Just got back from a short lunch ride in a new 4.8is. All I can say is WOW! Definately the SUV (or SAV) to buy unless you can afford the Cheyanne Turbo. Not to mention it looks better than any SUV out there IMO. Sound is amazing also as expected.

I had a buddy with a 4.6is and that thing was crazy-fast. Faster than any SUV needs to be! I'd take a 4.8is or Cayenne Turbo anyday. :)

i thought there was only the 3.0, 4.4, and 4.8is...i never heard of a 4.6is

pre facelift 4.6is 340HP
post facelift 4.8is 355HP

I saw a LeMans Blue 4.8is in person the other day. Beautiful SAV.

damm, I am very curious how the 4.8 performs :drool:

I've ridden in a 4.8is, and must say I'm not too pleased with it...I mean, yeah, it's fast....verrryyyy fast, and yes it looks good, verrryyyy good, but the ride was so harsh...I mean harsh to the point that someone who didn't know that it was designed with performance in mind would think there was something wrong with it. That's just my meaningless opinion on the subject though.

i thought there was only the 3.0, 4.4, and 4.8is...i never heard of a 4.6is

ban!


j/k...; the most obvious is the exhaust. I seen a handful around nyc.

I've ridden in a 4.8is, and must say I'm not too pleased with it...I mean, yeah, it's fast....verrryyyy fast, and yes it looks good, verrryyyy good, but the ride was so harsh...I mean harsh to the point that someone who didn't know that it was designed with performance in mind would think there was something wrong with it. That's just my meaningless opinion on the subject though.

If they didn't designed the suspension that way to be in-line to handle the extra power output capabilities, then that would be one verrrrryyyy dangerous SAV! You would NOT want to be on the same street with that powerful of an SAV on soft suspension! Remember the 70's straight line muscle cars?

If they didn't designed the suspension that way to be in-line to handle the extra power output capabilities, then that would be one verrrrryyyy dangerous SAV! You would NOT want to be on the same street with that powerful of an SAV on soft suspension! Remember the 70's straight line muscle cars?


Well...there's always air suspension, no? My dad's Touareg V8 is fitted with it, and while it's no 4.8is, it's not exactly sluggish in any aspect of its performance. Yes, it (4.8) does need performance tuned suspension, but still, would air not be a good option? Especially about 10 or so years from now...well, from a financial point of view on the part of BMW.

4.8is does have a full air suspension the 4.6is had air suspension only in the rear.

4.8is does have a full air suspension the 4.6is had air suspension only in the rear.


Well...that does seem logical.

i dont see how you can complain about the ride, have you read the reviews on pre-facelifted 4.4i sports?

We were thinking about trading in our ML55 for one of these but BMW made a big mistake by making it so harsh. They lost one sale right here...

So harsh? You sir have been driving that Merc wayyyy too much.

pics or ban!! :)

my father traded his 00 M5 in on an estoril blue 4.8is. he had a x5 3.0 and the M5 and decided to downsize to the 4.8is. It's a great car to travel with. I don't find the suspension to be too stiff, but I drive an M coupe so what do i know. It does sound great...very throaty exhaust note. And man does it haul ass when you get on the throttle. I've got a couple pics of it in my link in my sig. great car and i'd probably prefer it over a cayenne turbo, but i can't say that i've ridden in one of those bad boys.