...if I stay this size or an S-line A3 3.2 DSG

It's a second slower to 60 than the E39 M5 and almost 2 sec slower than the E60 (current) M5.

...It's the M5 motor mated to an automatic/Sporttronic with lots of M-Technic goodies. (Body kit, interior trim, wheels, etc.)

This is coming from a guy who's car is BROWN and has rub strips and RS6 replicas that are at least an inch too small.

<grin>

the X5 sucks, the 4.8i is a joke -- if you want a sports car, buy one. Dont get an SUV that handles like one or goes fast like one -- its just dumb.

Every driver of an X5 4.8i I have ever seen was a grease-ball who had more dollars than sense...


no I`m not dissing the 4.8i. I`m dissing

the X5 in any form
any Escalade
GMC Yukon/Denali variant
Acura MDX
Any Landrover
The Q7
All Infiniti/Lexus/Toyota SUVs
etc

And mostly the insatiable thirst we americans seem to have for these G-d awful wasters of precious resources....

it will smoke your feable little X5

--and you can actually drive it when it snows...