I need some opinions folks...

My wife and I test drove the 2008 4.8i today...As expected, it drove great! The question is this, which would you buy?

2006 4.8is
5016 curb weight
355 hp
369 ft-lbs
27000 miles
$47000

2008 4.8i
5335 curb weight
350 hp
350 ft-lbs
0 miles
$57500

So the 2006 version is most likely going to be faster having less weight and more engine... But can you justify a $10k+ difference in price with the 2006 one having 27000 miles? Of course, with the 2008 model, we get to spec it out the way we want - colors and such. And it would have that "brand new smell". But for $10k+ difference?

Can folks share their opinions, please?

Thanks in advance...

We just bought a 2008 X5 4.8si. The body was redesigned in 2007. You won't notice the differences unless you think about the looks, but the new one is substantially larger inside. The old X5 had the same or less interior room compared to the X3. This may not be important to you, but it was to us. The fact that the body has been redone will also affect resale.

With any new car, you suffer depreciation. It is best to buy it and keep it after the loan has been paid off. The 2006 would be partially depreciated, but since it is the old model, it may still drop in value relatively quickly. I don't know enough to say for sure. To me, cars are never great buys unless you buy a fully depreciated used one and keep it for at least several years and experience no major problems with it. Otherwise, you are just paying a lot to drive a car, and that is fine if you are willing to pay a lot to drive a nice car.

On paper, the 2006 performance specs look better than the 2008. Other factors might be important, such as the torque curve of the engine, the rear axle ratio, the ratios in the trans, and the trans itself. The 2008 uses a 6 speed automatic and a 3.91 axle ratio. It is quick but not a rocket ship. You have your E36 M3 SC for that just as I do. But the V8 with sport package is at least entertaining for an SUV.

With options, the 2008 may end up costing more that what you write. It could easily run $60,000 or $65,000 or more. I believe a fully optioned one is into the $70,000 range. The price difference may broaden enough that you would rather buy the 2006. If you buy the 2006, I hope it is CPO with a 6 year from inservice date 100k warranty. These are big, complex cars.

If the difference is only $10,000, I would say $10,000 is definitely worth the newer body style, 2 more years and 27,000 more miles of warranty, and less wear and tear. Get the difference to $25,000 and the decision is tougher.

After you option the 08 out, you will be near 70K or over it. Get the 06, work on getting the price down a few more thousand, and ask them to throw in an extended warranty....the 06 is a 0-60 in 5.9. The 0-8 is 6.4. Just make sure all problems with the 06 have been addressed before you sign and drive.

Well, I've done a little more researching and realized that I wasn't comparing apples to apples.... The 2006 4.8is has A LOT more standard features than the somewhat watered down 2008 that we were considering. Here are the specs for the 2008:

Black Sapphire Metallic $0
Tobacco Nevada Leather $0
Light Poplar wood trim $0
Cold Weather Package $900
Premium Package $1,750
Rear Climate Package $900
Heated rear seats $350
Running boards $300
18" standard wheels (Yuck! But I'm having a hard time justifying $3600 + $995 for the 20" wheels) with dinky 255/55mm tread - my Boxster S' tires are wider than that!
Standard 12 speaker stereo (the upgrade is for 16 speakers... when would it be enough?)
Destination & Handling: $775
Total MSRP as Built $59,475
MY PURCHASE PRICE = $57,500 or roughly 5% over invoice.

The 2006 we are considering has these ON TOP of above:
Navigation
Self Leveling Rear Axle (I wonder why this was removed as an option?)
Adjustable Ride Height (Again, I wonder why this was removed as an option?)
20" Wheels with 275/40mm and 315/35mm treads
Sports Suspension
Retractable Load Floor
Park Distance Control
Premium Hi-Fi DSP Stereo
MSRP for this car was $74,128

So we are comparing a $59,475 MSRP car vs a $74,128 MSRP car.

This is the ACTUAL ebay car we are considering. There are others there with 16k miles and 27k miles. I can get this car to have the 100k CPO warranty added especially since it's still under warranty now. I figure I can probably get them for about $45k

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trkparms=tab%3DWatching&viewitem=&item=250216492917&_trksid=p3907.m32

So we went to the dealerships again today. We did sit in the 2006 car and it did feel less comfortable than the 2008 in the back. The rear seats of the 2008 were more comfortable. We didn't notice much difference on the front seats.

One other thing is that we drove the 2008 WITH the sports package. Of course, we loved it. But it's not the car we will end up ordering. If we suck it up and get the sports package, we still only end up with 19" wheels 255/50s.

