read today in bmw car that the 4.4 v8 motor has been upgraded for the new x5 4.8is model, the unit developing 360bhp and 369 lbs ft torque. In the X5 this gave a 0-60 time of 6.1 secs, 6.1 SECONDS for that 5 tonne lump, imagine what it would do in the 5 series. Got me thinking, would BMW put this in the 5 series to create a halfway house model between the ?60k M5 and ?42k 545i

anyone heard any romours???

 

In my opinion, I would say not likely..... More realistically, if the price is gonna be set between 42k~60k,for 100% I will drive away the M5. No huge price gap, but the M5 is surely the golden standard in the segment.

 

It is scarry when a $60k+ car is considered a poor mans car.
But I have to admit, if the M5 was out and I had a bottomless checking account I would have bought it. I have had the oppurtunity to push my 545 a little and I am very pleased with it. It is noticable faster than my old 540 sport 6spd.

The Wall Street Journal had an interesting article out about all the new high performance sedans out with $100K-$150K price tags. Even VW has one now. When I shell out a $100K for a car ir won't have a VW symbol on it.

There is a whole new class of cars out there, but for now I couldn't be any happier than I am with what I have.

 

The 4.8is engine is an Alpina engine. The same with the 4.6is engine, the 5 series will NOT get it. Alpina doesn't mass produce engines.