Senseless Speed: An X5 With No Good Reason to Be So Fast

[Big Daddy]

The 2005 BMW X5 4.8is is one of those vehicles. It rolls on 20s, has a bored-out V8 and a stiffened suspension holding it all up. On paper it's yet another argument that Americans will buy anything with a BMW badge on it, but on the road it's more fun than any SUV has a right to be.

The rest of the story: Inside Line

 

[Kirby]

Interesting article but I take issue with "it's yet another argument that Americans will buy anything with a BMW badge on it."

It's not true, with proof. No 318ti or 1 Series here because Americans don't buy hatchbacks, 7 series & Z4 sales are down. Z8 sales were very slow and it was discontinued with no immediate replacement.

Stupid statement by the writer.

 

[bmw046series]

Let me tell you something to rebut this, the 4.8i X5 is no different than the Land Rover Range Rover, that is actually more money, which is more senseless, a Rover that will give you a headache or a Bimmer that will give you a bankache? Well they both will do the same I guess.

 

[MrElussive]

I read this review a couple weeks ago when it was first posted up. This was such an enjoyable review. Unfortunately, the specifications are off. The X5 4.8is does 0-60 in 5.9 seconds and should have a quarter mile time of 14.2-14.6 seconds.
I don't like SUV's much anymore, but I would kill someone to have an X5 4.8is. It looks amazing on the outside, great X5 interior on the inside, and it performs better than many sport sedans!

Kirby, the guy who reviewed the vehicle was making the point that the X5 4.8is does not have any practicalities of a typical SUV anyways (summer performance tires, awful trunk space and tight interior, no low-range, etc.) so if you want a performance-minded vehicle for $70K, there are better-performing alternatives for less money....it's like the existance of the X5 4.8is is just self-defeating, basically.

bmw046series, how is the new Range Rover senseless? It is a luxury SUV (THE luxury SUV). The X5 4.8is is senseless because of the reasons I listed above to Kirby. The new Range Rovers sell like crazy around here....I keep seeing so many hot mommies driving around in them in my area...they just love their Range Rovers.

 

[deutsch100]

We completely LOVE our 4.8is. It is very practical, handles as well as any BMW or Mercedes sedan we have ever driven or owned, it so comfortable; even on long trips and it is so hot and hauls ass (the growl from the exhaust is intoxicating). Also the article again makes reference that new BMW models' interiors are inferior and poorly done: "The X5's cabin still wears the classic styling of previous-generation BMWs" and "There's no iDrive to make things complicated, and the cabin design has the simplicity that made 20th-century BMWs feel just right".

Cannot count how many times we have flipped the back seats down (with the super-practical one touch button) and picked up and hauled tons of stuff from Home Depot, and the pull out Loading system in the back is amazing.

Not to be rude, or sound like an ass...but anyone that puts down the 4.8is is because they don't have one. We have never liked an SUV/SAV more. All the comfort and performance of a car, and all the practicality of a truck.

 

[Average Jae]

With a base price of $70,795, the 4.8is isn't a rational purchase. If you want pure BMW performance, buy an M5

sure if i can pick up a new m5 for 70 large, make mine an interlagos blue!

high perf SUVs are oxymoronic at first, but it turns out to be one sweet piece of ride. i love our 4.4i, not as much as my 3er, but everytime i drive it, i'm amazed by the bmw genes. (same was true w/ the cayanne test drive. now the turbo cayanne, that's getting closer to a not rational purchase.) yes 4.4i just isn't the 4.8i, but for about 10k less, my parents dun care too much about it.

 

[Chesty Bonds]

Yeah I wouldn't say no to a 4.8is, as much as I hate to admit it... That exhaust note just gets me every time.[headbang]

But I'd still take a 3.8L E34 M5 any time.

 

[Chesty Bonds]

BTW, Deutsch you should make a video of those cars you have... That is actually the best car collection I think I've seen on this board.

 

[MrElussive]

deutsch, the X5 4.8is is my favorite currently-produced BMW (maybe next to the M3). I think I would kill someone just to have one, in fact. But I have to say that the X5 4.8is is probably the most IM-practical SUV ever. This is what the article is trying to explain. The X5 4.8is comes with 20" rims and high performance summer tires which make it undrivable in the snow, and in temperatures under 40 degrees. Next, the trunk space is pathetic and the interior is a bit cramped for such a large SUV. The trunk space is only 16.1 cubic feet which is less than half of what the average SUV can hold (your average mid-size SUV has a 35 cubic foot trunk space). Last but not least, there is no low-range for when things get really bud in the snow or mud...but then again you shouldn't even BE there because of the OEM summer tires.
Oh well, despite all these cons, I love the X5 4.8is to death and I truly wish I had one.

 

[tool fan]

If I could.........I would own 2....just to piss off the neighbors.