Lest I trick some of our readers into thinking its some kind of SUV week around here at GCFSB, we’ll follow on to the X5 4.6is we featured on Monday with that truck’s successor, the X5 4.8is. 2004 would bring a facelift for the first generation X5, which would be exiting stage right in 2006. But BMW decided to have one more go at the über SUV formula by jamming almost 5.0 liters of V8 under the hood, good for 355 bhp. While the black 4.6is we saw on Monday was a bit stealth, you won’t miss this Imola Red 4.8is if it was coming at you.
Tag: BMW
While to me the E39 isn’t the prettiest 5 series BMW produced, what they did manage to accumulate was perhaps one of the best wheel lineups they ever fitted. Most ended up on the sport models, but from the Style 5 to Style 66, all of them looked great. I especially love the relatively unloved two-piece BBS made Style 19s that were fitted to early 540i sports, but the Style 5, 66 and 32 wheels that made it to other sport models are equally good. Of course, I had to throw in a set of Style 37 “M-Parallels” even though they’re most often associated with other models – and truth told, the Style 32 wheels here are actually optional E38 wheels. Nevertheless, they’re all awesome – which are your favorite?
CLICK FOR DETAILS: BMW Style 42 17×8,5×120 Wheels on eBay
4 CommentsIs the E34 BMW M5 destined to be a future classic or a cult favorite? It’s an interesting question, since if you go back only a few short years ago there was a general lack of appreciation of its fore-bearers. Certainly many considered the E28 a watershed design and important performance leap for executive sedans, but the refinement and luxury added to the E34 design for many doesn’t seem to outweigh the perceived softening of the M5. Plus the E34 wasn’t a watershed car or design, rather an evolution of the proven blueprint. BMW offers the E34 M experience in a different and more affordable form V8 in the 540i M-Sport, too – something that wasn’t really done with the E28. Then there’s the problem with it’s successor – the E39 represents arguably a much better deal and good examples are continuing to fall in price. That leaves the ‘last of the handbuilts’ in an interesting predicament. They should be worth more, since they’re a M5 and limited production, right?
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1991 BMW M5 on eBay
2 CommentsSometimes automakers will and save the best for last. While many consider the M3 the ultimate E30, the 318is was, in its own right, a 3 series to admire. Much like how Mercedes-Benz slotted their new V8 into the aging W111 coupe and convertible in the early 1970s, BMW took it’s new 1.8 liter, twin cam M42 four cylinder engine and inserted it into the two-door E30 for one last shout before the 3 series baton was handed off to the E36 in 1992. This new motor breathed new life into an old favorite, with some praising the added balance the smaller engine provided. The interior was classic E30, which was basic in comparison to modern day BMWs. However, as BMW was reaching a bit downmarket with the one year only 318is, the mantra “everything you need, nothing you don’t†was abided by. This 318is for sale in Ontario, Canada has covered only 68,000 miles and in silver over black, has aged rather well with a decidedly vintage flair.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1991 BMW 318is on eBay
7 CommentsBMW would take a gamble in the late 1990s by unleashing the X5 “Sports Activity Vehicle” onto the public. Would this truck live up to the “Ultimate Driving Machine” tagline? Well, after a friend’s parents purchased an X5 4.4i shortly after it’s introduction, I had only one answer to that question: yes. I was amazed how car like the X5 handled. It was as if it was a 5 series on stilts, but the increased height had little effect on how tight it hugged the curves. There is even an E53 X5 in the GCFSB fleet, as our owner, Dan, recently purchased a clean, low mileage 2003 X5 4.4i to replace a Volvo XC70.
This 4.6is represents the top dog of the X5 range for 2003, with 335 horsepower routed through all four 20 inch wheels. It’s not an optimal combination for off-roading, but it’s doubtful this black on black example for sale in Oregon would leave the tarmac for extended periods of time.