Here's a weird thing... My wife has ALWAYS wanted to get a USED SUV. Now, she's the one pushing for the new one and I'm the one pushing for the USED one! It's almost like she's using the reverse jedi mind trick or something!

My thinking is that I may sell the M3 (albeit it would be a very difficult decision since I'm mentally attached to the car which I purchased new and is supposedly within the last 50 of the production E36M3's) and consider a 135 or a Lotus Elise for the track and use the X5 to tow either. So I'm thinking "2 cars" and my wife may be thinking "1 car". For you single guys out there, BELIEVE ME when I tell you to buy all your toys before you get married. I'm glad I snuck the Boxster S in there before hand since everything now is a joint decision (which, of course, I'm glad to do).

So the bottom line is, the 2006 X5 4.8is is pretty much "fully loaded" while the 2008 X5 we are considering is a little watered down. The $10kish difference is actually more if I decide to fully load the 2008.

pbonsalb, one thing that bothers me with SUV's is when I see them "sag" when loaded with people in the rear - so it makes the front stick up and the rear sag down. This is why I like the "self leveling" rear axle of the 2006....

Thoughts?

I would skip the running boards if you buy the 2008. They seem like a good idea but they really just get your pants and overcoat dirty. I would get the sports package. The 20 inch wheels are a cheap option, but you will need snow wheels and tires if you get them and those will cost you probably $1000-1500 for a nice used set. The X5 is my wife's car, so I did not push for the 20 inch wheels and the separate snow wheels. The fat wheels also make the ride worse on anything but smooth roads. The 19s that come with the sport package are just half an inch wider and still only 255 -- just 50 series instead of the 55s that come with the stock 18s. Its not bad for what it is.

We have not had our X5 loaded up enough to notice whether it sags or not. Maybe ask the dealer about that. Get them to put 7 people in it to show you. Or take one home for the night. That is what we did. I know nothing about the old self leveling option. Check out the X5 World website -- Google it and see if there is any data there.ez

It looks like you are now essentially at the $25k difference that makes the choice tougher -- it would cost you $25k more get the 2008 equipped the way the 2006 is equipped. CPO the 2006 -- that might cost you $1000-$1500 if possible and you might want to go for it. If it cannot be CPO'd, find out why -- or is it not at a dealer? It sounds like you don't really need the extra space of the 2008 and are content with the 2006. It is cheaper and has more options that you want and is still a great car.

I just went through the same dilemna 1 month ago. After driving the 2006 4.8is my decision was easy. It seems to be a way sportier drive. I bought a black 2006 4.8is with 22,000 miles, BMW certified with all of the same options for $49,000. What did you end up with?

I just went through the same dilemna 1 month ago. After driving the 2006 4.8is my decision was easy. It seems to be a way sportier drive. I bought a black 2006 4.8is with 22,000 miles, BMW certified with all of the same options for $49,000. What did you end up with?

As my wife said, the 2006 4.8is "drove like my M3". Well, not exactly, but I knew what she meant. It was definitely a "sportier" drive. I.e. - harder drive. We went with the 2008 WITHOUT the sports package and were very glad (after doing long drives) that we didn't. I sat in the back trying to work on my laptop during highway cruising and I thought the ride was STILL hard. I must be getting old.

But anyway, since we already had the sports car thing covered (M3, Boxster S, A4 on coil overs) we wanted a "cruise mobile". The 2008 without the sports package somewhat fit that bill. I.e. - I wish it was a tad softer still (at least in the back since riding in the front was perfect).

I've taken a ride in a X5 4.6is...not the new X5 though. The new X5 is def. bigger and you can still get a 3rd row [for some stupid amount of money] ... honestly, I like the look of the X5 better, the the 4.8is is a very rare X5, and it came fully loaded as well...tough decision here. I would save the $10k, and in about 3 years, get a used 08 4.8i... :)

Buy the 2006 unless you need the third seat. I have the 07 4.8 and I am very desappointed in many ways. Wayyyyyyy too much electronic intervention everywhere. I have been a BMW faithfull for 20 years with 9 BMWs under my belt but I will never again buy any BMW that has iDrive. I have spent lots of time with it and know it inside and out and still HATE it. If I could trade someone straight across for a 2006 4.8is, I would do it in a heartbeat. If it was cheaper that would be stellar.

2008 if you need space and size.
2006 if you want badassesness :D

really the new X has the 4.8 motor but its just another big SUV, the old 4.8 is an MCar in disguise and drives much differently. I'd take the old one in a heartbeat, or wait until the turbo motors from the X6 are dropped into the current X5. There are also rumors of an M-version of the new X in development.

buy the '08. new car smell is worth every penny

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